Tekscan, Inc.

Thomas Papakostas

Charles Malacaria

Christopher George

Mark Lowe

Boris Dubinsky

Julian Hou Lima

Gary Loomis

Janet Lefko

A pressure sensitive device that provides a stable response to measure an applied force at temperatures greater than 150&#xb0; F. (about 66&#xb0; C.) is disclosed. The pressure sensitive device can have a conductivity of about 0.01 &#x3bc;S to about 1300 &#x3bc;S and a sensitivity of about 0.01 &#x3bc;S/lb to about 300 &#x3bc;S/lb (about 0.02 &#x3bc;S/kg to about 660 &#x3bc;S/kg) at about a temperature range of about &#x2212;50&#xb0; F. to over about 400&#xb0; F. or 420&#xb0; F. (about &#x2212;45&#xb0; C. to over about 205&#xb0; C. or 216&#xb0; C.). The pressure sensitive device can have a substrate of polyimide, conductive leads of silver dispersed in a polyhydroxy ether crosslinked with melamine formaldehyde, and a pressure sensitive layer of carbon nanoparticles dispersed in cured polyamic acid forming a polyimide.

High temperature pressure sensitive devices and methods thereof

A control circuit for scanning a pressure or force responsive sensor array is disclosed. Pressure or force sensors formed of an array of pressure or force responsive sensor elements can be used to acquire pressure or force measurements in response to an applied load. The control circuit can sample signals from the sensor elements to detect the pressure or force at one or more sensor elements of the sensor array. The circuit herein may provide for relatively faster scan rates. A user may define a subset or subsets of sensor elements of the sensor array to be scanned. Various methods and related circuitry for adjusting for sensor characteristics are also disclosed.

Control circuit for sensor array and related methods

A sensor for measuring a parameter applied to a surface is provided. The sensor includes at least one substrate layer, a plurality of individual sensor elements operatively arranged with respect to the substrate layer, and a conductive trace disposed on the substrate layer. The conductive trace is electrically coupled to an individual sensor element and wraps around at least a portion of the sensor element in a spiral-like manner. Further, by employing slits or cut-outs of material between sensor elements, a sensor element may move independent of an adjacent sensor element, thereby allowing the sensor to conform to an irregularly shaped surface or otherwise when subject to relatively large deflections. The sensor may be employed to detect force distribution of a seating surface, such as a seat cushion of a wheelchair.

Sensor with a plurality of sensor elements arranged with respect to a substrate

Sensor with plurality of sensor elements arranged with respect to a substrate

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Larissa, Greece

Thomas Papakostas