Pressure sensor using liquid crystals

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 5309767
SERIAL NO

07959931

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Abstract

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A pressure sensor includes a liquid crystal positioned between transparent, electrically conductive films (18 and 20), that are biased by a voltage (V) which induces an electric field (E) that causes the liquid crystal to assume a first state of orientation. Application of pressure (P) to a flexible, transparent film (24) causes the conductive film (20) to move closer to or farther from the conductive film (18), thereby causing a change in the electric field (E'(P)) which causes the liquid crystal to assume a second state of orientation. Polarized light (P.sub.1) is directed into the liquid crystal and transmitted or reflected to an analyzer (A or 30). Changes in the state of orientation of the liquid crystal induced by applied pressure (P) result in a different light intensity being detected at the analyzer (A or 30) as a function of the applied pressure (P). In particular embodiments, the liquid crystal is present as droplets (10) in a polymer matrix (12) or in cells (14) in a polymeric or dielectric grid (16) material in the form of a layer (13) between the electrically conductive films (18 and 20). The liquid crystal fills the open wells in the polymer matrix (12) or grid (16) only partially.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY4111 MONARCH WAY SUITE 201 NORFOLK VA 23508

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Holmes, Harlan K Newport News, VA 4 154
Parmar, Devendra S Hampton, VA 3 29

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