The invention relates to a load measuring device including a deformable component configured to be deformed under a load to be measured and a sensor assembly attached to a first portion of the deformable component and to a method for determining load using such a sensor assembly. It is proposed that the sensor assembly includes at least one acceleration sensor configured to detect a change in an orientation of the first portion with regard to the direction of gravity and that the deformable component is formed as a seal configured to be in sliding contact with a component configured to rotate in relation to the seal.

A magnetic nanocomposite device is described herein for a wide range of sensing applications. The device utilizes the permanent magnetic behavior of the nanowires to allow operation without the application of an additional magnetic field to magnetize the nanowires, which simplifies miniaturization and integration into microsystems. In addition, the nanocomposite benefits from the high elasticity and easy patterning of the polymer-based material, leading to a corrosion-resistant, flexible material that can be used to realize extreme sensitivity. In combination with magnetic sensor elements patterned underneath the nanocomposite, the nanocomposite device realizes highly sensitive and power efficient flexible artificial cilia sensors for flow measurement or tactile sensing.

A low power consumption multi-contact micro electro-mechanical strain/displacement sensor and miniature autonomous self-contained systems for recording of stress and usage history with direct output suitable for fatigue and load spectrum analysis are provided. In aerospace applications the system can assist in prediction of fatigue of a component subject to mechanical stresses as well as in harmonizing maintenance and overhauls intervals. In alternative applications, i.e. civil structures, general machinery, marine and submarine vessels, etc., the system can autonomously record strain history, strain spectrum or maximum values of the strain over a prolonged period of time using an internal power supply or a power supply combined with an energy harvesting device. The sensor is based on MEMS technology and incorporates a micro array of flexible micro or nano-size cantilevers. The system can have extremely low power consumption while maintaining precision and temperature/humidify independence.

A torque-measuring system is applied to a training assembly of body training equipment. The training assembly includes a stationary base, a flywheel connected to the stationary base, a torque output mechanism driving the flywheel, and a brake member generating a resistance force by contacting the flywheel and displacing relative to the stationary base. The system has a measurement apparatus and a computation apparatus. The measurement apparatus includes a spring leaf and a strain measurement module. The spring leaf is connected between the brake member and the stationary base and has a mounting surface. The strain measurement module is mounted on the mounting surface of the spring leaf and generates a variation of electrical resistance corresponding to a strain of the spring leaf. According to the variation of electrical resistance, the computation apparatus outputs a torque value which reflects the magnitude of the torque outputted from the torque output mechanism.

A load suspension and weighing system for a removable reservoir unit of a portable dialysis machine includes a centrally located flexure assembly. The flexure assembly includes magnets and a number of flexure rings which allow for movement of the magnets about a fixed circuit board. Sensors in the circuit board sense changes in the magnetic field as the magnets move in relation to the circuit board. The magnetic field changes produce a voltage output which is used by a processor to generate weight calculations. The top of the flexure assembly is attached to the interior of the dialysis machine. The entirety of the reservoir unit is suspended by a first internal frame that is attached to the bottom of the flexure assembly. Having a single flexure assembly positioned above the reservoir unit provides more accurate weight measurements while also preventing damage to the assembly from water spillage.

A torque-measuring system is applied to a training assembly of body training equipment. The training assembly includes a stationary base, a flywheel connected to the stationary base, a torque output mechanism driving the flywheel, and a brake member generating a resistance force by contacting the flywheel and displacing relative to the stationary base. The system has a measurement apparatus and a computation apparatus. The measurement apparatus includes a spring leaf and a strain measurement module. The spring leaf is connected between the brake member and the stationary base and has a mounting surface. The strain measurement module is mounted on the mounting surface of the spring leaf and generates a variation of electrical resistance corresponding to a strain of the spring leaf. According to the variation of electrical resistance, the computation apparatus outputs a torque value which reflects the magnitude of the torque outputted from the torque output mechanism.

A device for indicating a replacement time of a composite leaf spring constantly monitors durability of the composite leaf spring, which is formed by mixing unidirectional glass fiber and epoxy resin, and informs a driver of an appropriate replacement time of the composite leaf spring based on the monitoring result.

A load suspension and weighing system for a removable reservoir unit of a portable dialysis machine includes a centrally located flexure assembly. The flexure assembly includes magnets and a number of flexure rings which allow for movement of the magnets about a fixed circuit board. Sensors in the circuit board sense changes in the magnetic field as the magnets move in relation to the circuit board. The magnetic field changes produce a voltage output which is used by a processor to generate weight calculations. The top of the flexure assembly is attached to the interior of the dialysis machine. The entirety of the reservoir unit is suspended by a first internal frame that is attached to the bottom of the flexure assembly. Having a single flexure assembly positioned above the reservoir unit provides more accurate weight measurements while also preventing damage to the assembly from water spillage.

A low power consumption multi-contact micro electro-mechanical strain/displacement sensor and miniature autonomous self-contained systems for recording of stress and usage history with direct output suitable for fatigue and load spectrum analysis are provided. In aerospace applications the system can assist in prediction of fatigue of a component subject to mechanical stresses as well as in harmonizing maintenance and overhauls intervals. In alternative applications, i.e. civil structures, general machinery, marine and submarine vessels, etc., the system can autonomously record strain history, strain spectrum or maximum values of the strain over a prolonged period of time using an internal power supply or a power supply combined with an energy harvesting device. The sensor is based on MEMS technology and incorporates a micro array of flexible micro or nano-size cantilevers. The system can have extremely low power consumption while maintaining precision and temperature/humidify independence.

There is provided a measuring device (dial gauge) capable of performing measurement with a desired measuring force regardless of the posture of the measuring device. A dial gauge in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a measuring force adjustment unit provided to a body case and capable of moving and being positioned and fixed in a direction substantially parallel to a moving direction of a spindle. A biasing means has one end directly or indirectly engaged with the spindle and the other end directly or indirectly engaged with the measuring force adjustment unit, and biases the spindle toward a tip end. The measuring force adjustment unit includes an external thread portion and a connection supporting member having one end screwed with the external thread portion and the other end coupled to the biasing means. The connection supporting member is screw-fed by rotationally operating the external thread portion in such a manner that a position of the connection supporting member is changed and fixed.