Flexible framework for capacitive sensing

• US 7,047,807 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2005
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture, United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration
• Inventors: Taylor, Bryant D., Woodard, Stanley E.
• Primary Examiner(s): PERT, EVAN T
• Application Number:
  US11/203,583
• Publication Number:
  US 20060053899A1
• Time in Patent Office: 288 Days
• Field of Search: 733/04.C, 324/690
• US Class Current: 73/304.00C
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/268 mounting arrangements of probes

Abstract

A flexible framework supports electrically-conductive elements in a capacitive sensing arrangement. Identical frames are arranged end-to-end with adjacent frames being capable of rotational movement therebetween. Each frame has first and second passages extending therethrough and parallel to one another. Each of the first and second passages is adapted to receive an electrically-conductive element therethrough. Each frame further has a hollowed-out portion for the passage of a fluent material therethrough. The hollowed-out portion is sized and shaped to provide for capacitive sensing along a defined region between the electrically-conductive element in the first passage and the electrically-conductive element in the second passage.

Claims

1. A flexible framework adapted to support electrically-conductive elements in a capacitive sensing arrangement, comprising:

at least two identical frames, each of said frames defined by a first end that is convexly-shaped along a dimension thereof and a second end opposing said first end that is concavely-shaped along said dimension wherein said first end of one of said frames is nestable with said second end of another of said frames,

each of said frames having first and second passages extending therethrough from said first end thereof to said second end thereof wherein, when said first end of one of said frames is nested with said second end of another of said frames, said first passages associated with said frames so-nested are aligned end-to-end and said second passages associated with said frames so-nested are aligned end-to-end, each of said first and second passages adapted to receive an electrically-conductive element therethrough,

said first and second passages maintaining a constant spacing between at least a portion of the electrically-conductive element in said first passage and at least a portion of the electrically-conductive element in said second passage along a defined region of each of said frames, and

each of said frames having a hollowed-out portion formed in said defined region that is adapted to allow the passage of a fluent material therethrough, said hollowed-out portion being sized and shaped to provide for capacitive sensing along said defined region between the electrically-conductive element in said first passage and the electrically-conductive element in said second passage.

2. A flexible framework as in claim 1 wherein each of said frames fully encases an associated one of the electrically-conductive elements within said first and second passages along said defined region.

3. A flexible framework as in claim 1 wherein each of said frames partially encases an associated one of the electrically-conductive elements within said first and second passages along said defined region.

4. A flexible framework as in claim 1 wherein each of said frames is electrically non-conductive.

5. A flexible framework adapted to support electrically-conductive elements in a capacitive sensing arrangement, comprising:

a plurality of identical frames arranged end-to-end with adjacent ones of said frames capable of rotational movement therebetween about an axis that is common thereto,

each of said frames having first and second passages extending therethrough and parallel to one another wherein said first passages associated with said frames so-arranged are aligned end-to-end and said second passages associated with said frames so-arranged are aligned end-to-end, each of said first and second passages adapted to receive an electrically-conductive element therethrough, and

each of said frames having a hollowed-out portion adapted to allow the passage of a fluent material therethrough, said hollowed-out portion being sized and shaped to provide for capacitive sensing along a defined region between the electrically-conductive element in said first passage and the electrically-conductive element in said second passage.

6. A flexible framework as in claim 5 wherein each of said frames fully encases an associated one of the electrically-conductive elements within said first and second passages along said defined region.

7. A flexible framework as in claim 5 wherein each of said frames partially encases an associated one of the electrically-conductive elements within said first and second passages along said defined region.

8. A flexible framework as in claim 5 wherein each of said frames is electrically non-conductive.

9. A flexible framework as in claim 5 further comprising means for plugging said hollowed-out portion in at least one of said frames wherein said capacitive sensing along said defined region thereof is inhibited.

10. A flexible capacitive sensing arrangement, comprising:

a plurality of identical frames arranged end-to-end with adjacent ones of said frames capable of rotational movement therebetween about an axis that is common thereto,

each of said frames having first and second passages extending therethrough and parallel to one another wherein said first passages associated with said frames so-arranged are aligned end-to-end and said second passages associated with said frames so-arranged are aligned end-to-end, and

each of said frames having a hollowed-out portion adapted to allow the passage of a fluent material therethrough at a defined region between said first and second passages;

a first electrically-conductive element extending through said first passages associated with said frames so-arranged;

a second electrically-conductive element extending through said second passages associated with said frames so-arranged; and

said hollowed-out portion being sized and shaped to provide for capacitive sensing along said defined region between said first electrically-conductive element and said second electrically-conductive element.

11. A flexible capacitive sensing arrangement as in claim 10 wherein each of said frames fully encases said first and second electrically-conductive elements within said first and second passages, respectively, along said defined region.

12. A flexible capacitive sensing arrangement as in claim 10 wherein each of said frames partially encases said first and second electrically-conductive elements within said first and second passages, respectively, along said defined region.

13. A flexible capacitive sensing arrangement as in claim 10 wherein each of said frames is electrically non-conductive.

14. A flexible capacitive sensing arrangement as in claim 10 further comprising means for plugging said hollowed-out portion in at least one of said frames wherein said capacitive sensing along said defined region thereof is inhibited.

15. A flexible capacitive sensing arrangement as in claim 10 wherein said first electrically-conductive element is encased in an electrically-insulative material.

16. A flexible capacitive sensing arrangement as in claim 10 wherein said first electrically-conductive element is made from a material that is inert with respect to the fluent material passing through said hollowed-out portion.

17. A flexible capacitive sensing arrangement as in claim 10 wherein said second electrically-conductive element is encased in an electrically-insulative material.

18. A flexible capacitive sensing arrangement as in claim 10 wherein said second electrically-conductive element is made from a material that is inert with respect to the fluent material passing through said hollowed-out portion.

19. A flexible capacitive sensing arrangement as in claim 10 wherein each of said frames is defined by a first end that is convexly-shaped and a second end opposing said first end that is concavely-shaped, wherein said first end of one of said frames is nestable with said second end of another of said frames.