A high-speed tensile testing machine conducts a tensile test on a test piece by applying a test force to the test piece. The high-speed tensile testing machine includes a detection unit configured to detect a test period indicating a time from when the test piece starts to deform under action of the test force to when the test piece breaks, and a determination unit configured to determine validity of a test result of the tensile test, on the basis of the test period and natural vibration of the high-speed tensile testing machine. Specifically, in the case where the test period is a predetermined multiple or more of a specific cycle indicating a cycle of the natural vibration of the high-speed tensile testing machine, the determination unit determines that the test result of the tensile test is valid.

Hundreds of thousands of concrete bridges and hundreds of billions of tons of concrete require characterization with time for corrosion. Accordingly, protocols for rapid testing and improved field characterization systems that automatically triangulate electrical resistivity and half-cell corrosion potential measurements would be beneficial allowing discrete/periodic mapping of a structure to be performed as well as addressing testing for asphalt covered concrete. Further, it is the low frequency impedance of rebar in concrete that correlates to corrosion state but these are normally time consuming vulnerable to noise. Hence, it would be beneficial to provide a means of making low frequency electrical resistivity measurements rapidly. Further, prior art techniques for electrical rebar measurements require electrical connection be made to the rebar which increases measurement complexity/disruption/repair/cost even when no corrosion is identified. Beneficially a method of determining the state of a rebar without electrical contact is taught.

In some embodiments, a sensor includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) structure, a cover, and a bump stop. The MEMS structure is configured to move responsive to electromechanical stimuli. The cover is positioned on the MEMS structure. The cover is configured to mechanically protect the MEMS structure. The bump stop is disposed on a substrate and the bump stop is configured to stop the MEMS structure from moving beyond a certain point. The bump stop is further configured to stop the MEMS structure from making physical contact with the substrate. Moreover, the cover is configured to apply a force to the MEMS structure responsive to a voltage being applied to the cover.

In some embodiments, a sensor includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) structure, a cover, and a bump stop. The MEMS structure is configured to move responsive to electromechanical stimuli. The cover is positioned on the MEMS structure. The cover is configured to mechanically protect the MEMS structure. The bump stop is disposed on a substrate and the bump stop is configured to stop the MEMS structure from moving beyond a certain point. The bump stop is further configured to stop the MEMS structure from making physical contact with the substrate. Moreover, the cover is configured to apply a force to the MEMS structure responsive to a voltage being applied to the cover.

A method for measuring the applied load on a towing hook/or a tow bar accessory of a towing hook arrangement for a vehicle, and a towing hook arrangement for a vehicle. The towing hook arrangement comprises a towing hook and/or a tow bar accessory arranged on a tow bar, the towing hook arrangement also comprises a sensor arrangement having at least one actuator and at least one sensor, the sensor arrangement is adapted to detect an imparted vibration on the tow bar and use the detected imparted vibration to determine the applied load on the towing hook and/or the tow bar accessory.

A method for measuring the applied load on a towing hook/or a tow bar accessory of a towing hook arrangement for a vehicle, and a towing hook arrangement for a vehicle. The towing hook arrangement comprises a towing hook and/or a tow bar accessory arranged on a tow bar, the towing hook arrangement also comprises a sensor arrangement having at least one actuator and at least one sensor, the sensor arrangement is adapted to detect an imparted vibration on the tow bar and use the detected imparted vibration to determine the applied load on the towing hook and/or the tow bar accessory.

Provided are a resonator, a method of manufacturing the resonator, and a strain sensor and a sensor array including the resonator. The resonator is provided to extend in a lengthwise direction from a support. The resonator includes a single crystal material and is provided to extend in a crystal orientation that satisfies at least one from among a Young's modulus and a Poisson's ratio, from among crystal orientations of the single crystal material.

Pressure sensors that may be used in flowrate monitoring or measuring systems, where the pressure sensors may enable simple, low-cost designs that are readily implemented. One example may provide a pressure sensor having a built-in flow path with a dimensional variation. Pressures of a fluid on each side of the dimensional variation may be compared to each other. The measured differential pressure may then be converted to a flowrate through the flow path.

A sensor with a mechanical waveguide maybe characterized using test ultrasonic signals to generate a baseline signature, and the baseline signature may later be used to detect faults in the sensor.

A sensor with a mechanical waveguide maybe characterized using test ultrasonic signals to generate a baseline signature, and the baseline signature may later be used to detect faults in the sensor.