Embodiments of the invention include a fracture ring sensor and a method of using the same to detect out of tolerance forces. Aspects of the invention include a product having a defined an out of tolerance force, a fracture ring sensor, and a mounting assembly coupling the fracture ring sensor to the product. The fracture ring sensor is patterned with a conductive trace and is manufactured to break when subjected to a predetermined amount of force. The predetermined amount of force is substantially equal to a percentage of the out of tolerance force of the product.

Embodiments of the invention include a fracture ring sensor and a method of using the same to detect out of tolerance forces. Aspects of the invention include a product having a defined an out of tolerance force, a fracture ring sensor, and a mounting assembly coupling the fracture ring sensor to the product. The fracture ring sensor is patterned with a conductive trace and is manufactured to break when subjected to a predetermined amount of force. The predetermined amount of force is substantially equal to a percentage of the out of tolerance force of the product.

A semiconductor device includes a strain gauge on a substrate, the strain gauge configured to measure a stress of the substrate; and a temperature sensor disposed within the substrate, the temperature sensor being decoupled from the stress of the substrate.

A semiconductor device includes a strain gauge on a substrate, the strain gauge configured to measure a stress of the substrate; and a temperature sensor disposed within the substrate, the temperature sensor being decoupled from the stress of the substrate.

Various braking devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the braking device includes a support element, a block of friction material supported by the support element, at least one piezoceramic sensor supported by the support element and interposed between the block of friction material (and the support element, and a protective element located at the piezoceramic sensor and embedding the latter. The protective element can have one or more layers of resin-based material applied to protect the piezoceramic sensor and direct a predetermined part of the external compression force onto an area of the support element surrounding the piezoceramic sensor. In some embodiments, a signal transduction device is provided and includes at least one piezoceramic sensor supported on a support element and has an integral protective coating having properties of mechanical and temperature resistance.

A method of determining proof stress includes: calculating a needed load needed to completely crush a deformable impact absorption body of a barrier in a range that comes into contact with a rear bumper reinforcement, based on a load needed to completely crush the entire front surface of the impact absorption body, an area of the entire front surface of the impact absorption body, and an area of the front surface of the impact absorption body, which comes into contact with the rear bumper reinforcement; calculating a maximum bending moment acting on the rear bumper reinforcement in a case where the needed load is input; and determining proof stress of a pair of side members to be equal to or greater than the needed load and determining proof stress of the rear bumper reinforcement to be equal to or greater than the maximum bending moment.

Sensors and sensor systems incorporating piezoresistive materials for integration with footwear are described.

Sensors and sensor systems incorporating piezoresistive materials for integration with footwear are described.

In a force sensor, a cylindrical movable body can be moved with respect to a cylindrical main body. A strain body is fixed to the main body and the movable body, and can be deformed in accordance with the movement of the movable body. Strain sensors are provided on the strain body. At least three circular openings are provided in the circumferential surface of the movable body at equal intervals. Stoppers are respectively arranged inside the openings, and each of which includes a first side surface having a first outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the opening, and a second side surface having a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter. Fixing members fix the stoppers to the main body.

The present subject matter discloses a method of measuring a peak load, including the steps of placing an indenter between a first surface and a second surface, exerting a load on at least one of the first and second surfaces, measuring at least one of a width, depth, radial chord length, and cross-sectional area of an indentation formed by the indenter in at least one of the first and second surfaces; and converting the measured parameter into a load value. Certain methods further include the steps of converting the measured parameter into a load per length value and obtaining a load value by integrating along a circumferential length of the indentation. In still other methods, the exerted load is a compressive load.