US5528155A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sensor for measuring material properties
Assignee: Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc
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Filing: 1994-04-29
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Granted: 1996-06-18
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Expires: 2014-04-29
Abstract
Abstract Sensors for measuring properties of resinous materials having an insulating member bonded directly to a conductive strand and a narrow thread-like geometry in which only a very small surface area of the connecting strand is exposed. The sensors provide advantages in the variety of environments in which measurements can be made, in the variety of types of measurements that can be made, and in the ease of constructing the sensors and in making the measurements.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward K. King
- 👤 Harry West
- 👤 Edward Bernardon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/44; G01N33/442; G01N2203/00; G01N2203/0058; G01N2203/0092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A sensor for measuring the properties of a resinous material, comprising: a pair of thread-like members each being composed of an electrically conductive strand having preformed insulating material over its length and extending to an end at which said conductive material is exposed, said exposed conductive material non-protruding from said insulating material, said ends of said thread-like members being spaced to form a sensing gap where a property of said resinous material in said sensing gap is measured by connecting said strands to sensor electronics that are located remotely from said sensing gap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A sensor for measuring the properties of a resinous material, comprising: a pair of thread-like members each being composed of an electrically conductive strand having preformed insulating material over its length and extending to an end at which said conductive material is exposed, said exposed conductive material non-protruding from said insulating material, said ends of said thread-like members being spaced to form a sensing gap where a property of said resinous material in said sensing gap is measured by connecting said strands to sensor electronics that are located remotely from said sensing gap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein said ends of said strands are spaced and arranged to form an axial gap.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein said sensor is constructed for measuring the properties of a composite material composed of resin and conducting components, the ends of said strands being spaced a distance less than the width of said conducting components.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sensor of any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein said ends of said strands are spaced between about 0.01 to 2.25 inches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein said strands have a diameter in the range of 100 μm to 2 mm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein said sensor is constructed for measuring the properties of a composite material composed of resin and conducting reinforcing fibers, and said conductive strands being composed of the same substance as said reinforcing fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sensor of claim 6 wherein said conductive strands and said reinforcing fibers have comparable cross-sectional dimensions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sensor of claim 6 or 7 wherein said conductive strands and reinforcing fibers are composed of carbon fibers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein said insulating member is a coating that bonds to said resinous material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The sensor of claim 9 wherein said polymer coating is formed from a resin that is in a partially cured state prior to placing said sensor in contact with said resinous material, said resin forming said polymer coating being cured under conditions that cure the resin of said resinous material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sensor of claim 9 or 10 wherein said insulating polymer coating is formed from the same resin used in said resinous material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein said insulating member incorporates a glass fiber sock and an insulating polymeric material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The sensor of any one of claims 2 wherein said space between said ends includes a substance with an electrical property that varies with said material property.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sensor of claim 14 wherein said substance is a pressure-sensitive polymer with an electrical property that varies with pressure applied to the polymer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sensor of claim 14 wherein said substance is a temperature-sensitive polymer with an electrical property that varies with the temperature of the polymer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein said property is a DC electrical property.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sensor of claim 16 wherein said DC electrical property is an electrical resistance of the resinous material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sensor of claim 16 wherein said DC electrical property is a complex dielectric property of the resinous material.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
91 words
A system for measuring the properties of a composite material comprising resin and reinforcing fibers, said system, comprising: a sensor positioned in contact with said resin, said sensor having a pair of thread-like members, each composed of an electrically conductive strand having a preformed insulating material and small regions of exposed conductor, free of said insulating material, said thread-like members arranged to space said exposed regions to form a sensing gap where a property of said composite material is measured, and sensor electronics connected to said strands for measuring said property.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
91 words
A system for measuring the properties of a composite material comprising resin and reinforcing fibers, said system, comprising: a sensor positioned in contact with said resin, said sensor having a pair of thread-like members, each composed of an electrically conductive strand having a preformed insulating material and small regions of exposed conductor, free of said insulating material, said thread-like members arranged to space said exposed regions to form a sensing gap where a property of said composite material is measured, and sensor electronics connected to said strands for measuring said property.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 19 comprising: a plurality of said sensors arranged with said sensing gaps at desired positions across said resinous material, said sensor electronics for monitoring cure properties of said resinous material from said sensing gaps.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said composite material including said resin and reinforcing fibers is formed as a fabric or mat, and said thread-like members are integrated in the reinforcing fabric or mat.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 21 wherein said sensing gap is formed by the ends of said conductive strands being axially opposed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 22 wherein said thread-like members are arranged in multiple layers forming a grid pattern, said sensing gaps formed at overlapping regions of threads in different layers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said sensor and sensor electronics are constructed to measure the presence of resin at the sensing gap.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 19 herein said sensor and sensor electronics are constructed to measure the degree of cure of the location of said sensor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said sensor and sensor electronics are constructed for measuring properties of said material after cure of said material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said property is a DC electrical property.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
83 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a cured composite comprised of a resin, including embedded therein, a sensor having at least a pair of thread-like members, each composed of a carbon fiber with a preformed insulating polymer, and small exposed regions of said carbon fiber, free of said insulating polymer, said thread-like members arranged to space said exposed regions to form a sensing gap, where a property of said composite is measured by connecting said sensor to sensor electronics located remotely from said composite.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
83 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a cured composite comprised of a resin, including embedded therein, a sensor having at least a pair of thread-like members, each composed of a carbon fiber with a preformed insulating polymer, and small exposed regions of said carbon fiber, free of said insulating polymer, said thread-like members arranged to space said exposed regions to form a sensing gap, where a property of said composite is measured by connecting said sensor to sensor electronics located remotely from said composite.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of manufacture of claim 28 wherein said property is a DC electrical property.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
The article of manufacture of claim 28 wherein said cured composite further comprises conductive reinforcing fibers and said small exposed regions of said carbon fibers are sized less than the diameters of the reinforcing fibers.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
78 words
A sensor for measuring multiple properties of a composite material comprising resin and reinforcing fibers, said sensor comprising: a pair of thread-like members composed of a pair of electrically conductive strands, each having preformed insulating material and a region free of said insulating material, said thread-like members arranged to space said regions to form a sensing location, said sensing location including a property sensitive material different from said resin, said strands being constructed for connection to sensor electronics.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
78 words
A sensor for measuring multiple properties of a composite material comprising resin and reinforcing fibers, said sensor comprising: a pair of thread-like members composed of a pair of electrically conductive strands, each having preformed insulating material and a region free of said insulating material, said thread-like members arranged to space said regions to form a sensing location, said sensing location including a property sensitive material different from said resin, said strands being constructed for connection to sensor electronics.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
The sensor of claim 31 wherein said conductive strands are arranged concentrically.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sensor of claim 31 wherein said conductive strands are arranged in parallel.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
52 words
The sensor of claim 31 wherein said conductive strands are arranged to be exposed to said composite material in said sensing location for measuring a first material property, and said conductive strands are arranged to be exposed to a polymeric substance with an electrical property that varies with a second material property.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sensor of claim 31 wherein said polymeric substance is selected from the group consisting of temperature-sensitive polymers and pressure sensitive polymers.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The sensor of claim 31 further comprising a plurality of sensing locations defined by exposed regions of said conductive strands, free of said insulating material.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
60 words
The sensor of claim 36 wherein one of said sensing locations is defined by electrically conductive strands having said insulating material extending to ends at which said conductive material is exposed, flush with said insulating material, said ends of said strands spaced to form one of said sensing locations having property sensitive material disposed between said ends of said strands.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sensor of claim 31 wherein said property is a DC electrical property.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sensor of claim 31 wherein said sensor electronics comprise a DC bridge network.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for measuring the properties of a composite material comprising resin and reinforcing fibers, said system, comprising: a sensor positioned in contact with said resin, said sensor having a pair of thread-like members each being composed of an electrically conductive strand having preformed insulating material over its length and extending to an end at which said conductive material is exposed, said exposed conductive material non-protruding from said insulating material, said ends of said thread-like members being spaced to form a sensing gap where a DC electrical property of said resinous material in said sensing gap is measured; and sensor electronics connected to said strands for measuring said DC electrical property.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for measuring the properties of a composite material comprising resin and reinforcing fibers, said system, comprising: a sensor positioned in contact with said resin, said sensor having a pair of thread-like members each being composed of an electrically conductive strand having preformed insulating material over its length and extending to an end at which said conductive material is exposed, said exposed conductive material non-protruding from said insulating material, said ends of said thread-like members being spaced to form a sensing gap where a DC electrical property of said resinous material in said sensing gap is measured; and sensor electronics connected to said strands for measuring said DC electrical property.
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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) | 1999-06-18 | 1999-12-18 | 2000-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-06-18 | 2003-12-18 | 2004-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-06-18 | 2007-12-18 | 2008-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |