An optical stack for use with an illuminated data display. The stack comprises the following layers: an opaque layer defining one or more openings therein, a diffuser layer disposed overlying the openings, a fiber optic glass layer overlying the diffuser layer, and transparent protective layer overlying the fiber optic glass layer. An illumination source is disposed within the one or more openings, and illumination from the illumination source propagates from the illumination source through the diffuser layer, through the fiber optic layer, and through the protective layer.
A surface acoustic wave sensor system for determining environmental conditions on a substrate. The system comprises an interrogator for producing an RF interrogating signal transmitted by an antenna to an interdigital transducer mounted on the substrate for producing an incident surface acoustic wave responsive to the interrogating signal. A plurality of reflector arrays mounted on the substrate produce a like plurality of reflected surface acoustic waves; a spacing between adjacent ones of the plurality of reflector arrays comprising a non-uniform distance. The plurality of reflected surface acoustic waves are responsive to the environmental condition and exhibit a characteristic from which the environmental condition can be determined by a processing component.
G01L 1/25 - Measuring force or stress, in general using wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays, neutrons
G01K 11/26 - Measuring temperature based on physical or chemical changes not covered by group , , , or using measurement of acoustic effects of resonant frequencies
A sensor system for determining deformation of an object subject to forces. The sensor system comprises an object upon which forces are exerted and a cavity within the object, a first substrate for supporting surface acoustic waves in an upper surface of the first substrate, the first substrate disposed in the cavity, a first surface acoustic wave transducer disposed on the upper surface and responsive to an interrogation signal for generating an incident surface acoustic wave in the upper surface, a first reflector array responsive to the incident surface acoustic wave for creating reflected surface acoustic waves on the upper surface, the reflected surface acoustic waves received by the transducer and having characteristics indicative of strain deformation of the object due to a force exerted on the object.
G01L 1/16 - Measuring force or stress, in general using properties of piezoelectric devices
G01L 9/00 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elementsTransmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means
G01K 11/26 - Measuring temperature based on physical or chemical changes not covered by group , , , or using measurement of acoustic effects of resonant frequencies
G01L 19/00 - Details of, or accessories for, apparatus for measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluent medium insofar as such details or accessories are not special to particular types of pressure gauges
4.
Wireless surface acoustic wave temperature sensor and interrogation system apparatus capable of generating a self synchronizing shaft position indicator for moving platforms
A surface acoustic wave sensor system for use with a moving platform. The system comprises an interrogator for producing an RF interrogating signal transmitted from a first antenna. A substrate that supports surface acoustic waves is attached to the moving platform and an interdigital transducer (IDT) and reflector are mounted on the substrate. The IDT produces surface acoustic waves (SAW) responsive to the RF interrogating signal. The reflector produces reflected SAW responsive to the incident SAW and responsive to a characteristic of the moving platform. A position indicator produces a synchronization signal input to the interrogator for triggering the RF interrogating signal. The synchronization signal is timed to trigger the RF interrogating signal when the interdigital transducer is within a field-of-view of the first antenna.
H04Q 5/22 - Selecting arrangements wherein two or more subscriber stations are connected by the same line to the exchange with indirect connection, i.e. through subordinate switching centre the subordinate centre not permitting interconnection of subscribers connected thereto
G01R 13/30 - Circuits for inserting reference markers, e.g. for timing, for calibrating, for frequency marking
G01H 1/00 - Measuring vibrations in solids by using direct conduction to the detector
H01L 41/00 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Details thereof
G01K 11/26 - Measuring temperature based on physical or chemical changes not covered by group , , , or using measurement of acoustic effects of resonant frequencies
G06K 19/067 - Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards
A method is provided for determining a number of revolutions per minute (RPM) of a rotating object. The method includes transmitting interrogation signals at a regular period from a fixed antenna positioned adjacent to the rotating object. The method also includes transmitting echo signals from a sensor antenna positioned on the rotating object, in response to the interrogation signals. The method also includes counting a number of echo signals detected by the fixed antenna, during one revolution of the object. The method also includes determining the RPM of the rotating object based on the number of response signals and the regular period of the signals. A system is also provided for determining the number of revolutions per minute (RPM) of the rotating object.
G01C 22/00 - Measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles, persons, animals or other moving solid bodies, e.g. using odometers or using pedometers
G01C 19/5698 - Turn-sensitive devices using vibrating masses, e.g. vibratory angular rate sensors based on Coriolis forces using acoustic waves, e.g. surface acoustic wave gyros
G01P 3/481 - Devices characterised by the use of electric or magnetic means for measuring angular speed by measuring frequency of generated current or voltage of pulse signals
A strain sensor for determining a strain experienced by a body under test in response to forces exerted on the body-under-test. The strain sensor comprises an interface member mounted on a surface of the body-under-test and a SAW sensor mounted on a surface of the interface member. The strain in the body-under-test is translated to strain in the SAW sensor and determined by the SAW sensor. The strain in the SAW sensor is responsive to the strain in the body-under-test.
A surface acoustic wave (SAW) device package and method for packaging a SAW device provide a surface excited device having a small footprint, low cost and fabricated according to a unique manufacturing process. A substrate including a SAW active area on a first side is bonded to another similar sized substrate with a space sufficient to allow the propagation of the SAW on a top surface of the substrate. The two substrates have similar thermal expansion coefficients such that stress from the sealing process is minimized. The two substrates are sealed using either a low melting point glass or an organic compound such that conductive pathways exist through the seal allowing the internal device to access an external electrical connection.
H01L 23/053 - ContainersSeals characterised by the shape the container being a hollow construction and having an insulating base as a mounting for the semiconductor body
H01L 23/00 - Details of semiconductor or other solid state devices
8.
Wireless surface acoustic wave corrosion sensor and interrogation system for concrete structures
A SAW sensor disposed in on a material. The sensor comprises an antenna having a sacrificial link in at least one antenna element, wherein the sacrificial link is exposed to degrading elements within or on a surface of the material, a SAW transducer responsive to an interrogation signal for generating an incident acoustic wave, a reflector responsive to the incident SAW for creating a reflected SAW, the reflected SAW received by the transducer, the transducer for creating a response signal responsive to the reflected SAW, and the response signal transmitted from the antenna, characteristics of the response signal dependent on a condition of the sacrificial link.
patents