US5488872A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System and method for load sensing
Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation Inc
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Filing: 1993-06-17
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Granted: 1996-02-06
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Expires: 2013-06-17
Abstract
Abstract An intelligent load sensing system employs a piezoelectric sensor and digital processor for providing accurate sensing of loads, collisions, and vibrations.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter McCormick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L5/00; G01L5/22; G01L5/226; G01L1/00; G01L1/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A load sensing system comprising: a piezoelectric sensor for generating a signal in response to an applied force; amplifier means, coupled to the piezoelectric sensor, for conditioning the signal generated by the piezoelectric sensor; processing means, coupled to the amplifier means, for interpreting the conditioned signal in accordance with a predetermined series of comparisons of the signal with threshold values, and for indicating results therefrom; wherein the piezoelectric sensor comprises: a first plate; a length of piezoelectric cable in contact with the first plate; a second plate disposed adjacent to the first plate and in contact with the piezoelectric cable so that the piezoelectric cable is compressed between the first and the second plates; a charge amplifier having an input and an output, the input being coupled to the piezoelectric sensor; and, a gain amplifier having first and second inputs and an output, the first input coupled to the output of the charge amplifier, the second input coupled to the processing means for accepting an adjustable bias voltage, and the output of the gain amplifier coupled to the processing means for delivering a conditioned signal proportional to the piezoelectric signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A load sensing system comprising: a piezoelectric sensor for generating a signal in response to an applied force; amplifier means, coupled to the piezoelectric sensor, for conditioning the signal generated by the piezoelectric sensor; processing means, coupled to the amplifier means, for interpreting the conditioned signal in accordance with a predetermined series of comparisons of the signal with threshold values, and for indicating results therefrom; wherein the piezoelectric sensor comprises: a first plate; a length of piezoelectric cable in contact with the first plate; a second plate disposed adjacent to the first plate and in contact with the piezoelectric cable so that the piezoelectric cable is compressed between the first and the second plates; a charge amplifier having an input and an output, the input being coupled to the piezoelectric sensor; and, a gain amplifier having first and second inputs and an output, the first input coupled to the output of the charge amplifier, the second input coupled to the processing means for accepting an adjustable bias voltage, and the output of the gain amplifier coupled to the processing means for delivering a conditioned signal proportional to the piezoelectric signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The load sensing system as recited claim 1, wherein the processing means includes an analog to digital converter port coupled to the output of the gain amplifier for digitizing the conditioned signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
137 words
A load sensing system comprising: a piezoelectric sensor for generating a signal in response to an applied force; amplifier means, coupled to the piezoelectric sensor, for conditioning the signal generated by the piezoelectric sensor; processing means, coupled to the amplifier means, for interpreting the conditioned signal in accordance with a predetermined series of comparisons of the signal with threshold values, and for indicating results therefrom; wherein the piezoelectric sensor comprises: a first plate; a length of piezoelectric cable in contact with the first plate; a second plate disposed adjacent to the first plate and in contact with the piezoelectric cable so that the piezoelectric cable is compressed between the first and the second plates; and, wherein the processing means includes a pulse width modulation output coupled to the amplifier means, for providing a D.C. bias offset voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
137 words
A load sensing system comprising: a piezoelectric sensor for generating a signal in response to an applied force; amplifier means, coupled to the piezoelectric sensor, for conditioning the signal generated by the piezoelectric sensor; processing means, coupled to the amplifier means, for interpreting the conditioned signal in accordance with a predetermined series of comparisons of the signal with threshold values, and for indicating results therefrom; wherein the piezoelectric sensor comprises: a first plate; a length of piezoelectric cable in contact with the first plate; a second plate disposed adjacent to the first plate and in contact with the piezoelectric cable so that the piezoelectric cable is compressed between the first and the second plates; and, wherein the processing means includes a pulse width modulation output coupled to the amplifier means, for providing a D.C. bias offset voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
140 words
A load sensing system comprising: a piezoelectric sensor for generating a signal in response to an applied force; amplifier means, coupled to the piezoelectric sensor, for conditioning the signal generated by the piezoelectric sensor; processing means, coupled to the amplifier means, for interpreting the conditioned signal in accordance with a predetermined series of comparisons of the signal with threshold values, and for indicating results therefrom; wherein the piezoelectric sensor comprises: a first plate; a length of piezoelectric cable in contact with the first plate; a second plate disposed adjacent to the first plate and in contact with the piezoelectric cable so that the piezoelectric cable is compressed between the first and the second plates; and, further including a visual display coupled to the processing means, for displaying selected results from the series of comparisons of the signal with threshold values.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
140 words
A load sensing system comprising: a piezoelectric sensor for generating a signal in response to an applied force; amplifier means, coupled to the piezoelectric sensor, for conditioning the signal generated by the piezoelectric sensor; processing means, coupled to the amplifier means, for interpreting the conditioned signal in accordance with a predetermined series of comparisons of the signal with threshold values, and for indicating results therefrom; wherein the piezoelectric sensor comprises: a first plate; a length of piezoelectric cable in contact with the first plate; a second plate disposed adjacent to the first plate and in contact with the piezoelectric cable so that the piezoelectric cable is compressed between the first and the second plates; and, further including a visual display coupled to the processing means, for displaying selected results from the series of comparisons of the signal with threshold values.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
136 words
A load sensing system comprising: a piezoelectric sensor for generating a signal in response to an applied force; amplifier means, coupled to the piezoelectric sensor, for conditioning the signal generated by the piezoelectric sensor; processing means, coupled to the amplifier means, for interpreting the conditioned signal in accordance with a predetermined series of comparisons of the signal with threshold values, and for indicating results therefrom; wherein the piezoelectric sensor comprises: a first plate; a length of piezoelectric cable in contact with the first plate; a second plate disposed adjacent to the first plate and in contact with the piezoelectric cable so that the piezoelectric cable is compressed between the first and the second plates; and, wherein the predetermined series of comparisons are performed at predetermined time intervals for masking out transitory changes in the piezoelectric sensor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
136 words
A load sensing system comprising: a piezoelectric sensor for generating a signal in response to an applied force; amplifier means, coupled to the piezoelectric sensor, for conditioning the signal generated by the piezoelectric sensor; processing means, coupled to the amplifier means, for interpreting the conditioned signal in accordance with a predetermined series of comparisons of the signal with threshold values, and for indicating results therefrom; wherein the piezoelectric sensor comprises: a first plate; a length of piezoelectric cable in contact with the first plate; a second plate disposed adjacent to the first plate and in contact with the piezoelectric cable so that the piezoelectric cable is compressed between the first and the second plates; and, wherein the predetermined series of comparisons are performed at predetermined time intervals for masking out transitory changes in the piezoelectric sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
127 words
A load sensing system comprising: a piezoelectric sensor for generating a signal in response to an applied force; amplifier means, coupled to the piezoelectric sensor, for conditioning the signal generated by the piezoelectric sensor; processing means, coupled to the amplifier means, for interpreting the conditioned signal in accordance with a predetermined series of comparisons of the signal with threshold values, and for indicating results therefrom; wherein the piezoelectric sensor comprises: a first plate; a length of piezoelectric cable in contact with the first plate; a second plate disposed adjacent to the first plate and in contact with the piezoelectric cable so that the piezoelectric cable is compressed between the first and the second plates; and, further comprising means for selecting one of the predetermined series of comparisons.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
127 words
A load sensing system comprising: a piezoelectric sensor for generating a signal in response to an applied force; amplifier means, coupled to the piezoelectric sensor, for conditioning the signal generated by the piezoelectric sensor; processing means, coupled to the amplifier means, for interpreting the conditioned signal in accordance with a predetermined series of comparisons of the signal with threshold values, and for indicating results therefrom; wherein the piezoelectric sensor comprises: a first plate; a length of piezoelectric cable in contact with the first plate; a second plate disposed adjacent to the first plate and in contact with the piezoelectric cable so that the piezoelectric cable is compressed between the first and the second plates; and, further comprising means for selecting one of the predetermined series of comparisons.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The load sensing system as recited in claim 6, wherein the means for selecting one of the predetermined series of comparisons is a set of configurable jumpers.
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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) | 1999-02-05 | 1999-08-07 | 2000-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-02-05 | 2003-08-07 | 2004-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-02-05 | 2007-08-07 | 2008-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |