Active cover accelerometer

• US 6,128,957 A
• Filed: 01/27/2000
• Issued: 10/10/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alliedsignal (Fluid Power)
• Original Assignee: Alliedsignal (Fluid Power)
• Inventors: Foote, Steven A.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAPMAN JR, JOHN E
• Application Number:
  US09/492,502
• Time in Patent Office: 257 Days
• Field of Search: 73/514.36, 73/514.37, 73/514.29, 73/514.32, 73/514.21, 73/514.22, 73/514.23, 73/514.24, 73/514.38
• US Class Current: 73/514.36
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/023 for acceleration measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/0802 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/097 by vibratory elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 2015/0828 the mass being of the paddle type being suspended at one of its longitudinal ends

Abstract

A pendulous accelerometer wherein the active reaction mass is pendulously mounted external to a fixed support structure and may include sensor cover or covers in the total active reaction mass.

Claims

1. A pendulous accelerometer comprising:

a housing;

a frame fixed to said housing;

a reaction mass disposed external to said frame and rotatable attached to said frame; and

means for measuring a displacement of said reaction mass, wherein said reaction mass comprises an external pendulum portion and a cover fixed to said pendulum portion.

2. The pendulous accelerometer of claim 1 wherein said frame comprises an internal frame member spaced away from said housing and a pedestal portion extending between said housing and said internal frame member.

3. The pendulous accelerometer of claim 2 wherein said external pendulum portion and said internal frame member are formed of a single substrate.

4. The pendulous accelerometer of claim 3 wherein said cover includes a substantially planar portion disposed essentially parallel with said substrate and spaced away from said internal frame member.

5. The pendulous accelerometer of claim 4 wherein said cover includes a passage formed therein, said pedestal portion extending through said passage.