Methods and systems for mounting sensors for use in a harsh vibration environment

• US 7,387,040 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2005
• Issued: 06/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Eaton, William F., Meyers, Aaron J.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOLAND, THOMAS
• Application Number:
  US11/207,453
• Publication Number:
  US 20070039397A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 2952505-52506, 29446-447, 29450-451, 294/53, 738/665, 248/638
• US Class Current: 73/866.5
• CPC Class Codes: G12B 9/08 Supports; Devices for carrying
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4987 Elastic joining of parts

Abstract

A sensor is associated with a mounting surface. An O-ring is then positioned between the sensor and the mounting surface, such that the O-ring is compressible when the sensor is fixed to the mounting surface. A fixing mechanism is generally provided for permanently fixing the sensor to the mounting surface, such that the O-ring located between the sensor and the mounting surface provides a proper tension thereof which prevents the sensor from being adversely affected by vibration resulting from a harsh vibration environment in which the sensor operates. The fixing mechanism can be implemented as a fixing joint between the sensor and the mounting surface. Additionally, the O-ring and the sensor are configured with respect to one another and the mounting surface to maintain tension in the fixing joint.

Claims

1. A method for mounting a sensor for use in a harsh vibration environment, said method comprising:

providing a mounting surface for a sensor;

positioning an O-ring between said sensor and said mounting surface, such that said O-ring is compressible when said sensor is fixed to said mounting surface; and

thereafter permanently fixing said sensor to said mounting surface utilizing a fixing joint integrated with a dome shaped end portion, wherein said O-ring is compressed between said dome shaped end portion and said sensor, such that said O-ring located between said sensor and said mounting surface provides a proper tension thereof which prevents said sensor from being adversely affected by vibration resulting from a harsh vibration environment in which said sensor operates.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising configuring said sensor to include a gap for receiving said fixing joint, and wherein permanently fixing said sensor to said mounting surface further comprises permanently fixing said sensor to said mounting surface utilizing an assembly component.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising configuring said O-ring and said sensor such that said O-ring maintains tension in said fixing joint.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein permanently fixing said sensor to said mounting surface further comprises permanently fixing said sensor to said mounting surface utilizing an assembly component.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said sensor is permanently fixed to said mounting surface utilizing an assembly component and wherein said O-ring maintains tension in said fixing joint.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein permanently fixing said sensor to said mounting surface further comprises heat staking said sensor to said mounting surface for attachment thereof.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein permanently fixing said sensor to said mounting surface further comprises snap-fitting said sensor to said mounting surface for attachment thereof.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising configuring said sensor to include a gap for receiving said fixing joint.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said fixing joint is formed and protrudes from said mounting surface for receipt by said gap associated with said sensor.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising configuring said sensor to include a gap for receiving said fixing point, wherein said fixing joint is formed and protrudes from said mounting surface for receipt by said gap associated with said sensor.

11. A sensor system, comprising:

a sensor associated with a mounting surface;

an O-ring positioned between said sensor and said mounting surface, such that said O-ring is compressible when said sensor is fixed to said mounting surface;

a fixing mechanism for permanently fixing said sensor to said mounting surface;

a fixing joint between said sensor and said mounting surface; and

a dome shaped end portion integrated with said fixing joint, wherein said O-ring is compressed between said dome shaped end portion and said sensor, such that said O-ring located between said sensor and said mounting surface provides a proper tension thereof which prevents said sensor from being adversely affected by vibration resulting from a harsh vibration environment in which said sensor operates.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said sensor is permanently fixed to said mounting surface utilizing an assembly component and wherein said sensor is configured to include a gap for receiving said fixing joint.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein said O-ring and said sensor are configured with respect to one another and said mounting surface to maintain tension in said fixing joint.

14. The system of claim 11 said sensor is permanently fixed to said mounting surface utilizing an assembly component.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein said sensor includes a gap for receiving said fixing joint, wherein said fixing joint is formed and protrudes from said mounting surface for receipt by said gap associated with said sensor.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein said sensor is permanently fixed to said mounting surface by heat staking said sensor to said mounting surface for attachment thereof.

17. The system of claim 11 wherein said sensor is permanently fixed to said mounting surface by snap-fitting said sensor to said mounting surface for attachment thereof.

18. The system of claim 11 wherein said sensor is configured to include a gap for receiving said fixing joint.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein said fixing joint is formed and protrudes from said mounting surface for receipt by said gap associated with said sensor.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein said sensor includes a gap for receiving said fixing joint and wherein said fixing joint is formed and protrudes from said mounting surface for receipt by said gap associated with said sensor.

21. A sensor system, comprising:

a sensor associated with a mounting surface;

an O-ring positioned between said sensor and said mounting surface, such that said O-ring is compressible when said sensor is fixed to said mounting surface;

a fixing joint for permanently fixing said sensor to said mounting surface, wherein said fixing joint is integrated with a dome shaped end portion, said O-ring compressed between said dome shaped end portion and said sensor, such that said O-ring located between said sensor and said mounting surface provides a proper tension thereof which prevents said sensor from being adversely affected by vibration resulting from a harsh vibration environment in which said sensor operates, wherein said sensor is configured to include a centrally located gap for receiving said fixing joint and wherein said fixing joint is formed and protrudes from said mounting surface for receipt by said centrally located gap associated with said sensor.