MEMS inertial shock bandpass filter

• US 7,559,238 B1
• Filed: 05/26/2006
• Issued: 07/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Smith, Gabriel L., Jean, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): FAYYAZ, NASHMIYA SAQIB
• Application Number:
  US11/444,816
• Time in Patent Office: 1,145 Days
• Field of Search: 735/143.8, 735/140.1, 736/52, 73/120.1
• US Class Current: 73/514.38
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/127 for acceleration values
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/0891 with indication of predetermined acceleration values G01P15/135 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/135 by making use of contacts which are actuated by a movable inertial mass
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 2015/0814 for translational movement of the mass, e.g. shuttle type
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/0036 Switches making use of microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] for electromagnetic relays H01H50/005; for electrostatic relays H01H59/0009
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/145 operated by a particular acceleration-time function

Abstract

An inertial shock bandpass filter for detecting a shock event between first and second acceleration levels. The inertial shock bandpass filter includes a primary inertial element and at least one secondary inertial element supported by respective spring arrangements. The inertial elements include complementary engageable gripping surfaces, which engage in response to an acceleration above the second acceleration level to prevent movement of the primary inertial element and prevent latch engagement. The primary inertial element will, in response to an acceleration between the first and second acceleration levels, engage the latch. An acceleration level below the first acceleration level is insufficient to cause either an engagement of the gripping surfaces or a latching of the primary inertial element.

Claims

1. An inertial shock bandpass filter device for detecting a shock event between first and second acceleration levels, comprising:

a primary inertial element;

at least one secondary inertial element;

a first support structure for said primary inertial element;

a first spring arrangement connecting said primary inertial element to said first support structure;

a second support structure for said secondary inertial element;

a second spring arrangement connecting said secondary inertial element to said second support structure;

a latch; and

a common support,

wherein said primary inertial element including a latch arm for latching with said latch when said primary inertial element moves far enough in response to an acceleration between said first and second acceleration levels,

wherein said primary inertial element and said secondary inertial element including complementary engageable gripping surfaces which engage in response to an acceleration above said second acceleration level, said engagement preventing movement and latching of said primary inertial element,

wherein an acceleration level below said first acceleration level is insufficient to cause either engagement of said gripping surfaces or latching of said latch arm with said latch,

wherein said first support structure includes a first spaced-apart support and second spaced-apart support,

wherein said first spring arrangement includes a first spring and a second spring, which connect said primary inertial element to said first spaced-apart support, and a third spring and a fourth spring, which connect said primary inertial element to said second spaced-apart support,

wherein said at least one secondary inertial element comprises a first secondary inertial element and a second secondary inertial element, and

wherein said first secondary inertial element and said second secondary inertial element are connected by said second spring arrangement to said first spaced-apart support and said second spaced-apart support as well as to said common support.

2. An inertial shock bandpass filter device according to claim 1, wherein a second mass-spring system of said secondary inertial element and associated springs connected thereto includes a slower response to acceleration than a first mass-spring system of said primary inertial element and associated springs connected thereto.

3. An inertial shock bandpass filter device according to claim 1, wherein a first mass of said primary inertial element is greater than a second mass of said secondary inertial element.

4. An inertial shock bandpass filter device according to claim 1, further comprising first and second electrical contact pads connecting to predetermined components of said inertial shock bandpass filter for electrically determining engagement of said latch arm with said latch,

wherein said predetermined components of said inertial shock bandpass filter device are comprised of electrically conducting silicon.

5. An inertial shock bandpass filter device according to claim 1, wherein predetermined components of said inertial shock bandpass filter are comprised of electroplated metal material.

6. An inertial shock bandpass filter device for detecting a shock event, comprising:

a primary inertial element;

at least one secondary inertial element;

a first support structure for said primary inertial element;

a first spring arrangement connecting said primary inertial element to said first support structure;

a second support structure for said secondary inertial element;

a second spring arrangement connecting said secondary inertial element to said second support structure; and

a latch; and

a common support,

wherein said primary inertial element including a latch arm for a first engagement with said latch when said primary inertial element moves far enough in response to a first acceleration between a first acceleration level and a second acceleration level,

wherein said first support structure includes a first spaced-apart support and a second spaced-apart support,

wherein said first spring arrangement includes a first spring and a second spring, which connect said primary inertial element to said first spaced-apart support, and a third spring and a fourth spring connect said primary inertial element to said second spaced-apart support,

wherein said at least one secondary inertial element comprises a first secondary inertial element and a second secondary inertial element, and

wherein said first secondary inertial element and said second secondary inertial element are connected by said second spring arrangement to said first spaced-apart support and said second spaced-apart support as well as to said common support.

7. An inertial shock bandpass filter device for detecting a shock event according to claim 6, wherein said primary inertial element and said secondary inertial element include complementary engageable gripping surfaces, which are engaged to produce a second engagement in response to a second acceleration above said second acceleration level.

8. An inertial shock bandpass filter device for detecting a shock event according to claim 7, wherein said first engagement prevents movement and latching of said primary inertial element.

9. An inertial shock bandpass filter device for detecting a shock event according to claim 7, wherein a third acceleration level below said first acceleration level is insufficient to cause one of said second engagement of said gripping surface and said first engagement due to latching of said latch arm with said latch.