Conformal pressure transducer
First Claim
1. A transducer for converting pressure changes into electrical signals wherein the pressure changes act on one surface of a relatively thin wall, said transducer comprising:
- a. a housing;
b. force transmitting means on one end of said housing and having a contoured end surface conforming to the other surface of said wall opposite the surface on which said pressure changes act;
c. piezoelectric means within said housing and mechanically connected to said force transmitting means;
d. electrical path defining means for connecting said piezoelectric means to means for deriving an electrical signal; and
e. alignment guide means carried by said housing and extending from said housing and having a fixed alignment relative to said contoured end surface of said force transmitting means for engaging a body containing said wall at a location having a predetermined alignmemt with respect to said other surface of said wall to align said contoured end surface of said force transmitting means with said other surface of said wall;
f. whereby when said contoured end surface of said force transmitting means firmly contacts and conforms to the other surface of said wall, pressure applied through said wall to said contoured end surface deforms said piezoelectric means to generate an electrical output signal proportional to the applied pressure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transducer for converting pressure changes into electrical signals wherein the pressure changes act on one surface of a relatively thin wall, such as pressure changes within a tube. A piston means on one end of a transducer housing and integral therewith has a contoured end surface conforming to the other surface of the wall opposite the surface on which pressure changes act. When the pressure changes are within a tube, for example within a cartridge casing in ammunition testing, the contoured end surface is concave. Piezoelectric crystal elements rigidly positioned within the transducer are deformed when pressure is applied through the wall to the contoured end surface of the piston means, and an output electrical signal is produced proportional to the applied pressure. Installation of the transducer in a test body is facilitated by a captive retaining nut rotatably connected on the transducer housing and having external threads for connecting in the test body. An alignment guide is carried by the transducer and engages the test body in a manner providing precise rotational alignment and permitting depth adjustment of the contoured end surface.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A transducer for converting pressure changes into electrical signals wherein the pressure changes act on one surface of a relatively thin wall, said transducer comprising:
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a. a housing; b. force transmitting means on one end of said housing and having a contoured end surface conforming to the other surface of said wall opposite the surface on which said pressure changes act; c. piezoelectric means within said housing and mechanically connected to said force transmitting means; d. electrical path defining means for connecting said piezoelectric means to means for deriving an electrical signal; and e. alignment guide means carried by said housing and extending from said housing and having a fixed alignment relative to said contoured end surface of said force transmitting means for engaging a body containing said wall at a location having a predetermined alignmemt with respect to said other surface of said wall to align said contoured end surface of said force transmitting means with said other surface of said wall; f. whereby when said contoured end surface of said force transmitting means firmly contacts and conforms to the other surface of said wall, pressure applied through said wall to said contoured end surface deforms said piezoelectric means to generate an electrical output signal proportional to the applied pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification