US4870536A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Micro displacement force transducer
Assignee: Panex Corp
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Filing: 1988-09-14
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Granted: 1989-09-26
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Expires: 2008-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A sensor system utilizing a Bourdon tube to generate a force as a function of pressure to deflect a diaphragm in a capacitor device where the diaphragm varies capacitance values of the capacitor device as a function of the applied force. The capacitor device is an essentially integral circularly shaped construction of quartz material in which the diaphragm is attached to a tubular quartz member. A metal member having a similar coefficient of temperature expansion to the coefficient of the quartz is used to couple the diaphragm to the Bourdon tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Leroy C. Delatorre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L9/00; G01L9/0026; G01L9/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
A capacitance transducer having means for providing a capacitance measurement indicative of applied force, comprising a first outer member constructed from quartz and having an annular configuration and having parallel upper and lower surfaces, an intermediate member constructed from quartz and having an annular configuration and having parallel upper and lower surfaces, a second outer member constructed from quartz and being an annular configuration and having parallel upper and lower surfaces, said outer members being symmetrical in construction and having a thickness relative to the thickness of the intermediate member to provide a rigidity substantially greater than the rigidity of the intermediate member, annular bonding means disposed between an outer member and the intermediate member for attaching said members to one another and for defining gaps between facing surfaces of an outer member and the intermediate member, metallized electrically conductive film in a facing relationship on said surfaces and at least one film having an outer oxidized layer for providing electrical insulation and a metallized interior layer for providing an electrical capacitor plate, a first tubular member for coupling of said intermediate member to an external force applying member, said first tubular member being constructed from quartz and having a bore sized to align with the opening in the intermediate member and having an outer diameter sized to pass through an opening in an outer member, and annular bonding means disposed between said first tubular member and said intermediate member for attaching said first tubular member to said intermediate member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
250 words
A capacitance transducer having means for providing a capacitance measurement indicative of applied force, comprising a first outer member constructed from quartz and having an annular configuration and having parallel upper and lower surfaces, an intermediate member constructed from quartz and having an annular configuration and having parallel upper and lower surfaces, a second outer member constructed from quartz and being an annular configuration and having parallel upper and lower surfaces, said outer members being symmetrical in construction and having a thickness relative to the thickness of the intermediate member to provide a rigidity substantially greater than the rigidity of the intermediate member, annular bonding means disposed between an outer member and the intermediate member for attaching said members to one another and for defining gaps between facing surfaces of an outer member and the intermediate member, metallized electrically conductive film in a facing relationship on said surfaces and at least one film having an outer oxidized layer for providing electrical insulation and a metallized interior layer for providing an electrical capacitor plate, a first tubular member for coupling of said intermediate member to an external force applying member, said first tubular member being constructed from quartz and having a bore sized to align with the opening in the intermediate member and having an outer diameter sized to pass through an opening in an outer member, and annular bonding means disposed between said first tubular member and said intermediate member for attaching said first tubular member to said intermediate member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The transducer as set forth in claim 1 wherein said gaps are dimensionally related to the rigidity of an intermediate member whereby an intermediate member may be flexed to contact a facing surface on an outer member without fracturing the intermediate member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
91 words
The transducer as set forth in claim 1 and further including a second tubular member constructed from quartz and having a bore size to align with the opening in the intermediate member and an outer diameter sized to pass through an opening the other outer member, and annular bonding means disposed between said second tubular quartz member and said intermediate member for attaching said second tubular member to said intermediate member; said first and second tubular members being symmetrically formed and centrally attached to the outer surfaces of said intermediate member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The transducer as set forth in claim 3 and further including force coupling means comprised of a metal rod member extending through the bore of said outer members and said intermediate member, flange members on said rod member for applying a compression force to said first and second tubular members, said metal rod member permitting coupling to an external force member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The transducer as set forth in claim 4 wherein said rod member and flange members are constructed from INVAR.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The transducer as set forth in claim 1 and further including a base support member for providing a reference support for one of said outer members; clamping means for engaging the periphery of the other outer member and for attaching the transducer to the base support member under compression applied peripherally of said intermediate member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The transducer as set forth in claim 6 and further including an annular recess in said base support member aligned behind said one outer member and in alignment with said clamping means whereby the central portion of said transducer is isolated from clamping forces on the transducer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
227 words
A capacitance transducer having means for providing a capacitance measurement indicative of applied force, comprising a first outer member constructed from quartz and having parallel upper and lower surfaces, an intermediate member constructed from quartz and having parallel upper and lower surfaces. a second outer member constructed from quartz and having parallel upper and lower surfaces, said outer members having a thickness relative to the thickness of the intermediate member to provide a rigidity substantially greater than the rigidity of the intermediate member, bonding means disposed between an outer member and the intermediate member for attaching said members to one another and for defining gaps between facing surfaces of an outer member and the intermediate member, metallized electrically conductive films in a facing relationship on said surfaces and at least one film having an outer oxidized layer for providing electrical insulation and a metallized interior layer for providing an electrical capacitor plate, a first extension member constructed from quartz and having sufficient length so as to pass through an opening in an outer member for coupling to an applied force member, and bonding means disposed between said first extension member and said intermediate member for attaching said first extension member to said intermediate member so that a tension or compression force can be applied to said intermediate member for developing a micro displacement of said intermediate member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
227 words
A capacitance transducer having means for providing a capacitance measurement indicative of applied force, comprising a first outer member constructed from quartz and having parallel upper and lower surfaces, an intermediate member constructed from quartz and having parallel upper and lower surfaces. a second outer member constructed from quartz and having parallel upper and lower surfaces, said outer members having a thickness relative to the thickness of the intermediate member to provide a rigidity substantially greater than the rigidity of the intermediate member, bonding means disposed between an outer member and the intermediate member for attaching said members to one another and for defining gaps between facing surfaces of an outer member and the intermediate member, metallized electrically conductive films in a facing relationship on said surfaces and at least one film having an outer oxidized layer for providing electrical insulation and a metallized interior layer for providing an electrical capacitor plate, a first extension member constructed from quartz and having sufficient length so as to pass through an opening in an outer member for coupling to an applied force member, and bonding means disposed between said first extension member and said intermediate member for attaching said first extension member to said intermediate member so that a tension or compression force can be applied to said intermediate member for developing a micro displacement of said intermediate member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The transducer as set forth in claim 8 wherein said gaps are dimensionally related to the rigidity of the intermediate member whereby the intermediate member may be flexed to contact a facing surface on an outer member without fracturing the intermediate member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
The transducer as set forth in claim 8 and further including a second extension member constructed from quartz sized to pass through an opening the other outer member, and bonding means disposed between said second extension member and said intermediate member for attaching said second extension member to said intermediate member; said first and second extension members being centrally attached to the outer surfaces of said intermediate member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
The transducer as set forth in claim 10 and further including force coupling means comprised of a metal rod member extending through a bore in said outer extension members and said intermediate member and flange members on said rod member for applying a compression force to said first and second extension members, said metal rod member permitting coupling to an external force member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The transducer as set forth in claim 11 wherein said rod member and flange members are constructed from INVAR material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
The transducer as set forth in claim 8 and further including a base support member for providing a reference support for one of said outer members; clamping means for engaging the periphery of the other outer member and for attaching the transducer to the base support member under compression applied to said transducer peripherally of said intermediate member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The transducer as set forth in claim 13 and further including an annular recess in said base support member aligned behind said one outer member and in alignment with said clamping means whereby the central portion of said transducer is isolated from clamping forces on the transducer.
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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) | 1992-09-25 | 1993-03-27 | 1993-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-25 | 1997-03-27 | 1997-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-25 | 2001-03-27 | 2001-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |