Patents by Inventor Erik E. Nishida

Erik E. Nishida 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).

  • Patent number: 9459161
    Abstract: The various technologies presented herein relate to a sensor for measurement of high forces and/or high load shock rate(s), whereby the sensor utilizes silicon as the sensing element. A plate of Si can have a thinned region formed therein on which can be formed a number of traces operating as a Wheatstone bridge. The brittle Si can be incorporated into a layered structure comprising ductile and/or compliant materials. The sensor can have a washer-like configuration which can be incorporated into a nut and bolt configuration, whereby tightening of the nut and bolt can facilitate application of a compressive preload upon the sensor. Upon application of an impact load on the bolt, the compressive load on the sensor can be reduced (e.g., moves towards zero-load), however the magnitude of the preload can be such that the load on the sensor does not translate to tensile stress being applied to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Paul C. Galambos, Thomas B. Crenshaw, Erik E. Nishida, Damon J. Burnett, Jeffrey W. Lantz
  • Publication number: 20160273978
    Abstract: The various technologies presented herein relate to a sensor for measurement of high forces and/or high load shock rate(s), whereby the sensor utilizes silicon as the sensing element. A plate of Si can have a thinned region formed therein on which can be formed a number of traces operating as a Wheatstone bridge. The brittle Si can be incorporated into a layered structure comprising ductile and/or compliant materials. The sensor can have a washer-like configuration which can be incorporated into a nut and bolt configuration, whereby tightening of the nut and bolt can facilitate application of a compressive preload upon the sensor. Upon application of an impact load on the bolt, the compressive load on the sensor can be reduced (e.g., moves towards zero-load), however the magnitude of the preload can be such that the load on the sensor does not translate to tensile stress being applied to the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Paul C. Galambos, Thomas B. Crenshaw, Erik E. Nishida, Damon J. Burnett, Jeffrey W. Lantz
  • Patent number: 9383270
    Abstract: The various technologies presented herein relate to a sensor for measurement of high forces and/or high load shock rate(s), whereby the sensor utilizes silicon as the sensing element. A plate of Si can have a thinned region formed therein on which can be formed a number of traces operating as a Wheatstone bridge. The brittle Si can be incorporated into a layered structure comprising ductile and/or compliant materials. The sensor can have a washer-like configuration which can be incorporated into a nut and bolt configuration, whereby tightening of the nut and bolt can facilitate application of a compressive preload upon the sensor. Upon application of an impact load on the bolt, the compressive load on the sensor can be reduced (e.g., moves towards zero-load), however the magnitude of the preload can be such that the load on the sensor does not translate to tensile stress being applied to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Paul C. Galambos, Thomas B. Crenshaw, Erik E. Nishida, Damon J. Burnett, Jeffrey W. Lantz