US5205176A — Ultrasonic load cell with transducer

Claim 1

Independent Claim 74 words

A method of making a load indicating cell comprising the steps of: providing a load bearing member subjected to deformation when stressed such that one portion thereof moves relative to another portion thereof, said load bearing member having a first surface functioning as a first electrode; and growing ultrasonic transducer means including an acoustoelectric film directly on said first surface adapted to mechanically, electrically and acoustically interconnect said acoustoelectric film to said first surface.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 74 words

A method of making a load indicating cell comprising the steps of: providing a load bearing member subjected to deformation when stressed such that one portion thereof moves relative to another portion thereof, said load bearing member having a first surface functioning as a first electrode; and growing ultrasonic transducer means including an acoustoelectric film directly on said first surface adapted to mechanically, electrically and acoustically interconnect said acoustoelectric film to said first surface.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 49 words

The method of claim 1 further comprising forming a second electrode of said ultrasonic transducer means on the exposed surface of said acoustoelectric film adapted to mechanically and electrically interconnect said second electrode to said acoustoelectric film and adapted to electrically isolate said second electrode from said first electrode.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 2 further comprising forming an electrically insulating encapsulating layer extending outward from said second electrode such as to cover exposed surfaces of said acoustoelectric film.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said acoustoelectric film is grown by vapor deposition.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said acoustoelectric film is grown by magnetron sputtering.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said acoustoelectric film is an oriented piezoelectric film chosen from the group consisting of zinc oxide, cadmium sulfide, and aluminum nitride.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said acoustoelectric film is grown with an angle of inclination adapted to allow said ultrasonic transducer means to transmit and receive both longitudinal and transverse ultrasonic waves.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 2 wherein said second electrode is formed by vapor deposition.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 2 wherein said second electrode is chosen from the group consisting of electrically conductive metallic film, paint, and ink.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 2 wherein said second electrode comprises metallic foil bonded to said acoustoelectric film with an adhesive.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said acoustoelectric film is 1 to 50 microns thick.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said load bearing member has a shank having a longitudinal end with a recess and said first surface is formed in said recess.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method of claim 1 wherein said first surface is formed to direct ultrasonic waves from said ultrasonic transducer means grown on said first surface toward an end of said load bearing member remote from said first surface.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 80 words

The method of claim 1 further comprising forming a second surface on the load bearing member at a predetermined distance from said first surface: wherein said first surface is formed such as to direct ultrasonic waves from said ultrasonic transducer means, grown on said first surface, toward said second surface; and wherein said second surface is formed to reflect ultrasonic waves from said ultrasonic transducer means on said first surface back to said ultrasonic transducer means on said first surface.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 60 words

A load indicating cell comprising: a load bearing member adapted to deform when stressed and having a first surface functioning as a first electrode; ultrasonic transducer means including an acoustoelectric film grown directly on and conforming to said first surface of said load bearing member so as to mechanically, electrically, and acoustically interconnect said acoustoelectric film to said first surface.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 60 words

A load indicating cell comprising: a load bearing member adapted to deform when stressed and having a first surface functioning as a first electrode; ultrasonic transducer means including an acoustoelectric film grown directly on and conforming to said first surface of said load bearing member so as to mechanically, electrically, and acoustically interconnect said acoustoelectric film to said first surface.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 47 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 15 wherein said ultrasonic transducer means further includes a second electrode formed on the exposed surface of said acoustoelectric film in electrical isolation from said first electrode and adapted to mechanically, acoustically, and electrically interconnect with said acoustoelectric film.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 28 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 16 wherein said second electrode is chosen from the group consisting of electrically conducting metallic film, ink, paint, and foil.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 40 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 16 further comprising an electrically insulating layer extending over the exposed portions of said first surface, said acoustoelectric film, and said second electrode to exclude contaminants and prevent damage by environmental hazards.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 31 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 15 wherein said acoustoelectric film is an oriented piezoelectric film chosen from the group consisting of zinc oxide, cadmium sulfide, and aluminum nitride.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 19 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 15 wherein said acoustoelectric film is 1 to 50 microns thick.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 19 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 16 wherein said second electrode is 1 to 50 microns thick.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 40 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 15 wherein said load bearing member has a recess and said first surface of said load bearing member is located in said recess to protect said ultrasonic transducer means from environmental hazards.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 28 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 15 wherein said ultrasonic transducer means functions without degradation in performance at the operating temperature of said load bearing member.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 34 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 15 further comprising an electronic control electrically interconnected to said ultrasonic transducer means for supplying and removing electronic signals to and from said ultrasonic transducer means.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 36 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 15 wherein said ultrasonic transducer means generates high frequency ultrasonic waves between 1 and 500 Mhz, said waves adapted to increase the accuracy and resolution of said cell.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 40 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 15 wherein said acoustoelectric film is an oriented piezoelectric film having an angle of inclination adapted to enable said ultrasonic transducer means to transmit and receive both longitudinal and transverse ultrasonic waves.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 72 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 15 wherein: said load bearing member has a second surface which is acoustically reflective; said first surface of said load bearing member is adapted to direct ultrasonic waves from said ultrasonic transducer means toward said second surface; and said second surface of said load bearing member is adapted to reflect said waves received from said ultrasonic transducer means back to said ultrasonic transducer means.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 22 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 15 wherein said load bearing member is a material suitable for transmitting ultrasonic waves.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 94 words

A load indicating cell comprising: a load bearing member adapted to deform when stressed and having a first surface functioning as a first electrode; and ultrasonic transducer means including: (a) a second electrode, and (b) an acoustoelectric film grown directly on and conforming to the surface of said second electrode so as to mechanically, electrically, and acoustically interconnect said acoustoelectric film to said second electrode, said acoustoelectric film mechanically, acoustically, and electrically interconnected to said first surface of said load bearing member and adapted to electrically isolate said first electrode from said second electrode.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 94 words

A load indicating cell comprising: a load bearing member adapted to deform when stressed and having a first surface functioning as a first electrode; and ultrasonic transducer means including: (a) a second electrode, and (b) an acoustoelectric film grown directly on and conforming to the surface of said second electrode so as to mechanically, electrically, and acoustically interconnect said acoustoelectric film to said second electrode, said acoustoelectric film mechanically, acoustically, and electrically interconnected to said first surface of said load bearing member and adapted to electrically isolate said first electrode from said second electrode.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 28 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 29 wherein said second electrode is chosen from the group consisting of electrically conducting metallic film, ink, paint, and foil.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 40 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 29 further comprising an electrically insulating layer extending over the exposed portions of said first surface, said acoustoelectric film, and said second electrode to exclude contaminants and prevent damage by environmental hazards.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 31 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 29 wherein said acoustoelectric film is an oriented piezoelectric film chosen from the group consisting of zinc oxide, cadmium sulfide, and aluminum nitride.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 19 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 29 wherein said acoustoelectric film is 1 to 50 microns thick.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 19 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 29 wherein said second electrode is 1 to 50 microns thick.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 40 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 29 wherein said load bearing member has a recess and said first surface of said load bearing member is located in said recess to protect said ultrasonic transducer means from environmental hazards.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 28 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 29 wherein said ultrasonic transducer means functions without degradation in performance at the operating temperature of said load bearing member.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 34 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 29 further comprising an electronic control electrically interconnected to said ultrasonic transducer means for supplying and removing electronic signals to and from said ultrasonic transducer means.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 36 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 29 wherein said ultrasonic transducer means generates high frequency ultrasonic waves between 1 and 500 Mhz, said waves adapted to increase the accuracy and resolution of said cell.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 40 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 29 wherein said acoustoelectric film is an oriented piezoelectric film having an angle of inclination adapted to enable said ultrasonic transducer means to transmit and receive both longitudinal and transverse ultrasonic waves.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 72 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 29 wherein: said load bearing member has a second surface which is acoustically reflective; said first surface of said load bearing member is adapted to direct ultrasonic waves from said ultrasonic transducer means toward said second surface; and said second surface of said load bearing member is adapted to reflect said waves received from said ultrasonic transducer means back to said ultrasonic transducer means.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 22 words

A load indicating cell as claimed in claim 29 wherein said load bearing member is a material suitable for transmitting ultrasonic waves.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-04-26	1996-10-26	1997-04-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-04-26	2000-10-26	2001-04-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-04-26	2004-10-26	2005-04-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Ultrasonic load cell with transducer

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