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Angular displacement sensor of compliant material

  • US 8,941,392 B1
  • Filed: 08/15/2014
  • Issued: 01/27/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A sensor system comprising:

  • an angular displacement sensor comprising;

    an elongated structure extending between a first end and a second end, the elongated structure being compliant material that is flexible and bendable from a linear, non-bent position to multiple bendable positions; and

    a first compliant capacitor, wherein the first compliant capacitor comprises a first conductive layer embedded within and extending from the first end to the second end along a longitudinal length of the elongated structure to form a first electrode of the first compliant capacitor, a second conductive layer embedded within and extending from the first end to the second end along the longitudinal length to form a second electrode of the first compliant capacitor, and an elastomer dielectric layer extending between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer;

    a circuit coupled to the first compliant capacitor, the circuit to measure a capacitance of the first compliant capacitor to sense bending movement of the elongated structure based on the capacitance of the first compliant capacitor;

    a first rigid member coupled to the first end of the angular displacement sensor, the first rigid member defining a first vector corresponding with an axis of the angular displacement sensor when the elongated structure is in the linear, non-bent position; and

    a second rigid member coupled to the second end of the angular displacement sensor, the second rigid member defining a second vector corresponding with the axis of the angular displacement sensor, andwherein the circuit is configured to determine an angular displacement between the first vector and the second vector within a first plane defined and extending along the longitudinal length and extending orthogonal through a width of the first compliant capacitor.

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