A method for calibrating an elongated metallurgical tool based on a laser distance sensor (6). A temperature measurement/sampling tool (3) is driven by an industrial robot (1) so that a standard temperature measurement/sampling gun (4) enters a calibration area, the standard temperature measurement/sampling gun (4) reciprocates at the vicinity of a laser distance sensor (6), the standard axis is obtained by using a vector on a generatrix of the standard temperature measurement/sampling gun (4) based on the laser distance sensor (6), the position and orientation of the temperature measurement/sampling tool (3) is adjusted so that the axis of the standard temperature measurement/sampling gun (4) is parallel to the set standard axis, and moreover, positioning and identification is performed on an end TCP point of the temperature measurement/sampling tool (3) to obtain a tool coordinate system corresponding to the temperature measurement/sampling tool (3), and deformation of the standard temperature measurement/sampling gun (4) can be detected in the calibration process, to ensure the accuracy and stability of system operation of the industrial robot (1). In addition, also provided is a device for calibrating an elongated metallurgical tool based on a laser distance sensor (6).

A set of load responses of an asset for a sample of traffic loading events caused by objects of unknown weight is measured. At least one statistical parameter is determined from the set of load responses. A corresponding statistical parameter of known object weights loading the asset is determined. An object weight is assigned to a load response of the set of load responses based on correlation of the extracted statistical parameter to the corresponding statistical parameter.

A set of load responses of an asset for a sample of traffic loading events caused by objects of unknown weight is measured. At least one statistical parameter is determined from the set of load responses. A corresponding statistical parameter of known object weights loading the asset is determined. An object weight is assigned to a load response of the set of load responses based on correlation of the extracted statistical parameter to the corresponding statistical parameter.

A tactile sensor including a camera positioned to capture images of marks. An elastically deformable skin including an outer surface having attributes and an undersurface having pins, ridges, or both. Each undersurface pin or ridge includes a mark. A processor detects displacement of the marks in captured images and compares the displaced positions of the marks in the captured images to stored sets of prelearned positions of marks, based on a distance function, to determine a quality of match value for each set of the prelearned positions of marks. A best quality matched prelearned pattern of forces is determined using a user selected function, to calculate a best matching set of the prelearned positions of marks. Identify a pattern of forces acting on the elastically deformable skin based on the determined best matched prelearned pattern of forces.

A tactile sensor including a camera positioned to capture images of marks. An elastically deformable skin including an outer surface having attributes and an undersurface having pins, ridges, or both. Each undersurface pin or ridge includes a mark. A processor detects displacement of the marks in captured images and compares the displaced positions of the marks in the captured images to stored sets of prelearned positions of marks, based on a distance function, to determine a quality of match value for each set of the prelearned positions of marks. A best quality matched prelearned pattern of forces is determined using a user selected function, to calculate a best matching set of the prelearned positions of marks. Identify a pattern of forces acting on the elastically deformable skin based on the determined best matched prelearned pattern of forces.

A hub for an optical shape sensing reference includes a hub body (606) configured to receive an elongated flexible instrument (622) with a shape sensing system coupled to the flexible instrument within a path formed in the hub body. A profile (630) is formed in the hub body in the path to impart a hub template configured to distinguish a portion of the elongated flexible instrument within the hub in shape sensing data. An attachment mechanism (616) is formed on the hub body to detachably connect the hub body to a deployable instrument such that a change in a position of the hub body indicates a corresponding change in the deployable device.

An optical strain gauge system measures strain on the exterior surface of a pipe to identify areas of wear on the interior surface of the pipe. The optical strain gauge system comprises an optical sensing interrogator and at least one optical fiber. The optical sensing interrogator comprises a light source and a light sensor. The at least one optical fiber includes fiber Bragg gratings along the length of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is arranged on the exterior surface of the pipe with the fiber Bragg gratings forming a two-dimensional array of points at which strain measurements are obtained. The two-dimensional array of strain measurement points provides an accurate assessment of the strains on the exterior of the pipe which can be used to identify areas of wear on the interior surface of the pipe.

Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in scissors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.

Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in scissors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.

An apparatus, and related method, relates generally to a fiber-optic sensing system. In such a system, fiber-optic sensors are in a rosette or rosette-like pattern. An optical circulator is coupled to receive a light signal from a broadband light source, to provide the light signal to the fiber-optic sensors, and to receive a returned optical signal from the fiber-optic sensors. A spectral engine is coupled to the optical circulator to receive the returned optical signal and configured to provide an output signal.