Micro-torque potentiometer

Claim 2

A potentiometer comprising: an elongated resistive element adapted to be connected across a source of electrical potential; a roller engaging and making electrical contact with said resistive element for deriving an electrical potential therefrom; and means mounting said roller for rolling movement along said resistive element including a metallic band affixed to said roller in electrical continuity therewith at said axis of rotation which is adapted to twist in response to rotation of said roller about said axis, said band providing resilient movement of said roller perpendicularly with respect to said axis of rotation.

Claim 3

A potentiometer according to claim 1 wherein said metallic band extends from each side of said roller and said mounting means resiliently applies tension to said metallic band so as to generally locate said roller axis and to provide said resilient movement of said roller perpendicularly with respect to said axis of rotation.

Claim 4

A potentiometer according to claim 1 wherein said resistive element is defined in its elongated direction as the arc of a circle having a center Located at a first predetermined radius from said resistive element, and said mounting means mounts said roller at a second predetermined radius for rotation of said roller axis about said center to provide arcuate movement of said roller in engagement with said resistive element.

Claim 5

A potentiometer according to claim 3 wherein said first radius defining said elongated direction of said resistive element is less than said second radius defining the movement of said roller axis.

Claim 6

A potentiometer according to claim 3 wherein said first radius defining said elongated direction of said resistive element is greater than said second radius defining the movement of said roller axis.

Claim 7

A potentiometer according to claim 1 additionally having a second roller engaging and making electrical contact with said resistive element for deriving a second electrical potential therefrom.

Claim 8

A potentiometer according to claim 6 wherein said resistive element is defined in its elongated direction as the arc of a circle having a center located at a first predetermined radius from said resistive element, and said mounting means mounts said rollers at a second predetermined radius for rotation of said rollers axes about said center to provide arcuate movement of said rollers in engagement with said resistive element.

Claim 9

A potentiometer according to claim 1 wherein said roller includes a portion of magnetic material, and further including means providing a magnetic field acting upon said roller effective to establish a predetermined engaging force between said roller and said resistive element.

Claim 10

A transducer comprising: a multi-convolutional helical Bourdon tube; rotatable means connected to at least one convolution of said Bourdon tube for rotation therewith; an elongated resistive element adapted to be connected across a source of electrical potential; a roller engaging and making electrical contact with said resistive element mounted for rolling motion along said resistive element so as to derive a potential therefrom in accordance with the position of said roller on said resistive element; and means connecting said roller with said rotatable means for movement of said roller along said resistive element in accordance with the rotation of said rotatable means, and consequently, in accordance with the rotation of said convolution, said connecting means for said roller including a metallic band affixed to said roller in electrical continuity therewith at the axis of rotation of said roller which is adapted to twist in response to rotation of said roller about said axis, said band providing resilient movement of said roller perpendicularly with respect to said axis of rotation.

Claim 11

A transducer comprising: a multi-convolutional helical Bourdon tube; rotatable means connected to at least one convolution of said Bourdon tube for rotation therewith; an elongated resistive element adapted to be connected across a source of electrical potential; a roller engaging and making electrical contact with said resistive element mounted for rolling motion along said resistive element so as to derive a potential therefrom in accordance with the position of said roller on said resistive element; and means connecting said roller with said rotatable means for movement of said roller along said resistive element in accordance with the rotation of said rotatable means, and consequently, in accordance with the rotation of said convolution, said connecting means for said roller including a metallic band affixed to said roller in electrical continuity therewith at the axis of rotation of said roller which is adapted to twist in response to rotation of said roller about said axis, said band providing resilient movement of said roller perpendicularly with respect to said axis of rotation.

Claim 12

A transducer according to claim 9 wherein said resistive element is defined in its elongated direction as the arc of a circle having a center located at a first predetermined radius from said resistive element, and said mounting means mounts said roller at a second predetermined radius for rotation of said roller axis about said center to provide arcuate movement of said roller in engagement with said resistive element.

Claim 13

A transducer according to claim 10 wherein said first radius defining said elongated direction of said resistive element is less than said second radius defining the movement of said roller axis.

Claim 14

A transducer according to claim 10 wherein said first radius defining said elongated direction of said resistive element is greater than said second radius defining the movement of said roller axis.

Claim 15

A transducer according to claim 9 additionally having a second roller engaging and making electrical contact with said resistive element for deriving a second electrical potential therefrom.

Claim 16

A transducer according to claim 9 wherein said roller includes a portion of magnetic material, and further including means providing a magnetic field acting upon said roller effective to establish a predetermined engaging forCe between said roller and said resistive element.

Claim 17

A transducer according to claim 14 wherein said resistive element is defined in its elongated direction as the arc of a circle having a center located at a first predetermined radius from said resistive element, and said mounting means mounts said roller at a second predetermined radius for rotation of said roller axis about said center to provide arcuate movement of said roller in engagement with said resistive element.