Linkage with capacitive force sensor assembly

Details Linkage with capacitive force sensor assembly Linkage with capacitive force sensor assembly

2000-04-25

2001-08-28

Fuller, Benjamin R. (Department: 2855)

Measuring and testing

Dynamometers

Responsive to force

Reexamination Certificate

active

06279407

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to mechanical linkages with arrangements for sensing the amount of force applied to said linkage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various systems for measuring the force applied to mechanical linkages have been proposed. However, by and large, the previously proposed linkage and sensor assemblies have not been sufficiently accurate and reliable, and/or have compromised the structural integrity of the linkage. Particularly for aircraft applications, the shortcomings noted above may become critical.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the invention, a mechanical linkage includes first and second linkage members extending respectively from first and second external coupling points to an intermediate sub-assembly including a capacitive force measuring transducer. The first linkage member has a shaft extending from said first coupling point to said sub-assembly, and has a peripheral flange extending outwardly from said shaft at said sub-assembly; and the second linkage member has an inner opening or bore making a close sliding fit with the shaft of said first linkage member, and has an outer portion firmly secured to said peripheral flange, so that the first linkage member can move linearly toward and away from the second linkage member in accordance with the resilience of said flange. The sub-assembly also includes capacitive sensing arrangements for sensing the displacement of said shaft as said flange deflects or flexes as force is applied to the overall linkage.
The capacitive sensing arrangements preferably include a ceramic diaphragm mounted to flex with shaft position shifts, and a ceramic substrate fixed to the second linkage and spaced from the ceramic diaphragm, with conductive layers on the ceramic diaphragm and substrate to form a variable capacitor, the capacitance of which indicates the magnitude of the applied force to the overall linkage.
More generally, the capacitive sensing arrangements of the mechanical linkage described above include a pair of spaced conductive surfaces which form a capacitor, and wherein the relative movement of the first and second linkages and the flexing of the flange changes the spacing of the spaced conductive surfaces.
As a desirable advantage, the linkage assembly of the present invention does not change in length to any significant extent with changes in applied force, as the capacitive sensors are very sensitive to relatively small changes in the spacing of the capacitive plates.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and from the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4510802 (1985-04-01), Peters
patent: 6178829 (2001-01-01), Ferguson

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Linkage with capacitive force sensor assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Linkage with capacitive force sensor assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Linkage with capacitive force sensor assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2469570