US3603157A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrating accelerometer
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1970-01-13
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Granted: 1971-09-07
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Expires: 1990-01-13
Abstract
Abstract An electronic circuit for developing a voltage signal that is proportional in magnitude to the acceleration of a moving body including an integrator circuit having an input signal equal to the sink voltage of a field-effect transistor with an insulated gate, the gate voltage for the transistor being supplied by a variable capacitance circuit, and a mass-spring system for varying the capacitance thereby causing a gate voltage on said transistor that is related in magnitude to the inertia forces acting on the mass of the mass-spring system.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen D Krugler Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:43
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/02; G01P15/08; G01P15/125; G01P7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
An integrating accelerometer for developing a voltage signal proportional in magnitude to the change in the instantaneous velocity of a moving body, said accelerometer being carried by said body and including an inertia mass, a variable capacitance capacitor connected to said mass whereby displacement of said mass due to inertia forces results in a change in capacitance, a field-effect transistor having a gate connected to one side of said capacitor, an integrator amplifier circuit with its input side connected to the output side of said transistor, and a normally closed switch connecting said gate to the output side of said amplifier circuit and adapted to be opened to initiate an integration function and provide said signal thereby permitting measurement of said instantaneous velocity relative to the velocity of said body at the instant said switch is opened.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
An integrating accelerometer for developing a voltage signal proportional in magnitude to the change in the instantaneous velocity of a moving body, said accelerometer being carried by said body and including an inertia mass, a variable capacitance capacitor connected to said mass whereby displacement of said mass due to inertia forces results in a change in capacitance, a field-effect transistor having a gate connected to one side of said capacitor, an integrator amplifier circuit with its input side connected to the output side of said transistor, and a normally closed switch connecting said gate to the output side of said amplifier circuit and adapted to be opened to initiate an integration function and provide said signal thereby permitting measurement of said instantaneous velocity relative to the velocity of said body at the instant said switch is opened.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transistor is an insulated-gate, field-effect transistor having a drain side connected to a voltage source and a sink connected to the input side of said amplifier circuit, said transistor having a follower characteristic whereby the input voltage to said amplifier circuit is substantially equal to the gate voltage of said transistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
176 words
An integrating accelerometer for developing a voltage signal proportional in magnitude to the change in the instantaneous velocity of a moving body, said accelerometer being carried by said body and including an inertia mass, a variAble capacitance capacitor connected to said mass whereby displacement of said mass due to inertia forces results in a change in capacitance, a field-effect transistor having a gate connected to one side of said capacitor, an integrator amplifier circuit with its input side connected to the output side of said transistor, a normally closed switch connecting said gate to the output side of said amplifier circuit, a spring connected to said mass and defining with said mass a mass-spring system having a displacement that is proportional to deceleration forces acting on said body, said switch being adapted to be opened as deceleration is initiated thus causing an integration function in said integrator circuit to produce a voltage signal that is an indication of the change in velocity relative to the velocity of the body at the instant said switch is opened.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
176 words
An integrating accelerometer for developing a voltage signal proportional in magnitude to the change in the instantaneous velocity of a moving body, said accelerometer being carried by said body and including an inertia mass, a variAble capacitance capacitor connected to said mass whereby displacement of said mass due to inertia forces results in a change in capacitance, a field-effect transistor having a gate connected to one side of said capacitor, an integrator amplifier circuit with its input side connected to the output side of said transistor, a normally closed switch connecting said gate to the output side of said amplifier circuit, a spring connected to said mass and defining with said mass a mass-spring system having a displacement that is proportional to deceleration forces acting on said body, said switch being adapted to be opened as deceleration is initiated thus causing an integration function in said integrator circuit to produce a voltage signal that is an indication of the change in velocity relative to the velocity of the body at the instant said switch is opened.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said transistor is an insulated-gate, field-effect transistor having a drain side connected to a voltage source and a sink connected to the input side of said amplifier circuit, said transistor having a follower characteristic whereby the input voltage to said amplifier circuit is substantially equal to the gate voltage of said transistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transistor is an insulated-gate, field-effect transistor having a drain side connected to a voltage source and a sink connected to the input side of said amplifier circuit, said transistor having a follower characteristic whereby the input voltage to said amplifier circuit is substantially equal to the gate voltage of said transistor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
176 words
An integrating accelerometer for developing a voltage signal proportional in magnitude to the change in the instantaneous velocity of a moving body, said accelerometer being carried by said body and including an inertia mass, a variAble capacitance capacitor connected to said mass whereby displacement of said mass due to inertia forces results in a change in capacitance, a field-effect transistor having a gate connected to one side of said capacitor, an integrator amplifier circuit with its input side connected to the output side of said transistor, a normally closed switch connecting said gate to the output side of said amplifier circuit, a spring connected to said mass and defining with said mass a mass-spring system having a displacement that is proportional to deceleration forces acting on said body, said switch being adapted to be opened as deceleration is initiated thus causing an integration function in said integrator circuit to produce a voltage signal that is an indication of the change in velocity relative to the velocity of the body at the instant said switch is opened.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
176 words
An integrating accelerometer for developing a voltage signal proportional in magnitude to the change in the instantaneous velocity of a moving body, said accelerometer being carried by said body and including an inertia mass, a variAble capacitance capacitor connected to said mass whereby displacement of said mass due to inertia forces results in a change in capacitance, a field-effect transistor having a gate connected to one side of said capacitor, an integrator amplifier circuit with its input side connected to the output side of said transistor, a normally closed switch connecting said gate to the output side of said amplifier circuit, a spring connected to said mass and defining with said mass a mass-spring system having a displacement that is proportional to deceleration forces acting on said body, said switch being adapted to be opened as deceleration is initiated thus causing an integration function in said integrator circuit to produce a voltage signal that is an indication of the change in velocity relative to the velocity of the body at the instant said switch is opened.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said transistor is an insulated-gate, field-effect transistor having a drain side connected to a voltage source and a sink connected to the input side of said amplifier circuit, said transistor having a follower characteristic whereby the input voltage to said amplifier circuit is substantially equal to the gate voltage of said transistor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |