Did You Know...
...that Charles Goodyear performed some of his experiments on rubber while in debtor's prison? He was there so often he referred to it as his "hotel". Chronically in debt because of poor business sense and ill health, Goodyear depended on the generosity of friends and family. Even after he unlocked the secret to vulcanizing rubber, he was unable to improve his financial situation. When he died, his estate was $200,000 in debt.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8156827 | External force detection device An external force detection device includes a weight portion, a supporting portion, and a beam portion provided in an SOI substrate which includes an upper layer and a lower layer that are capable of being etched with a first etching gas and sandwich an intermediate... | 04/17/2012 |
| 7490524 | Force sensor chip In a force sensor chip, a base member, to which an external force is applied, includes: an operating part provided in a central portion of the base member and having an external-force acting area section; a supporting part provided, in an outer peripheral portion of... | 02/17/2009 |
| 7437943 | Force measurement element A force measurement element measures an introduced force by means of a double flexural beam and a displacement sensor. The double flexural beam makes possible a double spring shape that makes possible an optimization with regard to elongation distribution. ... | 10/21/2008 |
| 7357036 | Force measuring apparatus and strain measuring element A force measuring apparatus comprises has a force-transmitting component, that holds a strain measuring element with a carrier element and a displacement transducer. The carrier element has two fixing sections at a predefined distance from each other in a direction ... | 04/15/2008 |
| 7342185 | Compression column load cell with compensation for off center loading errors Simple and inexpensive electrical compensation for off-axis and off-center loading sensitivity is possible in compression column load cells having a pair of compensation strain gages in series with each of the main strain gages in the load cell. The compensation gag... | 03/11/2008 |
| 7292951 | Systems for compensating for creep and hysteresis in a load cell A method of compensating for hysteresis in a load cell, by: (a) pre-calibrating a load cell by: measuring load cell deflection under progressively increasing loads; determining a first set of coefficients correlating the deflection of the load cell to the measured l... | 11/06/2007 |
| 7076990 | Load cell type weight measuring device A load cell type weight measuring device includes a load cell formed of a strain member provided with a plurality of strain gauges and deforming according to a load applied to a load receptacle. The load cell type weight measuring device converts an output of a Whea... | 07/18/2006 |
| 7055382 | Wheel-acting force measuring device The invention provides a wheel-acting force measuring device free from the influences of cross talk due to brake torque (torsional torque). A hole is formed in or adjacent an axle of a vehicle at a brake caliper angle or an angle close thereto, and a stress d... | 06/06/2006 |
| 7047820 | Apparatus and method for testing material performance There is provided an apparatus (LCPA) for measuring a load applied to a quantity of material. The LCPA includes a load cell assembly sandwiched between an inner plate and an outer plate. The load cell assembly measures the load applied to the quantity of material wh... | 05/23/2006 |
| 6993982 | Stress sensor for electronic devices A stress sensor enduring against long-term use is provided. Accordingly, a substrate (4), which is used as both a sensor part (1) and a supporting part (2), functions as a stress sensor, in which the sensor part (1) has means for deformin... | 02/07/2006 |
| 6951137 | Method and apparatus for measuring bending in a pin member An instrument pin member is provided that is capable of measuring bending moments and optionally of measuring bending and axial strain in real or near real time. The instrumented pin member includes a pin member body disposed about a pin member axis, wherein the pin... | 10/04/2005 |
| 6918308 | Sensor device, in particular for a prosthesis, and prosthesis having such a sensor device A sensor device (15) for a prosthesis, in particular for a leg prosthesis, is provided for measuring forces acting on the prosthesis, having a ring-shaped outer member (16) of closed construction and an inner member (21, 22) connecting two oppos... | 07/19/2005 |
| 6916997 | Weight sensors having centralized loose tolerance universal force and Mx/My moments overload stops Automotive load cells having centralized, multi-axis, loose tolerance overload/limit stops provide improved strain gauge response. The modular, integrated stop assemblies magnify sensor substrate deflection by use of opposed concave (Belleville) springs are used in ... | 07/12/2005 |
| 6910392 | Bending beam load cell with torque sensitivity compensation A bending beam load cell can be compensated for side-to-side off center load sensitivity by simple electrical adjustments if a pair of shear sensing strain gages are bonded to each bending beam midway between axial strain gages used to measure bending strains. The s... | 06/28/2005 |
| 6837117 | Device and method for measuring a force component or torque component A device and method for measuring at least one of a force component and a torque component. The device includes a deformation member, for measuring at least one of a force component and torque component, a separate measuring element, configured to measure at least o... | 01/04/2005 |
| 6826968 | Textile-like capacitive pressure sensor and method of mapping the pressure exerted at points of a surface of a flexible and pliable object, particularly of a sail A device for detecting the pressure exerted at different points of a flexible and/or pliable object that may assume different shapes, includes a plurality of capacitive pressure sensors and at least a system for biasing and reading the capacitance of the sensors. Th... | 12/07/2004 |
| 6769315 | Shackle pin with internal signal conditioner A weight measurement method and apparatus for measuring and monitoring the weight load on a vehicle such as a tractor trailer rig. A load pin and bearing assembly mechanically couples the weight of a trailer and its payload to the leaf springs of a tractor trailer t... | 08/03/2004 |
| 6764094 | Weight sensor assembly for determining seat occupant weight A system for measuring the weight of a seat occupant is used to control airbag deployment. The system includes a plurality of weight sensors that have a first end mounted to a seat riser and a second end mounted to a seat frame or track member. The weight sensors ha... | 07/20/2004 |
| 6739198 | Pressure sensitive sensor A pressure sensitive sensor is provided that includes a net braid member formed by knitting a plurality of insulating yarn strands, such as an aramid fiber, interposed between an elastic electroconductive tube and a central electrode member. The elastic electrocondu... | 05/25/2004 |
| 6711960 | Compact load cell with arm tension absorption means and arm reinforcement means In a small-sized, high precision load cell, an annular fixed section is arranged around a load application section, and the load application section and the fixed section are connected by a plurality of arms. The arms connected to the fixed section are not radial or... | 03/30/2004 |
| 6701260 | System for measuring loadings in a structure, measuring unit and measuring sensor The invention relates to a system for measuring loading, stresses and/or material fatigue in a structure. The invention also relates to a measuring sensor unit (50) and a measuring sensor (302) suitable for use in connection with said method. The inventio... | 03/02/2004 |
| 6601455 | Force transducer with environmental protection A force transducer comprises a housing having a front and rear portions joined together by a platform, which platform is thinner than the housing portions. The platform contains at least one sensor which is operative to provide an output according to the ... | 08/05/2003 |
| 6494482 | Weight sensor assembly for determining seat occupant weight A system for measuring the weight of a seat occupant is used to control airbag deployment. The system includes a plurality of weight sensors that have a first end mounted to a seat riser and a second end mounted to a seat frame or track member. The weight... | 12/17/2002 |
| 6417466 | Load cell with bossed sensor plate for an electrical weighing scale A sensor plate for use in a load cell for use in an electronic scale comprising a planar first surface; a planar second surface opposite the first surface having a depression formed therein defining a flexure area; a load cavity formed in the second surfa... | 07/09/2002 |
| 6351205 | Variable-conductance sensor A method of using an analog sensor variably depressed by only a single human finger to variably control an electronic game, the method including the steps: a) depressing, with the human finger, the analog sensor with varying pressure for variably controll... | 02/26/2002 |
| 6172309 | Shear beam load cell and method for making it The cost of machining a shear beam load cell can be greatly reduced by cutting pockets for the central web with a side cutting tool, such as a Woodruff Cutter or a Key Cutter tool, in a vertical spindle milling machine, so all machining can be done with o... | 01/09/2001 |
| 5827956 | Force measuring wheel for vehicles A measuring wheel detects forces and moments between the rim and axle of a vehicle wheel with measuring sensors between the rim face and a wheel flange apparatus transmits the energy and data to a measurement evaluation and processing system on the vehicl... | 10/27/1998 |
| 5566575 | Rocker pin load cell with a rotation limiter The rotation of a rocker pin about the longitudinal pin axis in a rocker pin load cell is limited by a collar (7) directly connected to a pin end and having spaced stop surfaces (11, 12; 11', 12') cooperating with a stop stud (8) mounted in a socket (4 or... | 10/22/1996 |
| 5508676 | Strain gauge on a flexible support and transducer equipped with said gauge Strain gage disposed on a flexible support and probe fitted with the gage. A gage with its creep being adapted according to the test body and the application required, without having to change the mask for etching the strain-sensitive thin film. A strain ... | 04/16/1996 |
| 5437195 | Mechanical sensor produced from a polymer film The invention is a mechanical sensor produced from a polymer film whose upper part (A) is made conductive, the lower part (B) remaining an insulator. When a strain is applied, the mechanical sensor according to the invention distorts, varying the resistan... | 08/01/1995 |
| 5311779 | Pressure-sensitive sensor A pressure sensitive sensor in which a pressure detecting convex portion is formed on the surface of a pressure-sensitive and conductive elastomer sheet, and an electrode is arranged on the reverse side of the pressure detecting convex portion for making ... | 05/17/1994 |
| 5291795 | Transmission element for force or moment measuring devices A force transmission element for force or moment measuring devices includes a block of essentially incompressible elastomeric material for transmission of forces to at least one force or pressure sensor arranged within said block or in close contact with ... | 03/08/1994 |
| 5209119 | Microdevice for sensing a force A microsensor or micromechanical device based upon the piezoelectric properties of thin film lead zirconate titanate (PZT) with a thickness of between 0.1 and 5 microns. The thin film PZT is sandwiched between first and second electrodes which are provide... | 05/11/1993 |
| 5190116 | Deflection transducer for measuring vehicle loads and a system for mounting same A transducer which includes a central portion (12) having two longitudinally extending parallel rigid beam members (14,16) and two transverse parallel flexure members (30,32) which extend between the two rigid beam members (14,16) at right angles thereto.... | 03/02/1993 |
| 5090493 | Load cells and scales therefrom A novel load cell for use in novel wheel load scales and novel weigh-in-motion scales is provided herein. The load cell comprises a metal rod or bar, with a strain transducer secured to a flattened portion of each of the upper and lower faces of the metal... | 02/25/1992 |
| 5027651 | Non-reversing load detector for a reciprocating element The detector has a pair of matched strain gauges bonded to a piston rod, one gauge being fixed parallel with the axis of reciprocation and one fixed transverse thereto. The former gauge is the active one, and the other is a dummy. Circuitry is coupled to ... | 07/02/1991 |
| 5005429 | Weigh module A new strain gage transducer comprises a support bar for measuring a load force. A base supports one end of the support bar in cantilever fashion in an orientation generally orthogonal to the direction in which the load force is to be applied. A load port... | 04/09/1991 |
| 4970486 | Foot operated control producing electrical signals A foot operated control device including electrical force sensing devices functional to sense forces applied to the control device and to produce electrical signals proportional to the force applied, the electrical signals being adapted to operate electri... | 11/13/1990 |
| 4945762 | Silicon sensor with trimmable wheatstone bridge A device and method for trimming diffused or implanted resistors incorporated within a silicon sensor. Current pulses are applied to cause the migration of aluminum contacts in silicon, resulting in controllable incremental reductions in resistor value. T... | 08/07/1990 |
| 4888997 | Control input device The present invention teaches a control input device particularly suited to a number of applications on a motor vehicle. The device can be activated by the foot of an operator to transmit an electrical output signal which is a function of load or displace... | 12/26/1989 |
