With Variable Capacity Or Sensitivity Patents (Class 73/862.52)
  • Patent number: 11837012
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor is provided and includes substrate; sensor electrodes arranged on substrate; first switches coupled to sensor electrodes; organic layer covering sensor electrodes; control line drive circuit in a first direction; signal line drive circuit in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; signal lines coupled to the first switches; control lines coupling first switches to control line drive circuit; sensor drive electrode surrounding sensor electrodes; second switches between signal line drive circuit and signal lines; first number of third switches between signal line drive circuit and first number of second switches, wherein surface of organic layer is lower than sensor drive electrode, and wherein first number is less than number of all second switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventors: Fumihito Shibano, Hiroshi Mizuhashi, Toshinori Uehara, Kimiyo Nonoyama, Hayato Kurasawa
  • Patent number: 11766786
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor for characterizing force or torque includes a first plurality of non-patterned conductive regions and a first plurality of patterned conductive regions, and a second plurality of non-patterned conductive regions and a second plurality of patterned conductive regions. The first and second pluralities of non-patterned conductive regions are facing and the first and second pluralities of patterned conductive regions are facing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Verb Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Luis Cordoba, Pablo E. Garcia Kilroy, Xin Liu
  • Patent number: 11498301
    Abstract: A press head for a press machine used to press-fit a connector to a printed circuit board includes a press motor operable in a pressing operation, a driver assembly operably coupled to the press motor and movable during the pressing operation, and a press anvil operably coupled to the driver assembly and movable by the driver assembly during the pressing operation. The press anvil has a load cell housing holding a load cell and a contact plate coupled to the load cell housing and engaging the load cell. The contact plate has a contact surface configured to engage the connector or a seating tool for the connector and configured to press the connector toward the printed circuit board during the pressing operation. The load cell measures a pressing load of the contact plate during the pressing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventors: Peter John Borisuk, Mark Andrew Ondo, Frank Raymond Corkran, Thomas W. Salois
  • Patent number: 9677959
    Abstract: The present application relates to the technical field of magnetic track brake, and in particular to a testing device for electromagnetic attraction force of a magnetic track brake, comprising a steel rail, a force measuring rail block, a guide groove, an elastic force measuring device and a pull machine, wherein the steel rail consists of segmented steel rails, the groove body of the guide groove is vertically provided between the segmented steel rails, the limiting plate is fixed on an inner wall of the groove body, the force measuring rail block and the elastic force measuring device are both located inside the groove body, and a bottom of the force measuring rail block is connected to the elastic force measuring device and the pull machine through an intermediate connection rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: CRRC QINGDAO SIFANG ROLLING STOCK RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiangrui Li, Fan Yang, Baolei Hao, Mingxing Wang, Lei Yang
  • Patent number: 9097573
    Abstract: An on-board device (5) for measuring the weight of an aircraft (G), the device comprising a hollow element (3) extending from a first end (11) to a second end (12) and a bar (4) extending inside said hollow element (3) from an embedded end (13) to a free end (14). The free end (14) has first and second sensors (21, 22) respectively for taking first and second distance measurements, said device (5) further including processor means (50) connected to the first sensor (21) and to the second sensor (22) to generate an alert when a sum of the first measurement plus the second measurement varies, and secondly a processor unit (60) connected to at least one of said sensors (21, 22) for determining information relating to weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventor: Robert Dubois
  • Publication number: 20130220029
    Abstract: A transducer assembly configured to accommodate a plurality of individually tunable sensing elements of various geometries and configurations by using a cap and an accompanying capillary tube. The configuration of the various embodiments described herein eliminate the header to flat plate welds of the prior art, and therefore better accommodates a plurality of sensing elements and corresponding header assemblies within one transducer assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Gardner, Louis DeRosa
  • Patent number: 8441268
    Abstract: A system for detecting fluid on a substrate is provided. The system includes, but is not limited to, a sensor board, a first capacitive sensor, and a platform upon which the substrate is to be placed. The first capacitive sensor is mounted on the sensor board. The first capacitive sensor has a transmit sensor pad for transmitting a signal, a receive sensor pad for receiving the signal, and an analog-to-digital convertor connected with the receive sensor pad for analyzing the received signal. The platform is a first distance from the transmit and receive sensor pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Lam Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Norton, Charley Abboud
  • Patent number: 8236141
    Abstract: An industrial roll includes: a substantially cylindrical core having an outer surface and an internal lumen; a polymeric cover circumferentially overlying the core outer surface; and a sensing system. The sensing system includes: a plurality of sensors at least partially embedded in the cover, the sensors configured to sense an operating parameter of the roll and provide signals related to the operating parameter; and a processor operatively associated with the sensors that processes signals provided by the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Stowe Woodward, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kisang Pak
  • Patent number: 7694589
    Abstract: A system and method detect when a product container from which a product is dispensed is empty or nearly empty, and provides a notification of the product status. The system includes a load cell that deflects at a first rate of distance per unit load when a load less than a critical load is positioned to be weighed by the load cell, and a load cell bracket positioned such that the free end of the load cell contacts the load cell bracket when a load substantially equal to or greater than the critical load is positioned to be weighed by the load cell. The load cell bracket may prevent the load cell from further deflection, or it may permit deflection of the load cell at a second rate of distance per unit load when the load cell is in contact with the load cell bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Mehus, Bruce W. Weber, Ben J. Wiltsie
  • Publication number: 20090151474
    Abstract: A system and method detect when a product container from which a product is dispensed is empty or nearly empty, and provides a notification of the product status. The system includes a load cell that deflects at a first rate of distance per unit load when a load less than a critical load is positioned to be weighed by the load cell, and a load cell bracket positioned such that the free end of the load cell contacts the load cell bracket when a load substantially equal to or greater than the critical load is positioned to be weighed by the load cell. The load cell bracket may prevent the load cell from further deflection, or it may permit deflection of the load cell at a second rate of distance per unit load when the load cell is in contact with the load cell bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Mehus, Bruce W. Weber, Ben J. Wiltsie
  • Patent number: 7472610
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for differential pressure measurement across a fluid conduit flow area change. The apparatus may include a particulate filter, a differential pressure sensor, and a fluid conduit size change downstream of the particulate filter. The apparatus may include a tube configured to place the downstream differential pressure sensor port in fluid contact with a uniform flow region of the fluid conduit downstream of the particulate filter. An apparatus is thereby provided to measure differential pressure across a fluid conduit flow area change such that the differential pressure measurement is minimally affected by the change in flow characteristics induced by the change in cross-sectional flow area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc
    Inventors: James C. Clerc, Patrick M. Klein, Timothy M. Doyle
  • Patent number: 7337681
    Abstract: A hybrid sensor is formed by stacking a plurality of flexible sheets each provided with electrode patterns. The hybrid sensor includes a contact pressure sensor which has switches turning on or off by a pressure load, and an electrostatic capacitance sensor which detects a nearby object without contacting the object. The electrode patterns include a switching electrode pattern as the switch of the contact pressure sensor and a detecting electrode pattern as the detecting electrode of the electrostatic capacitance sensor. The detecting electrode is formed to cover substantially the entire area other than the area on which the switching electrode pattern is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Nikaido, Akira Kamijima, Yasushi Nakamura, Nobumasa Misaki
  • Patent number: 7217891
    Abstract: A capacitive sensing apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a deflectable dielectric mat and a flexible printed circuit that wraps around the major surfaces of the dielectric mat to define upper and lower conductor strips that overlap in a direction perpendicular to the dielectric mat. Overlapping regions of the conductor strips define an array of capacitive load cells distributed over the seating surface. A connector stub depending from the flexible printed circuit couples the conductor strips to an external circuit that measures the capacitance of the various load cells to determine occupant weight and weight distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Fischer, Mike Albani, William W. Fultz
  • Patent number: 6829953
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a fixed board provided with a fixed electrode unit consisting of one or more electrodes, a movable member provided with a movable electrode unit consisting of one or more electrodes which faces the fixed electrode unit with a gap therebetween, the movable member being rotatable with respect to the fixed board, a weight provided on the movable member, and a retaining element which is disposed between the fixed plate and the weight and retains the movable member in a rotatable manner. At least one of the movable electrode unit and the fixed electrode unit includes a plurality of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: ALPS Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Ishiguro, Yasuichi Ono, Kazuo Hasegawa, Daiichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6823747
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes a retaining member, an intermediate member retained by the retaining member such that the intermediate member can rotate around a first axis, a movable member retained by the intermediate member such that the movable member can rotate around a second axis which is perpendicular to the first axis, a weight provided on the movable member, a movable electrode unit consisting of one or more electrodes which is provided on the movable member, and a board on which a fixed electrode unit consisting of one or more electrodes is provided such that the fixed electrode unit faces the movable electrode unit. At least one of the movable electrode unit and the fixed electrode unit includes a plurality of electrodes, and capacitances between the one or more electrodes of the movable electrode unit and the one or more electrodes of the fixed electrode unit are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Hasegawa, Katsuyuki Ishiguro, Yasuichi Ono, Daiichi Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20040040390
    Abstract: An occupant detection system, which has a sensor, a controller, a base frame, and a heat insulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikihito Kojima, Kazutomo Isonaga, Harutomi Nishide, Nobuhiro Koyota, Yoshitaka Suzuki, Mitsugu Tosa, Makoto Nagai
  • Publication number: 20040031331
    Abstract: A flow direction detector is provided which includes a flow disruptor positioned in a fluid flow path to effect a detectable differential flow characteristic to such flow path based on fluid flow direction, and a sensor arrangement configured to detect such detectable differential flow characteristic within the flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel R. Blakley, David Orr
  • Patent number: 6234031
    Abstract: Providing a fingerprint detection apparatus which is small in size, low in cost and high in reliability. The fingerprint detection apparatus includes a shape transfer unit having a contact face for being contacted by a finger whose fingerprint is to be detected, the shape transfer unit having a thickness which varies, when a finger contacts with a surface which serves as the contact face, in accordance with pressures which are produced by concave and convex patterns of the fingerprint of the finger, and a detection driving circuit unit for detecting a pattern of the fingerprint based on variations of the thickness of the shape transfer unit and outputting results of the detection as electric signals, and detects a fingerprint pattern in accordance with variations of the thickness of the shape transfer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: NEC Corporaion
    Inventor: Michihisa Suga