US3565195A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical weighing apparatus using capacitive flexible mat
Assignee: NIPPON DYNE-A-MAT Corp A CORP OF JAPAN
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Filing: 1969-04-16
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Granted: 1971-02-23
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Expires: 1989-04-16
Abstract
Abstract Weighing apparatus is disclosed comprising electronic circuitry and a weighing mat adapted to be loaded by a force to be measured. The mat is composed of layers of electrically conductive elastomeric material separated by strips of dielectric elastomeric material to form an electrical capacitor whose capacitance varies linearly with the application of a load to the mat. The particular arrangement of the dielectric strips in the preferred embodiment serves to extend the effective linear range of capacitive variation of the mat. Electronic circuitry is also provided to measure the variation of capacitance of the mat when the mat is loaded and to give an indication corresponding to the magnitude of the load.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert P Miller
- 👤 Marvin Miller
- 👤 Stephen P Bailey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G7/00; G01G7/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
Weighing apparatus comprising a weighing mat adapted to be loaded by a range of forces to be measured, said mat comprising at least two electrically conductive strata separated by a deformable dielectric layer having an essentially linear deformation characteristic when the mat is loaded by said range of forces, whereby the electrical capacity of the weighing mat varies in accordance with the magnitude of the load applied to said mat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
Weighing apparatus comprising a weighing mat adapted to be loaded by a range of forces to be measured, said mat comprising at least two electrically conductive strata separated by a deformable dielectric layer having an essentially linear deformation characteristic when the mat is loaded by said range of forces, whereby the electrical capacity of the weighing mat varies in accordance with the magnitude of the load applied to said mat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Weighing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means connected to said strata for measuring the electrical capacitance of said mat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Weighing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means connected to said strata for measuring the change of electrical capacitance of the mat upon the application of a load to said mat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
Weighing apparatus comprising a weighing mat adapted to be loaded by a force to be measured, said mat comprising: a. a first electrically conductive stratum; b. a second electrically conductive stratum formed of a deformable elastomeric material; c. a plurality of first dielectric elastomeric elements arranged in spaced relationship with each other and separating said first and second strata; d. a third electrically conductive stratum; and e. a plurality of second dielectric elastomeric elements arranged in spaced relationship with each other and separating said second and third strata.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
Weighing apparatus comprising a weighing mat adapted to be loaded by a force to be measured, said mat comprising: a. a first electrically conductive stratum; b. a second electrically conductive stratum formed of a deformable elastomeric material; c. a plurality of first dielectric elastomeric elements arranged in spaced relationship with each other and separating said first and second strata; d. a third electrically conductive stratum; and e. a plurality of second dielectric elastomeric elements arranged in spaced relationship with each other and separating said second and third strata.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
Weighing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said first dielectric elastomeric elements comprise a first plurality of elastomeric strips arranged in spaced parallel relationship with each other, and said second dielectric elastomeric elements comprise a second plurality of elastomeric strips arranged in spaced parallel relationship with each other and in nonparallel relationship with said first plurality of elastomeric strips.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
Weighing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising means for electrically connecting said first and third strata, and circuit means connected to said first and second strata for measuring the electrical capacitance of the mat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
Weighing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising means for electrically connecting said first and third strata, and circuit means connected to said first and second strata for measuring the change in electrical capacitance of the mat upon the application of a load to said mat.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
Weighing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said circuit means comprises constant current means for charging said mat to a predetermined voltage and timer means for measuring the time required to charge said mat to said voltage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
Weighing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said circuit means comprises constant current means for charging said mat to a predetermined voltage, a timer means for measuring the time required to charge said mat to said voltage, and comparator means for comparing the times required to charge the mat to said voltage under two different loading conditions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
Weighing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising automatic means for periodically connecting said constant current means to said mat, and switching means for periodically discharging said first and second strata when said constant current means is not connected to them.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
Weighing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said first and third strata are formed of a deformable, elastomeric material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-22 | 1974-08-24 | 1975-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-22 | 1978-08-24 | 1979-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-22 | 1982-08-24 | 1983-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |