Patent ID: 6370961
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: G01L

Abstract:
A nipped roller impression sensor system for measuring a nip width defined as a linear distance between two outer locations of pressure comprising:a first roller having an axis of rotation and a surface; a second roller having an axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to said axis of rotation of said first roller, said second roller disposed so that a surface of said second roller exerts pressure on said surface of said first roller at a nip having a width; and a pressure sensor device disposed at said nip between said first and second rollers, said pressure sensor device having a resistive electrode maintained in a non-conductive arrangement with a continuous shunt electrode by a plurality of spacer elements, said plurality of spacer elements defining at least one contact region disposed along said resistive electrode, such that, when said pressure is exerted between said rollers, on any portion of said pressure sensitive device, said resistive electrode is shunted within said contact region for a distance substantially equal to the distance between said outer locations of said pressure is measured in response to a change in resistance across said resistive electrode.