| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 073862624 | Using a light sensor | 26 |
| 20090241695 | ATTACHABLE MEMBER, ATTACHING MECHANISM, AND PRINTER - An ink cartridge, which is releasably installed to a cartridge-installing section, includes a contact section which is brought into contact with the cartridge-installing section when the ink cartridge is installed to the cartridge-installing section, a stress light-emitting section which is provided with the contact section and which emits light by receiving a force when the contact section is brought into contact with the cartridge-installing section, and a light-receiving sensor which receives the light emitted by the stress light-emitting section and which generates a detection signal to indicate detection that the ink cartridge is installed. Accordingly, an attaching mechanism is provided, which is capable of detecting whether or not the ink cartridge is installed appropriately. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20100154565 | MICRO-SCALE OPTICAL FORCE SENSOR INCREASED DYNAMIC RANGE, AND HIGHER SENSITIVITY AND LINEARITY VIA A COMPLIANT LINKAGE, - Exemplary embodiments provide a micro-scale optical force sensor. The device includes a scale grating, a linearly displaceable index grating positioned above and in initial alignment with the scale grating, the index grating aligned with the scale grating absent a force applied to the index grating, and a compliant linkage assembly joined coplanar to the displaceable index grating. The linkage assembly includes at least three rigid support links laterally extending from each of opposing longitudinal edges of the index grating, a displaceable rigid link formed between adjacent support links, and compliant links interposed between a distal end of rigid support links and an inner end of each displaceable rigid link, and interposed between an outer end of rigid support links and the substrate, the compliant links normally biasing the displaceable rigid link parallel to the rigid support links and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the index grating. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100242628 | HIGH TEMPERATURE OPTICAL PRESSURE SENSOR AND METHOD OF FABRICATION OF THE SAME - A high-temperature pressure sensor is provided. The sensor includes a quartz substrate with a cavity etched on one side. A reflective coating is deposited on at least a portion of the cavity. The sensor further includes a ferrule section coupled to the quartz substrate with the cavity therebetween. The cavity exists in a vacuum, and cavity gap is formed between the reflective metal coating and a surface of the ferrule. The sensor also includes an optical fiber enclosed by the ferrule section and extending from the cavity gap to an opposing end of the ferrule section and a metal casing surrounding the ferrule section and the quartz substrate with an opening for said optical fiber extending therefrom. The pressure applied to the quartz substrate changes the dimensions of the cavity gap and a reflected signal from the reflective coating is processed as a pressure. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20110132107 | SCALE - A scale includes a stationary bracket, a movable bracket, a linear displacement sensor and a plurality of the resilient mechanisms. The movable bracket is disposed opposite to the stationary bracket. The linear displacement sensor is disposed between the stationary bracket and the movable bracket. The resilient mechanisms are disposed between the stationary bracket and the movable bracket. Each resilient mechanism includes a limiting shaft, a sleeve movably sleeved on the limiting shaft and a resilient member received in the sleeve. The limiting shaft is fixed to one of the stationary bracket or the movable bracket, and the sleeve is fixed to the other. The resilient member is elastically deformed by resisting a free end of the limiting shaft. The linear displacement sensor registers a displacement of the movable bracket. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110185824 | FORCE SENSOR AND CORRESPONDING FORCE MONITORING MATTRESS - A force sensor and corresponding force monitoring mattress is provided. The force sensor ( | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110239790 | PIEZOELECTRIC CHROMIC IMPACT SENSOR - An impact sensor includes a piezoelectric transducer operatively connected to a chromic device. The chromic device includes a chromic material that changes from a first color state to a second color state in response to electric power generated by the piezoelectric transducer when exposed to a given level of impact force. The chromic material is bistable so that the chromic material remains in the second color state for a significant amount of time. An impact force to which the sensor has been subjected may be quantified by observing the chromic device. In one embodiment, the chromic material is an electrochromic material, such as a viologen, that changes through a color gradient of light transmission states from the first color state to the second color state. A printed color gradient may be used to aid in quantifying the impact force. In another embodiment, the chromic device includes a thermochromic material. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110308332 | Method And System For Monitoring Bend And Torque Forces On A Drill Pipe - A system and method for monitoring bend radius and torque force exerted on a drill string. A sensor system is supported within a pipe section of the drill string and has a light source supported within the pipe section to emit a light beam within the pipe section. An optical sensing device is supported within the pipe section and spaced apart from the light source. The optical sensing device transmits a detection signal indicative of the position of the light beam on a surface of the optical sensing device to a processor that determines the bend radius and torque force exerted on the pipe section. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20120132012 | MEANS AND PROCESS FOR MEASURING THE DEFORMATION OF A ROTOR BLADE UNDER STRESS - A device and process for measuring the deformation of a rotor blade under stress is provided. A twisting and, separately therefrom, a lateral displacement of a transmitter/receiver is measured and the error of measurement present otherwise due to the twisting is compensated. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120174686 | MEASUREMENT DEVICE, MEDICAL DEVICE, TRAINING DEVICE, AND MEASUREMENT METHOD - This measurement device is a measurement device for measuring compressive force and pulling force in a direction of a longitudinal axis applied to a linear body having flexibility, and it includes a main body in which a through hole for inserting the linear body is formed. The through hole is formed to allow bending of the linear body in an arc shape in the through hole and variation in degree of bending of the linear body in accordance with compressive force and pulling force. This measurement device further includes a sensor for detecting a degree of bending of the linear body and a conversion circuit for converting the degree of bending detected by the sensor into a signal indicating compressive force and pulling force applied to the linear body. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120240691 | ELASTOMERIC OPTICAL TACTILE SENSOR - A tactile sensor may include at least one light source and multiple light sensors within a common, protective housing. Each light sensor may be oriented to detect light originating from the light source. The housing may include flexible material that deforms in response to force applied to an external surface of the housing. In turn, this may cause changes in the intensity of light that is detected by the light sensors. A signal processing system may generate information that is representative of the magnitude of the applied force in at least two orthogonal directions based on the intensity of light detected by the light sensors. Each light sensor may be contained within a cavity in the housing. The cavity may be configured such that its geometry affects the sensitivity of the light sensor to the applied force. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120247229 | Clamping Force Sensor Assembly For Monitoring Transformer Degradation - A clamping force sensor assembly for a transformer includes at least one sensor disposed within a casing. The design and configuration of the sensor assembly is such that it accurately measures clamping force values placed on the windings, without adversely impacting the operation of the transformer and with the ability to continue operating under electrical and thermal changes within the transformer. The sensor assembly can include loading members that distribute the pressure evenly over the casing that contains the sensor. The output of the sensor can indicate to an operator the extent of pressure changes experienced by the transformer windings. The output can be coupled with a process by which the damage to or the possibility of failure of the transformer is readily evaluated. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120318074 | APPARATUS FOR SENSING PRESSURE USING OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE AND METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for sensing pressure using an optical waveguide sensor. The apparatus for sensing pressure using an optical waveguide sensor, includes: a light source radiating light; an optical waveguide panel emitting some of the radiated light outside through a plurality of light transmitting regions previously formed, and changing an amount of totally reflected light according to pressure applied to at least one of the plurality of light transmitting regions; a detector detecting the amount of light; and an analyzer determining intensity and a location of the pressure according to the detected amount of light. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20130104672 | FORCE SENSING APPARATUS AND ROBOT ARM INCLUDING THE SAME | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130152704 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ACQUIRING MECHANICAL LOADS ON THRUST ELEMENTS - A device for acquiring mechanical loads on mechanically loaded bodies is provided. The device exhibits a resonance-capable micro-bridge structure, an alternating voltage source with a variable frequency, an impedance measuring device for acquiring the impedance of the micro-bridge structure and an electronic unit for receiving determined impedance values and changing the frequency of the alternating voltage source. By exciting the micro-bridge structure and measuring its impedance, a conclusion can be drawn as to the expansion-dependent resonance frequency, which in return makes it possible to determine the expansion, and hence the mechanical load. Such a device is sufficiently accurate, and largely independent of outside influences. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130180344 | TRANSDUCER AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME - The present invention relates to a transducer and a method for manufacturing same, and more particularly, to a transducer and to a method for manufacturing same, in which a first liquid and a second liquid are supplied such that, at the boundary therebetween, a deformation-generating part, including a perforated structure having one or more holes therein, is formed, and the effect of external pressure is negated by the action between the liquids. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130199310 | CONTACT PRESSURE DETECTION APPARATUS AND CONTACT POINT PRESSURE MEASUREMENT APPARATUS - To measure contact pressure of each of a plurality of small protrusions arranged at a narrow pitch and contacting a flat surface, provided is a contact pressure detection apparatus comprising a sensor section that is contacted by a target and has pressure applied thereto by the target; a light source section that radiates light with a wavelength causing Raman scattering in the sensor section to which the pressure is applied; and a detecting section that receives light from the sensor section and detects the pressure between the sensor section and the target. Also provided is a contact point pressure measurement apparatus that measures contact pressure of an electrode of a device under test, comprising: a fixing section that has the device under test mounted thereon and fixes the electrode of the device under test in a manner to press against the sensor section; and the contact pressure detection apparatus. | 08-08-2013 |
| 20130205919 | INFRARED SENSOR COMPRISING TUNNEL JUNCTION FOR MEASURING THE DEFORMATION OF A MEMBRANE - A sensor array for measuring the deformation of an area caused by a force, comprises a first strip and a second strip arranged in the same plane on the area so as to form a tunnel junction of which at least the first strip is movably arranged on the area so that the gap between the two strips is increased when the area is deformed as a result of the action of the force. | 08-15-2013 |
| 20130220032 | System For Sensing a Mechanical Property of a Sample - A sensing element for sensing a mechanical property of a sample defining a sample surface using a contact force exerted the sample surface. The sensing element includes: a deformable element defining a contact surface and a deformable section in register with the contact surface, the deformable section being deformable between an undeformed configuration and a deformed configuration; a deformation sensor operatively coupled to the deformable section for sensing and quantifying a deformation of the deformable section between the deformed and undeformed configurations, the deformation sensor being an optical deformation sensor; and a force sensor operatively coupled to the deformable element for sensing the contact force exerted on the contact surface. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20140013864 | COATING COMPOSITION HAVING MECHANOCHROMIC CRYSTALS - A mechanochromic coating composition is disclosed comprising a binder composition and a crystalline mechanophore. The mechanophore changes color upon application of a mechanical load to the coating composition. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140090487 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING THE DEFLECTION OF ELASTIC ELEMENTS - Shown are a device ( | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140260688 | SENSOR ASSEMBLY USING MICROPILLARS AND METHOD OF USE - A sensor assembly includes a light source, a modulation layer, and at least one detector. The modulation layer includes a plurality of micropillars each having a fixed end and a free end. The fixed ends are each adjacent to the light source. The at least one detector is adjacent to the free ends of the plurality of micropillars. The detector is configured to detect light emitted from the light source. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140318273 | SAPPHIRE SENSOR FOR MEASURING PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE - A sensor for measuring pressure, temperature or both may be provided. The sensor may include a diaphragm that may respond to a change in temperature or pressure, a base connected to the diaphragm, a cavity, and an optical fiber that may conduct light reflected off of a surface of the diaphragm. The diaphragm and base may be sapphire elements. An interrogator may be provided for detecting a deflection of the diaphragm. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140326078 | OPTICAL SENSING APPARATUS - The present disclosure provides an optical sensing apparatus for measuring a change in a first property. The optical sensing apparatus comprises first and second optical fibre portions and a sensing region for exposing both the first and second optical fibre portions to a change in an applied force. The force is, or is related to, the first property and has a component that is transversal to the optical fibre portions. The apparatus further comprises a holder for holding the first and second optical fibre portions in the sensing region. The first and second optical fibre portions are arranged relative to each other such that the change in the force results in a first change of an optical property of the first optical fibre portion and in a second change of the optical property of the second optical fibre portion and wherein the first change differs from the second change. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20150135859 | DEVICE FOR MEASURING DEFORMATIONS OF A ROTOR BLADE OF A WIND TURBINE GENERATOR SYSTEM, AND CORRESPONDING ROTOR BLADE - A device for measuring deformations of a rotor blade of a wind turbine generator system includes an angle measuring device and an arm. The angle measuring device includes a first and a second assembly. The first assembly is pivotable relative to the second assembly about an axis. The second assembly has a fastening site that is configured to be connected to the rotor blade. The angle measuring device is configured to measure a relative angular position between the first and the second assembly. The arm has a connection site disposed at a distance to the fastening site and is configured to be connected to the rotor blade at the connection site. The arm is mechanically coupled to the first assembly at a radial distance such that, in response to a change in the distance, a relative angular displacement is generated between the first and the second assembly. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150338248 | AN OPTICAL FIBER-BASED FORCE TRANSDUCER FOR MICROSCALE SAMPLES - The present invention relates to an etched optical fiber as force transducer with feedback control, with a force range of 1-108 pN and a displacement range of 10-105 nm with a spatial resolution of the order of tens of nanometers are accessible with the instrument. The sample deformation (evolution) can be imaged simultaneously with rheological measurements. The device is used to perform extension rheology of polymer melts, silk, or other bio-fluids at microscales, measure mechanical responses of living cells such as neurons, muscle cells, etc. It is also used as a passive probe for microscale force measurements and to investigate properties of active suspensions such as bacterial baths. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20160069756 | CONTACT PRESSURE MEASURING APPARATUS, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME AND METHOD OF MEASURING CONTACT PRESSURE - An apparatus and method for measuring a contact pressure and a method of manufacturing the apparatus. The apparatus includes: a material layer configured to provide a light path along which incident light travels to a subject being in contact with the material layer; a spectrum analyzer configured to detect light emitted from the material layer and perform a light absorption spectrum analysis on the detected light to determine an intensity of the detected light; and a pressure calculator configured to determine the contact pressure of the subject based on the determined intensity. | 03-10-2016 |
