Pressure sensor apparatus
First Claim
1. A pressure sensor apparatus for measuring a linear distance between two outer locations of pressure comprising:
- a first electrode and a second electrode, each disposed on one of a pair of backing sheets;
a resistive electrode, having a known electrical resistance, disposed on one of said pair of backing sheets so as to provide an electrical conduction between said first electrode and said second electrode;
a continuous shunt electrode, having a resistance lower than said resistance of said resistive electrode, said shunt electrode disposed on one of said pair of backing sheets; and
a plurality of spacer elements, said plurality of spacer elements defining at least one contact region disposed along a length between said first and second electrodes, wherein said plurality of spacer elements are disposed so as to maintain said shunt electrode in a non-conductive arrangement relative to said resistive electrode when substantially no pressure acts thereon, and wherein, upon a pressure being exerted on any portion thereon, said resistive electrode is shunted within said contact region for a distance substantially equal to the distance between said outer locations of said pressure such that said linear distance between two outer locations of pressure is measured in response to a change in resistance across said resistive electrode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pressure sensor apparatus comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, each attached to and supported by one of a pair of backing sheets; a resistive electrode, having a known electrical resistance, attached to and supported by one of the backing sheets so as to provide an electrical conduction between the first electrode and the second electrode; a shunt electrode, having a resistance that is lower than the resistance of the resistive electrode and attached to and supported by one of the backing sheets; and at least one spacer disposed so as to maintain the shunt electrode in a non-conductive arrangement relative to the resistive electrode, the shunt electrode configured such that, when pressure acts thereon, the shunt electrode contacts the resistive electrode and provides an electrical conduction between the resistive electrode and the shunt electrode.
42 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A pressure sensor apparatus for measuring a linear distance between two outer locations of pressure comprising:
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a first electrode and a second electrode, each disposed on one of a pair of backing sheets;
a resistive electrode, having a known electrical resistance, disposed on one of said pair of backing sheets so as to provide an electrical conduction between said first electrode and said second electrode;
a continuous shunt electrode, having a resistance lower than said resistance of said resistive electrode, said shunt electrode disposed on one of said pair of backing sheets; and
a plurality of spacer elements, said plurality of spacer elements defining at least one contact region disposed along a length between said first and second electrodes, wherein said plurality of spacer elements are disposed so as to maintain said shunt electrode in a non-conductive arrangement relative to said resistive electrode when substantially no pressure acts thereon, and wherein, upon a pressure being exerted on any portion thereon, said resistive electrode is shunted within said contact region for a distance substantially equal to the distance between said outer locations of said pressure such that said linear distance between two outer locations of pressure is measured in response to a change in resistance across said resistive electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A pressure sensor device for measuring a linear distance between two outer locations of pressure comprising:
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a shunt electrode;
a resistive electrode having a first end and a second end;
a plurality of spacer elements, said plurality of spacer elements defining at least one contact region for providing a contact between said shunt and said resistive electrode, said spacer elements individually dispersed along a length defined between said first and second ends of said resistive electrode, wherein said plurality of spacer elements are disposed so as to maintain said shunt electrode in a non-conductive arrangement relative to said resistive electrode when substantially no pressure acts thereon, and wherein, upon a pressure being exerted on any portion thereon, said resistive electrode is shunted for a distance substantially equal to the distance between said outer locations of said pressure, such that said linear distance between two outer locations of pressure is measured in response to a change in resistance across said resistive electrode. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A pressure sensor apparatus for measuring a linear distance between two outer locations of pressure comprising:
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a first electrode and a second electrode, each disposed on one of a pair of backing sheets;
a resistive electrode, having a known electrical resistance, disposed on one of said pair of backing sheets so as to provide an electrical conduction between said first electrode and said second electrode;
a continuous shunt electrode, having a resistance lower than said resistance of said resistive electrode, said shunt electrode disposed on one of said pair of backing sheets; and
a spacer defining at least one contact window disposed along a length between said first and second electrodes, wherein said spacer is disposed so as to maintain said shunt electrode in a non-conductive arrangement relative to said resistive electrode when substantially no pressure acts thereon, and wherein, upon a pressure being exerted on any portion thereon, said resistive electrode is shunted for a distance substantially equal to the distance between said outer locations of said pressure such that said linear distance between two outer locations of pressure is measured in response to a change in resistance across said resistive electrode. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A pressure sensor device for measuring a linear distance between two outer locations of pressure comprising:
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a continuous shunt electrode;
a resistive electrode having a first end and a second end;
a spacer defining at least one contact window disposed along a length between said first and second ends of said resistive electrode, wherein said spacer is disposed so as to maintain said shunt electrode in a non-conductive arrangement relative to said resistive electrode when substantially no pressure acts thereon, and wherein, upon a pressure being exerted on any portion thereon, said resistive electrode is shunted for a distance substantially equal to the distance between said outer locations of said pressure such that said linear distance between two outer locations of pressure is measured in response to a change in resistance across said resistive electrode. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A pressure sensor apparatus for measuring a linear distance between two outer locations of pressure comprising:
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a first electrode and a second electrode, each disposed on one of a pair of backing sheets;
a resistive electrode, having a known electrical resistance, disposed on one of said pair of backing sheets so as to provide an electrical conduction between said first electrode and said second electrode;
a continuous shunt electrode, having a resistance lower than said resistance of said resistive electrode, said shunt electrode disposed on one of said pair of backing sheets; and
a plurality of spacer elements, said plurality of spacer elements defining at least one contact region disposed along a length between said first and second electrodes, wherein said plurality of spacer elements are disposed so as to maintain said shunt electrode in a non-conductive arrangement relative to said resistive electrode when substantially no pressure acts thereon, and wherein, upon a pressure being exerted on any portion thereon, said resistive electrode is shunted within said contact region for a distance substantially equal to the distance between said outer locations of said pressure such that a position of one of said outer locations of said pressure is measured in response to a resistance between said first and shunt electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification