Signal transducer devices, systems, and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10138968-B2
Application number	US-201615279200-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 28, 2016
Priority date	May 28, 2015
Publication date	Nov 27, 2018
Grant date	Nov 27, 2018

Abstract

Various braking devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the braking device includes a support element, a block of friction material supported by the support element, at least one piezoceramic sensor supported by the support element and interposed between the block of friction material (and the support element, and a protective element located at the piezoceramic sensor and embedding the latter. The protective element can have one or more layers of resin-based material applied to protect the piezoceramic sensor and direct a predetermined part of the external compression force onto an area of the support element surrounding the piezoceramic sensor. In some embodiments, a signal transduction device is provided and includes at least one piezoceramic sensor supported on a support element and has an integral protective coating having properties of mechanical and temperature resistance.

First claim

The following is claimed:

1. A signal transduction device comprising:
a support element;
an electrically insulated electric circuit connected with the support element;
a piezoceramic sensor connected with the support element, the piezoceramic sensor configured to transmit a signal to the electric circuit; and
an integral protective coating provided on the piezoceramic sensor and having properties of mechanical strength and temperature resistance, the integral protective coating comprising:
a main body comprising an electrically insulating material, and
an element comprising a thermally insulating material, the element connected with the main body and being in contact with the support element at a region substantially perimetrally surrounding the piezoceramic sensor, the element configured to direct a predetermined portion of an external compression force acting on the signal transduction device onto the region of the support element substantially perimetrally surrounding the piezoceramic sensor.

2. The signal transduction device according to claim 1 , wherein the protective coating is formed from a material comprising a resin-based material or a ceramic material.

3. The signal transduction device according to claim 2 , wherein the resin-based material comprises a material selected from polyimide resins, epoxy resins, Bismaleimide resins and Cyanate-Ester resins.

4. The signal transduction device according to claim 1 , wherein the protective coating is configured to thermally insulate.

5. The signal transduction device according to claim 1 , wherein the protective coating is configured to electrically insulate.

6. The signal transduction device according to claim 1 , further comprising a thermally insulating layer interposed between the support element and the electrical circuit.

7. The signal transduction device according to claim 1 , wherein the protective coating is located on top of the piezoceramic sensor.

8. The signal transduction device according to claim 1 , wherein the protective coating has a dome shape.

9. A use of the signal transduction device according to claim 1 , in an environment having a temperature of no less than 200° C.

10. A use of the signal transduction device according to claim 1 , in a strength meter or in a linear movement actuator.

Assignees

• Itt Italia Srl

Inventors

• Donzelli Daniele
• Solari Mattia
• Terranova Marco
• Serra Stefano
• Martinotto Luca

Classifications

• F16D2066/006

  without direct measurement of the quantity monitored, e.g. wear or temperature calculated form force and duration of braking · CPC title

• F16D2066/005

  Force, torque, stress or strain · CPC title

• F16D66/00 Primary

  Arrangements for monitoring working conditions, e.g. wear, temperature · CPC title

• G01L5/28

  for testing brakes · CPC title

• F16D66/021 Primary

  using electrical detection or indication means · CPC title