There is a viscoelastic strain sensor that includes a sensing layer including a viscoelastic material, the viscoelastic material including a viscoelastic hydrogel and a conductive nanofiller. The viscoelastic material has a fractional resistance change that increases with an increase of an applied tensile strain, and the viscoelastic material has a fractional resistance change that decreases with an applied compressional strain.

There is a viscoelastic strain sensor that includes a sensing layer including a viscoelastic material, the viscoelastic material including a viscoelastic hydrogel and a conductive nanofiller. The viscoelastic material has a fractional resistance change that increases with an increase of an applied tensile strain, and the viscoelastic material has a fractional resistance change that decreases with an applied compressional strain.

A structure for strain detection is provided with a ceramic main body which is attached to a detection target, in which strain is to be detected, and a stress concentrated section which is formed in the main body and which is fractured at a predetermined strain or greater. Assuming the dimension of the entire main body in one direction is represented by Lm and the dimension of the stress concentrated section in the one direction is represented by Lc, then it holds that Lc<Lm. The stress concentrated section is constituted by a thin-walled portion in the one direction.

Disclosed is a rule assembly having a housing, a reel rotatably mounted in the housing, an elongated blade wound on the reel and extendable through an opening in the housing, and an end hook member attached to the elongated blade. A hook portion extends downwardly below a bottom surface of the housing when the blade is in a fully retracted position. The housing has an opening having an upper portion disposed above the blade, and a flexible cover overhanging the opening to inhibit or prevent penetration of debris therein. The cover is flexed by the end hook member upon impact by force (e.g., when dropped) and permits movement of the end hook member into the opening to reduce deformation of the end hook member. Optionally, a grip cover made of elastomeric material is provided on the housing and the cover is part of the grip cover.

Disclosed is a rule assembly having a housing, a reel rotatably mounted in the housing, an elongated blade wound on the reel and extendable through an opening in the housing, and an end hook member attached to the elongated blade. A hook portion extends downwardly below a bottom surface of the housing when the blade is in a fully retracted position. The housing has an opening having an upper portion disposed above the blade, and a flexible cover overhanging the opening to inhibit or prevent penetration of debris therein. The cover is flexed by the end hook member upon impact by force (e.g., when dropped) and permits movement of the end hook member into the opening to reduce deformation of the end hook member. Optionally, a grip cover made of elastomeric material is provided on the housing and the cover is part of the grip cover.

The invention relates to a probing means for coordinate measuring machines, with a probe tip having a recess and a shaft penetrating with a shoulder into the recess. According to the invention, the recess tapers towards the interior of the probe tip and the shaft has a construction complementary thereto.

The present invention relates to an FBG sensor for measuring a maximum strain of an object being measured, a method for manufacturing the sensor, and a method of using the sensor. To this end, provided is the FBG sensor for measuring a maximum strain, comprising: an optical fiber (130) having an FBG sensor (150) therein; a first metallic foil (120) contacting the optical fiber (130) on one surface thereof; a second metallic foil (120) which comes into surface-contact with the one surface; an adhesive layer (140) provided between the first and second metallic foils (100, 120); a means for measuring a residual strain of the first and second metallic foils (100, 120) through the FBG sensor (150); and a means for calculating a maximum strain on the basis of the measured residual strain and a sensitivity coefficient (Csen) obtained through experimentation.

The present invention relates to an FBG sensor for measuring a maximum strain of an object being measured, a method for manufacturing the sensor, and a method of using the sensor. To this end, provided is the FBG sensor for measuring a maximum strain, comprising: an optical fiber (130) having an FBG sensor (150) therein; a first metallic foil (120) contacting the optical fiber (130) on one surface thereof; a second metallic foil (120) which comes into surface-contact with the one surface; an adhesive layer (140) provided between the first and second metallic foils (100, 120); a means for measuring a residual strain of the first and second metallic foils (100, 120) through the FBG sensor (150); and a means for calculating a maximum strain on the basis of the measured residual strain and a sensitivity coefficient (Csen) obtained through experimentation.

An ultrasound inspection apparatus for use with coordinate positioning apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a base module that is attachable to the moveable member of the coordinate positioning apparatus. The base module comprises an ultrasound transducer and a first connector portion. A plurality of coupling modules are also provided that each include a second connector portion that is releasably attachable to the first connector portion of the base module. The coupling modules also include a coupling element, which may be a sphere of self-lubricating material such as a hydro-gel, for contacting and acoustically coupling to an object to be inspected. This allows different coupling modules to be attached to the base module to perform different ultrasound inspection tasks.

A method for the assembly of a metal part and a ceramic part, including the following steps: supplying a solid ceramic part of the alumina type; supplying a solid metal part, the metal being selected from platinum and tantalum, or an alloy including a majority of one of these metals; depositing at least one layer, called interface layer, on at least one of the solid parts, the interface layer containing magnesium oxide; bringing into contact the solid metal part and the solid ceramic part such that the interface layer is located between the solid parts; and hot densification under pressure of the solid parts brought into contact, to create a close bond between the solid parts and form a spinel from the interface layer. An electrical device, such as a capacitive sensor having a sensitive part produced according to the present method, is also provided.