Sensor array
AssigneeRaychem Corporation
InventorsJohn H. Dunbar, Edward B. Atkinson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sensor array, usually a sensor matrix for sensing pressure, comprising a grid of conductors in a woven fabric, the row conductors crossing over the column conductors to form a matrix array of crossover points. The rows are separated from the columns by individually coating the conductors of one or both series with an electrically partially resistive fibrous material, so that when the conductors at any crossover point in the array are pressed closer together, the resistance between the two conductors at that crossover point decreases. By connecting the conductors to suitable electrical circuitry, the force applied at any crossover point and the location of that crossover point within the array can be determined.
Claims26
A sensor matrix comprising first and second sets of conductors, the first set crossing over the second set to form a matrix of one or more crossover points, and being separated from the second set at least at one crossover point by an electrical transducer material, at least one of the sets being incorporated in a fabric.
A sensor matrix comprising first and second sets of conductors, the first set crossing over the second set to form a matrix of one or more crossover points, at least some of the conductors being at least partially surrounded individually by a transducer layer of fibres which are helically wound around the conductors, the layer being capable of acting to produce a detectable change in electrical properties in response to a condition to be sensed by the sensor.
A sensor matrix comprising first and second sets of conductors, the first set crossing over the second set to form a matrix of crossover points, the conductors being substantially uniformly and individually surrounded by a layer of electrical transducer material capable of acting to provide a detectable change in electrical properties in response to a condition to be sensed by the sensor.
A sensor matrix comprising first and second sets of conductors, the first set crossing over the second set to form a matrix of one or more crossover points, the first set being separated from the second set by a hard elastic electrical transducer material.
A sensor matrix comprising first and second sets of conductors, the first set crossing over the second set to form a matrix of one or more crossover points, the first set being separated from the second set by a cross-linked polymeric electrical transducer material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.