US3675473A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Open-loop fluidic analog accelerometer
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1969-07-18
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1989-07-18
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for sensing acceleration and generating an analog-type pressurized fluid signal proportional to the magnitude of the associated acceleration event. A friction-free spring-mass device in the form of a flexure-mounted inertial mass includes a hollow, elongated spring member of the cantilever beam type having a first end rigidly fixed in position and a second unsupported end upon which the acceleration-sensitive inertial mass is mounted for sensing linear motion acceleration. The hollow portion of the spring member issues a fluid jet from the second unsupported end directed at fluid receivers, the flexure of the spring member causing distribution of the jet between the receivers in proportion to the magnitude of the acceleration. Angular motion acceleration is sensed by utilizing a cylindrical inertial mass connected along its longitudinal axis to two torsional spring members rigidly fixed in position at their far ends such that the cylindrical mass is subject to rotation in the presence of an angular motion acceleration.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A Kantola
- 👤 Willis A Boothe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:18
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15C; F15C1/00; F15C1/005; G; G01; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/02; G01P15/03; G01P15/038
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
426 words
An open-loop fluidic analog-type vibration sensor comprising inertial mass means for sensing a selected external acceleration event and generating a first analog-type pressurized fluid signal proportional to the magnitude of the sensed acceleration event wherein an inertial mass portion of said means remains in a predetermined null position in the absence of the acceleration event and is movable therefrom in the presence of such acceleration event, spring means for supporting the inertial mass portion, the force resulting from said mass portion accelerating in response to the external acceleration event causing flexure of said spring means and motion of the inertial mass portion relative to the null position in a direction opposing the external acceleration event, the steady-state displacement of said inertial mass portion from the null position being proportiOnal to the magnitude of a constant magnitude external acceleration event, said spring means comprises a low friction spring means torsional about an axis whereby the motion of said inertial mass portion is rotational and said accelerometer senses angular motion acceleration, the torsional spring means constrained for flexure in torsion whereby the rotational motion of said inertial mass portion is in only the plane of rotation for producing an angular motion accelerometer sensitive to external angular motion acceleration events in the plane of rotation of said inertial mass portion, said inertial mass portion is provided with means for issuing a pressurized fluid jet therefrom, a pair of spaced fluid receivers positioned in the plane of rotation of said inertial mass portion and oriented downstream of said fluid jet issuing means relative to the predetermined null position of said inertial mass portion whereby in the null position of said inertial mass portion the fluid jet is directed midway between said receivers and in the presence of the external acceleration event in the plane of rotation the fluid jet is distributed between said receivers in a proportion determined by the magnitude of the acceleration event to thereby develop the first analog-type pressurized fluid signal, and a third fluid receiver positioned in the plane of rotation of said internal mass portion and oriented downstream of said fluid jet issuing means in alignment with the predetermined null position for monitoring the pressurized fluid jet in the region of the predetermined null position and developing a second analog-type pressurized fluid signal in said third receiver to thereby convert the accelerometer to a torsional vibration sensor wherein the average pressure magnitude of the second pressurized fluid signal decreases proportionally with increased amplitude of vibration of said inertial mass portion relative to said third receiver.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
426 words
An open-loop fluidic analog-type vibration sensor comprising inertial mass means for sensing a selected external acceleration event and generating a first analog-type pressurized fluid signal proportional to the magnitude of the sensed acceleration event wherein an inertial mass portion of said means remains in a predetermined null position in the absence of the acceleration event and is movable therefrom in the presence of such acceleration event, spring means for supporting the inertial mass portion, the force resulting from said mass portion accelerating in response to the external acceleration event causing flexure of said spring means and motion of the inertial mass portion relative to the null position in a direction opposing the external acceleration event, the steady-state displacement of said inertial mass portion from the null position being proportiOnal to the magnitude of a constant magnitude external acceleration event, said spring means comprises a low friction spring means torsional about an axis whereby the motion of said inertial mass portion is rotational and said accelerometer senses angular motion acceleration, the torsional spring means constrained for flexure in torsion whereby the rotational motion of said inertial mass portion is in only the plane of rotation for producing an angular motion accelerometer sensitive to external angular motion acceleration events in the plane of rotation of said inertial mass portion, said inertial mass portion is provided with means for issuing a pressurized fluid jet therefrom, a pair of spaced fluid receivers positioned in the plane of rotation of said inertial mass portion and oriented downstream of said fluid jet issuing means relative to the predetermined null position of said inertial mass portion whereby in the null position of said inertial mass portion the fluid jet is directed midway between said receivers and in the presence of the external acceleration event in the plane of rotation the fluid jet is distributed between said receivers in a proportion determined by the magnitude of the acceleration event to thereby develop the first analog-type pressurized fluid signal, and a third fluid receiver positioned in the plane of rotation of said internal mass portion and oriented downstream of said fluid jet issuing means in alignment with the predetermined null position for monitoring the pressurized fluid jet in the region of the predetermined null position and developing a second analog-type pressurized fluid signal in said third receiver to thereby convert the accelerometer to a torsional vibration sensor wherein the average pressure magnitude of the second pressurized fluid signal decreases proportionally with increased amplitude of vibration of said inertial mass portion relative to said third receiver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The fluidic sensor set forth in claim 1 and further comprising means for filtering the second signal to thereby obtain a pressurized fluid output signal having a magnitude varying inversely with the vibration amplitude.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
242 words
A fluidic analog-type torsional vibration sensor comprising inertial mass means comprising a cylindrical body rotatable about its longitudinal axis about which a torsional vibration event is to be sensed and in response thereto, an aligned pair of resiliently flexible hollow members in torsion about their longitudinal axes which is coincident with said cylindrical body axis, said hollow members having far-spaced first ends rigidly supported in position to a device undergoing the vibration event about which the torsional flexure occurs and near-spaced second ends providing rigid attachment for the vibration-sensitive inertial body, a first of said hollow members provided with a first fluid passage therethrough, means for supplying pressurized fluid to a first end of said first fluid passage, the second end of said first fluid passage in fluid communication with a second fluid passage formed through said cylindrical body, an output end of said second fluid passage adapted for emission of a fluid jet therefrom, and a fluid receiver oriented downstream of the output end of said second fluid passage and rigidly fixed and aligned at the null position of said inertial body whereby the fluid jet issuing from the output end of said second fluid passage is directed into the center of the receiver in the nonflexed state of said hollow members and is moved relative to the center position during the vibration event for generating an analog-type pressurized fluid signal having an average magnitude varying inversely with the vibration amplitude.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
242 words
A fluidic analog-type torsional vibration sensor comprising inertial mass means comprising a cylindrical body rotatable about its longitudinal axis about which a torsional vibration event is to be sensed and in response thereto, an aligned pair of resiliently flexible hollow members in torsion about their longitudinal axes which is coincident with said cylindrical body axis, said hollow members having far-spaced first ends rigidly supported in position to a device undergoing the vibration event about which the torsional flexure occurs and near-spaced second ends providing rigid attachment for the vibration-sensitive inertial body, a first of said hollow members provided with a first fluid passage therethrough, means for supplying pressurized fluid to a first end of said first fluid passage, the second end of said first fluid passage in fluid communication with a second fluid passage formed through said cylindrical body, an output end of said second fluid passage adapted for emission of a fluid jet therefrom, and a fluid receiver oriented downstream of the output end of said second fluid passage and rigidly fixed and aligned at the null position of said inertial body whereby the fluid jet issuing from the output end of said second fluid passage is directed into the center of the receiver in the nonflexed state of said hollow members and is moved relative to the center position during the vibration event for generating an analog-type pressurized fluid signal having an average magnitude varying inversely with the vibration amplitude.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fluidic vibration sensor set forth in claim 3 and further comprising means for filtering the pressurized fluid signal generated at the output of said receiver to thereby obtain a pressurized fluid output signal having a magnitude varying inversely with the vibration amplituDe.
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) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |