The present invention relates to a MEMS deformation sensor for measuring a relative movement between two regions of a structure, the sensor comprising: —a first portion (2) and a second portion (3) that are movable with respect to one another along a direction of measurement (X); —a thrust element (4) mounted fixed with respect to the first portion; —a first electrode (A) and a second electrode (B) that are capable of being raised to different electrical potentials, each mounted fixed with respect to the second portion; —a connecting portion (I) forming an electrical link between the first electrode and the second electrode, the thrust element applying a load to the connecting portion when the first portion moves with respect to the second portion along the direction of measurement beyond a predetermined distance, the electrical link being broken under the effect of the load.

A strain gauge includes a flexible substrate, and a functional layer formed of a metal, an alloy, or a metal compound, directly on one surface of the substrate. The strain gauge includes a resistor formed of a film including Cr, CrN, and Cr.sub.2N, on one surface of the functional layer. The substrate includes a filler. Surface unevenness on one surface of the substrate is 15 nm or less, and the resistor has a film thickness of 0.05 μm or more.

A strain gauge includes a strain detecting unit and a temperature detecting unit that are formed on or above a flexible substrate. The strain detecting unit includes a resistor formed as a film containing Cr, CrN, and Cr.sub.2N, on one surface of a functional layer. A first metallic layer formed of a material of which a gauge factor is less than that of the resistor is laminated on a folded portion, and a resistance value of the first metallic layer on the folded portion is less than a resistance value of the folded portion. The temperature detecting unit is a thermocouple including a second metallic layer formed of a same material as the resistor, on or above the substrate; and a third metallic layer formed of a same material as the first metallic layer, on the second metallic layer.

A method and apparatus for sensing strain in a flexible electronic display. In some implementations, a display controller may be coupled to an electronic display panel. The display controller is configured to receive sensor signals from one or more piezoresistive sensors disposed in the electronic display panel, determine an amount of strain in the electronic display panel based on the received sensor signals, determine a bend angle of the electronic display panel based on the determined amount of strain, and update a configuration of the electronic display panel based at least in part on the determined bend angle. In some implementations, the electronic display panel may be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel. In some implementations, the electronic display panel may include a polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) backplane disposed on a flexible substrate, where each of the piezoresistive sensors includes one or more strain gauges formed on the poly-Si backplane.

An artificial muscle including a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, the housing defining an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, a strain sensor integrated into at least one of the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion of the housing, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the electrode pair is configured to actuate between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region to deform the strain sensor.

The present invention relates to a detection system for detecting wear of a ball-joint connection device of a pitch rod. The detection system includes at least one measurement assembly, said at least one measurement assembly having at least one deformation gauge for placing on said pitch rod, said detection system comprising at least one electrical conditioning circuit connected to at least one said deformation gauge and to at least one electrical energy source, said electrical conditioning circuit being configured to generate a measurement signal that varies as a function of deformation of said at least one deformation gauge and as a function of said wear.

Provided is a measuring device capable of enhancing convenience. The measuring device 1 comprises a first sensor 2 provided on a surface of an object 11 to be measured, an elastic body 3 that clamps the first sensor 2 between the elastic body 3 and the object 11 to be measured, a protective sheet 4 provided on the surface of the elastic body 3 on the side of the object 11 to be measured, a case 5 provided on the surface of the elastic body 3 on a side opposite from the object 11 to be measured, and a processing circuit 8 which is provided inside the case 5 and processes an output signal from the first sensor 2. The first sensor 2 is provided between the elastic body 3 and the protective sheet 4. The first sensor 2 is a strain sensor and includes a thin film piezoelectric element. The elastic body 3 is made of foamed rubber.

A device for detecting wear of a wear member composed of electrically resistive material. The wear member comprises at least two electrodes separated from each other, where each electrode overlies, or is embedded in, an outer surface of the electrically resistive material. One of the electrodes is connected to a resistor at a measurement node to form a resistive voltage divider. A voltage measurement device measures a change in voltage at the measurement node, where the change is voltage is indicative of the degree of removal of resistive material from a face of the wear member and where the change in voltage is continuously variable and not limited to discrete wear levels.

Springs can provide energy return and have a conductivity that changes in relation to an amount of strain or deformation of the spring. In some embodiments, the springs are made by multi-material 3D printing (additive manufacturing). Such springs made by multi-material 3D printing may include a first material that is electrically non-conductive and a second material that electrically conductive. The extent of deformation or strain of the spring may be determined or estimated by measuring the conductivity or resistivity of the electrically conductive material portion of the spring.

A strain sensor comprising a conductive member having a plurality of elements arranged adjacent to one another, and a non-conductive and elastically deformable material encapsulating the conductive member, wherein, in an equilibrium state, compressive forces cause at least one of the plurality of elements to contact at least a portion of an adjacent element, and wherein, when a strain is applied, a resulting elastic deformation causes at least one of the plurality of elements to space apart from an adjacent element such that the contacted portion decreases or is eliminated. A multi-axis force sensor comprising a sensing array comprising at least two planar sensors arranged radially on a planar substrate in antagonistic pairs, and a compressible member positioned between the substrate and a central portion of the sensing array, the compressible member acting to displace the central portion of the sensing array away from the substrate.