BEIQ Bei Technologies (MM)

BEI Technologies, Inc. Announces New iTorq Sensing Solution with Hydradyne Hydraulics LLC SAN FRANCISCO, June 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BEI Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:BEIQ) is pleased to announce that BEI's Duncan Electronics Division has accepted an order to develop an advanced torque sensing solution with Hydradyne Hydraulics LLC Aerospace Systems Group. The new torque sensor will be used in Hydradyne's helicopter transmission test stands that test the main gearbox, tail rotor gearbox and intermediate gearbox to a dynamic load test of up to 5,000 horsepower. This is the first application of iTorq, a proprietary sensing technology that was licensed by BEI approximately six months ago. iTorq is a stress sensing technology that is ideally suited to this application and provides a solution where no other sensing technique has been successful. This test stand application takes full advantage of key non-contacting attributes to deliver a high resolution, dynamic torque reading from an existing input shaft that is typically operating above 20,000 rpm. Development of this sensor will begin immediately with production units shipping by the early fall of 2005. Hydradyne Hydraulics is a premier supplier of FAA certified multi-purpose test benches. Large helicopter transmissions have an unusually high speed input/output configuration and require full load dynamic testing prior to being approved for flight use. Hydradyne's test benches are manufactured with a hydraulic energy absorbing bootstrap loading system because of its simplicity, controllability, reliability and overall size. BEI Technologies, Inc. (the "Company" or "Technologies") is an established manufacturer of electronic sensors, motors, actuators, rotary optical encoders, linear encoders with associated digital readouts (DROs), and motion control products used for factory and office automation, medical equipment, military, aviation and space systems. In addition, sales to manufacturers of transportation equipment, including automobiles, trucks and off-road equipment, have become a significant addition to the Company's business in recent years. The Company's micromachined quartz rate sensors are being used in advanced vehicle stability control systems and a significant increase in the production of those sensors had been in progress from the middle of 1998 to fiscal year 2005 except for a decrease in production in fiscal 2002 due to increased competition. The Company also manufactures electronic steering wheel position sensors, seat-memory modules, throttle position sensors, inertial navigation systems, and other devices used in transportation systems. DATASOURCE: BEI Technologies, Inc. CONTACT: John LaBoskey, Senior Vice President/CFO, of BEI Technologies, Inc., +1-415-956-4477 Web site: http://www.bei-tech.com/

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