Impact zone detection device

• US 5,336,959 A
• Filed: 12/11/1992
• Issued: 08/09/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Measurement Specialties Limited (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation (Meggitt PLC)
• Inventors: Gastgeb, Raymond F., Park, Kyung-Tae
• Primary Examiner(s): Dougherty, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US07/990,359
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 310/324, 310/330, 310/331, 310/332, 310/338, 310/339, 310/800, 273/25, 273/264
• US Class Current: 310/328
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/183 using impacting bodies high voltage generators in spark lighters F23Q
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 310/80 Piezoelectric polymers, e.g. PVDF

Abstract

A device for determining which zone on a target has been struck by an object. The device is made of a frame, and a flexible support means which is mounted on the frame, and is disposed in the path of a moving object. A transducer made of piezoelectric film, coated with a conductive coating on each of its surfaces to form electrodes, is mounted on the flexible surface. Attached to the electrodes of the transducer are leads which transmit electrical pulses to a signal processing unit. An object striking the target produces an electrical pulse which is translated by the signal processing unit and which determines the zone on the target which was struck by the object.

Claims

1. Apparatus for detecting the impact of an object in an impact area, at least a portion of the impact area comprising a plurality of impact zones, comprising:

(a) a plurality of transducers, each having a surface coextensive with one impact zone, each transducer including a layer of piezoelectric film having first and second surfaces, the first and second surfaces having opposite polarity; and

(b) signal processing means responsive to the transducers, adapted to detect electrical outputs from the transducers, thereby determining which impact zone, if any, is struck by the object, wherein the signal processing means includes means for detecting a time delay among electrical outputs from the plurality of transducers.

2. Apparatus for detecting the impact of an object in an impact area, at least a portion of the impact area comprising a plurality of impact zones, comprising:

(a) a plurality of transducers, each having a surface coextensive with one impact zone, each transducer including a layer of piezoelectric film having first and second surfaces, the first and second surfaces having opposite polarity, said film, in and of itself, generating an electrical output signal upon impact by an object, and

(b) signal processing means responsive to the transducers and adapted to detect said electrical outputs from the transducers, said response determining, from only said output signals, the location within said plurality of impact zones that is struck by the object, wherein the signal processing means includes means for comparing the relative magnitude of electrical outputs from the plurality of transducers.

3. Apparatus for detecting the impact of an object in an impact area, at least a portion of the impact area comprising a plurality of impact zones, comprising:

(a) a plurality of transducers, each having a surface coextensive with one impact zone, each transducer including;

(i) a first layer of piezoelectric film having first and second surfaces, the first and second surfaces having opposite polarities, said first layer, in and of itself, generating electrical output upon impact by an object,

(ii) a second layer of piezoelectric film having first and second surfaces, disposed adjacent to the first layer so that opposing faces of the first and second piezoelectric layers have similar polarities, said second layer, in and of itself, generating an electrical output upon impact by said object; and

(b) signal processing means responsive to the transducers and adapted to detect voltages from the transducers, and voltage differences between the first and second layers of piezoelectric film in each of the transducers, said voltages from said transducers and said voltage differences from said piezoelectric layers determining the location within said plurality of zones that is struck by the object.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the signal processing means includes means for comparing the relative magnitude of voltages output from the plurality of transducers.

5. Apparatus for detecting the impact of an object in an impact area, at least a portion of the impact area comprising a plurality of impact zones, comprising:

(a) a plurality of transducers, each having a surface coextensive with one impact zone, each transducer including;

(i) a first layer of piezoelectric film having first and second surfaces, the first and second surfaces having opposite polarities,

(ii) a second layer of piezoelectric film having first and second surfaces, disposed adjacent to the first layer so that opposing faces of the first and second piezoelectric layers have similar polarities; and

(b) signal processing means responsive to the transducers, adapted to detect voltages from the transducers, and voltage differences between first and second layers of piezoelectric film in each of the transducers, thereby determining which zone, if any, is struck by the object, wherein the signal processing means includes means for detecting a time delay among voltage signals from the plurality of transducers.