42 results about "Mechanical amplifier" patented technology

An apparatus, system and methodology enable non-intrusive measurement of parameters related to fluid flow in a conduit. An acoustic sensor is located along the conduit and includes a mechanical amplifier having an acoustic input coupled to the conduit and a microphone coupled to the mechanical amplifier. The microphone receives mechanically amplified acoustic energy from the conduit and establishing first signals which are processed for generating second signals which are related to fluid flow in the conduit. The second signals can include quantitative flow data and qualitative data such as change in state and alarms. The second signals can be transmitted wirelessly to a remote site for further processing. Use of low power components and power management enable long term operations on battery power.

The invention relates to a fine positioning system using an inertial motor based on a mechanical amplifier that comprises a first amplified inertial sub-assembly including a mechanical amplifier, a piezoactive member and a countermass. A second relative drive sub-assembly includes a clamp and a clamped member attached to the first amplified inertial sub-assembly. Asymmetric excitation cycles of the first inertial sub-assembly generate impact forces and movements amplified in a driving direction (z), thus resulting in sliding and adhesion successions of the clamped member in the clamp in order to generate a relative translation movements of the points A and B relative to the point D. The mechanical amplifier increases the step size and reduces the supply inrush currents. Fine and dynamic positioning of the point B relative to the point D can be achieved with augmented strokes using the amplifier.

A piezoelectric device is provided that comprises a mechanical amplifier adapted to produce a displacement output and / or receive a force input, and first and second flexible platforms connected to the mechanical amplifier. The first flexible platform is connected to one side of the mechanical amplifier and piezoelectric material is mounted on the first flexible platform for controllably flexing the first flexible platform. The second flexible platform is connected to another side of the mechanical amplifier and piezoelectric material is mounted to the second flexible platform for controllably flexing the second flexible platform.

A mechanical amplifier includes first and second amplifier mounting pads (110, 120) and first and second sensor mounting pads (130, 140). At least one of the first and second amplifier mounting pads (110, 120) receives a load or displacement. The first and second sensor mounting pads (130, 140) connect to the first and second amplifier mounting pads (130, 140) via flexible connecting members. A sensor (150) may connect to the first and second sensor mounting pads to measure the amount of load or displacement.

The system (10) comprises a sensor (18) 90×90×90×30 mm as an electromagnetic microwave cavity (20) with a coupler (22) with a wire (40) and an antenna (42). Cavity (20) produces a response signal (26) in response to an interrogation signal (24) from interrogator (16). Sensor (18) is coupled to a structure (14) to allow a strain to alter the resonance properties. 3.6 GHz is used with a detection of a 2.5 kHz change. If not temperature via strain is detected a mechanical amplifier is used with cavity (20) for temperature compensation. Continuous or intermittent narrowband signals are used as interrogation signals (24). Used with bridges for structural health monitoring. Also for aircrafts, dams, buildings, vehicles.

An energy harvester is provided for harvesting energy, and in particular electrical energy from an input vibration such as an ambient vibration. The energy harvester comprises a first mechanical amplifier responsive to the input vibration and a second mechanical amplifier coupled to the first mechanical amplifier. At least one of the first and second mechanical amplifiers comprises a parametric resonator, and a power output of the energy harvester is generated by damping the second mechanical amplifier.

A proportional micro-valve for regulating the temperature of an electronic component comprising a cooling subsystem associated with each thermal zone of the electronic component, a cooling circuit carries cooling fluid to a heat exchanger associated with each thermal zone, the flow of which is controlled by a valve element, which is in turn controlled by a sensing circuit which reacts to the temperature of the underlying thermal zone to proportionally increase or decrease the rate of cooling fluid flowing through the heat exchanger based upon the temperature of the thermal zone. Cooling fluid substantially continuously flows through the sensing circuit, regardless of whether the valve element is open or closed. The sensing circuit provides feedback to a temperature-responsive mechanical amplifier for opening and closing the valve element.

A bolus, for introduction into a ruminant animal's reticulum to register pressure signals transmitted through fluids therein, has a case unit adapted for immersion in the fluids. A mechanical amplifier element extends out from the case unit and is adapted to be surrounded by the fluids in the reticulum and absorb mechanical energy from the pressure signals. A guide part conveys mechanical energy from the mechanical amplifier element to a sensor module in the interior of the case unit. The sensor module transduces the pressure signals into electric signals from which a processing module extracts data representing body movements, a heart beat rate, a respiratory rate, a respiratory depth and / or stomach activity of the animal. A communication module in the case unit receives the data and transmits output radio signals reflecting the data.

A sound generator includes a transducer converting electric energy to mechanical energy, a mechanical amplifier mechanically amplifying a vibration generated in a piezoelectric component of the transducer, and a radiation plate radiating a sound wave from a signal amplified by the mechanical amplifier, wherein the radiation plate includes a first step having a height for compensating for a first resonance frequency and a second step having a height for compensating for a second resonance frequency.

A piezoelectric device is provided that comprises a mechanical amplifier adapted to produce a displacement output and / or receive a force input, and first and second flexible platforms connected to the mechanical amplifier. The first flexible platform is connected to one side of the mechanical amplifier and piezoelectric material is mounted on the first flexible platform for controllably flexing the first flexible platform. The second flexible platform is connected to another side of the mechanical amplifier and piezoelectric material is mounted to the second flexible platform for controllably flexing the second flexible platform.

The method of generation of pulsations of liquid jet consisting in that acoustic pulsations generated by acoustic actuator act directly or indirectly on the pressure liquid in acoustic chamber; generated pressure pulsations are amplified by mechanical amplifier of pulsations and transferred by liquid waveguide fitted with pressure liquid feed to the nozzle and / or nozzle system. Resonant natural frequency of the acoustic system can be matched to the frequency of acoustic pulsations by means of a tuneable resonant chamber. An apparatus is used for implementation of this method comprising the acoustic system, consisting of acoustic actuator (1) that consists advantageously of electromechanical transducer (10) and cylindrical waveguide (11), an acoustic chamber (2) which internal volume being filled with stationary pressure liquid (3), a mechanical amplifier of pulsations (4), and liquid waveguide (6) that is usually metal tubing or hose or combination of both; said acoustic chamber (2) is fitted with mechanical amplifier of pulsations (4) that is connected with the nozzle and / or nozzle system (7) by means of liquid waveguide (6) that is fitted with pressure liquid feed (5). The acoustic system can be complemented with tuneable resonant chamber (9) allowing tuning up of resonant natural frequency of the acoustic system to the driving frequency of pressure pulsations.

A displacement amplifier receives an actuation displacement signal from a piezoelectric actuator. The displacement signal is amplified by one or more stages of compliant elements, and a corresponding force is applied to a load. Wide frequency response is achieved in response to the resilience characteristics of the compliant elements that are formed from any of several materials, illustratively aluminum, steel, titanium, plastics, composites, etc., and are produced by any of several manufacturing techniques, illustratively extrusion, die casting, forging, etc. The compliant elements can be configured as plural compliant mechanical displacement amplifier stages. In bilateral arrangements displacement signals from distal ends of the motive source are applied to symmetrical, or mirror image, arrangements of compliant elements. The motive source, which may be a piezoelectric actuator, delivers its displacement signal at one end thereof to one or more compliant elements. The other end of the piezoelectric actuator can be grounded.

A piezoelectric actuator with integrated features to provide linear displacement of a threaded rod is presented. One mechanism provides mechanically amplified piezo motion for high speed / short travel position scanning whereas the other provides a low speed / long travel piezo motorized position adjustment. Mechanical amplifier incorporates one or more piezo stacks in longitudinal axis with preload to translate an amplified motion in the order of a few times in the transverse axis, perpendicular to the piezo stack motion. The piezo amplified output travel is transmitted to the internally threaded features of the other mechanism where a screw with a ball at the end to push a desired surface for high speed scanning mode translation. The internally threaded feature of the other mechanism is also operated by a secondary piezo stack which produces slip- stick motion steps to rotate the screw in one direction or the other to produce a slow speed / long travel mode.

The invention discloses a liquidometer calibration device. The liquidometer calibration device is simple in structure, is easy to operate, and is stable and reliable in data. The liquidometer calibration device includes vertical guide rails at two ends and a lifting work platform; two ends of the lifting work platform are each provide with a displacement sensing mechanical amplifier; each displacement sensing mechanical amplifier includes a displacement sensing disc, the displacement sensing disc is coaxially connected to a raster conversion disc, the displacement sensing disc is connected to the two ends of the lifting work platform through a central rotation shaft, the circumference surface of the displacement sensing disc is positioned on the corresponding vertical guide rail; when the lifting work platform moves vertically, the displacement sensing discs slide along the vertical guide rails and then drive the raster conversion discs to rotate at the same time; the two ends of the lifting work platform are each provided with a pulse digital converter; an outer circle of each raster conversion disc is provided with a rectangular tooth groove; and the pulse digital converters are corresponding to the rectangular tooth grooves of the raster conversion discs.

An acoustic generator of pressure pulsations includes a cylindrical waveguide which is caused to vibrate at a low amplitude by an electromechanical transducer. The vibration of the cylindrical waveguide creates low amplitude pressure pulsations in an acoustic chamber containing stationary pressure fluid. A mechanical amplifier, which is part of the acoustic chamber, amplifies the low amplitude pressure pulsations generated by the cylindrical waveguide.

This invention discloses a piezoelectric device including: a mechanical amplifier for generating offset output and realizing action force input and a first and a second flexible platforms connected with the mechanical amplifier, in which, the first flexible platform is connected with one end of the amplifier, and the piezoelectric material fixed on the flexible platform is used in bending the first platform, the second platform is connected with the other end of the amplifier and the piezoelectric material fixed on the second platform bends it under control.

An actuator is provided which includes a parallel eccentric gear train, a prime mover having an assembly of piezoelectric elements which drives the gear train and which forms a mechanical amplifier, and a crankshaft which is driven by the parallel eccentric gear train.

An energy harvester is provided for harvesting energy, and in particular electrical energy from an input vibration such as an ambient vibration. The energy harvester comprises a first mechanical amplifier responsive to the input vibration and a second mechanical amplifier coupled to the first mechanical amplifier. At least one of the first and second mechanical amplifiers comprises a parametric resonator, and a power output of the energy harvester is generated by damping the second mechanical amplifier.

An actuator is provided which includes a parallel eccentric gear train, a prime mover having an assembly of piezoelectric elements which drives the gear train and which forms a mechanical amplifier, and a crankshaft which is driven by the parallel eccentric gear train.

A system and a method are described for converting a small motion from a piezoelectric actuator to a larger motion in a valve mechanism. A piezoelectric actuator is connected in series to a mechanical amplifier, a mechanical temperature compensation element, a mechanical fine tuning element, all acting in the same effective direction as the piezoelectric actuator.

A sound generator includes a transducer converting electric energy to mechanical energy, a mechanical amplifier mechanically amplifying a vibration generated in a piezoelectric component of the transducer, and a radiation plate radiating a sound wave from a signal amplified by the mechanical amplifier, wherein the radiation plate includes a first step having a height for compensating for a first resonance frequency and a second step having a height for compensating for a second resonance frequency.

Various embodiments are directed to a yarn analyzer comprising a measurement mechanism configured to monitor the local thickness of the yarn moving along a yarn path. The measurement mechanism comprises a fixed member and a displaceable member between which the yarn path passes. The displaceable member is secured relative to a mechanical amplifier comprising a pivotable lever arm at a first end of the pivotable lever arm at a short distance from the pivot axis of the lever arm, and is biased toward the fixed member. The measurement mechanism further comprises a displacement sensor configured to monitor the displacement of a reference component secured relative to a second end of the lever arm at a long distance from the pivot axis. The monitored movement of the reference component is correlated with the thickness of the yarn, such that the yarn thickness is recorded for the length of yarn.

The invention relates to a fine positioning system using an inertial motor based on a mechanical amplifier that comprises a first amplified inertial sub-assembly including a mechanical amplifier, a piezoactive member and a countermass. A second relative drive sub-assembly includes a clamp and a clamped member attached to the first amplified inertial sub-assembly. Asymmetric excitation cycles of the first inertial sub-assembly generate impact forces and movements amplified in a driving direction (z), thus resulting in sliding and adhesion successions of the clamped member in the clamp in order to generate a relative translation movements of the points A and B relative to the point D. The mechanical amplifier increases the step size and reduces the supply inrush currents. Fine and dynamic positioning of the point B relative to the point D can be achieved with augmented strokes using the amplifier.

The invention discloses a pipeline pressure pulsation energy collecting device with a supercharging device, and belongs to the technical field of hydroelectric generation and low-power-consumption newenergy. The device is composed of a pressurizing pipeline, a main pipeline, a base, a top cover, a plastic film, a piezoelectric stack, a mechanical amplifier, a piezoelectric frame and a sealing rubber ring. The pressurizing pipeline is connected with the main pipeline through threads, the sealing rubber ring is installed between the pressurizing pipeline and the main pipeline, the piezoelectricstack is pasted on the piezoelectric frame and is connected with the mechanical amplifier through pasting, and the mechanical amplifier is fixed above the main pipeline through a stud. When water flow passes through the pressurizing pipeline, the pressure pulsation of the pipeline is increased and transmitted to the plastic film to generate vibration, and the vibration is transmitted to the piezoelectric stack after passing through the mechanical amplifier, so that the piezoelectric stack deforms to generate electric energy. Since pipeline pressure pulsation is increased, the vibration amplitude generated by the pressure pulsation is amplified and the energy collection efficiency is improved, and the device is simple in structure, low in cost and easy to popularize.

The invention involves utilizing variable reluctance measurement technology (“VRMT”) sensors to monitor forces and stresses on drilling risers and riser towers. The tension monitoring system described herein includes an optimized configuration of variable reluctance measurement technology sensors, wherein the sensors have increased wire turns around each end of their C-cores or alternatively are mounted on mechanical amplifiers or both. An array of optimized variable reluctance measurement technology sensors can be configured at multiple points on a riser system. The VRMT sensors may be integrally attached to the risers or flexible joints for the risers, or may be installed on existing riser or flexible joint systems.

The invention provides three design variants of a piezoelectric actuator that integrates coarse adjustment of threaded rods and fine adjustment of mechanically amplified piezoelectric actions. A mechanical amplifier accommodates one or more preloaded piezoelectric stacks along the longitudinal axis to translate displacement along the transverse axis perpendicular to the displacement of the piezoelectric stack by several orders of magnitude. The output stroke of the piezoelectric amplifier is transmitted to a threaded rod with a ball at the end to push the position adjustment and displacement transformation of the set surface, such as mirror frame and other applications.

Disclosed is a mechanical amplifier device and mechanism thereof. The mechanical amplifier device comprises an input shaft, a housing and an output shaft. The input shaft receives an initial force as an input which is provided to a first wheel, thus enabling synchronous rotation of the first wheel. A lever is configured to receive the initial force from the first wheel, while the lever is attached to an outer edge of the first wheel, enabling rotation of the lever to amplify the initial force. The lever passes through a center of a fulcrum and attaches to an outer edge of a second wheel to provide the amplified initial force to the second wheel, which causes rotation of the second wheel. The output shaft then rotates synchronously upon receiving the amplified initial force from the second wheel and provides the amplified initial force to an external machine such as a bicycle.

A dispensing system (10) includes a piezoelectric stack (40) having a distal end (220) and being configured to expand upon application of a voltage such that the distal end is moved by a first length. The system further includes an amplifier (200) with a primary surface (204) to contact the distal end of the stack and a secondary surface (206), a base configured to contact the secondary surface, and a valve assembly (22) with an outlet orifice (104) and valve element (76). The valve element is configured to move in first and second directions and is coupled with the amplifier. When the distal end is moved by a first length, a portion of the amplifier is moved by a second length that is greater than the first length, and the valve element is moved in a first direction by the second length.

The invention relates to a mechanical amplifier which converts a small motion vibration amplitude to a big motion vibration amplitude. The method includes two or more transverse levers which are serially connected at an angle. An unexpected motion generated in the structure is absorbed by the structure through a torsioning function. Each transverse lever is a mechanical amplifier. A total amplification function is a product of the combination amplification function of the transverse levers which are serially connected. The invention relates to a device including two or more connected transverse levers, wherein the connection angle of the transverse levers is preferably 90 DEG.