Impact indicator

• US 8,387,552 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2012
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shockwatch Incorporated (Media Recovery, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Shockwatch Incorporated (Media Recovery, Inc.)
• Inventors: Branch, Clinton A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, R. A.
• Application Number:
  US13/557,732
• Publication Number:
  US 20120312225A1
• Time in Patent Office: 223 Days
• Field of Search: 116/203, 116/200
• US Class Current: 116/203
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/0052 measuring forces due to impact G01L5/0061, G01L5/14 take precedence; impact testing of structures G01M7/08; impact testing of material G01N3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/036 for indicating predetermined acceleration values
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/038 by using fluidic means

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for impact detection and indication is disclosed. The impact indicator includes a first member having a reservoir for holding an indicator fluid; a second member couplable to the first member; and a disc member disposed at least partially between the first and second members and extending over the reservoir. A capillary gap is formed at an interface between the disc member and a surface of the first member facing the disc member. Responsive to receiving a predetermined level of impact, the indicator fluid moves from the reservoir to the interface between the disc member and the first member and wicks into the capillary gap via capillary action, the indicator fluid disposed within the capillary gap providing a visual indication of the received predetermined level of impact.

Claims

1. An impact indicator, comprising:

a first member having a reservoir for holding an indicator fluid;

a second member couplable to the first member; and

a disc member disposed at least partially between the first and second members and extending over the reservoir, wherein a capillary gap is formed at an interface between the disc member and a surface of the first member facing the disc member; and

wherein, responsive to receiving a predetermined level of impact, the indicator fluid moves from the reservoir to the interface between the disc member and the first member and wicks into the capillary gap via capillary action, the indicator fluid disposed within the capillary gap providing a visual indication of the received predetermined level of impact.

2. The impact indicator of claim 1, wherein the indicator fluid comprises a synthetic hydraulic fluid.

3. The impact indicator of claim 1, wherein the indicator fluid comprises a silicone oil fluid.

4. The impact indicator of claim 1, wherein the indicator fluid comprises a propylene glycol fluid.

5. The impact indicator of claim 1, wherein an internal bore size of the reservoir and a viscosity of the indicator fluid are selected to obtain a desired activation sensitivity for the predetermined level of impact.

6. The impact indicator of claim 1, wherein the disc member comprises a flexible disc member.

7. The impact indicator of claim 6, wherein, responsive to the indictor fluid entering the capillary gap, the disc member flexibly conforms to the surface of the first member.

8. The impact indicator of claim 1, wherein the surface of the first member is spaced apart from a corresponding surface of the second member to enable the disc member to float in a space located between the respective surfaces of the first and second members.

9. The impact indicator of claim 1, wherein, responsive to the indictor fluid entering the capillary gap, the indicator fluid causes the disc member to flexibly conform to the surface of the first member to spread the indicator fluid across the surface of the first member.

10. The impact indicator of claim 1, wherein the capillary action causes the indicator fluid to migrate toward a peripheral boundary of the interface.

11. An impact indicator, comprising:

a first member having a reservoir for holding an indicator fluid;

a second member couplable to the first member; and

a disc member disposed at least partially between the first and second members and extending over the reservoir; and

wherein, responsive to receiving a predetermined level of impact, at least a portion of the indicator fluid moves from the reservoir to an interface between the disc member and the first member and wicks into the interface via capillary action, and wherein, responsive to the indicator fluid entering the interface, the indicator fluid causes the disc member to flexibly conform to a surface of the first member facing the disc member to spread the indicator fluid across the surface of the first member.

12. The impact indicator of claim 11, wherein the disc member is floatably disposed within a gap located between the first and second members.

13. The impact indicator of claim 11, wherein the indicator fluid located within the interface is visible through at least a portion of the first member.