Kistler Instrumente Ag

K.k. Holding Ag

K.k. Holdings Ag

Hans Conrad Sonderegger

Peter Wolfer

Reto Calderara

Hans Ulrich Baumgartner

Paul Engeler

Mario Giorgetta

Markus Caprez

Rolf Kuratle

Urs B Meyer

Kurt Vollenweider

Lothar Jahreiss

Christian Calame

Paul Brem

Jan Tichy

Conrad Sonderegger

Werner Boltshauser

Dario Barberis

Claudio Cavalloni

Ulrich Dubendorfer

For more accurate analysis of the motions of human beings and animals, two commercial measuring systems, namely a force measuring platform fitted with piezoelectric crystal sensors and a high-resolution surface pressure distribution measuring system equipped with a large number of vertical force sensors, are combined and preferentially joined by gluing to form a single measuring unit.

Biomechanical measuring arrangement

A traffic management systems, combining different monitoring capabilities, beginning with standard WIM (Weigh in Motion) systems for axle weight measurements, combined with tire pressure monitoring in motion and suspension monitoring in motion, whereby for all three specialties, novel road embedded force measuring sensors are used, partly for force measurement and partly for switching operation upon touching the edge of the sensors by the onrolling tire, whereby all possible combinations of the three specialties are within the scope of the invention.

Traffic monitoring system

The measuring platform according to the invention, for recessing into road surfaces, consists of a base plate and cover plate supported in cross section on two supporting points fitted with piezoelectric shear crystals, enabling the shear force of an overrunning wheel to be measured. If the supporting points are equipped with piezoelectric pressure crystals, it is possible to measure the axle load with the same platform arrangement. This offers new possibilities, especially on or after gradients, for verifying the functional efficiency of braking and ABS systems and taking out of service vehicles with defective braking equipment.

Measuring platform for weight and brake system monitoring

A high-pressure sensor specially for monitoring pulsating hydraulic pressure impulses, as for example in injection systems of combustion engines is provided with a pressure space shaped balloon-like before the diaphragm part, enabling optimal measuring signals to be combined simultaneously with significantly reduced mechanical forces in the welded joint. In addition, welding techniques are proposed enabling a gapless internal welding zone to be achieved, so that notch effects and migratory cracks resulting from these and leading to fractures are obviated. As optimal connection between measuring head and threaded body a two-stage welding routine is proposed first an internal weld is performed by electrical upset welding and then external welding by electron beam, inert gas or laser welding.

High-pressure sensor

The invention comprises a force measuring system and an assembly procedure for the dynamic determination especially of axle loads, speed, as well as for assembly of force and acceleration sensors. The force measuring system can be laid permanently in the roadway. It is of modular assembly, consisting of the amplifier, sensor and terminal module. The sensor module consists of a hollow section, in which piezo-elements are fitted under elastic preload. The hollow section is designed so that it can be opened elastically by lateral clamping, to allow mechanically interconnected piezo-elements to be inserted simply. After releasing this clamping, the piezo-elements are under high elastic preload. The same design principle can also be applied generally to force pressure and acceleration sensors. The elastical clamping force, vital for perfect force transmission to the piezo-elements, is for assembly purposes easily overcome by a proper lateral clamping force.

Force sensor systems especially for determining dynamically the axle

The invention concerns a sensor arrangement which is installed in the surface of carriageways or runways and serves to detect the wheel loads of vehicles or aircraft and/or their shear components on the surface during travel. The construction of the flanged tube sensor with piezoelectric crystal plates makes possible modular assembly, in that either piezo-plates sensitive to pressure P only, or to shear S, or to combinations of both are installed, since all piezo-plates have the same dimensions. The force introduction flange makes possible a concentration of the force lines onto the measuring arrangement with a substantial mechanical amplifying effect. The packing of the flanged tube sensor ready to install ensures proper fitting and positioning in the installation groove. Here the two rolling force insulation compounds and the foam insulator of the tubular part are important. The application of the invention lies in traffic management for weight detection. With the addition of shear measuring, new applications are feasible in vehicle testing tracks and aircraft landing runways, opening up new aspects of driving dynamics and security.

Sensor arrangement for installation in carriageways and runways

An interposed sensor having a housing whose lateral extend is not greater than the lateral extend of the machine parts is to be installed between and having a plurality of measuring elements welded under preloading to the housing. Electronics including charge amplifiers are integral with the housing, either interior the lateral extend or in an annular compartment.

Interposed force sensor including amplifiers

A thin disk force sensor having measuring elements of not more than five layers including force introducing layers welded under preloading to a thin disk housing. The measuring elements, weld and disk housing are planarized. A vapor deposited layer is selectively applied to the force measuring elements to increase the applied force compared to the housing.

Thin disk force sensor and method of making

The invention comprises a force measuring system for the dynamic determination especially of axle loads, speed, vehicle wheelbase and gross weight. The force measuring system is laid permanently in the roadway. It is of modular assembly, consisting of the amplifier (11), sensor (12) and terminal module (13). The individual modules may be coupled tightly by plug-and-socket connections, welding flanges or glued flanges. The sensor module (12) consists of a hollow section (1), in which piezo-elements (4) are fitted under elastic preload. The piezo-elements (4) are accommodated in the hollow section (1) at intervals of typically 5 to 10 cm, and they may be connected all together with only one electrically conductive foil (5) to the signal processing facility (19), or groupwise or even singly. According to this subdivision the road width can be sectioned as desired, in order to obtain a road loading diagram for instance. The hollow section is designed so that it can be opened elastically by lateral clamping, to allow mechanically interconnected piezo-elements (4) to be inserted. After releasing this clamping, the piezo-elements (4) are under high elastic preload. In this way any tolerance errors can be overcome, so that costly machining operations are unnecessary and all parts with standard tolerances can be used.

Monitoring systems for cyclically operating machines having a cylinder including sensor to be mounted on the exterior of said cylinder for detecting both force in said cylinder and structure-borne signals in the cylinder; and having a computer for storing pre-recorded force and structure-borne noise signal as a function of time in a cycle and for comparing said detected and pre-recorded force and structure-borne noise signals to determine the status of said machine. The sensor has the form of a thin disk fitted between a cylinder cover and a nut of a cylinder cover stud under preload, thus replacing the standard washer.

Monitoring system for cyclically operating machines

A beam force measuring system having a force sensor to be mounted to each beam of a cyclically operating machine between a force diverting part and a fastener which secures the beam. The sensor is disk shaped and has a height which is a fraction of the fastener. Disk shaped measuring elements are welded under preload to a metal disk of the sensor and have a common planar surface.

Beam force measuring system for cyclically operating machines

A force transducer with an electromechanical transducer element for fitting in force plates (i.e. measuring platforms) includes adjacent a first axial end a radial mounting flange with a greater outside diameter than that adjacent the second axial end. This make it possible, after connecting the signal lines, to insert the transducer in a mounting hole of the base plate of the force plate and then fix it by welding, brazing, soldering or cementing. The transducer with its signal lines thus becomes an integral part of the base plate and is sealed completely against outside influences. The recesses of the base plate may be filled with a curable resin, providing further portection against mechanical shocks and corrosion influences while at the same time enhancing the rigidity of the force plate.

Force transducers for fitting in force plates

A piezoelectric element for incorporation in pressure, force or acceleration transducers, in which at least two piezoelectric flat plates loaded in shear mode are arranged on both sides of a central support and are retained under compressive pre-tension by pressure distribution members bearing externally on the piezoelectric plates; a compression form member provided with a location hole for the support, the piezoelectric plates and the pressure distribution members is fitted over the pressure distribution members by direct or indirect shrinking the pressure distribution members are preferably made of two exact fitting cylindrical segments transmitting the tension forces evenly over the piezoelectric plates.

Piezoelectric element for incorporation in pressure, force or

A force transducer, particularly for the ballistic measuring of the combustion pressure in the cartridge case of a firearm, is disclosed which includes a force transmission element which rests with one of its front areas on the cartridge case. The force transmission element is surrounded on its exterior by an outer sleeve which also rests with its front area on the cartridge case. The front areas of the force transmission element and of the outer sleeve are exactly adapted to the curvature of the cartridge case by reaming after the transducer has been mounted in the firearm. With the combustion of the powder, the cartridge case expands and transmits its force to a sensor element via the force transmission element, with the sensor element being preferably in the form of at least one piezoelectric transversal quartz element which is held under pretension between the force transmission element and a basic receiver component. The spring rigidity of the force transmission element and the spring rigidity of the outer sleeve are matched in such a way that both parts yield essentially to the same extent to the pressures acting upon them in the axial direction of the transducer. The result is that the contact conditions of the cartridge case with the front area of the force transmission piston do not change appreciably after the expansion in comparison with the initial conditions so that a calibration curve of the force transducer which is independent of the installation can be supplied by the manufacturer.

Force transducer, particularly for ballistic pressure measuring

A device for balancing rotating bodies including a sensing arrangement for sensing the out of balance of the rotating body and for generating a control signal of approximately rectangular pulse shape. An electromagnetic transducer response to the control pulse signal is provided and is operated at a frequency in accordance with the speed of the rotating body. A spray valve is combined with the electromagnetic transducer to form a single spray unit and at least one spray disk is mounted on the rotating body to be balanced, the spray disk having at least three chambers or compartments. A spray medium is supplied to the spray unit which injects the spray medium into at least one chamber in response to the control pulse signal with correct phasing during the normal revolution of the rotating body until the amount of spray medium injected compensates for the out of balance of the rotating body.

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Neftenbach, Switzerland

Hans Conrad Sonderegger