A device menu controls connector for a process automation field device include a field device part and a removable knob assembly. The field device part includes one or more Hall effect sensors, and the knob assembly includes one or more magnets. When the knob assembly is attached to the field device part, the knob may be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise, or may be pushed or pulled. The interaction of the magnets and Hall effect sensors allow the field device to sense the rotation and the pushing and pulling of the knob. The programming of the field device allows the device menu controls connector to simulate <Up>, <Down>, <Right>, <Left>, <Enter>, and <Esc> key presses of a user interface. A field device having such a device menu controls connector is also disclosed.

A position change measuring device which measures a change in position of a target object and includes a base member, a press member which is movable following a change in position of the target object, an elastic member which produces heat when contracting or absorbs heat when expanding, a heat flux sensor which outputs a signal as a function of a rate of heat flux transferred inside or outside the elastic member, and a diaphragm unit which is made of elastically deformable material. The diaphragm unit is retained by the base member in contact with the press member and works to produce force of resilience to recover the elastic member to its initial state when the elastic member contracts or expands in response to movement of the press member. This structure improves a response rate for sensing a change in position of the target object with high accuracy.

A position change measuring device which measures a change in position of a target object and includes a base member, a press member which is movable following a change in position of the target object, an elastic member which produces heat when contracting or absorbs heat when expanding, a heat flux sensor which outputs a signal as a function of a rate of heat flux transferred inside or outside the elastic member, and a diaphragm unit which is made of elastically deformable material. The diaphragm unit is retained by the base member in contact with the press member and works to produce force of resilience to recover the elastic member to its initial state when the elastic member contracts or expands in response to movement of the press member. This structure improves a response rate for sensing a change in position of the target object with high accuracy.

A spill resistant beverage container assembly for spill free beverage consumption includes a cup and a lid that is complementary to a top of the cup so that the lid is positioned to be selectively coupled to the cup to sealably close the top. The lid comprises a sidewall that is coupled to and extends between an upper plate and a lower plate to define an interior space. An aperture is positioned in the lid proximate to a circumference of the lid. A detection and access module that is coupled to the lid and positioned in the interior space is configured to detect motion in proximity to the aperture, positioning the detection and access module to open the aperture so that the aperture is configured to allow sipping of a beverage that is positioned in the cup.

An adjustable device for mounting an angular position sensor such as an encoder to a large diameter rotating shaft such as a motor shaft is provided. The adjustable device includes a specially configured alignment plate, a coupling shaft, a spherical joint, and a plurality of fixing bolts and adjustment screws that are disposed symmetrically on the adjustment plate and radially offset from the shaft rotation axis. The fixing bolts and adjustment screws are generally disposed the same radial distance from the central rotation axis.

An adjustable device for mounting an angular position sensor such as an encoder to a large diameter rotating shaft such as a motor shaft is provided. The adjustable device includes a specially configured alignment plate, a coupling shaft, a spherical joint, and a plurality of fixing bolts and adjustment screws that are disposed symmetrically on the adjustment plate and radially offset from the shaft rotation axis. The fixing bolts and adjustment screws are generally disposed the same radial distance from the central rotation axis.

Systems and methods for tracking the location of a non-destructive inspection (NDI) scanner using scan data converted into images of a target object. Scan images are formed by aggregating successive scan strips acquired using one or two one-dimensional sensor arrays. An image processor constructs and then compares successive partially overlapping scan images that include common features corresponding to respective structural features of the target object. The image processor is further configured to compute a change in location of the NDI scanner relative to a previous location based on the respective positions of those common features in the partially overlapping scan images. This relative physical distance is then added to the previous (old) absolute location estimate to obtain the current (new) absolute location of the NDI scanner.

Systems and methods for tracking the location of a non-destructive inspection (NDI) scanner using scan data converted into images of a target object. Scan images are formed by aggregating successive scan strips acquired using one or two one-dimensional sensor arrays. An image processor constructs and then compares successive partially overlapping scan images that include common features corresponding to respective structural features of the target object. The image processor is further configured to compute a change in location of the NDI scanner relative to a previous location based on the respective positions of those common features in the partially overlapping scan images. This relative physical distance is then added to the previous (old) absolute location estimate to obtain the current (new) absolute location of the NDI scanner.

An injection molding machine includes a belt transmission mechanism (mold opening/closing mechanism, ejector mechanism, screw drive mechanism, injection mechanism) configured to transmit drive force from a driving shaft (driving pulley) to a driven shaft (driven pulley) by means of a belt. The injection molding machine includes: a cover covering part or entirety of the belt; and a sensor attached to the cover and configured to detect an abnormality of the belt.

An injection molding machine includes a belt transmission mechanism (mold opening/closing mechanism, ejector mechanism, screw drive mechanism, injection mechanism) configured to transmit drive force from a driving shaft (driving pulley) to a driven shaft (driven pulley) by means of a belt. The injection molding machine includes: a cover covering part or entirety of the belt; and a sensor attached to the cover and configured to detect an abnormality of the belt.