US4986136A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Measuring system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1989-12-06
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Granted: 1991-01-22
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Expires: 2009-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A measuring system in which flexible mats of individual cells are distributed in rows and columns of a matrix are individually pollable for converting mechanical pressures applied locally on surfaces of the mats, into electrical signals. Each cell constitutes a capacitor with capacitance that varies with the applied mechanical pressure. A source of voltage is connectable to each cell, and each cell has an upper surface and a lower surface. Pressure is applied to the upper surface, and a dielectric is positioned between the upper surface and the lower surface. The upper surface has a plurality of parallel strip-shaped areas with projections, whereas the lower surface has a plurality of parallel electrically conductive strip-shaped areas which extend at right angles to the first strip-shaped areas on one side of the dielectric to form a capacitor cell at each intersection. The intersections deforms resiliently under applied pressure to vary the capacitance under pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolfgang Brunner
- 👤 Ludwig von Zech
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:58
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L1/00; G01L1/14; G01L1/142; G01L1/146
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A measuring system comprising: flexible mats of individual cells distributed in rows and columns of a matrix and being individually pollable for converting mechanical pressures applied locally on surfaces of said mats into electrical signals; each cell comprising a capacitor having a capacitance varying with the applied mechanical pressure; a source of voltage connectable to each said cell; each cell having an upper surface and a lower surface, said pressure being applied to said upper surface; a dielectric positioned between said upper surface and said lower surface; said upper surface having a plurality of parallel first strip-shaped areas with projections; said lower surface having also a plurality of parallel electrically conductive second strip-shaped areas extending at a substantially right angle to said first strip-shaped areas on one side of said dielectric for forming a capacitor cell at each intersection, said intersection deforming resiliently under applied pressure to vary said capacitance under pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A measuring system comprising: flexible mats of individual cells distributed in rows and columns of a matrix and being individually pollable for converting mechanical pressures applied locally on surfaces of said mats into electrical signals; each cell comprising a capacitor having a capacitance varying with the applied mechanical pressure; a source of voltage connectable to each said cell; each cell having an upper surface and a lower surface, said pressure being applied to said upper surface; a dielectric positioned between said upper surface and said lower surface; said upper surface having a plurality of parallel first strip-shaped areas with projections; said lower surface having also a plurality of parallel electrically conductive second strip-shaped areas extending at a substantially right angle to said first strip-shaped areas on one side of said dielectric for forming a capacitor cell at each intersection, said intersection deforming resiliently under applied pressure to vary said capacitance under pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A measuring system as defined in claim 1, wherein said projections on said upper surface comprise parallel ribs tapering in toward said dielectric.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A measuring system as defined in claim 2, wherein said lower surface has also parallel ribs tapering in toward said dielectric.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A measuring system as defined in claim 3, wherein the parallel ribs on said lower surface are in said strip-shaped areas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A measuring system as defined in claim 3, wherein said dielectric comprises an electrically non-conductive coating on surfaces of said ribs on said upper surface and said lower surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A measuring system as defined in claim 2, wherein said ribs have a triangular cross-section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A measuring system as defined in claim 2, wherein said ribs have a semi-circular cross-section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A measuring system as defined in claim 2, wherein said ribs are in said strip-shaped areas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A measuring system as defined in claim 2, wherein said dielectric comprises an electrically non-conductive coating on surfaces of said ribs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
203 words
A measuring system comprising: flexible mats of individual cells distributed in rows and columns of a matrix and being individually pollable for converting mechanical pressures applied locally on surfaces of said mats into electrical signals; each cell comprising a capacitor having a capacitance varying with the applied mechanical pressure; a source of voltage connectable to each said cell; each cell having an upper surface and a lower surface, said pressure being applied to said upper surface; a dielectric positioned between said upper surface and said lower surface; said upper surface having a plurality of parallel first strip-shaped areas with projections; said lower surface having also a plurality of parallel electrically conductive second strip-shaped areas extending at a substantially right angle to said first strip-shaped areas on one side of said dielectric for forming a capacitor cell at each intersection, said intersection deforming resiliently under applied pressure to vary said capacitance under pressure; said projections on said upper surface comprising parallel ribs tapering in toward said dielectric; said lower surface having also parallel ribs tapering in towards said dielectric; said ribs having a predetermined cross-section; said ribs being in said strip-shaped areas; said dielectric comprising an electrically non-conductive coating on surfaces of said ribs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
203 words
A measuring system comprising: flexible mats of individual cells distributed in rows and columns of a matrix and being individually pollable for converting mechanical pressures applied locally on surfaces of said mats into electrical signals; each cell comprising a capacitor having a capacitance varying with the applied mechanical pressure; a source of voltage connectable to each said cell; each cell having an upper surface and a lower surface, said pressure being applied to said upper surface; a dielectric positioned between said upper surface and said lower surface; said upper surface having a plurality of parallel first strip-shaped areas with projections; said lower surface having also a plurality of parallel electrically conductive second strip-shaped areas extending at a substantially right angle to said first strip-shaped areas on one side of said dielectric for forming a capacitor cell at each intersection, said intersection deforming resiliently under applied pressure to vary said capacitance under pressure; said projections on said upper surface comprising parallel ribs tapering in toward said dielectric; said lower surface having also parallel ribs tapering in towards said dielectric; said ribs having a predetermined cross-section; said ribs being in said strip-shaped areas; said dielectric comprising an electrically non-conductive coating on surfaces of said ribs.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-01-21 | 1994-07-23 | 1995-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-21 | 1998-07-23 | 1999-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-21 | 2002-07-23 | 2003-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |