Displacement and force sensor
First Claim
1. A method of measuring the displacement of, and force on, visco-elastoplastic media below a surface thereof, the method comprising:
- providing an upper plate having a top surface, and a base and locating the base and upper plate at a desired depth under the surface of the visco-elastoplastic media;
orienting the upper plate relative to the base such that a displacement force exerted on visco-elastoplastic media above the top surface will move the upper plate a displacement distance downward toward the base;
with guides, maintaining the upper plate and the base in alignment such that movement of the upper plate toward the base is along a displacement axis;
providing a calibrated bias element operative to exert a calibrated bias force resisting movement of the upper plate toward the base;
exerting a load force on the visco-elastoplastic media and measuring the displacement distance moved by the upper plate towards the base in response to the load force; and
recording the displacement distance, and calculating the displacement force exerted on the top surface of the upper plate required to move the upper plate the displacement distance against the calibrated bias force.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for measuring the displacement of visco-elastoplastic media below a surface thereof comprises an upper plate mounted such that a displacement force exerted on the top surface thereof will move the upper plate a displacement distance downward toward a base. Guides maintain the upper plate and the base in alignment such that movement is along a displacement axis. A calibrated bias element exerts a calibrated bias force resisting movement of the upper plate toward the base. A displacement measuring device measures the displacement distance, and is operative to generate a movement signal corresponding to the displacement distance. A data acquisition system is operative to receive and record the movement signal, and calculate the displacement force exerted on the top surface of the upper plate required to move the upper plate the displacement distance against the calibrated bias force.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of measuring the displacement of, and force on, visco-elastoplastic media below a surface thereof, the method comprising:
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providing an upper plate having a top surface, and a base and locating the base and upper plate at a desired depth under the surface of the visco-elastoplastic media; orienting the upper plate relative to the base such that a displacement force exerted on visco-elastoplastic media above the top surface will move the upper plate a displacement distance downward toward the base; with guides, maintaining the upper plate and the base in alignment such that movement of the upper plate toward the base is along a displacement axis; providing a calibrated bias element operative to exert a calibrated bias force resisting movement of the upper plate toward the base; exerting a load force on the visco-elastoplastic media and measuring the displacement distance moved by the upper plate towards the base in response to the load force; and recording the displacement distance, and calculating the displacement force exerted on the top surface of the upper plate required to move the upper plate the displacement distance against the calibrated bias force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for measuring the displacement of, and force on, visco-elastoplastic media below a surface thereof, the apparatus comprising:
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an upper plate having a top surface and mounted in the apparatus such that a displacement force exerted on the top surface by visco-elastoplastic media above the upper plate will move the upper plate a displacement distance downward toward a base; guides operative to maintain the upper plate and the base in alignment such that movement of the upper plate toward the base is along a displacement axis; a calibrated bias element operative to exert a calibrated bias force resisting movement of the upper plate toward the base; a displacement measuring device operative to measure the displacement distance moved by the upper plate towards the base, and operative to generate a movement signal corresponding to the displacement distance; and a data acquisition system operative to receive and record the movement signal, and operative to calculate the displacement force exerted on the top surface of the upper plate required to move the upper plate the displacement distance against the calibrated bias force;
wherein an area between the upper plate and the base is substantially sealed to prevent entry of visco-elastoplastic media into the area when the apparatus is buried in the visco-elastoplastic media. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification