Method for manufacturing sensors having wavy elements
AssigneeTactex Controls Inc.
InventorColin Clarke
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for manufacturing composite structures comprising elongated flexible elements arranged in sinuous configurations involves providing an elastically-extendable substrate layer. The method comprises stretching the elastically-extendible layer and attaching the elongated flexible elements to the layer at spaced-apart locations. When the layer is allowed to relax, the elongated elements assume sinuous configurations. The method may be used to make pressure sensors or other devices.
Claims22
A method for manufacturing a composite structure comprising an elastically-extendable substrate layer and one or more elongated elements, the method comprising:
- in either order, applying adhesive at spaced-apart locations along the elastically-extendable layer and stretching the elastically-extendable layer;
- adhering the one or more elongated elements to the stretched elastically-extendable layer and adhesive in a substantially straight manner;
- and,
- relaxing the elastically-extendable layer to allow the spaced-apart locations to move closer to one another while allowing the elongated elements to adopt sinuous configurations.
A method for manufacturing a composite structure comprising an elastically-extendable substrate layer, and one or more elongated elements, the method comprising:
- stretching the elastically-extendable layer;
- laying the one or more fibre elements over the stretched elastically-extendable layer in a substantially straight manner and attaching the one or more elongated elements to the stretched elastically-extendable layer at locations spaced-apart along the elongated elements;
- and
- relaxing the elastically-extendable layer to allow the spaced-apart locations to become closer to one another while allowing the elongated elements to adopt a sinuous configuration.
An apparatus for use in manufacturing a composite structure comprising an elastically-extendable layer and one or more elongated elements arranged in a sinuous configuration on the elastically-extendible layer, the apparatus comprising:
- a support surface;
- and
- at least one clamp adjacent to each of two sides of the support surface, and a mechanism for drawing at least one of the clamps away from another of the clamps.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.