Sensors with Deformable Conductors and Selective Deformation
AssigneeLiquid Wire Inc.
InventorMark Ronay
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims19
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.
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.
A sensor comprising:
- an elastomeric material;
- a stretchable conductor disposed on the elastomeric material and arranged to lengthen in response to a force applied to the elastomeric material;
- and
- a physical restraint arranged to constrain the elastomeric material in a first direction and force the elastomeric material to stretch in a second direction in response to the force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.