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Title: Actuatable capacitive transducer for quantitative nanoindentation combined with transmission electron microscopy

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1084371

An actuatable capacitive transducer including a transducer body, a first capacitor including a displaceable electrode and electrically configured as an electrostatic actuator, and a second capacitor including a displaceable electrode and electrically configured as a capacitive displacement sensor, wherein the second capacitor comprises a multi-plate capacitor. The actuatable capacitive transducer further includes a coupling shaft configured to mechanically couple the displaceable electrode of the first capacitor to the displaceable electrode of the second capacitor to form a displaceable electrode unit which is displaceable relative to the transducer body, and an electrically-conductive indenter mechanically coupled to the coupling shaft so as to be displaceable in unison with the displaceable electrode unit.

Research Organization:
Hysitron, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-04ER83979
Assignee:
Hysitron, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN)
Patent Number(s):
8,453,498
Application Number:
12/886,745
OSTI ID:
1084371
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (16)

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Multi-dimensional capacitive transducer patent August 1997
Capacitive transducer with electrostatic actuation patent November 1996
Mechanical and surface force nanoprobe patent March 1993
Apparatus for microindentation hardness testing and surface imaging incorporating a multi-plate capacitor system patent September 1996
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Probes for measuring apparatus patent February 1985
Vehicle performance analyzer patent September 1987
Pliers for crimping workpieces patent February 2000
Capacitive transducers patent April 1991