Patent ID: 6434845
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: G01B

Abstract:
A force characterization device, comprising:a device base having a first wall and a second wall perpendicular to the first wall; a flexure attached to the device base, the flexure having a compliant portion and a solid portion; a first capacitance probe attached to the first wall and a second capacitance probe attached to the second wall, the first capacitance probe being operable to detect a displacement between the solid portion of the flexure and the first wall and the second capacitance probe being operable to detect a displacement between the solid portion of the flexure and the second wall; and means for correlating the detected displacement between the solid portion of the flexure and the first and second walls to respective â€˜xâ€™ and â€˜yâ€™ force components applied to the solid portion of the flexure.