ACCELERATION SENSOR WITH MAGNETIC OPERATED, OSCILLATING REED SWITCH

• US 3,795,780 A
• Filed: 08/11/1972
• Issued: 03/05/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: George S. Lawrie
• Original Assignee: George S. Lawrie
• Inventors: Lawrie, George S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, James R.
• Application Number:
  US05/280,004
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.45R,61.45M,61.53,81.9M 335/205-207
• US Class Current: 200/61.45R
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/147 the switch being of the reed switch type

Abstract

A magnetized seismic mass is annular in form, disposed around an elongated hollow tubular body which encloses a magnetic switch. A helical coil spring disposed around the body biases the mass toward one end of the body which is flexibly suspended from a support by a flexible cable.

Claims

1. An acceleration sensor switch comprising:

a. a seismic mass provided with a magnetic field;

b. a columnar body disposed adjacent said seismic mass for substantially linear translational movement of said mass relative to said body, said mass being freely movable relative to said body substantially without restraint thereby;

c. stop means on said body adjacent one end thereof;

d. resilient spring means disposed between said seismic mass and said stop means, said spring means biasing said mass away from said stop means toward the other end of said body;

e. support means securing the other end of said body against linear translational movement while permitting non-linear translational movement of said body; and

f. switch means sensitive to a magnetic field and mounted on said body and adapted to actuation from one switched state to another by the magnetic field of said mass upon movement thereof for a pre-determined distance during said translational movement from said other end of said body toward said stop means.

2. The switch of claim 1 in which said seismic mass is annular in form and disposed about said body.

3. The switch of claim 2 in which said body comprises an elongate tubular member with said switch means disposed therewithin.

4. The switch of claim 3 in which said stop means comprises a flange member outstanding from said body, said resilient spring means comprising a helical spring disposed about said body.

5. The switch of claim 4 in which said support means comprises flexible cable means.

6. The switch of claim 5 enclosed in a housing cover and provided with damping fluid therein.

7. The switch of claim 6 in which one end of said flexible cable means is anchored to said housing cover.

8. The switch of claim 5 in which said flexible cable means comprises an electrically conductive cable.

9. The switch of claim 1 in which said switch further comprises:

another stop means on said body adjacent the other end thereof.

10. The switch of claim 9 in which said another stop means comprises:

a vibration-dampening collar member outstanding from said body, annular in form and disposed about said other end of said body.