Abstract: A handheld stylus having an elongated housing, a writing and drawing implement disposed within the housing and including a tip extending through an opening at an end of the housing where ultrasonic waves radiate therefrom and are used for determining a position of the stylus; and at least one ultrasonic transducer disposed within the housing. The transducer may be a cylindrical piezoelectric transducer having a holder and a cylindrical piezoelectric film spanning between at least two spaced apart cylindrical surfaces of the holder, or a flat transducer having a diaphragm, and a piezoelectric material disposed on a surface of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A magnetic encoder apparatus has a housing that includes a base portion and a cover plate portion. The housing also has a magnet that is contained in the base portion of the housing, a sensor chip having a major surface located adjacent to the magnet, and an alignment spacer having a first side and a second side. The first side of the alignment spacer has an opening through to the second side of the alignment spacer, and the second side fits into the base portion of the housing. The opening of the alignment spacer encloses the sensor chip.

Abstract: A handheld stylus having an elongated housing, a writing and drawing implement disposed within the housing and including a tip extending through an opening at an end of the housing where ultrasonic waves radiate therefrom and are used for determining a position of the stylus; and at least one ultrasonic transducer disposed within the housing. The transducer may be a cylindrical piezoelectric transducer having a holder and a cylindrical piezoelectric film spanning between at least two spaced apart cylindrical surfaces of the holder, or a flat transducer having a diaphragm, and a piezoelectric material disposed on a surface of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A load sensor plate (100) is adapted for manufacture by stamping spaced apart openings (110) through a thin blank to define flexure beams (112) beside the openings (110); and forming the blank with spaced apart columnar walls (102), (106) joined by a web (104) having the openings (110) and the flexure beams (112) whereby, an applied load (116) exerted on one of the columnar walls (102) is distributed among the flexure beams (12), and another of the columnar walls (106) bears an opposing force (118) that resists the applied load (118).

Abstract: A beam-type sensor capable of measuring displacement or acceleration includes a thin, flexible sheet of piezoresponsive material defining broad sides and a proximal end. In order to optimize boundary conditions, the proximal end of the sheet is supported by a clamp that provides a “clean” transition between support and no-support. Electrical connections to conductors associated with the broad sides are integrated into the clamp. In one embodiment, two sheets of piezoelectric material are connected electrically in parallel. In another embodiment, two sheets of piezoelectric material are connected electrically in series.

Abstract: An electronic pressure-sensing device is isolated from corrosive, conductive gasses and fluids by a corrosion resistant metal diaphragm welded to a pressure port. The pressure-sensing device is attached to a support structure with a hole that provides a path from the diaphragm area to the pressure-sensing device. A fill fluid is sealed behind the diaphragm and fills the hole through the support structure to the electronic pressure-sensing device. In this design, any hostile chemical applied is completely isolated from the electronic sensor and associated adhesive seals by the metal diaphragm.

Abstract: An acoustic sensor device comprising a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and an aperture formed therethrough, the second surface having a curved portion; a layer of piezoelectric film having a first surface disposed on the curved portion of the substrate second surface; and a layer of pliable material disposed on a second surface of the piezoelectric film opposite the first surface for contacting with an object to be sensed.

Abstract: A foot assembly for a weighing scale comprises a base, a ring arranged in coaxial spaced relation to the base; and a plurality of deformable compensation beams projecting outwardly from a portion of the base so as to support the ring.

Abstract: A recall mechanism for a pressure gauge stores pressure reading outputs for effectively conveying “last value” information to a user when requested.

Abstract: A protective cover or grid for an ultrasound transducer comprises a series of vertically spaced members separated from one another by a pre-determined distance, each member being of substantially uniform width and arranged in a cylindrical shape. The protection grid includes a cavity for receiving a cylindrical transducer. The protection grid operates as both a physical protection mechanism for protecting the cylindrical transducer housed therein as well as operating as an impedance matching device.

Abstract: A method of forming a resonance transducer comprises providing a piezoelectric body having a first acoustic impedance and a propagation medium having a second acoustic impedance. A matching layer is coupled between the piezoelectric body and the propagation medium. The body vibrating at the resonance frequency has a resonance impedance less than the second acoustic impedance of the propagation medium. The matching layer has a third acoustic impedance less than the second acoustic impedance for providing a high output or high sensitivity signal when operated at the resonance frequency.

Abstract: A mechanical weighing scale having mechanical parts driving a pointer rotating around a fixed disc or dial having slots or holes formed therein. The mechanical pointer operates to provide an analog display of one's weight to the user. An optical sensor system is responsive to the mechanical motion of the mechanically-rotating pointer as it passes over each of the holes or slots for determining a number of counts associated with the mechanical motion of the rotating pointer and translating the counts to a corresponding weight value for display onto a digital display.

Abstract: A toot assembly for a weighing scale is provided including a base and an annular ring that is arranged in coaxial spaced relation to the base, and supported by a plurality of resilient beams that project radially outwardly from a portion of the base. Each of the resilient beams comprises a compound curve contour so that the plurality of resilient beams may twist and/or bend to take up and compensate for unwanted rotational moments or twisting torques that result from placement of the foot assembly on an uneven surface. A weighing scale is also provided incorporating the foregoing foot assemblies, and including a platform coupled to a mounting tray and including a weight determination assembly that is positioned between the platform and the mounting tray. A plurality of force transfer beams are arranged within the mounting tray so as to substantially support the platform and the mounting tray such that the mounting tray is isolated from a support surface.

Abstract: A semiconductor strain gage having an electrically resistive substrate layer and a layer of electrically conductive silicon supported by the substrate layer. The silicon layer can be an epitaxial silicon layer grown on a surface of the substrate layer or a diffused or ion-implanted layer formed in the surface of the substrate layer. Also, a force measuring and detecting device including a force responsive member and the above-described semiconductor strain gage attached to the force responsive member, the strain gage measuring forces applied to the force responsive member.

Abstract: A strain gauge based sensor for use in relatively high pressure applications has a diaphram frame with an active diaphragm portion having a high t/D ratio, or t2/A ratio, and an annular groove provided in at least a portion of a periphery of the diaphram frame which alters the strain field on the surface of the active diaphram, causing the radial stresses to be primarily bending stresses and minimizing shear stresses, thus bringing the &egr;t/&egr;c ratio closer to one and increasing the linearity of the output of strain gauges affixed to the top of the diaphram.

Abstract: An electronic pressure-sensing device is isolated from corrosive, conductive gasses and fluids by a corrosion resistant metal diaphragm welded to a pressure port. The pressure-sensing device is attached to a support structure with a hole that provides a path from the diaphragm area to the pressure-sensing device. A fill fluid is sealed behind the diaphragm and fills the hole through the support structure to the electronic pressure-sensing device. In this design, any hostile chemical applied is completely isolated from the electronic sensor and associated adhesive seals by the metal diaphragm.

Abstract: A sensor cable (10) for detecting and/or locating a deformation of the cable includes a conductive core (20), a dielectric layer (40), a controlled resistive layer (50), a piezoresistive layer (60), and an outer shield (70). Deformation of the cable (10) creates a change in resistance between the shield (70) and the controlled resistive layer (50), and also creates a piezoelectric-induced voltage between the conductive core (20) and the controlled resistive layer (50). The incidence and/or location of a deformation of the cable is deducible from electrical parameters, indicative of the change in resistance and the induced voltage, measured at one or both ends of the sensor cable.

Abstract: A method of forming an ultrasound transducer having thermoformed protuberances comprises providing a substrate having a plurality of perforations of a given dimension. The perforations or apertures are formed in the substrate and operate to determine the resonance frequency associated with the transducer. A film of polymeric material capable of showing piezoelectric properties when strained in its plane and electrically biassed by a field applied in a direction normal to its faces, is then laminated onto the substrate. The film is heated to a given temperature and a pressure differential is applied between the top and bottom surfaces of the film for a sufficient time to form protuberances in the film through the apertures in the substrate.