Patents by Inventor Andries Jacobus du Plessis

Andries Jacobus du Plessis has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method and device for measuring strain using shape memory alloy materials
    Patent number: 6550341
    Abstract: An article and method for measuring strain using a strain gauge made of a shape memory y alloy, and preferably a pseudoelastic alloy, is disclosed. The strain gauge includes an element that preferably is attached to a substrate and mounted on an object, or is woven or stitched to a fabric to measure the strain experienced under an applied stress. The preferred pseudoelastic alloy is Nitinol, which in pseudoelastic form can elongate by up to approximately 8% to accommodate strain in an object or fabric. When woven into a fabric, a Nitinol-based strain gauge can measure strains of up to approximately 20% in the fabric. The strain gauge can be used in such applications as automotive and aircraft seatbelts, parachute canopies and static lines, and commercial cargo nets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Mide Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Marthinus Cornelius van Schoor, Attila Lengyel, Gert Johannes Muller, Andries Jacobus du Plessis
  • Method and device for measuring strain using shape memory alloy materials
    Publication number: 20030056599
    Abstract: An article and method for measuring strain using a strain gauge made of a shape memory alloy, and preferably a pseudoelastic alloy, is disclosed. The strain gauge includes an element that preferably is attached to a substrate and mounted on an object, or is woven or stitched to a fabric to measure the strain experienced under an applied stress. The preferred pseudoelastic alloy is Nitinol, which in pseudoelastic form can elongate by up to approximately 8% to accommodate strain in an object or fabric. When woven into a fabric, a Nitinol-based strain gauge can measure strains of up to approximately 20% in the fabric. The strain gauge can be used in such applications as automotive and aircraft seatbelts, parachute canopies and static lines, and commercial cargo nets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Marthinus Cornelius van Schoor, Attila Lengyel, Gert Johannes Muller, Andries Jacobus du Plessis