Electrical generator or motor structure – Non-dynamoelectric – Piezoelectric elements and devices
Patent
1986-05-23
1987-10-27
Budd, Mark O.
Electrical generator or motor structure
Non-dynamoelectric
Piezoelectric elements and devices
310328, 310330, H01L 4108
Patent
active
047032170
ABSTRACT:
Hoof force detection apparatus having shoe portions adapted for connecting to the hooves of hoofed animals. The apparatus also includes piezoelectric elements mounted on sensor mounting sections which are connected to the shoe portions using flexion joints. The flexion joints allow forces applied to the animal's hooves through the shoe to be accommodated without applying undesirable bending moments and shear forces which would render output signals from the piezoelectric elements unreliable. Preferred forms of shoe-transducer structures include a plurality of spokes extending from shoe portions to centrally positioned sensor mounting sections. Other forms have sensors mounted in the shoe portions. The piezoelectric sensor structures preferably include a ceramic piezoelectric element protected by a cap having a flange. The protective cap and piezoelectric element are held in place by a mounting ring in some preferred embodiments. Backup plates can be used to properly support the sensor structures. Also disclosed is a signal amplication and integration circuit for analyzing the output signals produced by the piezoelectric elements and similar sensor types. The circuits include current-to-voltage conversion, voltage-to-frequency conversion and digital counting.
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Frame John M.
Grant Barrie D.
Ratzlaff Marc H.
Budd Mark O.
Washington State University Research Foundation
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