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Three dimensional stress vector sensor array and method therefor

  • US 6,912,914 B2
  • Filed: 07/01/2003
  • Issued: 07/05/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2003
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A sensor for measuring applied forces within an object body, comprising:

  • a mat having a lower plane comprising a plurality of discrete capacitor plates mutually arranged in a spaced apart two dimensional array about an interrogation electrode and an upper conductive plate repositionable relative to the plurality of discrete capacitor plates responsive to the applied forces from the object body; and

    means for measuring the applied forces within the object body by resolving and measuring in three dimensions a stress vector resulting from the movement of the upper mat conductive plate relative to the lower capacitor plates;

    the mat comprises a dielectric body, and the plurality of discrete capacitor plates being capacitively coupled to the interrogation electrode and to the upper conductive plate and wherein the capacitance between the lower discrete capacitor plates and the interrogation electrode changes responsive to a change in position between the mat upper conductive plate and the mat lower capacitor plates; and

    the means for measuring the applied forces within the object body comprises means for comparing the sign and magnitude of the capacitance changes between the lower capacitor plates and the interrogation electrode.

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