Patent ID: 7726197
Filing Date: 2010-06-01
Classification: G01L

Abstract:
1. A force sensor comprising: a housing; a force sensing element carried on said housing; an actuator, operably coupled to said force sensing element and extending through an opening in the housing such that the actuator is directly accessible from external to the housing, the actuator transferring force to the sensing element in response to receiving an external force from a source located external to said housing, said force sensing element being configured to sense said external force and generate an output signal representing said external force; and a signal conditioner, also carried on said housing, for receiving said output signal; wherein said housing defines a first cavity in which said force sensing element is housed; said housing further defines a second cavity which is isolated from said first housing cavity by said housing and in which said signal conditioner is enclosed such that said force sensing element is isolated from said signal conditioner; and whereby, when said signal conditioner is electrically coupled to said force sensing element, said signal conditioner can condition said output signal and generate a conditioned output.