Strain gauge and method of making and using the same
AssigneeCase Western Reserve University
InventorsMichael R. Neuman, Timothy G. McIntyre
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A strain gauge primarily designed for dynamic measurements and requiring very little force to produce a change in length. The strain gauge is alternately concave and convex in shape, such as a sinusoidal curve with nodes of low resistance on the convex portions and strain gauges of high resistance on the concave portions. The gauge is unbonded and can be stretched with very little force. The strain gauge is utilized in an instrument to monitor infant respiration and detect episodes of apnea.
Claims10
A strain gauge comprising an elongated flexible base portion of generally uniform thickness, said base portion having lengthwise and widthwise dimensions, said widthwise dimension being smaller than said lengthwise dimension, said base portion having at least one intermediate concave section extending widthwise thereof and said base portion having two terminal end sections, said end sections being movable towards and away from each other;
- a strain gauge resistor bonded to said base portion within said concave section and adapted to change its resistance value as said terminal end sections move in relation to each other and cause said concave section to be flexed;
- and means electrically connecting said resistor to at least one of said terminal end sections.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.