US4299122A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Force transducer
Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corp
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Filing: 1979-10-10
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Granted: 1981-11-10
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Expires: 1999-10-10
Abstract
Abstract A force transducer is provided comprising a vibrator having a pair of plate-shaped vibrating pieces parallel with each other, coupling pieces for joining the respective ends of the vibrating pieces, and attachment portions connected to the coupling pieces, exciting means for causing the vibrator to resonate, and sensing means for detecting the vibrations of the vibrator. An input force to be converted is applied in the longitudinal direction of the vibrating pieces. This force transducer is capable of converting an industiral process variable such as force, pressure, difference pressure, weight or level into a proportional frequency signal at a high efficiency.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshitsugu Ueda
- 👤 Fusao Kousaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L9/00; G01L9/0001; G01L9/0008; G01L9/0022; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/296; G01F23/2966; G01G; G01G3/00; G01G3/12; G01G3/16; G01G3/165; G01L1/00; G01L1/10; G01L1/106; G01L1/16; G01L1/162; G01L9/0033; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S73/00; Y10S73/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A force transducer for converting an applied input force to be measured into an oscillation frequency comprising: a vibrator having a pair of vibrating pieces disposed parallel to each other and symmetrical with respect to the center axis thereof, coupling pieces for joining the respective ends of said vibrating pieces, and attachment portions connected to said coupling pieces; exciting means secured to one of said vibrating pieces for causing said vibrator to resonate; vibration sensing means secured to the other of said vibrating pieces for detecting the vibration of said vibrator; an amplifier coupled between said exciting means and said vibrating sensing means which along with said vibrator form an oscillator, an input force to be converted being applied to said vibrating pieces in the longitudinal direction thereof via said attachment portion, said input force varying the frequency of oscillation of said oscillator whereby said input force may be measured by measuring the frequency of oscillation of said oscillator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A force transducer for converting an applied input force to be measured into an oscillation frequency comprising: a vibrator having a pair of vibrating pieces disposed parallel to each other and symmetrical with respect to the center axis thereof, coupling pieces for joining the respective ends of said vibrating pieces, and attachment portions connected to said coupling pieces; exciting means secured to one of said vibrating pieces for causing said vibrator to resonate; vibration sensing means secured to the other of said vibrating pieces for detecting the vibration of said vibrator; an amplifier coupled between said exciting means and said vibrating sensing means which along with said vibrator form an oscillator, an input force to be converted being applied to said vibrating pieces in the longitudinal direction thereof via said attachment portion, said input force varying the frequency of oscillation of said oscillator whereby said input force may be measured by measuring the frequency of oscillation of said oscillator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The force transducer as defined in claim 1, wherein through holes are formed in said coupling pieces so that the natural vibration frequency of said vibrating pieces which vary in accordance with the input force applied thereto becomes different in symmetrical mode oscillation and non-symmetrical mode oscillation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The force transducer as defined in claim 1, wherein through holes are formed in said attachment portions so as to decrease the longitudinal elastic constants thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The force transducer as defined in claim 1, wherein said vibrating pieces are composed of flat plates which are symmetrical with respect to the center axis thereof and are parallel with each other on one plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The force transducer as defined in claim 1, wherein said vibrating pieces, coupling pieces and attachment portions are composed of a common member to constitute a single structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The force transducer as defined in claim 1, wherein said exciting means and vibration sensing means consist of piezoelectric elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The force transducer as defined in claim 6, wherein said piezoelectric elements are evaporated thin films.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The force transducer as defined in claim 1, wherein said vibrating pieces, exciting means and vibration sensing means are composed of a piezoelectric material to constitute a single structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The force transducer as defined in claim 1, wherein said attachment portions consist of plate-shaped flexures orthogonal with each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The force transducer as defined in claim 1, wherein the input force to be converted corresponds to the difference between pressures introduced to the two sides of a diaphragm capsule.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The force transducer as defined in claim 1, wherein the input force to be converted corresponds to the difference between pressures introduced to the two sides of a bellows capsule.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The force transducer as defined in claim 1, wherein the input force to be converted corresponds to a pressure introduced to a bellows.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The force transducer as defined in claim 1, wherein the input force to be converted corresponds to the weight of a float on a liquid level.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The force transducer as defined in claim 1, wherein the input force to be converted corresponds to the weight of an object.
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) | 1984-11-09 | 1985-05-11 | 1985-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-11-09 | 1989-05-11 | 1989-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-11-09 | 1993-05-11 | 1993-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |