Capacitance transducer load sensor

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A sensor for measuring the load exerted on a member includes two spaced apart, aligned stationary capacitor plates and a movable capacitor plate disposed intermediate the two stationary plates and spaced therefrom to form two air dielectric capacitors. the stationary plates are attached at one point to the member and the movable plate is connected by a shaft to a second point. Loading the member causes elastic deformation between the first and second points which causes the movable plate to move relative to the stationary plates. This relative movement causes differential changes in capacitance in the two capacitors which are detected and conditioned to form a usable control signal.