US 11,898,925 B2Granted

System for mapping force transmission from a plurality of force-imparting points to each force-measuring device and related method

AssigneeUltraSense Systems, Inc.

InventorsZhongxuan Tu, Deliang Tao, Chunlei Qian, Sina Akhbari, Hao-Yen Tang

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Abstract

A system for mapping data of force transmission from a plurality of force-imparting points to each force-measuring device is disclosed. A linear actuator assembly includes a Z-axis actuator and a slider. A load cell is secured to the slider, such that actuation of the Z-axis actuator is mechanically coupled to a vertical movement of the load cell via the slider. A sample stage includes a sample stage positioner and is configured to retain a sample including at least one force-measuring device. The load cell is configured to impart a time-varying applied force to the sample. The controller is configured to control actuation of the sample positioner to position the load cell at each one of a plurality of force-imparting points on the sample and, for each respective force-imparting point, control the actuation of the Z-axis actuator. A computer is configured to generate a map of data of force transmission from the plurality of force-imparting points to the force-measuring device in accordance with digital transducer data obtained from the force-measuring device upon the imparting of the time-varying applied force at each force-imparting point.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A system for mapping data of force transmission from a plurality of force-imparting points to each force-measuring device, comprising:

a linear actuator assembly comprising a Z-axis actuator and a slider;
a load cell secured to the slider, such that actuation of the Z-axis actuator is mechanically coupled to a vertical movement of the load cell via the slider;
a sample stage comprising a sample stage positioner and configured to retain a sample comprising a force-measuring device, each force-measuring device comprising a signal processing circuitry;
a controller electronically coupled to the Z-axis actuator and to the sample stage positioner;
a load cell signal processing circuitry electronically coupled to the load cell and the controller, configured to measure force signals at the load cell and output amplified force signals to the controller;
a force-measuring device controller electronically coupled to the signal processing circuitry of each force-measuring device;
and
a computer electronically coupled to the controller and the force-measuring device controller;
wherein the load cell is configured, in a force-imparting mode, to impart a time-varying applied force to the sample during the vertical movement of the load cell, the time-varying applied force being imparted via at least one elastic member positioned between the load cell and the sample;
the controller is configured, in the force-imparting mode, to control actuation of the sample stage positioner to position the load cell at each one of a plurality of force-imparting points on the sample and, for each respective force-imparting point, to repeatedly carry out the following until a desired force trajectory has been executed:
(1) calculate digital force signals in accordance with the amplified force signals, (2) calculate a next actuation of the Z-axis actuator in accordance with the desired force trajectory and an elastic parameter, and (3) control the actuation of the Z-axis actuator in accordance with its next calculated actuation, the elastic parameter relating actuation of the Z-axis actuator to digital force signals resulting from the actuation;
the force-measuring device controller is configured to:
(1) read digital transducer data output from the respective signal processing circuitry of each of the force-measuring devices when the time-varying applied force is imparted to the sample at each force-imparting point, and (2) transmit the digital transducer data to the computer;
and
the computer is configured to generate a map of data of force transmission from each of the plurality of force-imparting points to the force-measuring device in accordance with digital transducer data obtained from the force-measuring device upon the imparting of the time-varying applied force at each respective force-imparting point.

12 more elements

A method of mapping data of force transmission from a plurality of force-imparting points to each force-measurement device, comprising the steps of:

(A) configuring a testing system, comprising:
(1) a linear actuator assembly comprising a Z-axis actuator and a slider, (2) a load cell secured to the slider, such that actuation of the Z-axis actuator is mechanically coupled to a vertical movement of the load cell via the slider, (3) a controller electronically coupled to the Z-axis actuator, and (4) a load cell signal processing circuitry electronically coupled to the load cell and the controller, configured to measure force signals at the load cell and output amplified force signals to the controller;
(B) configuring a sample stage, a sample comprising a force-measuring device, and a force-measuring device controller, the sample stage retaining the sample, the sample stage comprising a sample stage positioner, the controller electronically coupled to the sample stage positioner, each force-measuring device comprising a signal processing circuitry, the force-measuring device controller electronically coupled to the signal processing circuitry of each force-measuring device;
(C) obtaining a desired force-trajectory;
(D) controlling, by the controller, actuation of the sample stage positioner to position the load cell at each one of a plurality of force-imparting points on the sample and, for each respective force-imparting point, operating the testing system (step DO);
(E) reading, by the force-measuring device controller, digital transducer data output from the respective signal processing circuitry of each of the force-measuring devices when the time-varying applied force is imparted to the sample at each force-imparting point;
and
(F) generating a map of data of force transmission from each the plurality of force-imparting points to the force-measuring device in accordance with digital transducer data obtained from the force-measuring device upon the imparting of the time-varying applied force at each respective force-imparting point;
wherein the step (D0) of operating the force-measuring device testing system comprises the sub-steps of:
(D1) calculating, by the controller, an actuation of the Z-axis actuator in accordance with the desired force trajectory and an elastic parameter;
(D2) controlling, by the controller, actuation of the Z-axis actuator in accordance with the calculated actuation;
(D3) imparting, by the load cell, a time-varying applied force to the sample at one of a plurality of force-imparting points during the vertical movement of the load cell, the time-varying applied force being imparted via at least one elastic member positioned between the load cell and the sample;
(D4) measuring, by the load cell signal processing circuitry, force signals at the load cell and amplifying the force signals;
(D5) outputting, by the load cell signal processing circuitry, amplified force signals to the controller;
(D6) obtaining, by the controller, digital force signals in accordance with the amplified force signals;
(D7) updating, by the controller, the elastic parameter when there is a deviation of the digital force signals from the desired force trajectory;
and
(D8) repeatedly executing steps (D1) through (D7), inclusive, until the desired force trajectory has been executed;
and
wherein the elastic parameter relates actuation of the Z-axis actuator to digital force signals resulting from the actuation.

17 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/205,862Filed 18 Mar 2021 · us provisional application
Priority: 18 Mar 2020
Published: US 2021/0293641 A123 Sep 2021
Granted: 13 Feb 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

G01L 1/255
Using wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays , microwaves, neutrons: using acoustic waves, or acoustic emission
G01L 5/167
For measuring several components of force: using piezoelectric means
G01L 1/16
Measuring force or stress, in general: using properties of piezoelectric devices
G01L 25/00
Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring force, torque, work, mechanical power