Film tensioning apparatus

• US 6,118,208 A
• Filed: 06/26/1998
• Issued: 09/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation (Meggitt PLC)
• Original Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation (Meggitt PLC)
• Inventors: Green, Jon Milton, Fabian, David James
• Primary Examiner(s): Dougherty, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US09/105,707
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 310/311, 310/800, 310/338, 310/339
• US Class Current: 310/338
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0688 with foil-type piezoelectric elements, e.g. PVDF
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 11/08 using piezoelectric devices

Abstract

An acoustic or vibration sensor particularly useful in detecting nano-vibrations includes a body 40 having a generally C-shaped cross-sectional configuration. A base 44 is positioned within the body 40 and has at least one protrusion 68 extending from the base 44 intermediate end portions 48 of the C-shaped cross-section. A film 14 extends about the base 44 and over the protrusion 68 to form a space between a portion of the base 44 and the film 14. The film 14 is engaged with the end portions 48 of the C-shaped cross-section and urged at least partially into the space to place a desired tension on the film.

Claims

1. A sensor, comprising:

a body having a longitudinal recess formed therein and at least one lug extending at least partially across said recess;

a base positioned within said recess and having at least one protrusion extending from said base adjacent said lug; and

a film extending about said base and over said protrusion to form a space between a portion of said base and said film, said film being engaged with said lug and urged at least partially into said space.

2. A sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body includes first and second lugs positioned on opposite sides of said recess, each of said lugs extending at least partially across said recess.

3. A sensor, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said base includes first and second protrusions extending from said base adjacent said first and second lugs, respectively, and said film extends about said base and over said first and second protrusions to form a first and second space between a portion of said base and said film, said film being engaged with said first and second lugs and urged at least partially into said first and second spaces.

4. A sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said film includes a first and second opening formed therein, and said base has at least one post extending therefrom and engaged with said film openings.

5. A sensor, as set forth in claim 4, including a spacer positioned intermediate said base and a bottom surface of the longitudinal recess, said spacer having at least one opening formed therein to engage the post of said base and capture the film between the spacer and the base.

6. A sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body has a bore formed therein extending from a bottom surface of said longitudinal recess through a top surface of said body, said bore being threaded to receive a screw therein.

7. A sensor, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body includes first and second longitudinal halves joined together by a fastener.

8. A sensor, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the first and second longitudinal halves are substantially identical.

15. A sensor, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the first and second longitudinal halves are substantially identical.

9. A sensor, comprising:

a body having a generally C-shaped cross-sectional configuration, said C-shaped cross-section having first and second end portions;

a base positioned within said body and having at least one protrusion extending from said base intermediate the end portions of the C-shaped cross section; and

a film extending about said base and over said protrusion to form a space between a portion of said base and said film, said film being engaged with the end portions of the C-shaped cross-section and urged at least partially into said space.

10. A sensor, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said base includes first and second protrusions extending from said base adjacent the first and second end portions of the C-shaped cross-section, and said film extends about said base and over said first and second protrusions to form first and second spaces between a portion of said base and said film, said film being engaged with the end portions of the C-shaped cross-section and urged at least partially into said first and second spaces.

11. A sensor, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said film includes a first and second opening formed therein, and said base has at least one post extending therefrom and engaged with said film openings.

12. A sensor, as set forth in claim 11, including a spacer positioned intermediate said base and the interior of said C-shaped cross-section, said spacer having at least one opening formed therein to engage the post of said base and capture the film between the spacer and the base.

13. A sensor, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said body has a bore formed therein extending between the interior and exterior surfaces, said bore being threaded to receive a screw therein.

14. A sensor, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said body includes first and second longitudinal halves joined together by a fastener.

16. A sensor array, comprising:

a film, and

a plurality of sensors, each comprising;

a body having a recess formed therein and at least one lug extending at least partially across said recess; and

a base positioned within said recess and having at least one protrusion extending from said base adjacent said lug;

said film extending through the longitudinal recess of each of said plurality of sensors and about said base and over said protrusion to form a space between a portion of said base and said film of each sensor, said film being engaged with said lug and urged at least partially into said space.

17. A sensor array, as set forth in claim 16, wherein said body includes first and second lugs positioned on opposite sides of said longitudinal recess and extending at least partially across said recess adjacent an exterior surface of said body.

18. A sensor array, as set forth in claim 17, wherein said base includes first and second protrusions extending from said base adjacent said first and second lugs, respectively, and said film extends about said base and over said first and second protrusions to form a first and second space between a portion of said base and said film, said film being engaged with said first and second lugs and urged at least partially into said first and second spaces.

19. A sensor array, as set forth in claim 16, wherein said film includes a first and second opening formed therein, and said base has at least one post extending therefrom and engaged with said film openings.

20. A sensor, as set forth in claim 19, including a spacer positioned intermediate said base and a bottom surface of the longitudinal recess, said spacer having at least one opening formed therein to engage the post of said base and capture the film between the spacer and the base.

21. A sensor, as set forth in claim 16, wherein said body has a bore formed therein extending from a bottom surface of said longitudinal recess through a top surface of said body, said bore being threaded to receive a screw therein.

22. A sensor, as set forth in claim 16, wherein said body includes first and second longitudinal halves joined together by a fastener.

23. A sensor, as set forth in claim 22, wherein the first and second longitudinal halves are substantially identical.