Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide methods for driving shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires in a more power-efficient manner.

A monitor configured to be removably coupled to a strut that forms part of a temporary support structure. The monitor may include an electronic monitoring device that includes a load cell. The monitor may be configured to be position in-line with strut and subject to the same forces exerted upon the strut. Further the monitor may be configured to wirelessly communicate the sensor information to a user.

A self-aware composite mechanical metamaterial, comprising first and second electrically conductive components disposed relative to each other to act as opposite electrodes to induce contact electrification; wherein the first and second electrically conductive components, along with a dielectric component serving as a skeleton of the self-aware composite mechanical metamaterial, form a lattice of snapping curved semicircular-shaped segments, wherein each of the snapping curved semicircular-shaped segments has an elastic snap-through instability mechanism; and wherein the lattice comprises periodic repeatable parallel rows of the snapping curved semicircular-shaped segments.

An instrumented electric power voltage arrester includes a temperature sensor, wireless transmitter, and a visual over-temperature indicator. A disk shaped module, a replacement varister block, or a dummy block containing the sensor/transmitter is placed between varister blocks inside the arrester housing. A strap-on module is attached to the outside of the arrester housing. The sensor/transmitter utilizes a harvesting power supply that draws electric power for the electronics from the power line protected by the arrester. An ambient temperature sensor may be utilized to enhance accuracy. The temperature sensor/transmitter typically sends arrester monitoring data wirelessly to an RTU or handheld unit located outside the arrester, which relays the monitoring data to an operations control center that scheduled replacement of the arrester based on the monitoring data. A surge counter keeps track of the number of equipment and lightning related temperature surges experienced by the arrester.

A method for producing a foil-based pressure sensor includes the steps of: providing a bottom element with a bottom foil and at least one bottom electrode disposed on the bottom foil; providing a plurality of top elements, each top element having a top foil with at least one top electrode disposed under the top foil, a combined area of the top elements being smaller than an area of the bottom element; and individually positioning and at least indirectly connecting the top elements to the bottom element so that at least one top electrode of each top element is disposed over at least one bottom electrode of the bottom element to form a sensor cell that is adapted to be activated when a pressure on the sensor cell exceeds a turn-on point. The turn-on point is adjusted by selecting a position of a top element from a plurality of positions.

The present invention is a system and method using a hand-mounted force sensor to verify installation of a CPA-enabled electrical connector. The system has at least one CPA-enabled electrical connector with a locking button; at least one hand-mounted force sensor; an interface board; a transmission channel; a system processor; a non-transitory computer readable memory element; a display; and an input. The hand-mounted force sensors have an electrical output that is proportional to the force. By interposing a force sensor between the locking button and the source of force, the force to close the locking tab can be read. The method is accomplished with the steps of mounting at least one force sensor so that it will record the force exerted when depressing a locking button of a CPA-enabled electrical connector; depressing the locking button; measuring the force; recording the force; comparing the force to a pre-determined threshold; passing the CPA-enabled electrical connector if the force was less than the pre-determined threshold and otherwise failing it.

Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide methods for driving shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires in a more power-efficient manner.

The invention relates to a tire comprising an apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises a first, second, third, fourth and fifth layer, the third layer being optional, characterized in that: a) the first layer comprises a first electrode material, b) the second layer comprises a first intermediate material, c) the third layer comprises an insulation material, d) the fourth layer comprises a second intermediate material, and e) the fifth layer comprises a second electrode material, wherein the first intermediate material of the second layer and the second intermediate material of the fourth layer are different, the five layers are arranged one above the other according to the above sequence, and the surface of the second or fourth layer layers has a surface roughness R.sub.a in the range from 0.1 μm to 500 μm, measured in accordance with DIN EN ISO 4288:1998. The invention relates to the uses of the apparatus.

A system comprises a member to receive a mechanical force, and a sensor to sense the mechanical force. The sensor is mounted on the member using a set of nanoparticles and a set of nanowires coupled to the set of nanoparticles.

A transducer assembly includes a ring wall, a first arm, a second arm, a magnet, and a Hall effect sensor. The ring wall defines a bore. The first and second arms are disposed within the bore and include first and second proximal and distal ends, respectively. The first and second proximal ends are coupled to and extend from first and second interior locations of the ring wall, respectively. The second interior location is spaced from the first interior location. The magnet is disposed within the bore and is fixedly coupled to the first arm. The Hall effect sensor is disposed within the bore and is fixedly coupled to the second arm. The Hall effect sensor is spaced from the magnet and is configured to detect movement of the magnet resulting from compression of the ring wall. Methods are also provided.