US4658175A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vibrating beam force transducer with A-frame beam root and frequency adjusting means
Assignee: KEARFOTT Corp
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Filing: 1986-03-26
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Granted: 1987-04-14
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Expires: 2006-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A vibrating beam force transducer includes a piezoelectric beam structure supported at first and second ends, and an oscillator for inducing a vibration in the piezoelectric beam. To permit adjusting the bias frequency of the beam, an adjustment mass is formed at the center of the beam, the adjustment mass made of piezoelectric material. Part of the adjustment mass can be broken off to adjust the bias frequency. The first and second ends are attached to the a support structure by first and second legs at each end of the beam, the legs having an angle therebetween, thereby forming an A-frame mount.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Albert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/02; G01P15/08; G01P15/097; G01L; G01L1/00; G01L1/16; G01L1/162; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S73/00; Y10S73/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
In a vibrating beam force transducer comprising a piezoelectric beam structure having first and second ends, and means for inducing a vibration in the piezoelectric beam, the improvement comprising: an adjustment mass formed at the center of said beam, said adjustment mass made up of said piezoelectric material, whereby parts of said adjustment mass can be broken off to adjust the bias frequency of said vibrating beam; and further including first and second legs at each end of said beam for directly mounting said beam to a support structure or mass.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
In a vibrating beam force transducer comprising a piezoelectric beam structure having first and second ends, and means for inducing a vibration in the piezoelectric beam, the improvement comprising: an adjustment mass formed at the center of said beam, said adjustment mass made up of said piezoelectric material, whereby parts of said adjustment mass can be broken off to adjust the bias frequency of said vibrating beam; and further including first and second legs at each end of said beam for directly mounting said beam to a support structure or mass.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment mass comprises first and second portions extending perpendicularly from opposite sides of the center of said beam structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said vibrating beam has a rectangular cross section with a width greater than its thickness and wherein said adjustment mass portions comprise thin rectangular portions extending perpendicularly from both of the wider sides of said rectangular beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
111 words
In a vibrating beam force transducer comprising a piezoelectric beam structure having first and second ends and means for inducing a vibration in the piezoelectric beam, the improvement comprising: an adjustment mass formed at the center of said beam, said adjustment mass made up of said piezoelectric material, whereby parts of said adjustment mass can be broken off to adjust the bias frequency of said vibrating beam; wherein said first and second ends are attached to a support structure, and further including first and second legs at each end of said beam mounting said beam to said support structure, said legs forming an angle therebetween to thereby form an A-frame mount.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
111 words
In a vibrating beam force transducer comprising a piezoelectric beam structure having first and second ends and means for inducing a vibration in the piezoelectric beam, the improvement comprising: an adjustment mass formed at the center of said beam, said adjustment mass made up of said piezoelectric material, whereby parts of said adjustment mass can be broken off to adjust the bias frequency of said vibrating beam; wherein said first and second ends are attached to a support structure, and further including first and second legs at each end of said beam mounting said beam to said support structure, said legs forming an angle therebetween to thereby form an A-frame mount.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, and further including an isolator structure between each end of said vibrating beam and said support structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said transducer is symmetrical.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein all of said transducer is made of a single piece of piezoelectric material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a vibrating beam force transducer comprising: a piezoelectric beam structure supported at first and second ends; and means for inducing a vibration in the piezoelectric beam; said first and second ends attached to a support structure, the improvement comprising first and second legs at each end of said beam mounting said beam to said support structure, said legs forming an angle therebetween to thereby form an A-frame mount.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a vibrating beam force transducer comprising: a piezoelectric beam structure supported at first and second ends; and means for inducing a vibration in the piezoelectric beam; said first and second ends attached to a support structure, the improvement comprising first and second legs at each end of said beam mounting said beam to said support structure, said legs forming an angle therebetween to thereby form an A-frame mount.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, and further including an isolator structure between each end of said vibrating beam and said support structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said transducer is symmetrical.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein all of said transducer is made of a single piece of piezoelectric material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said adjustment mass comprises first and second portions extending perpendicularly from opposite sides of the center of said beam structure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said vibrating beam has a rectangular cross section with a width greater than its thickness and wherein said adjustment mass portions comprise thin rectangular portions extending perpendicularly from both of the wider sides of said rectangular beam.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said first and second legs at each end of said beam form an angle therebetween.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transducer is symmetrical and made of a single piece of piezoelectric material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a vibrating beam force transducer comprising a piezoelectric beam structure having first and second ends, a pair of isolator means, and means for inducing a vibration in the piezoelectric beam, the improvement comprising: an adjustment mass formed at the center of said beam, said adjustment mass made up of said piezoelectric material, whereby parts of said adjustment mass can be broken off to adjust the bias of frequency of said vibrating beam; and further including first and second legs at each end of said beam for mounting said beam to said isolator means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a vibrating beam force transducer comprising a piezoelectric beam structure having first and second ends, a pair of isolator means, and means for inducing a vibration in the piezoelectric beam, the improvement comprising: an adjustment mass formed at the center of said beam, said adjustment mass made up of said piezoelectric material, whereby parts of said adjustment mass can be broken off to adjust the bias of frequency of said vibrating beam; and further including first and second legs at each end of said beam for mounting said beam to said isolator means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said adjustment mass comprises first and second portions extending perpendicularly from opposite sides of the center of said beam structure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said vibrating beam has a rectangular cross section with a width greater than its thickness and wherein said adjustment mass portions comprises thin rectangular portions extending perpendicularly from both of the wider sides of said rectangular beam.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said first and second legs at each end of said beam form an angle therebetween.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said transducer is symmetrical and made of a single piece of piezoelectric material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-04-13 | 1990-10-13 | 1991-04-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-13 | 1994-10-13 | 1995-04-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-13 | 1998-10-13 | 1999-04-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |