A crop quality sensor, comprising an illumination source, an imaging device, and a processor executing application software. The illumination source is shone onto a crop sample, and an image is taken with the imaging device of the illuminated crop sample. The software executing on the processor is used to analyze the image to identify the outlines of individual kernels and to identify which of those outlines contain a specular highlight, indicative that the kernel is whole and unbroken, while the absence of such a specular highlight is indicative of a broken kernel.

A method for producing a sensor on the surface of a functional layer, in which suitable sensor material in the form of powder or a wire is melted in a laser beam by way of a method similar to laser cladding and subsequently is applied to the surface of the functional layer. There is provided a considerably improved method for producing sensors, and in particular in-situ sensors, wherein the sensors can also be deposited onto a functional layer that, in part, is very coarse, without having to employ complex masks, as has previously been customary. The ease of adapting the method parameters ensures broad use both with respect to the sensor to be produced and the functional layer to be detected. The sensors thus produced are used, in particular, to detect components that are subject to high temperatures or the functional layers thereof. The sensors that can be produced in accordance with the invention include, in particular, temperature, pressure or voltage sensors, as well as acceleration sensors.

A pressure sensing system and a pressure sensing setting method are provided. The pressure sensing system includes a first pressure sensing sheet, a second pressure sensing sheet, and a processing device. The first flexible substrate of the first pressure sensing sheet has a first conductive pattern; the second flexible substrate of the second pressure sensing sheet has a second conductive pattern. The second pressure sensing sheet has the second conductive pattern stacked with the first conductive pattern of the first pressure sensing sheet. The processing device outputs electric signal to the first pressure sensing sheet; the second pressure sensing sheet obtains a pressure sensing signal, which is compared with a threshold value, determining if the first pressure sensing sheet and the second pressure sensing sheet are pressed by an external force, thereby preventing erroneous signal and improving measurement accuracy.

An information output device that can output the position of a load applied to the pedal is provided. A strain gauge is provided on the inner face of a crank of a bicycle and detects strain occurring in the crank. A cycle computer display unit displays an image showing the center position of the load applied to the pedal connected to the crank based on the tangential force and the torsional torque calculated based on the output values of the first strain gauge to the sixth strain gauge.

A flexible stress sensing device is provided, which includes a flexible cloth substrate, a flexible stress sensor and textile knots configured to fix the flexible stress sensor on the flexible cloth substrate. The flexible stress sensor includes two conductive fiber bundles, wherein each of the conductive fiber bundles is provided with a loose structure, and the loose structures of two conductive fiber bundles contact with each other and form a stress sensing unit. The flexible stress sensing device can be washable, is not easy to fall off, and can resist against motion interference, and has other advantages of high resolution, high sensitivity and a compatibility with the prior textile techniques.

An electronic measurement unit for a polymorphous device, comprising a number of lateral structures, each lateral structure including: a support structure; at least one sensor constrained to the support structure and generating an electrical signal indicative of a deformation of the support structure; and a coupling structure that constrains a corresponding external covering element to the support structure in a releasable manner, so that when the external covering element is constrained to the support structure and an external force acts on the external covering element, the electrical signal is indicative of the external force.

Certain embodiments of the disclosed technology provide systems and methods for an improved header and corresponding port associated with a transducer assembly. The header and port define mating threaded portions, thread stop portions, and a weld gap region. The thread stop portions are configured to mate and maintain a pre-loading tension between the threaded portions during and after applying a weld in the weld gap region. The weld gap region is configured to have a predetermined gap distance such that the weld seals the transducer without stress in the weld. The mating of the first and second thread stops are configured to maintain at least a portion of the pre-loading tension.

Certain embodiments of the disclosed technology provide systems and methods for an improved header and corresponding port associated with a transducer assembly. The header and port define mating threaded portions, thread stop portions, and a weld gap region. The thread stop portions are configured to mate and maintain a pre-loading tension between the threaded portions during and after applying a weld in the weld gap region. The weld gap region is configured to have a predetermined gap distance such that the weld seals the transducer without stress in the weld. The mating of the first and second thread stops are configured to maintain at least a portion of the pre-loading tension.

A displacement detection device includes a piezoelectric sensor. The piezoelectric sensor is provided with a piezoelectric sheet on both principal surfaces of which detection electrodes are formed. When stress is applied to the piezoelectric sensor, charge is generated, and an output voltage in accordance with this generated charge is detected in a DC voltage detector. A controller measures this output voltage at a predetermined time interval. Every time the controller measures the output voltage, the controller makes a short-circuit control of a switch, and causes the charge generated in the piezoelectric sensor to be released. The controller can thereby detect an amount of change in output voltage generated at the predetermined time interval in accordance with an amount of displacement of the piezoelectric sensor. By sequentially integrating this, the controller can accurately detect the amount of displacement of the piezoelectric sensor which changes across measurement timings.

A load can be applied to a beam and a property of the load can be calculated. In one example, a first shear gauge can be configured for positioning on a neutral axis of a beam on one side of a force that the beam is subjected to. Similarly, a second shear gauge can be configured for positioning on the neutral axis of the beam on an opposite side of the force to the first shear gauge. A calculator can be configured to identify a characteristic of the force through use of an output of the first shear gauge and through use of an output of the second shear gauge.