Sensor for measuring large mechanical strains with fine adjustment device
First Claim
1. A capacitive strain sensor for sensing strain, comprising:
- a first cap configured and adapted to be attached to a structure at a first location, the first cap including a first capacitor plate mounted thereto configured and adapted to be electronically isolated from the structure, the first cap having an inboard end proximate the first capacitor plate;
a second cap configured and adapted to be attached to the structure at a second location, the second cap including a second capacitor plate mounted thereto configured and adapted to be electronically isolated from the structure, the second cap having an inboard end opposed to the inboard end of the first cap; and
a flexible component between and connecting the opposed inboard ends of the first and second caps,wherein the first capacitor plate is separated from the second capacitor plate by a capacitive gap,wherein a normal vector to respective surfaces of the capacitive plates is approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sensor,wherein the longitudinal axis of the sensor is approximately parallel with direction of strain to be measured, andwherein the first and second caps are configured such that strain experienced by the structure causes a change in the capacitive gap due to relative motion between the first and second capacitor plates of the first and second caps.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A capacitive strain sensor for sensing strain of a structure. The sensor includes a first section attached to the structure at a first location and a second section attached to the structure at a second location. The first section includes a capacitor plate electrically isolated from the structure and the second section includes two electrically isolated capacitive plates, both of the plates being electrically isolated from the structure. A flexible connector connects the first section to the second section. The capacitor plate of the first section is separated from the two capacitive plates of the second section by at least one capacitive gap. When strain is experienced by the structure, a change occurs in the capacitive gap due to relative motion between the first and second sections.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A capacitive strain sensor for sensing strain, comprising:
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a first cap configured and adapted to be attached to a structure at a first location, the first cap including a first capacitor plate mounted thereto configured and adapted to be electronically isolated from the structure, the first cap having an inboard end proximate the first capacitor plate; a second cap configured and adapted to be attached to the structure at a second location, the second cap including a second capacitor plate mounted thereto configured and adapted to be electronically isolated from the structure, the second cap having an inboard end opposed to the inboard end of the first cap; and a flexible component between and connecting the opposed inboard ends of the first and second caps, wherein the first capacitor plate is separated from the second capacitor plate by a capacitive gap, wherein a normal vector to respective surfaces of the capacitive plates is approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sensor, wherein the longitudinal axis of the sensor is approximately parallel with direction of strain to be measured, and wherein the first and second caps are configured such that strain experienced by the structure causes a change in the capacitive gap due to relative motion between the first and second capacitor plates of the first and second caps. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A landing gear assembly comprising:
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a strut piston; a torque linkage; and a capacitive strain sensor for sensing strain of at least one of the strut piston and the torque linkage, the sensor including a first cap attached to the at least one of the strut piston and the torque linkage at a first location, the first cap having an inboard end and a capacitor plate electronically isolated from the at least one of the strut piston and the torque linkage, a second cap attached to the at least one of the strut piston and the torque linkage at a second location, the second cap having an inboard end opposed to the inboard end of the first cap and a capacitor plate electronically isolated from the at least one of the strut piston and the torque linkage, and a flexible component between and connecting the opposed inboard ends of the first and second caps, wherein the capacitor plate of the first cap is separated from the capacitor plate of the second cap by a capacitive gap, wherein a normal vector to respective surfaces of the capacitive plates is approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification