Method of making an electrically conductive strain gauge material
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsLarry C.H. Li, Frederic S. Dawn, Todd A. Pesek
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Abstract
An improved elastomeric electrically conductive strain gauge for use in virtual reality systems is disclosed which involves the flash heating of a doped ethylene vinyl acetate elastomer.
Claims13
A method for the preparation of an electrically conductive strain gauge material having an electrical resistance which varies with elastic extension and contraction comprising the steps of:
- blending an effective amount of conductive particles with a finely divided ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer for a sufficient time to produce uniform mixture of the conductive particles throughout the polymer;
- pressing the mixture into a sheet having a thickness of from about 1/32" to about 1/8";
- cutting strips of the film and pressing the sheet to a substantially uniform thickness of about 10 mils;
- dimensioning the strips for use as strain gauge material;
- and
- flash-heating the strips to a temperature of at least about 600.degree. F. for a period of at least about three seconds.
A method for the preparation of an electrically conductive strain gauge material having an electrical resistance which varies with elastic extension and contraction comprising the steps of:
- blending an effective amount of conductive particles with a finely divided copolymer for a sufficient time to produce uniform mixture of the conductive particles throughout the polymer;
- pressing the mixture into a flexible sheet having a predetermined thickness;
- cutting strips of the film and pressing the sheet to a substantially uniform thickness less than the predetermined thickness;
- dimensioning the strips for use as strain gauge material;
- and
- flash-heating the strips to a temperature of at least about 600.degree. F. for a period of at least about three seconds.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.