Springer Handbook of Force Transducers: Characteristics and Applications

Part I introduces the basic “Principles and Methods of Force Measurement” according to a classification into a dozen of force transducerstypes: resistive, inductive, capacitive, piezoelectric, electromagnetic, electrodynamic, magnetoelastic, galvanomagnetic (Hall-effect), vibrating wires, (micro)resonators, acoustic and gyroscopic. Two special chapters refer to force balance techniques and to combined methods in force measurement. Part II discusses the “(Strain Gauge) Force Transducers Components”, evolving from the classical force transducer to the digital / intelligent one, with the incorporation of three subsystems (sensors, electromechanics and informatics). The elastic element (EE) is the “heart” of the force transducer and basically determines its performance. A 12-type elastic element classification is proposed (stretched / compressed column or tube, bending beam, bending and/or torsion shaft, middle bent bar with fixed ends, shear beam, bending ring, yoke or frame, diaphragm, axial-stressed torus, axisymmetrical and voluminous EE), with emphasis on the optimum place of the strain gauges. The main properties of the associated Wheatstone bridge, best suited for the parametrical transducers, are examined, together with the appropriate electronic circuits for SGFTs. The handbook fills a gap in the field of Force Measurement, both experts and newcomers, no matter of their particular interest, finding a lot of useful and valuable subjects in the area of Force Transducers; in fact, it is the first specialized monograph in this inter- and multidisciplinary field. From the Back Cover This handbook could best be described as a “potpourri” of ideas and applications in the field of measurement, instrumentation and transducers. Among them, Strain gauges – Wheatstone bridges – Force transducers – Mechanical testing – Electrical measurement – Virtual instrumentation are dominating the story, like a red thread, a root of all facets treated by the author. It is addressed mainly to students, technicians, engineers, researchers and other people desiring to broaden their knowledge area and get new specific information. The book’s table of contents is rather balanced, going from simple to complex in 21 chapters. Most delicate subjects, such as force feedback, force control, force vision, smart / intelligent force transducers, virtual measurement, are gradually presented and properly explained.     More than 200 illustrations (colorful, complex, suggestive, and informative) and 260 bibliographical references (a quarter from which belonging to the author) bring a plus of value and strength to this spectacular and unique work about various applications with strain gauge force transducers (SGFTs) and their characteristics. It is to be noted the uniform figuring of the strain gauges, connected in Wheatstone bridge after their bonding on the elastic elements of single- or multi-component SGFTs, observing the adopted color convention: red – increasing resistance for (mechanical) tension (T) and blue – decreasing resistance for compression (C).     Perhaps one could object to somehow “overloading” certain pictures. An explanation could be the author’s desire to “squeeze” more information into individual images. This could be a great advantage especially for young people, who prefer “concentrated” information and quick learning. Both online and printed editions enjoy and benefit from the “kaleidoscopic” (and often “encyclopedic”) content of this book. About the Author Dan Mihai Ştefănescu, born in Bucharest on 6 April 1946, received BS (1969) in Applied Electronics, MS (1983) in Experimental Stress Analysis and PhD cum laude (1999) in Electrical Engineering, all from the “Politehnica” University of Bucharest. He worked as Senior Researcher in Measurement Techniques with the National Institute for Aerospace Research in Bucharest (1969 – 2003). He completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship (NATO gr