A three-dimensional rib for a crash test dummy includes at least two layers of a band material and a layer of damping material sandwiched in between the at least two layers of the band material.

A fastening device may include a first member configured for forceful engagement with a second member. The first member may include a sensor configured to emit at least a first photo-luminescent signal to a detector when at least a predetermined first torque level is applied to the first member when the first and second members are engaged.

Systems and methods are provided for detecting theft of an enclosure of an autonomous vehicle. Pressure exerted by the enclosure to a fixture as measured by one or more piezoelectric sensors can be monitored. A change in the pressure exerted by the enclosure as measured by the one or more piezoelectric sensors can be detected. An alert can be generated based on the change in the pressure.

An error of an axial force detection is reduced by tensioning a bolt with a tensioning device engaged with a part of the bolt, different from a shaft portion of the bolt. A tensioning device is configured to apply upward tension to a bolt fastened to a fastened member H, and fitted with a washer. A first male thread portion is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the washer. The tensioning device includes a connection member having a first female thread portion to be engaged with the first male thread portion, a tensioning mechanism for tensioning the connection member in a state where the first male thread portion is engaged with the first female thread portion, and a tension bearer which is disposed around an outer circumference of the connection member, and bears a reaction force applied from the fastened member H in tensioning performed by the tensioning mechanism.

Mechanical integrity sensors are provided to detect occurrence of an out-of-tolerance force on a component, such as a circuit board. The mechanical integrity sensor includes a light-blocking container and a light collector disposed within the light-blocking container. The light-blocking container includes a breakable panel. The breakable panel fractures with a force on the breakable panel indicative of the out-of-tolerance force on the component. Fracturing of the breakable panel allows light into the light-blocking container, and the light is collected by the light collector as indicative of the occurrence of the out-of-tolerance force on the component.

A system for monitoring fastener tension includes a fastener clamping a first member to a second member. A load monitoring sensor is interposed between a nut and the second member, and outputs an electrical signal upon changes in fastener tension. A signal collection hub is connected to the load monitoring sensor so that the electrical signal is transmitted from the load monitoring sensor to the signal collection hub. The signal collection hub collects and converts electrical signals into a data package. A processor transforms the data package into a digital representation of mechanical data. The mechanical data is compared to a predetermined mechanical limit value by the processor. If a value of the mechanical data is equal to or less than the predetermined mechanical limit value then an indication is generated to indicate that the fastener should be serviced.

A loosening detection structure used to detect loosening of a bolt includes a material that is disposed between a fixing subject steel plate and a head portion of a metal bolt for fixing the steel plate and either attached to a seating surface of the head portion of the bolt or attached to a washer disposed between the steel plate and the head portion of the bolt, and that has electrical characteristics that vary in response to variation in a force for fastening the bolt to the steel plate.

The invention resides in a sensor unit (100) for measuring and monitoring a plurality of parameters associated with an asset or equipment (126, 128) having a fixing connected thereto. The asset can typically be an object, such as a rail or motor casing, that is fixed, using a fixing (122) such as a bolt. The sensor unit has a housing (112) having a portion (120) for receiving a fixing therethrough; sensors (114) arranged to measure and/or monitor (i) parameters associated with a fixing that is secured to the asset via housing and/or (ii) parameters influencing the performance of the asset; a processor (142) configured to process data from the sensors; and a communicator (116) adapted to transmit said data to a remote device. At least one of the sensors can be an inductive sensor, which can measures the displacement or force applied to a fixing against the asset to which it is fixed, said fixing is biased against a resilient member located in the housing. The sensor unit can operate in at least one of a plurality of modes including: a first mode, in which the sensor unit samples one or more parameters periodically at a first sample rate, a second mode, in which the sensor unit detects the occurrence of an event, and a third mode, in which the sensor unit monitors one or more parameters periodically at a second sample rate, which second sample rate is greater than the first sample rate, and wherein the data obtained in said modes is communicable with the system and/or the reader.

A sensor (1) for measuring a tightening force applied on a screw-assembly member (2). The measurement sensor includes a ring and an electronic device comprising a longitudinal support strip having two opposite ends. The support strip is installed on a flat surface of the ring. The electronic device (26) includes a first circuit capable of generating a signal representative of a tightening force applied in a tightening direction on one of the two opposing faces; a second circuit capable of generating a signal representative of the distance of the applied force from the center of the ring in a first direction perpendicular to the tightening direction; and a third circuit capable of generating another signal representative of the distance of the applied force from the center of the ring in a second direction perpendicular to the tightening direction.

A unitary tension and torque calibration apparatus consists of a unitary device which has a hollow rotary torque transducer for calibrating the torque of a rotating torque tightening tool. At the same time the torque of the tool is being calibrated, a reaction arm attached to the transducer reacts against rotation to induce stress on the metal component being calibrated. The axial forces generated within the metal component by rotation, opposed by the reaction arm, results in tension which is calibrated by a piston driven load cell secured directly to the transducer. Display devices attached to the transducer and load cell simultaneously and contemporaneously show the calibrated results.