Abstract: Magnetic load cells that measure force and/or torque are constructed from magnets and one or more arrays of magnetic field sensors. The magnetic field sensors are structured in a tight array where the array is attached to a first portion of a frame. The magnets are operated in pairs polarized in opposition to one-another. In particular, pairs of concentric magnets create sharp field boundaries. The magnets are attached to a second portion of the frame with the magnets separated from the array of field sensors by a small gap. The second portion of the frame is free to displace or rotate in relation to the first portion of the frame when a force or torque is applied to it. The displacement results in a measurable differential change in magnetic field reported by the array that can be sampled and processed to relate to the applied force or torque.

Abstract: A method of producing inductive sensors, including LVDTs and inductive encoders, manufactured by plotting fine wire onto a planar substrate. A sensor is constructed using a computer-controlled machine to place wire onto a planar adhesive substrate. This substrate forms a predictable and uniform surface to deposit each turn of wire, and so the placement accuracy is considerably better than conventional coil winding. This planar substrate can then be manipulated into a desired three-dimensional shape (e.g., by folding, rolling, corrugating, winding, etc.), carrying the wire along with it. In particular, the same CNC machine used to place the wire can be used to cut, crease, score, or otherwise pattern the substrate to facilitate the three-dimensional arrangement.

Abstract: A method and system of curved crease foldcores as energy absorbers with rule lines can that lie parallel in the flat state. Corrugated sheet is bonded to the foldcore material such that the corrugations align with the ruling. The curved creases are then cut from the corrugated layer. The image of the corrugation lines under the folding motion remains a line, and the corrugated structure survives and reinforces the folding mechanism. The corrugation significantly increases the second area moment of inertia about the crushing direction, while leaving the second area moment of inertia about the perpendicular direction largely unchanged. Under compressive failure, the corrugated foldcore fails progressively, rather than catastrophically. Also, the corrugations enforce the curved crease pattern, allowing the required curved panels to be bent while disallowing other deformations.

Abstract: Magnetic load cells that measure force and/or torque are constructed from magnets and one or more arrays of magnetic field sensors. The magnetic field sensors are structured in a tight array where the array is attached to a first portion of a frame. The magnets are operated in pairs polarized in opposition to one-another. In particular, pairs of concentric magnets create sharp field boundaries. The magnets are attached to a second portion of the frame with the magnets separated from the array of field sensors by a small gap. The second portion of the frame is free to displace or rotate in relation to the first portion of the frame when a force or torque is applied to it. The displacement results in a measurable differential change in magnetic field reported by the array that can be sampled and processed to relate to the applied force or torque.

Abstract: Issues with pleat walled honeycombs are solved by replacing polygonal creases with curved creases. As with a conventional straight-walled honeycomb, these strips can be combined into a space-filling honeycomb structure. The benefits of these curved creases are threefold. First, the stress concentrations mentioned above with pleat-walled honeycombs are mitigated. The stress due to finite material thickness is spread more evenly over the crease line, instead of being concentrated at a point, as with pleat walled honeycombs. As a result, the maximal value observed is lower and the adverse effects are reduced. Second, the curved creases also serve to give better control over material properties, and third, the curved crease honeycombs do not require any of the horizontally-running creases. The curves are typically mathematical curves that can be computed algebraically or by solving a differential equation.