Accelerometer and devices using the same
First Claim
1. An accelerometer which comprises:
- a constant output light source;
an optical fiber light transmitter, said optical fiber having a fixed end adjacent the light source and a cantilevered motion and position responsive free end;
a photoreceptor array having a plurality of photosensors located adjacent the free end of the optical fiber light transmitter, the individual photosensors in the array being arranged adjacent to each other around a central point, the free end of the cantilevered portion being aimed at the central point of the photoreceptor array, the photoreceptor array adapted to detect position and amplitude of any movement of the free end of the light transmitter relative to two axes of displacement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An accelerometer useful over a very wide range of gravitational forces is described. The device is based on the use of an optical fiber having a free cantilevered end subject to movement due to inertial lag. A constant output light source is located at one end of the optical fiber and a multicell photoarray is placed adjacent the free end of the fiber so that movement of the fiber due to acceleration can be readily detected. The individual cells in the array are preferably masked so that the output is a function of the lateral displacement of the fiber. This gives a linear or other voltage output curve related to the magnitude and direction of fiber movement. A multiplexing circuit repetitively samples the output of each photocell in the array. The output is preferably digitized and can provide a direct input into a computer that will convert data on acceleration to associated position, velocity and force involved.
53 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An accelerometer which comprises:
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a constant output light source;
an optical fiber light transmitter, said optical fiber having a fixed end adjacent the light source and a cantilevered motion and position responsive free end;
a photoreceptor array having a plurality of photosensors located adjacent the free end of the optical fiber light transmitter, the individual photosensors in the array being arranged adjacent to each other around a central point, the free end of the cantilevered portion being aimed at the central point of the photoreceptor array, the photoreceptor array adapted to detect position and amplitude of any movement of the free end of the light transmitter relative to two axes of displacement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of determining position and acceleration of a moving object which comprises:
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providing a power supply associated with the object;
creating a constant output light source powered by the power supply;
transmitting the output of the light source through an optical fiber light transmitter, said optical fiber having a fixed end adjacent the light source and a cantilevered motion and position responsive free end;
determining light output and position of the optical fiber by a photoreceptor array having a plurality of photosensors, the individual photosensors in the array being arranged adjacent to each other around a central point, said array being located adjacent the free end of the optical fiber light transmitter, the photoreceptor array adapted to detect direction and amplitude of any movement of the free end of the light transmitter relative to two axes of displacement;
sequentially and repetitively sampling the output of each photosensor of the photoreceptor array;
conditioning the signal from the photosensors in an output means; and
receiving and processing signals from the output means to show position and acceleration of the object as indicated by inertial displacement of the optical fiber relative to the photoreceptor array during movement of the object.
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Specification