Low-power shock detector for measuring intermittent shock events

• US 5,585,566 A
• Filed: 09/06/1994
• Issued: 12/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Harrison, Daniel D., Welles, Kenneth B. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOLLER, RICHARD ALAN
• Application Number:
  US08/300,890
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 73/517 R, 73/522, 73/654, 73/510, 73/514.35, 73/509, 73/652, 340/669, 340/690, 340/566, 340/429, 340/683, 340/636, 340/436, 331/64
• US Class Current: 73/654
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/127 for acceleration values
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/08 with conversion into electric or magnetic values

Abstract

A shock detector for measuring intermittent shock events comprises a mechanical delay line to supply delayed output motion in response to input motion along an input axis. A transducer converts the delayed output motion to an electrical signal representative of the delayed output motion. The transducer is generally in a respective inactive state to reduce the power consumption of the shock detector. A relatively low power motion sensor, such as low power accelerometer or tilt actuated switch, is employed for switching the transducer to a respective active state in response to the input motion thereby allowing the shock detector to measure any intermittent shock event regardless of the generally inactive state of the transducer.

Claims

1. A power-conserving shock detector for measuring shock events, comprising;

a mechanical delay line to supply delayed output motion in response to input motion along a predetermined input motion axis;

a transducer mechanically coupled to said mechanical delay line for converting the delayed output motion to an electrical output signal representative of said delayed motion, said transducer being generally in a respective inactive state to reduce the power consumption of said shock detector;

an accelerometer to produce a substantially accurate acceleration output signal after a predetermined stabilization time passes upon said accelerometer being turned on, said accelerometer being periodically activated to have a predetermined duty cycle sufficient to further reduce power consumption therein; and

a timer for producing an output signal at periodic intervals, said timer being coupled to said accelerometer for activating said accelerometer in accordance with said duty cycle and for switching said transducer to a respective active state thereby allowing said transducer to measure at least an initial portion of the shock event and allowing said accelerometer to accurately measure any remaining portion of the shock event.

2. The shock detector of claim 1 wherein said mechanical delay line comprises a torsional mechanical delay line having opposite first and second ends positioned substantially perpendicular to said predetermined input motion axis.

3. The shock detector of claim 2 wherein said torsional mechanical delay line further comprises a connecting arm attached to said first end, said connecting arm having a predetermined inertial mass attached thereto.

4. The shock detector of claim 2 further comprising damping means for damping motion of said second end of said torsional mechanical delay line.

5. The shock detector of claim 2 wherein said transducer comprises a potentiometer.

6. The shock detector of claim 2 wherein said transducer comprises an electromagnetic transducer.

7. The shock detector of claim 1 wherein said mechanical delay line comprises spring means having first and second ends substantially positioned along said predetermined input motion axis.

8. The shock detector of claim 7 wherein said spring means further comprises a connecting arm attached to said first end, said connecting arm having a predetermined inertial mass attached thereto.

9. The shock detector of claim 8 further comprising damping means for damping motion of said second end of said spring means.

10. The shock detector of claim 1 wherein said mechanical delay line comprises a material having a predetermined compression wave propagation velocity, said material being selected from the group consisting of compressible fluid and gelatin materials.