Purdue Research Foundation

Other

Outdoor Electronics, Ltd.

Gary William Krutz

Brittany Newell

James W Kruse

Michael Andrew Holland

Grant Knies

Keith Harmeyer

Larry F Huggins

Mark Travis Evans

David L Hansen

Kyle James Mosier

Timu W Gallien

Charles Sherwood

Michael P Mailander

Robert Stwalley

Methods for producing layered structures that include a conductive polymeric layer and a dielectric polymeric layer. The dielectric polymeric layer can be formed by curing a first volume of a dielectric polymeric material. A second volume of the dielectric polymeric material is doped with conductive particulates to yield a conductive polymeric material, which is then partially cured and solvated to create a conductive polymeric paste. The paste is applied to a surface of the dielectric polymeric layer, dried, and cured to form a conductive polymeric layer on the pre-strained dielectric polymeric layer yielding a layered structure that includes the conductive polymeric layer and the dielectric polymeric layer. A pre-strain is induced in the dielectric polymeric material by contacting a chemical thereto that causes swelling therein.

Electroactive polymers, methods of manufacture, and structures formed thereof

A system and method capable of detecting damage in a belt before catastrophic failure of the belt occurs. The system includes a belt having at least a first conductive component and/or at least a first dielectric component, and one or more pulleys to which the belt is mounted. At least a first of the pulleys has at least one conductive component that, in combination with the first conductive component or the first dielectric component of the belt, defines an electrical element. At least a portion of the electrical element is located within the belt so as to be physically responsive to transitory and permanent distortions of the belt resulting from extrinsic and/or intrinsic sources. Electrical potential is applied through the electrical element so as to generate an electrical signal from the electrical element corresponding to a physical response of the belt to a transitory and/or permanent distortion.

Belt and pulley systems and methods of detecting belt damage

A system and methods for predicting structural failure of at least a portion of a wall of a fluid containment vessel. The wall has an innermost layer for contact with a fluid contained by the vessel and an outermost layer parallel with the innermost layer. The system includes strain-sensing means within a portion of the wall and surrounded by the at least one reinforcement layer including at least one conductor parallel to the innermost layer of the wall. Changes are sensed in an electrical property associated with the at least one conductor resulting from distortion of the wall of the vessel causing distortion of the at least one conductor.

Hydraulic hoses with life-sensing capability and methods therefor

Actuators and methods utilizing electrical properties of polymer materials. The actuators have a multilayer structure that includes an electroactive polymer layer between and bonded to first and second electrodes so that the polymer layer has a thickness dimension therebetween. The multilayer structure is adapted so that application of an electric potential to the electrodes causes the electroactive polymer layer to expand in at least one dimension thereof transverse to the thickness dimension of the electroactive polymer layer. The actuators can be used in sealing elements to provide a resealing capability once a condition has occurred of a type that may precede a seal failure.

Electroactive actuators, systems equipped therewith, and methods of use and manufacture

A method for monitoring a component formed of a polymer material, and the polymer component. The component includes an electrically-conductive polymer sensing element integrally incorporated into the component. An electric potential is applied to the polymer sensing element, and an electric signal generated by the polymer sensing element is sensed in response to the polymer sensing element physically responding to a transitory or permanent distortion of the component. A signal can then be generated if the electric signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value for the component.

Polymeric structures and methods for producing and monitoring polymeric structures

A structure subjected to stresses that can lead to structural failure. The structure includes first and second conductive layers and an intermediate layer therebetween formed of a dielectric, semiconductive, or resistive material, such that the first, second, and intermediate layers form in combination an electrical element, namely, a capacitive or resistive element. The electrical element is located within the structure so as to be physically responsive to transitory and permanent distortions of the structure resulting from extrinsic and intrinsic sources. The structure further includes applying an electrical potential to at least one of the first and second conductive layers so as to generate an electrical signal from the electrical element, sensing changes in the electrical signal generated by the electrical element in response to the electrical element physically responding to the transitory and permanent distortions, and transmitting the changes in the electrical signal to a location remote from the structure.

Structures with integral life-sensing capability

Apparatus for detecting and measuring forces on a fishing rod due to pull on a fishing line associated with the rod or to a weight hanging on the rod, includes a transducer responsive to the deflection of the fishing rod to provide an output indicative of the amount of deflection of the fishing rod, and a timing circuit including a signal counter which counts signals during a time interval and provides a numerical display corresponding to the number of signals counted and thus the force being applied to the rod, the timing circuit being controlled by the transducer to vary the duration of the time interval during which signals are counted whereby the number of signals counted by the signal counter varies in correspondence with the amount of force being applied to the rod. In one embodiment, the transducer includes a wire having its ends attached to the under surface of the rod inside chamber and a potentiometer connected in the timing circuit and having its wiper mechanism connected to the wire and movable thereby when the rod deflects, whereby the resistance of the potentiometer varies with rod deflection, varying the duration of the time interval during which the signal counter is enabled to count signals.

Apparatus for measuring forces on a fishing rod

A microprocessor controlled force detecting and measuring apparatus for use with a fishing rod, detects deflection of the rod caused by forces at the tip of the rod and computes and displays information such as when a fish bites, the time which elapsed in catching the fish, the maximum force or pull on the line, the force-time product over the time interval that the fish is being caught, and the weight of the fish caught, a keyset enabling selection of the information to be displayed and entry of commands to the microprocessor. The apparatus also detects the presence of slack line during a fishing operation, and aids in setting drag of the fishing reel.

Force detecting and indicating apparatus for fishing rods

An integral sensor for an hydraulic motor measures speed, torque and rotation displacement produced by the motor by combining pressures produced in pressure chambers of the hydraulic motor as the rotor rotates enabling a pressure sensor to provide a pressure signal defined by at least three states which permits incremental movement of the rotor to be determined. Zero positioning determined by coupling pressure through the rotor to create a unique occurrence reflected in the pressure signal once per revolution.

Integral rotational displacement sensor for an hydraulic motor

A system for measurement of the speed and torque produced by hydraulic motors. A strain gauge-based, integral hydraulic motor speed and torque sensor is accurate in measuring the motor speed at system pressures greater than 1.4 megapascals (MPa) (203 lb./in.sup.2). The sensor can also accurately determine the torque being produced by the motor from the fluid pressure.

Speed and torque sensor for hydraulic motor

An automatic control varies the ground speed of a combine due to changing field conditions, based on engine speed and combine feeder conveyor load variables.

Automatic ground speed controller

The threshing cylinder and feeder conveyor of a combine with electrohydraulic elements are controlled by a digital computer. The computer generates a proportional voltage which is input to a linear amplifier. The amplifier provides control of the spool of an electrohydraulic servovalve. The servovalve controls the speed and direction of the threshing cylinder and feeder conveyor hydraulic motor drive. Tachometer sensors provide feedback measurement of the actual speed of the hydraulic motor output shaft. Analog-to-digital converters (A/D's) interface the computer with the sensors. Control algorithms employ velocity feedback and compensation for pressure rises due to increases in the torque on the cylinder caused by the material to be threshed entering the threshing cylinder-concave region. Easy reversal of the direction of the threshing cylinder and feeder conveyor, eliminating some of the problems associated with plugging, is available with this type of speed control equipment. This technique also affords the ability to monitor the material feed rate by monitoring the pressure across the cylinder and feeder drive motors.

Automatic control of a combine threshing cylinder and feeder conveyor

A device is disclosed for treating agricultural products to enhance drying of the products by macerating the products and then forming the macerated products into a mat. The agricultural products, such as forage products and more particularly hay, are macerated by passing the products between two cylindrical rollers rotating in opposite directions at different speeds. The macerated products are then formed into a mat, if desired, by conveying the products between conveyor belts to a matting roller adjacent to one of the conveyor belts. The thus formed mat of macerated material permits drying of the products within a few hours.

Growing community of inventors

West Lafayette, IN, United States of America

Gary William Krutz