Piezoelectric sensor, sensor array, and associated method for measuring pressure
First Claim
1. A sensor configured to be disposed on a surface of a test member for measuring a pressure on the surface of the test member, the sensor comprising:
- an electrically insulative substrate configured to be disposed on the test member and adhered to the test member;
a piezoelectric sensory device disposed on the substrate, the piezoelectric sensory device defining first and second contact surfaces and being adapted to provide an electric potential between the contact surfaces corresponding to a pressure on the piezoelectric sensory device; and
electrically conductive terminals in electrical communication with the contact surfaces of the piezoelectric sensory device such that the terminals are configured to provide the electric potential indicative of the pressure on the surface of the test member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor, sensory array, and associated method for measuring a pressure are provided. The sensor includes a piezoelectric sensory device that is disposed on an electrically insulative substrate that can be adhered to a member for measuring the pressure on the member. The piezoelectric sensory device defines first and second contact surfaces and is adapted to provide an electric potential between the surfaces that corresponds to a pressure on the piezoelectric sensory device. Conductive terminals are in electrical communication with the piezoelectric sensory device and therefore also provide the electric potential indicative of the pressure on the surface of the test member. An electrically insulative sheet is disposed opposite the piezoelectric sensory device from the substrate. An electronic monitoring device can be electrically connected to the piezoelectric sensory device via the terminals and configured to monitor the electric potential provided by the piezoelectric sensory device.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A sensor configured to be disposed on a surface of a test member for measuring a pressure on the surface of the test member, the sensor comprising:
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an electrically insulative substrate configured to be disposed on the test member and adhered to the test member;
a piezoelectric sensory device disposed on the substrate, the piezoelectric sensory device defining first and second contact surfaces and being adapted to provide an electric potential between the contact surfaces corresponding to a pressure on the piezoelectric sensory device; and
electrically conductive terminals in electrical communication with the contact surfaces of the piezoelectric sensory device such that the terminals are configured to provide the electric potential indicative of the pressure on the surface of the test member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A sensor array configured to be disposed on a surface of a test member for measuring a plurality of pressures on the surface of the test member, the sensor array comprising:
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an electrically insulative substrate configured to be disposed on the test member and adhered to the test member;
a plurality of piezoelectric sensory devices disposed on the substrate, each respective piezoelectric sensory device defining first and second contact surfaces and being adapted to provide an electric potential between the contact surfaces corresponding to a pressure on the respective test member;
an electrically insulative sheet disposed opposite the piezoelectric sensory devices from the substrate such that the piezoelectric sensory devices are disposed between the substrate and the insulative sheet; and
electrically conductive terminals in electrical communication with the piezoelectric sensory devices such that the terminals are configured to provide the electric potentials between the contact surfaces of each piezoelectric sensory device and thereby detect a pressure on the surface of the test member at a position corresponding to each piezoelectric sensory device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of measuring a pressure on a surface of a test member, the method comprising:
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providing a sensor having an electrically insulative substrate, a piezoelectric sensory device disposed on the substrate and adapted to provide an electric potential between the contact surfaces corresponding to a pressure on the piezoelectric sensory device, and electrically conductive terminals in electrical communication with the piezoelectric sensory device;
adhering the substrate carrying the piezoelectric sensory device and the electrically insulative sheet to the surface of the test member; and
detecting the electric potential between the terminals and thereby determining a pressure on the surface of the test member. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification