US4629957A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sensing apparatus
Assignee: QED Intellectual Property Ltd
•
Filing: 1985-03-22
•
Granted: 1986-12-16
•
Expires: 2005-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A sensing apparatus has a probe displacement with respect to a support arm and to a reference position. The probe has a flat disc mounting three transducers which are spaced apart from one another at regular intervals. Each transducer has an elastomeric dielectric and is capable of producing an electrical output signal in response to displacement of the probe from the reference position. An electrical circuit compares output signals produced by the transducers and evaluates the direction and/or extent of probe displacement. Such evaluation may be used in the manipulator control system of an article-handling equipment.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter E. Walters
- 👤 Anthony M. Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:53
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10D; H10D48/00; H10D48/50; G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/004; G01B7/008; G01B7/012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for sensing contact with an article, the apparatus comprising a support member, a probe displaceable with respect to the support member and to a reference position in response to contact with an article, and three or more pressure sensitive capacitative transducers arranged in spaced apart relationship between the support member and the probe, wherein each said pressure sensitive capacitative transducer includes an elastomeric dielectric material and is capable of producing a detectable electrical signal in response to a displacement of the probe from the reference position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for sensing contact with an article, the apparatus comprising a support member, a probe displaceable with respect to the support member and to a reference position in response to contact with an article, and three or more pressure sensitive capacitative transducers arranged in spaced apart relationship between the support member and the probe, wherein each said pressure sensitive capacitative transducer includes an elastomeric dielectric material and is capable of producing a detectable electrical signal in response to a displacement of the probe from the reference position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the transducers are mounted on a common surface of the probe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sensing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the transducers are mounted on a planar surface orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the probe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A sensing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the transducers are spaced apart from one another at regular intervals around the longitudinal axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sensing apparatus according to claim 3 including means to allow displacement of the probe, in relation to the support along said longitudinal axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A sensing apparatus according to claim 5 including resilient means to resist displacement along the longitudinal axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A sensing apparatus according to Claim 1 including a processing circuit responsive to electrical signals produced simultaneously by the transducer to evaluate the direction and/or extent of probe displacement with respect to said reference position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A sensing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each said capacitative transducer comprises a field effect transistor device provided with an elastomeric dielectric material between the gate insulator and the gate electrode of the device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
126 words
An article-handling equipment comprising a work station at which an article can be held, an apparatus for sensing contact with the article, the apparatus comprising a support member, a probe displaceable with respect to the support member and to a reference position in response to contact with the article, and three or more pressure sensitive capacitative transducers arranged in spaced apart relationship between the support and the probe, wherein each said pressure sensitive capacitative transducer includes an elastomeric dielectric material and is capable of producing a detectable electrical signal in response to a displacement of the probe from the reference position, and control means to cause relative movement of the probe and article in dependence in electrical signals produced by one or more of the transducers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
126 words
An article-handling equipment comprising a work station at which an article can be held, an apparatus for sensing contact with the article, the apparatus comprising a support member, a probe displaceable with respect to the support member and to a reference position in response to contact with the article, and three or more pressure sensitive capacitative transducers arranged in spaced apart relationship between the support and the probe, wherein each said pressure sensitive capacitative transducer includes an elastomeric dielectric material and is capable of producing a detectable electrical signal in response to a displacement of the probe from the reference position, and control means to cause relative movement of the probe and article in dependence in electrical signals produced by one or more of the transducers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An article-handling equipment according to claim 9 wherein said control means is effective to cause the probe to return to the reference position.
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) | 1989-12-15 | 1990-06-16 | 1990-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-15 | 1994-06-16 | 1994-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-15 | 1998-06-16 | 1998-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |