Floating mass accelerometer
First Claim
1. A same frame of reference accelerometer comprising:
- a supporting surface;
a mass supported by the supporting surface;
a first elastic member having a spring constant associated therewith wherein the first elastic member is in contact with the mass at a first contact point, whereby movement of the mass against the first elastic member causes resisted deflection thereof and the direction of deflection defines a first axis;
a second elastic member having a spring constant associated therewith wherein the second member is in contact with the mass at a second contact point, whereby movement of the mass against the second elastic member causes resisted deflection thereof and the direction of deflection defines a second axis;
a first off-axis prevention means positioned so as to prevent movement of the mass in a direction not collinear with the first axis and a second off-axis prevention means positioned so as to prevent movement of the mass in a direction not collinear with the second axis; and
a first proximity sensor located proximate to the first elastic member wherein the first proximity sensor does not contact the mass and the first elastic member whereby the first proximity sensor provides information relating to the distance between the mass and the first proximity sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A floating mass accelerometer having a plurality of curved elastic members tangentially contacting a mass that is supported by a low friction surface is disclosed. Proximity sensors are located adjacent the mass and provide an output based upon the distance between the sensor and the mass as regulated by the degree of elastic member compression or extension. Acceleration forces acting upon the mass cause the mass to move in response thereto, thereby causing deflection of at least one elastic member. The change in distance between the mass and at least one proximity sensor is relayed to a digital signal processor which processes the acceleration information and sends this information to a display and/or memory unit. In a preferred embodiment, a two axis accelerometer is disclosed wherein acceleration values greater than a predetermined level are stored in memory and may be recalled later to provide an indication as to acceleration forces encountered by the device. Alternative embodiments provide for an pre-impact monitor wherein a buffer holds acceleration information for the last time period; a shipping monitor wherein acceleration forces are time-tagged for later retrieval; a seismic monitor with an optional output relay capable of remote operations.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A same frame of reference accelerometer comprising:
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a supporting surface; a mass supported by the supporting surface; a first elastic member having a spring constant associated therewith wherein the first elastic member is in contact with the mass at a first contact point, whereby movement of the mass against the first elastic member causes resisted deflection thereof and the direction of deflection defines a first axis; a second elastic member having a spring constant associated therewith wherein the second member is in contact with the mass at a second contact point, whereby movement of the mass against the second elastic member causes resisted deflection thereof and the direction of deflection defines a second axis; a first off-axis prevention means positioned so as to prevent movement of the mass in a direction not collinear with the first axis and a second off-axis prevention means positioned so as to prevent movement of the mass in a direction not collinear with the second axis; and a first proximity sensor located proximate to the first elastic member wherein the first proximity sensor does not contact the mass and the first elastic member whereby the first proximity sensor provides information relating to the distance between the mass and the first proximity sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A same frame of reference accelerometer comprising:
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a supporting surface; a mass supported by the supporting surface; a first elastic member having a spring constant associated therewith wherein the first elastic member is in contact with the mass at a first contact point, whereby movement of the mass against the first elastic member causes resisted deflection thereof and the direction of deflection defines a first axis; a second elastic member having a spring constant associated therewith wherein the second member is in contact with the mass at a second contact point, whereby movement of the mass against the second elastic member causes resisted deflection thereof and the direction of deflection defines a second axis; a first off-axis prevention means positioned so as to prevent movement of the mass in a direction not collinear with the first axis and a second off-axis prevention means positioned so as to prevent movement of the mass in a direction not collinear with the second axis; and a first proximity sensor located proximate to the first elastic member whereby the first proximity sensor provides information relating to the distance between the mass and the first proximity sensor, wherein the mass has a non-conductive polymer coating. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification