Sensors with deformable conductors and selective deformation
AssigneeLiquid Wire Inc.
InventorMark Ronay
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sensor may include a bladder, and a deformable conductor disposed on the bladder such that deformation of the bladder causes deformation of the deformable conductor, wherein the bladder is constrained so as to enhance the deformation of the conductor in response to the deformation of the bladder. A method may include applying a stimulus to a bladder having a deformable conductor attached thereto, detecting a change in an electrical characteristic associated with the deformable conductor in response to the stimulus, and selectively constraining the bladder to amplify the change in electrical characteristic in response to the stimulus.
Claims15
A sensor comprising:
- a bladder;
- and
- a deformable conductor disposed on the bladder such that deformation of the bladder causes deformation of the deformable conductor;
- wherein the bladder is constrained so as to enhance the deformation of the conductor in response to the deformation of the bladder;
- wherein the bladder comprises an elastic membrane;
- and
- the membrane is filled with a compressible fluid;
- wherein the deformable conductor comprises a stretchable conductor disposed on a surface of the bladder;
- wherein the bladder is constrained such that applying pressure to the bladder causes elongation of the stretchable conductor;
- wherein the deformable conductor comprises one or more turns of stretchable conductor disposed around the bladder;
- and
- wherein the bladder is constrained by a strap disposed around the bladder and the one or more turns of stretchable conductor.
A method comprising:
- applying a stimulus to a bladder having a deformable conductor attached thereto;
- detecting a change in an electrical characteristic associated with the deformable conductor in response to the stimulus;
- and
- selectively constraining the bladder to amplify the change in electrical characteristic in response to the stimulus;
- wherein the bladder comprises an elastic material filled with a compressible fluid;
- wherein the deformable conductor comprises a stretchable conductor disposed on a surface of the bladder;
- wherein the bladder is constrained such that applying pressure to the bladder causes elongation of the stretchable conductor;
- wherein the deformable conductor comprises one or more turns of stretchable conductor disposed around the bladder;
- and
- wherein the bladder is constrained by a strap disposed around the bladder and the one or more turns of stretchable conductor.
A sensor comprising:
- a bladder comprising an elastomeric membrane;
- a stretchable conductor disposed on the elastomeric membrane and arranged to lengthen in response to a force applied to the elastomeric membrane;
- and
- a physical restraint arranged to constrain the elastomeric membrane in a first direction and force the elastomeric membrane to stretch in a second direction in response to the force;
- wherein the elastomeric membrane is filled with a compressible fluid;
- wherein the deformable conductor comprises a stretchable conductor disposed on a surface of the bladder;
- wherein the bladder is constrained such that applying pressure to the bladder causes elongation of the stretchable conductor;
- wherein the deformable conductor comprises one or more turns of stretchable conductor disposed around the bladder;
- and
- wherein the bladder is constrained by a strap disposed around the bladder and the one or more turns of stretchable conductor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.