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US 4,908,509 AGranted
Traction and reaction force microsensor
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorStephen D. Senturia
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A force sensor detects adhesion between a subject and a substrate through an adhesive. The sensor is embedded in the adhesive and is formed by two members which are displaceable relative to each other. A readout scheme detects displacement of the two members due to a force and reaction forces acting upon the sensor through the adhesive. Fiber optics may be employed in the readout scheme to provide an indication of displacement of the two members and thereby adhesion of the subject to the substrate.
Claims52
A sensor for detecting adhesion between a subject and a substrate being adhered together with an adhesive, the sensor comprising:
- a housing suspended within and adhered to the adhesive, the housing having first and second members displacable relative to each other with application of a force and a reaction force across the adhesive;
- and
- means for sensing the displacement of the first and second members.
A sensor for detecting adhesion between a subject and a substrate being adhered together with an adhesive, the sensor comprising:
- a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber in communication with each other, the housing being suspended within and adhered to the adhesive;
- a shutter positioned between the first and second chamber, a change in position of the shutter causing a change in communication between the first and second chambers, the shutter changing position by reaction forces brought about between the subject and substrate due to adhesion between the subject and the substrate;
- and
- means for detecting change in position of the shutter to provide an indication of adherence between the subject and substrate.
1 more element
A test sensor for detecting adhesion of a subject to a substrate by an adhesive, the sensor comprising;
- a first plate having an outer surface which faces the subject through the adhesive, and an inner surface opposite the outer surface;
- a second plate having:
- an inner surface which faces and associates with the inner surface of the first plate and
- an outer surface opposite the inner surface and which faces the substrate through the adhesive,
- a first and second cavity having a wall in common being formed between the inner surfaces, the wall being displaceable relative to one of the inner surfaces such that communication between the first and second cavities across the wall is changed, the wall being displaced by adhesion reaction forces between the subject and substrate through the adhesive brought about in response to a test force applied to the subject;
- and
- means for detecting displacement of the wall to provide an indication of adhesion of the subject to the substrate.
4 more elements
A traction force sensor comprising:
- (a) a first plate having an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface;
- (b) a second plate having:
- (i) an inward surface which faces the inner surface of the first plate, the inward and inner surfaces being attached to each other along a periphery of each surface;
- (ii) an outward surface opposite the inward surface;
- and
- (iii) a first and second chamber between the inward and outward surfaces, both chambers having an opening at the inward surface and sharing a common wall,
- the wall having a top surface at the inward surface which faces and makes contact with but is unattached to the inner surface of the first plate such that communication between the first and second chambers across the top surface of the wall is disabled;
- the inner surface of the first plate and the top surface of the wall breaking contact with each other and enabling communication between the first and second chambers across the top surface of the wall when forces causing traction between the first and second plates are applied to both the outer surface of the first plate and the outward surface of the second plate;
- (c) means for providing light within the first chamber;
- and
- (d) means for detecting light within the second chamber, the light detecting means detecting a change in amount of light within the second chamber when the inner surface of the first plate and the top surface of the wall break contact with each other, the light detecting means thereby providing an indication of traction forces existing about the sensor.
8 more elements
A sensor for detecting existence of pressing and reaction forces comprising:
- a first plate having an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface;
- a second plate having:
- (i) an inward surface which faces the inner surface of the first plate, the inward surface of the second plate and the inner surface of the first plate being attached to each other along a periphery of each surface;
- (ii) an outward surface opposite the inward surface;
- and
- (iii) a first and second chamber between the inward and outward surfaces, both chambers having an opening at the inward surface and sharing a common wall, the wall having a top surface at the inward surface which faces and is out of contact with a central portion of the inner surface of the first plate such that the first and second chambers are able to communicate to each other across the top surface of the wall;
- the central portion of the inner surface of the first plate and the top surface of the wall making contact with each other and changing communication between the first and second chambers across the top surface of the wall when forces causing the first and second plates to be pressed toward each other exist at both the outer surface of the first plate and the outward surface of the second plate;
- means for providing light within the first chamber, the light subsequently being communicated to the second chamber;
- and
- means for detecting light within the second chamber, the light being communicated from the first chamber, the light detecting means detecting a change in amount of light within the second chamber when the inner surface of the first plate and the top surface of the wall make contact with each other, the light detecting means thereby providing an indication of pressing forces existing about the sensor.
7 more elements
A method of sensing adhesion between a subject and a substrate being adhered together by an adhesive, the steps comprising
- (a) suspending within and adhering to the adhesive a sensor having first and second members displaceable relative to each other with application of a force and a reaction force across the adhesive;
- and
- (b) sensing displacement of the first and second members to provide an indication of sensed adhesion between the subject and substrate.
A method of testing adhesion between a subject and a substrate being adhered together by an adhesive, the steps comprising:
- (a) suspending within the adhesive a sensor having:
- a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber in communication with each other;
- a shutter positioned between the first and second chamber for changing communication between the first and second chambers by changing position, the shutter changing position by reaction forces brought about between the subject and the adhesive and between the adhesive and substrate due to adherence between the subject and the substrate;
- (b) providing light in one of the first and second chambers, a change in amount of light communicated from the one chamber to the other chamber occurring when the shutter changes position;
- and
- (c) detecting a change in amount of light communicated from the one chamber to the other due to the shutter changing position by reaction forces, the detecting of the change in amount of light providing an indication of sensed adhesion between the subject and substrate.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.