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Methods and systems for activating sealed sensors in the field

  • US 10,018,487 B2
  • Filed: 06/15/2011
  • Issued: 07/10/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A packaged sensor unit, comprising:

  • a sensor module including;

    a sensor;

    a controller operatively coupled to the sensor; and

    a communication device operatively coupled to the controller;

    a power supply;

    a mechanical switch capable of selectively coupling the power supply to the sensor module, wherein the mechanical switch is configured to mechanically move between an open state and a closed state in response to acceleration of the packaged sensor unit;

    a sealed enclosure housing the sensor module, the power supply, and the mechanical switch, the sealed enclosure being devoid of any external switch;

    wherein;

    the packaged sensor unit is configured such that the sensor module and the mechanical switch remain in an electronically inactive state until an activation sequence comprising acceleration of the packaged sensor unit is externally initiated and then enters an electronically active state after the activation sequence,the mechanical switch includes an energy harvesting device, andwherein the mechanical switch is configured to require power from the energy harvesting device to couple the power supply to, and activate, the sensor module.

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