Piezoelectric polymer sensor device
AssigneeOES, Inc.
InventorsKiet Ngo, Paul Hogendoorn, Michael Reeve
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sensor device includes at least one piezoelectric polymer film supported on a plate that is positioned relative to a machine such that a force used during a manufacturing process involving the machine is incident on the plate. The piezoelectric polymer film provides an electrical output indicative of the incident force. In a disclosed example, a single piezoelectric polymer film extends across a substantial portion of a surface area of the plate. In another disclosed example, a plurality of piezoelectric polymer film sensor elements area are arranged symmetrically about a location where the incident force is expected to be most prominent.
Claims20
A sensor device, comprising:
- a base adapted to be associated with a forming machine such that a force used during a forming operation is incident on the base;
- at least one piezoelectric polymer film supported on the base, the film providing an electrical output that provides an indication of the force incident on the base;
- and
- a signal processor that receives the electrical ouput and provides an output that is an indication of at least one of (i) a quality of a formed part that was formed at least in part by the force incident on the base or (ii) a quality of a part forming process that involved the force incident on the base.
A sensor device, comprising:
- a base adapted to be associated with a forming machine such that a force used during a forming operation is incident on the base;
- at least one piezoelectric polymer film supported on the base, the film providing an electrical output that provides an indication of the force incident on the base
- a first output portion associated with the base for providing an indication of the output of the at least one film in a first range, the indication of the first output portion being scaled using a first scaling level that increases the indication of the first output portion when the first output portion is used to provide an indication of a force in a first range;
- and
- a second output portion associated with the base for providing an indication of the output of the at least one film in a second, different range, the indication of the second output portion being scaled using a second, different scaling level that adjusts the indication of the second output portion when the second output portion is used to provide an indication of a force in a second, higher range.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.