Patent US3889086A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3889086A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Transducers utilizing electrocapillary action
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-07-01
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Granted: 1975-06-10
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Expires: 1994-07-01
Abstract
Abstract Transducers utilizing electrocapillary action for sensing force, pressure, acceleration motion, and/or vibration and producing an output voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 Arsene N Lucian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 06:59
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/02; G01P15/08; G01H; G01H1/00; H; H01; H01H; H01H1/00; H01H1/06; H01H1/08; H01H29/00; H01H29/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
An electrocapillary transducer comprising an envelope including a tube portion having capillary transverse interior dimensions, a metallic liquid contained within said envelope and extending into said tube portion, a liquid electrolyte contained within said envelope and extending into said tube portion, said metallic liquid and said electrolyte being immiscible in each other and forming a single interface only in said capillary tube, electrode means respectively in electrical contact with said metallic liquid and said electrolyte, means external of said envelope for applying a force across said metallic liquid and said electrolyte effective to move the interface of said liquids and to change the interfacial tension between said liquids to produce a voltage at said electrodes due to the electrocapillary effect, said means including means for sealing off an end of said envelope, a suspended mass responsive to vibrations to cause movement thereof for producing corresponding movement of said sealing means, and a material between said sealing means and one of said liquids for transmitting the force to the said one liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
An electrocapillary transducer comprising an envelope including a tube portion having capillary transverse interior dimensions, a metallic liquid contained within said envelope and extending into said tube portion, a liquid electrolyte contained within said envelope and extending into said tube portion, said metallic liquid and said electrolyte being immiscible in each other and forming a single interface only in said capillary tube, electrode means respectively in electrical contact with said metallic liquid and said electrolyte, means external of said envelope for applying a force across said metallic liquid and said electrolyte effective to move the interface of said liquids and to change the interfacial tension between said liquids to produce a voltage at said electrodes due to the electrocapillary effect, said means including means for sealing off an end of said envelope, a suspended mass responsive to vibrations to cause movement thereof for producing corresponding movement of said sealing means, and a material between said sealing means and one of said liquids for transmitting the force to the said one liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrocapillary transducer as in claim 1, wherein said sealing means comprises a bellows which is directly acted upon by the vibrations of said mass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An electrocapillary transducer as in claim 1, further comprising a spring for suspending the mass.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrocapillary transducer as in claim 2, further comprising means for adjusting the length of the spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electrocapillary transducer as in claim 1, further comprising a lever arm pivotally mounted about a point, said mass engaging said lever arm at a point spaced from its pivot point to provide a mechanical advantage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrocapillary transducer as in claim 5, further comprising means for adjusting the spacing between the pivot point and the point of engagement with the mass.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
130 words
An electrocapillary transducer comprising an envelope including a tube portion having capillary transverse interior dimensions, a metallic liquid contained within said envelope and extending into said tube portion, a liquid electrolyte contained within said envelope and extending into said tube portion, said metallic liquid and said electrolyte being immiscible in each other and forming a single interface only in said capillary tube, electrode means respectively in electrical contact with said metallic liquid and said electrolyte, means responsive to a component of physical acceleration for applying a force across said metallic liquid and said electrolyte in response to a component of physical acceleration to move the interface of said liquids and to change the interfacial tension between said liquids to produce a voltage at said electrodes due to the electrocapillary effect.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
130 words
An electrocapillary transducer comprising an envelope including a tube portion having capillary transverse interior dimensions, a metallic liquid contained within said envelope and extending into said tube portion, a liquid electrolyte contained within said envelope and extending into said tube portion, said metallic liquid and said electrolyte being immiscible in each other and forming a single interface only in said capillary tube, electrode means respectively in electrical contact with said metallic liquid and said electrolyte, means responsive to a component of physical acceleration for applying a force across said metallic liquid and said electrolyte in response to a component of physical acceleration to move the interface of said liquids and to change the interfacial tension between said liquids to produce a voltage at said electrodes due to the electrocapillary effect.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrocapillary transducer as in claim 7, wherein said means responsive to the component of physical acceleration comprises a flexible membrane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrocapillary transducer as in claim 7, wherein said means responsive to the component of physical acceleration comprises a spring member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrocapillary transducer as in claim 7, further comprising means for converting the voltage produced at said electrodes into digital signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
An electrocapillary transducer as in claim 7, wherein said envelope comprises a first tube containing said metallic liquid and a second tube containing said electrolyte, said capillary tube connecting said first and second tubes and said means responsive to the component of physical acceleration acting on the liquid in one of said first and second tubes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
95 words
An electrocapillary tRansducer as in claim 7 wherein said envelope includes a reservoir portion containing one of said metallic and electrolyte liquids and a pair of tube portions of capillary transverse interior dimensions in communication therewith, said metallic liquid and said electrolyte extending into each of said tube portions to establish a respective single interface therein, said electrode means being in electrical contact with the metallic liquid and electrolyte in each of said tube portions, and said means responsive to said component of physical acceleration adapted to move the interface on each said tube portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrocapillary transducer as in claim 12 wherein said acceleration responsive means includes a part located in said reservoir means to act on the liquids therein.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
An electrocapillary transducer as in claim 13 wherein said acceleration responsive means comprises a piston.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
An electrocapillary transducer as in claim 7 wherein said capillary tube portion is generally vertical.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A transducer as in claim 15 wherein said interface lies in a generally horizontal plane.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A transducer as in claim 7 wherein said envelope has at least one portion extending generally vertically for holding said electrolyte and said liquid metal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
A transducer as in claim 17 wherein said capillary tube portion is generally vertical.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrocapillary transducer as in claim 7 wherein said means responsive to the component of physical acceleration comprises a movable piston.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3825709A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-09 | 1978-12-09 | 1979-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-09 | 1982-12-09 | 1983-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-09 | 1986-12-09 | 1987-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |