In one embodiment, a relative location detection apparatus including a detection unit having a support board having a plurality of spaced reed switches mounted along a lengthwise axis of the support board. Each of the reed switches has a longitudinal axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the support board. A high intensity magnet is coupled to the support board for movement relative to the support board and in a direction substantially parallel to the support board'...

A relative linear motion apparatus comprising: a first structure having at least a pair of inner wall surfaces opposing to each other; a second structure arranged between the pair of inner wall surfaces, the second structure being movable in linear motion relative to the first structure; at least two rectilinear guides arranged between the first structure and the second structure; and a displacement absorbing device arranged on at least one of the first structure and the second structure so as t...

A relative movement sensor that may be used to measure the force applied to a beam, for example to provide an onboard weighing system for a truck. The sensor measures relative movement between first and second portions of the beam, and includes a housing connected to the first portion and a mounting block connected to the second portion. An optical source and a pair of optical detectors are secured to the housing. A line between the first and second portions define a first axis, and a line betwe...

A relative displacement among a plurality of objects is measured with a high degree of accuracy by utilizing diffraction and interference phenomena of waves through diffraction gratings formed on the objects. Forming diffraction gratings on a plurality of objects, aligned or registered with each other, a wave is made incident to the diffraction gratings, thereby diffracted waves are obtained. A phase difference of the diffracted waves is measured. As a result, relative-displacements among the pl...

An apparatus for recognizing relative extrema in a dispersive digital data word sequence which includes relatively few, simple component elements specifically including a comparator which generates a positive or zero logic signal depending on the sign of the word comparison between two successive words, a counter operating within a limited numerical range for counting the comparator output signals upward or downward, and a threshold detector responding when a given counter status is exceeded or ...

A humidity measurement process and humidity measurement scale are derived from the physics of relative humidity. Absolute moisture content is determined independent of any measurement or knowledge of the source temperature. The humidity measurement is equivalent to the volumetric fraction of water vapor in the measured gas mixture, expressed as a percentage in a fixed range from 0 to 100%. The operating principles of the measurement process and measurement scale are described for use with an ins...

The relative attack surface quotient is computed for products to determine their relative susceptibility to attack. The relative attack surface can be calculated by identifying known avenues of attack that correspond to the product and by determining bias values that should be applied to the avenues of attack based upon desired criteria, including, the potential damage that can be caused by an attack. The appropriate bias is applied to each avenue of attack and the resulting bias-applied values ...

A probe for determining the relative humidity and temperature of a substance such as a concrete floor. The probe is adapted to be inserted into a hole in the substance being tested. The probe has a head portion and a tail portion. A display is provided on the head portion to provide a user with a visual indication of the relative humidity and temperature within the substance. The entire probe structure is designed to be contained within the hole without the need for any components protruding out...

Apparatus is provided for giving a visual indication of increments of position over a predetermined range of positions to either side of and including a predetermined zero reference point. The apparatus includes a plurality of pattern generating units, each including first and second surfaces, each of these first and second surfaces having a plurality of spaced-apart opaque areas having translucent areas therebetween. The second surface is superimposed upon the first surface for creating a plura...

A thermostat and method for controlling relative humidity is disclosed. The thermostat and method embodied therein controls a heater to maintain the ambient temperature a few degrees above a minimum temperature that is required to prevent condensation, frost and/or freezing. The thermostat controls heater operation from calculated saturation (dew point) temperature values derived from sensed relative humidity and ambient temperature values. The thermostat compensates for sensor non-linearity wit...