Force sensor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A force measuring device comprising:
- a strip of flexible piezoelectric material;
at least first and second electrically conductive coatings on said strip;
a mass on said strip intermediate the ends thereof;
positive feedback means coupled between said conductive coatings; and
means to enable a force to be applied to at least one end of said strip thereby causing said strip and said mass to oscillate at a frequency determined by the magnitude of said force.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Positive feedback is utilized with a flexible piezoelectric strip that is stretched in tension to cause the strip to oscillate at a frequency which is determined by the magnitude of the force stretching the flexible strip. Since the oscillation frequency can readily be measured, the strip is utilized as a device for measuring tension.
10 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A force measuring device comprising:
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a strip of flexible piezoelectric material; at least first and second electrically conductive coatings on said strip; a mass on said strip intermediate the ends thereof; positive feedback means coupled between said conductive coatings; and means to enable a force to be applied to at least one end of said strip thereby causing said strip and said mass to oscillate at a frequency determined by the magnitude of said force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A force measuring device comprising:
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a first strip of flexible piezoelectric material; an electrically conductive coating on opposite sides of said first strip; a second strip of flexible piezoelectric material; an electrically conductive coating on opposite sides of said second strip; said conductive coating on one side of said first strip being electrically coupled to the conductive coating on one side of said second strip adjacent to each end of said first and second strips; said electrically coupled coatings on said first and second strips connected to a reference potential; positive electrical feedback means coupled between the other conductive coating on said first strip and the other conductive coating on said second strip; a mass located between said first and second strips intermediate the ends thereof; and means to enable a force to be applied to at least one end of said strip(s) thereby causing said strips and said mass to oscillate at a frequency determined by the magnitude of said force. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification