One aspect is a structural fault estimation system for a rotor system. The structural fault estimation system includes a plurality of sensors operable to provide a plurality of measured rotor loads and motion of the rotor system. A rotor loads and motion estimator is operable to produce a plurality of estimated rotor loads and motion for the rotor system. A rotor fault estimator is operable to determine residual rotor loads and motion as a difference between the measured rotor loads and motion and the estimated rotor loads and motion, and estimate fault magnitudes for the rotor system using least squares relative to fault models and the residual rotor loads and motion. The structural fault estimation system can perform structural fault estimation in real-time on an aircraft while in operation.

A circuit board (4) for connecting a deformation sensor (16, 18), which is provided on a radial outer side of a rolling bearing outer ring (6), to a signal-processing circuit (28), the circuit board includinga cylindrical support plate (20) having a cylinder opening in which the rolling bearing outer ring (6) can be accommodated concentrically to said cylindrical support plate (20), an electrical contact pad (22) on the cylindrical support plate (20) for electrical contacting with the deformation sensor (16, 18) andan electrical strip conductor (26) which is electrically connected to the electrical contact pad (22) and is designed to receive signals from the deformation sensor (16, 18) and convey them to the signal-processing circuit (28).

A system for taking a measurement at a connection element. The system has a force sensor having a first side and a second side. The force sensor is configured to provide a measured value representative for a force acting between the first and the second side of the force sensor. The system also has an ultrasonic sensor and a positioning bushing The positioning bushing has a positioning bushing recess, which is configured to receive the ultrasonic sensor, at least in part. The system also has a separate sensor bushing, mechanically coupled to the first side of the force sensor, and having a sensor bushing recess. The sensor bushing recess is configured to receive, at least in part, the positioning bushing and the first end of the connection element. A second end of the connection element can be mechanically coupled to the second side of the force sensor.

A bearing which includes a bearing ring and rolling elements. The bearing ring includes an outer surface, having a groove around a circumference of the outer surface, wherein the groove is adapted to accommodate a fiber sensor. The bearing further comprises a clamping element, wherein the clamping element retains the fiber sensor with a clamping force acting in a radial direction of the bearing ring such that the fiber sensor intimately engages the bearing ring. Due to the clamping force, relative movement of the fiber sensor can be reduced.

The rotational torque inspection method for a bearing device comprises: a press-fitting step (S02); a first bearing preload value calculation step (S03) for calculating a first bearing preload value (P1); a post-press-fit rotational torque measurement step (S05) for measuring a post-press-fit rotational torque (Ta); a crimping step (S06) for crimping the small diameter step part to the inner ring; a post-crimping rotational torque measurement step (S07) for measuring a post-crimping rotational torque (Tb); a second bearing preload value calculation step (S08) for calculating a second bearing preload value (P2); and a determination step (S09) for determining the suitability of the preload depending on whether or not the second bearing preload value (P2) is within a range of a reference value.

A rolling bearing includes an outer ring having a predetermined rotation axis; an inner ring disposed coaxially with the outer ring and situated on an inner peripheral side of the outer ring; multiple rolling elements disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring; and a strain gauge disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the outer ring or an inner peripheral surface of the inner ring. The strain gauge includes three or more detector elements that are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring or the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring, and the three or more detector elements include at least two detector elements at different locations in a circumferential direction of the outer ring or the inner ring, the at least two detector elements being situated at different locations in a direction of the rotation axis.

A device configured to be mounted on a mechanical component and to measure an axial load exerted on the mechanical component, the device including a ring provided with an inner cylindrical surface and with an outer opposite cylindrical surface, the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces delimiting the radial thickness of the ring. The device further provides at least one optical sensing fiber disposed in a first circumferential groove provided on one of the outer and inner cylindrical surfaces of the ring.

A bearing device includes a bearing having an inner ring and an outer ring, at least one of the inner and outer rings being capable of rotating concentrically relative to the other ring. A fiber optic sensor includes an array of optical strain gauges mounted on the inner ring or on the outer ring of the bearing and an optical interrogator is configured to measure the deformations of the inner ring or the outer ring from the optical strain gauges. A command device commands the optical interrogator, a first determining device determines a statistical parameter from random samples of measurements, and a second determining device determines the load acting on the bearing from the statistical parameter and a predetermined relationship between the statistical parameter and the load.

A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.

A rheometer shaft system includes an output shaft including an axial thrust disk, an upper air bearing surrounding the output shaft located above the axial thrust disk, and a lower air bearing surrounding the output shaft located below the axial thrust disk. An upper gap separates the axial thrust disk of the output shaft and the upper air bearing. A lower gap separates the axial thrust disk of the output shaft and the lower air bearing. An airflow detection system is configured to detect a change in airflow to the upper air bearing and the lower air bearing based on the movement in the axial direction of the output shaft. This change in airflow can be used to monitor normal force applied to the rheometer shaft.