Strong motion accelerograph with self-starter and electrical as well as light outputs

Claim 2

In a strong motion accelerograph of the reflective light type in which there is recorded upon an area of photographic film moved in a predetermined direction, light reflected from a light source onto said film by at least one mirror so suspended as part of a displaceable transducer mass responsive to certain external vibrations to which the accelerograph may be subjected, seismic trigger means to initiate operation of the accelerograph to record shock wave patterns and to continue such recording for a predetermined interval after the last detectable shock wave has occurred, said trigger means comprising: a. a permanent magnet disposed to provide a magnetic field; b. a coil of wire; c. means displaceably and resiliently suspending said coil in said magnetic field for oscillatory movement along a predetermined axis, whereby any jarring of either the magnet or the means suspending the coil will produce relative oscillatory movement between the coil and the magnet and thereby induce current flow in the coil; d. amplifier means, said amplifier means being connected to amplify any current output when so induced in the coil by such relative movement; and e. trigger relay means, the last said means being connected to the output of said amplifier means and being actuatable by a signal from said amplifier means of a predetermined value, whereby there is effectively created an electromagnetic starter which is responsive to any P-wave exceeding that of a predetermined intensity to which the accelerograph may be subjected.

Claim 3

Seismic trigger means as described in claim 1, wherein an electrical resistance element of a predetermined value is connected across the output terminals of the coil to provide electrical damping of the oscillations of the coil in said magnetic field.

Claim 4

Seismic trigger means as described in in claim 2, wherein the trigger relay means includes a normally open switch interposed between, and in the lead connectiNg, one battery terminal and both the light source and photograhic mechanism, whereby upon actuation of the trigger relay means, said switch is closed to permit the flow of current from the battery to both said light source and photographic mechanism, and said switch is maintained in its closed position until current of a predetermined magnitude ceases to flow in said coil as a result of the damping of its oscillation in said magnetic field by said resistance element.

Claim 5

In a strong motion accelerograph of the reflective light type in which there is recorded upon an area of photographic film moved in a predetermined direction, light reflected from a light source onto said film by at least one mirror so suspended as part of a displaceable transducer mass responsive to certain external vibrations to which the accelerograph may be subjected, the improvement which comprises: a. means to suspend said mirror for such displacement, said means including i. a pair of fixed support points in said accelerograph, said points being spaced from each other along or at least parallel to a first axis extending through the mirror when at its ''''at rest'''' position, and said pair of fixed support points being disposed on a rotatable shaft member; ii. a cylindrical permanent magnet, said magnet being disposed intermediate said support points and with its axis extending transversely of a plane through the first axis; iii. a coil of wire, said coil coaxially encircling, but being spaced from said magnet; iv. an elongated element, said element being fixedly secured to both said coil and mirror to serve as a mounting therefor, said mirror, said coil and said elongated element, comprising the transducer mass; v. a pair of resilient members, each of said members extending between one of said support points and a point near one end of said elongated element and being fixedly secured to both the support point and said point near the end of said element, thereby resiliently and cantilveringly supporting said transducer mass, including both the coil and mirror, to permit limited movements thereof, in response to vibrations received at the support points, the position of the resilient members and of the elongated element and of the coil and mirror secured thereto, being adjustable by rotation of said rotatable shaft member; and b. means electrically to dampen said movements, said means comprising an electrical resistance element of a preselected value, the opposite terminals of said resistance element being connected to the opposite ends of said coil, whereby any displacement of the coil in relation to the permanent magnet produces a current flow in said coil which is resisted by said resistance element, and such resistance creates an electromagnetic force in opposition to the movement of said coil and of the elongated element and mirror to which said coil is fixedly secured through said elongated element, to dampen any oscillations of the coil, and of elongated element and mirror secured thereto.

Claim 6

In a strong motion accelerograph of the reflective light type in which there is recorded upon an area of photographic film moved in a predetermined direction, light reflected from a light source onto said film by at least one mirror so suspended as part of a displaceable transducer mass responsive to certain external vibrations to which the accelerograph may be subjected, the improvement which comprises: a. means to suspend said mirror for such displacement, said means including i. a pair of fixed support points in said accelerograph, said points being spaced from each other along or at least parallel to a first axis extending through the mirror when at its ''''at rest'''' position, and said pair of fixed support points being disposed on a rotatable shaft member; ii. a cylindrical permanent magnet, said magnet being disposed intermediate said support points and with its axis extending transversely of a plane through the first axis; iii. a coil of wire, said coil coaxially encircling, but being spaced from said magnet; iv. an elongated element, said element being fixedly secured to both said coil and mirror to serve as a mounting therefor, said mirror, said coil and said elongated element, comprising the transducer mass; v. a pair of resilient members, each of said members extending between one of said support points and a point near one end of said elongated element and being fixedly secured to both the support point and said point near the end of said element, thereby resiliently and cantilveringly supporting said transducer mass, including both the coil and mirror, to permit limited movements thereof, in response to vibrations received at the support points, the position of the resilient members and of the elongated element and of the coil and mirror secured thereto, being adjustable by rotation of said rotatable shaft member; and b. means electrically to dampen said movements, said means comprising an electrical resistance element of a preselected value, the opposite terminals of said resistance element being connected to the opposite ends of said coil, whereby any displacement of the coil in relation to the permanent magnet produces a current flow in said coil which is resisted by said resistance element, and such resistance creates an electromagnetic force in opposition to the movement of said coil and of the elongated element and mirror to which said coil is fixedly secured through said elongated element, to dampen any oscillations of the coil, and of elongated element and mirror secured thereto.

Claim 7

The improvement in a strong motion accelerograph as described in claim 4, wherein block-like elements are disposed between the end of each resilient member and the end of the elongated element secured thereto, thereby to minimize any rotation along the cross-axis flexure point moved inside the coil when the rotatable shaft member is rotated to provide adjustment of the position of the elongated element and of the coil and mirror secured thereto.

Claim 8

In a strong motion accelerograph of the reflective light type in which there is recorded upon an area of photographic film moved in a predetermined direction, light reflected from a light source onto said film by at least one mirror so suspended as to be displaceable in response to certain external vibrations to which the accelerograph may be subjected, means to produce simultaneously and to process electrical voltage variations corresponding substantially in interaction and disposition to the tracings opticallY produced on the film, said means comprising: a. a permanent magnet, said magnet providing a magnetic field; b. a coil of wire, said coil being suspended within the field of said permanent magnet in such manner that any jarring of the coil or of the means suspending the coil will tend to cause the coil to oscillate within said field, said mirror being secured in fixed association with said coil to oscillate therewith; c. an electrical resistance element of a preselected value, the terminals of said element being connected to the opposite ends of said coil, whereby any displacement of the coil in relation to said magnetic field produces a current flow in said resistance element, but such current flow in the resistance produces a counter electromagnetic field in the coil which tends to oppose the movements of the coil and of the mirror fixedly associated therewith within said magnetic field; d. amplifier integrator means; e. electrical signal processing means; and f. two pairs of conductive elements, one pair of said elements connecting opposite ends of said resistance element to the input terminals of said amplifier integrator means, and the other pair of conductive elements connecting the output terminals of said amplifier integrator means to the input terminals of said electrical signal processing means, whereby voltage variations appearing across said resistance element upon current flow therein in response to movement of said coil in relation to said magnetic field will be amplified and integrated to produce voltage variations of sufficient magnitudes to be processable on and by said electrical signal processing means.

Claim 9

In a strong motion accelerograph of the reflective light type in which there is recorded upon an area of photographic film moved in a predetermined direction, light reflected from a light source onto said film by at least one mirror so suspended as to be displaceable in response to certain external vibrations to which the accelerograph may be subjected, means to produce simultaneously and to process electrical voltage variations corresponding substantially in interaction and disposition to the tracings opticallY produced on the film, said means comprising: a. a permanent magnet, said magnet providing a magnetic field; b. a coil of wire, said coil being suspended within the field of said permanent magnet in such manner that any jarring of the coil or of the means suspending the coil will tend to cause the coil to oscillate within said field, said mirror being secured in fixed association with said coil to oscillate therewith; c. an electrical resistance element of a preselected value, the terminals of said element being connected to the opposite ends of said coil, whereby any displacement of the coil in relation to said magnetic field produces a current flow in said resistance element, but such current flow in the resistance produces a counter electromagnetic field in the coil which tends to oppose the movements of the coil and of the mirror fixedly associated therewith within said magnetic field; d. amplifier integrator means; e. electrical signal processing means; and f. two pairs of conductive elements, one pair of said elements connecting opposite ends of said resistance element to the input terminals of said amplifier integrator means, and the other pair of conductive elements connecting the output terminals of said amplifier integrator means to the input terminals of said electrical signal processing means, whereby voltage variations appearing across said resistance element upon current flow therein in response to movement of said coil in relation to said magnetic field will be amplified and integrated to produce voltage variations of sufficient magnitudes to be processable on and by said electrical signal processing means.

Claim 10

The means as described in claim 6 wherein the electrical signal processing means comprises magnetic recording means.

Claim 11

Seismic trigger means to provide, in response to an earth tremor or other sudden jarring movement applied to said trigger means, an electric current to actuate switching means, which switching means, in its first and original unswitched position, permits given apparatus to remain inoperative or to operate in a first predetermined manner, but when said switching means is switched into a second position, causes said apparatus to operate or to be stopped in a second predetermined manner, said trigger means comprising: a. a permanent magnet disposed to provide a magnetic field; b. a coil of wire; c. means displaceably and resiliently suspending said coil in said magnetic field for oscillatory movement along a predetermined axis extending through said magnetic field, whereby any jarring of either the magnet or the means suspending the coil will produce relative oscillatory movement between the coil and the magnet along said axis and thereby induce a current flow in the coil; d. amplifier means, said amplifier means being connected to amplify any current output when so induced in the coil by such relative movement; and e. trigger relay means, the last said means being connected to the output of said amplifier means and being actuatable by a signal from said amplifier means of a predetermined value, whereby there is effectively created an electromagnetic trigger which is responsive to any P-wave exceeding that of a predetermined intensity to which the seismic trigger means may be subjected, and said trigger relay means being operatively associated with said switching means whereby, when current flow is induced in the coil by such relative movement, said switching means is moved from its said first and original position to its second position.

Claim 12

Seismic trigger means to provide, in response to an earth tremor or other sudden jarring movement applied to said trigger means, an electric current to actuate switching means, which switching means, in its first and original unswitched position, permits given apparatus to remain inoperative or to operate in a first predetermined manner, but when said switching means is switched into a second position, causes said apparatus to operate or to be stopped in a second predetermined manner, said trigger means comprising: a. a permanent magnet disposed to provide a magnetic field; b. a coil of wire; c. means displaceably and resiliently suspending said coil in said magnetic field for oscillatory movement along a predetermined axis extending through said magnetic field, whereby any jarring of either the magnet or the means suspending the coil will produce relative oscillatory movement between the coil and the magnet along said axis and thereby induce a current flow in the coil; d. amplifier means, said amplifier means being connected to amplify any current output when so induced in the coil by such relative movement; and e. trigger relay means, the last said means being connected to the output of said amplifier means and being actuatable by a signal from said amplifier means of a predetermined value, whereby there is effectively created an electromagnetic trigger which is responsive to any P-wave exceeding that of a predetermined intensity to which the seismic trigger means may be subjected, and said trigger relay means being operatively associated with said switching means whereby, when current flow is induced in the coil by such relative movement, said switching means is moved from its said first and original position to its second position.

Claim 13

Seismic trigger means to provide, in response to an earth tremor or other sudden jarring movement applied to said trigger means, an electrical current to actuate switching means, which switching means, in its first and original unswitched position, permits given apparatus to remain inoperative or to operate in a first predetermined manner, but when said switching means is switched into a second position, causes said apparatus to operate or to be stopped in a second predetermined manner so long as such current shall continue so to be provided, said trigger means comprising: a. a permanent magnet disposed to provide a magnetic field; b. a coil of wire; c. means displaceably and resiliently suspending said coil in said magnetic field for oscillatory movement along a predetermined axis extending through said magnetic field, whereby any jarring of either the magnet or the means suspending the coil, will produce relative oscillatory movement between the coil and the magnet along said axis and thereby induce a current flow in the coil; d. amplifier means, said amplifier means being connected to amplify any current output when so induced in the coil by such relative movement; and e. trigger relay means, the last said means being connected to the output of said amplifier means and being actuatable by a signal from said amplifier means of a predetermined value, whereby there is effectively created an electromagnetic trigger which is responsive to any P-wave exceeding that of a predetermined intensity to which the seismic trigger means may be subjected, and said trigger relay means being operatively associated with said switching means whereby, when current flow is induced in the coil by such relative movement, said switching means is moved from its said first and original position to its second position.

Claim 14

Seismic trigger means to provide, in response to an earth tremor or other sudden jarring movement applied to said trigger means, an electrical current to actuate switching means, which switching means, in its first and original unswitched position, permits given apparatus to remain inoperative or to operate in a first predetermined manner, but when said switching means is switched into a second position, causes said apparatus to operate or to be stopped in a second predetermined manner so long as such current shall continue so to be provided, said trigger means comprising: a. a permanent magnet disposed to provide a magnetic field; b. a coil of wire; c. means displaceably and resiliently suspending said coil in said magnetic field for oscillatory movement along a predetermined axis extending through said magnetic field, whereby any jarring of either the magnet or the means suspending the coil, will produce relative oscillatory movement between the coil and the magnet along said axis and thereby induce a current flow in the coil; d. amplifier means, said amplifier means being connected to amplify any current output when so induced in the coil by such relative movement; and e. trigger relay means, the last said means being connected to the output of said amplifier means and being actuatable by a signal from said amplifier means of a predetermined value, whereby there is effectively created an electromagnetic trigger which is responsive to any P-wave exceeding that of a predetermined intensity to which the seismic trigger means may be subjected, and said trigger relay means being operatively associated with said switching means whereby, when current flow is induced in the coil by such relative movement, said switching means is moved from its said first and original position to its second position.

Claim 15

Seismic trigger means to provide, in response to an earth tremor or other sudden jarring movement applied to said trigger means, an electrical current to actuate switching means, which switching means, in its first original unswitched position, permits given apparatus to remain inoperative or to operate in a first predetermined manner, but when said switching means is switched into a second position, causes said apparatus to operate or to be stopped in a second predetermined manner until such switching means shall subsequently be reset to its first and original unswitched position, said trigger means comprising: a. a permanent magnet disposed to provide a magnetic field; b. a coil of wire; c. means displaceably and resiliently suspending said coil in said magnetic field for oscillatory movement along a predetermined axis extending through said magnetic field, whereby any jarring of either the magnet or the means suspending the coil will produce relative oscillatory movement between the coil and the magnet along said axis and thereby induce a current flow in the coil; d. amplifier means, said amplifier means being connected to amplify any current output when so induced in the coil by such relative movement; and e. trigger relay means, the last said means being connected to the output of said amplifier means and being actuatable by a signal from said amplifier means of a predetermined value, whereby there is effectively created an electromagnetic trigger which is responsive to any P-wave exceeding that of a predetermined intensity to which the seismic trigger means may be subjected, and said trigger relay means being operatively associated with said switching means whereby, when current flow is induced in the coil by such relative movement, said switching means is moved from its said first and original position to its second position.

Claim 16

Seismic trigger means to provide, in response to an earth tremor or other sudden jarring movement applied to said trigger means, an electrical current to actuate switching means, which switching means, in its first original unswitched position, permits given apparatus to remain inoperative or to operate in a first predetermined manner, but when said switching means is switched into a second position, causes said apparatus to operate or to be stopped in a second predetermined manner until such switching means shall subsequently be reset to its first and original unswitched position, said trigger means comprising: a. a permanent magnet disposed to provide a magnetic field; b. a coil of wire; c. means displaceably and resiliently suspending said coil in said magnetic field for oscillatory movement along a predetermined axis extending through said magnetic field, whereby any jarring of either the magnet or the means suspending the coil will produce relative oscillatory movement between the coil and the magnet along said axis and thereby induce a current flow in the coil; d. amplifier means, said amplifier means being connected to amplify any current output when so induced in the coil by such relative movement; and e. trigger relay means, the last said means being connected to the output of said amplifier means and being actuatable by a signal from said amplifier means of a predetermined value, whereby there is effectively created an electromagnetic trigger which is responsive to any P-wave exceeding that of a predetermined intensity to which the seismic trigger means may be subjected, and said trigger relay means being operatively associated with said switching means whereby, when current flow is induced in the coil by such relative movement, said switching means is moved from its said first and original position to its second position.

Claim 17

In a strong motion accelerograph of the reflective light type in which there is recorded upon an area of photographic film moved in a predetermined direction, light reflected from a light source onto said film by at least one mirror so suspended as part of a displaceable transducer mass responsive to certain external vibrations to which the accelerograph may be subjected, said accelerograph having a battery power source and switching means upon the operation of which said battery power source is connected to operate said accelerograph, seismic trigger means to initiate operation of the accelerograph to record shock wave patters and to continue such recording for a predetermined interval after the last detectable shock wave has Occurred, said trigger means comprising; a. a permanent magnet disposed to provide a magnetic field; b. a coil of wire; c. means displaceably and resiliently suspending said coil in said magnetic field for oscillatory movement about a preselected axis, whereby any jarring of either the magnet or the means suspending the coil will produce relative oscillatory movement between the coil and the magnet along said axis and thereby induce current flow in the coil; d. amplifier means, said amplifier means being connected to amplify any current output when so induced in the coil by such relative movement; and e. trigger relay means, the last said means being connected to the output of said amplifier means and being actuatable by a signal from said amplifier means of a predetermined value, whereby there is effectively created an electromagnetic trigger which is responsive to any P-wave exceeding that of a predetermined intensity to which the seismic trigger means may be subjected, and said trigger relay means being operatively associated with said switching means whereby, when current flow is induced in the coil by such relative movement, said switching means is operated to connect said battery power source to said accelerograph for such period as current shall continue to flow in said coil because of continued relative oscillatory movement of said coil and magnet.

Claim 18

In a strong motion accelerograph of the reflective light type in which there is recorded upon an area of photographic film moved in a predetermined direction, light reflected from a light source onto said film by at least one mirror so suspended as part of a displaceable transducer mass responsive to certain external vibrations to which the accelerograph may be subjected, said accelerograph having a battery power source and switching means upon the operation of which said battery power source is connected to operate said accelerograph, seismic trigger means to initiate operation of the accelerograph to record shock wave patters and to continue such recording for a predetermined interval after the last detectable shock wave has Occurred, said trigger means comprising; a. a permanent magnet disposed to provide a magnetic field; b. a coil of wire; c. means displaceably and resiliently suspending said coil in said magnetic field for oscillatory movement about a preselected axis, whereby any jarring of either the magnet or the means suspending the coil will produce relative oscillatory movement between the coil and the magnet along said axis and thereby induce current flow in the coil; d. amplifier means, said amplifier means being connected to amplify any current output when so induced in the coil by such relative movement; and e. trigger relay means, the last said means being connected to the output of said amplifier means and being actuatable by a signal from said amplifier means of a predetermined value, whereby there is effectively created an electromagnetic trigger which is responsive to any P-wave exceeding that of a predetermined intensity to which the seismic trigger means may be subjected, and said trigger relay means being operatively associated with said switching means whereby, when current flow is induced in the coil by such relative movement, said switching means is operated to connect said battery power source to said accelerograph for such period as current shall continue to flow in said coil because of continued relative oscillatory movement of said coil and magnet.

Claim 19

Seismic trigger means to provide, in response to an earth tremor or other sudden jarring movement applied to said trigger means, an electrical current to actuate switching means which switching means, in its first and original unswitched position, permits given apparatus to remain inoperative or to operate in a first predetermined manner, but when said switching means is switched into a second position, causes said apparatus to operate or to be stopped in a second predetermined manner, said trigger means comprising: a. three permanent magnets, one being disposed to provide a magnetic field about the X-axis, one to provide a magnetic field about the Y-axis and the third, to provide a magnetic field about the Z-axis; b. a coil of wire for each such permanent magnet; c. means displaceably and resiliently suspending each said coil in a different one of said three magnetic fields for oscillatory movement along the axis thereof, whereby any jarring of either any of the magnets or the means suspending the coil in the magnetic field thereof will produce relative oscillatory movement between such coil and its said magnet along its said axis and thereby induce a current flow in said coil; d. amplifier means, said amplifier means being connected to amplify any current output when so induced in each said coil by such relative movement; and e. trigger relay means, the last said means being connected to the output of said amplifier means being actuatable by a signal from said amplifier means of a predetermined value, whereby there is effectively created an electromagnetic trigger which is responsive to any P-wave exceeding that of a predetermined intensity to which the seismic trigger means may be subjected, and said trigger relay means being operatively associated with said switching means whereby, when current flow is induced in the coil by such relative movement, said switching means is moved from its said first and original position to its second position.

Claim 20

Seismic trigger means to provide, in response to an earth tremor or other sudden jarring movement applied to said trigger means, an electrical current to actuate switching means which switching means, in its first and original unswitched position, permits given apparatus to remain inoperative or to operate in a first predetermined manner, but when said switching means is switched into a second position, causes said apparatus to operate or to be stopped in a second predetermined manner, said trigger means comprising: a. three permanent magnets, one being disposed to provide a magnetic field about the X-axis, one to provide a magnetic field about the Y-axis and the third, to provide a magnetic field about the Z-axis; b. a coil of wire for each such permanent magnet; c. means displaceably and resiliently suspending each said coil in a different one of said three magnetic fields for oscillatory movement along the axis thereof, whereby any jarring of either any of the magnets or the means suspending the coil in the magnetic field thereof will produce relative oscillatory movement between such coil and its said magnet along its said axis and thereby induce a current flow in said coil; d. amplifier means, said amplifier means being connected to amplify any current output when so induced in each said coil by such relative movement; and e. trigger relay means, the last said means being connected to the output of said amplifier means being actuatable by a signal from said amplifier means of a predetermined value, whereby there is effectively created an electromagnetic trigger which is responsive to any P-wave exceeding that of a predetermined intensity to which the seismic trigger means may be subjected, and said trigger relay means being operatively associated with said switching means whereby, when current flow is induced in the coil by such relative movement, said switching means is moved from its said first and original position to its second position.

Claim 21

Seismic trigger means as described in claim 11, wherein an electrical resistance element of a predetermined value is connected across the output terminals of the coil to provide electrical damping of the oscillations of the coil in said magnetic field.

Claim 22

Seismic trigger means as described in claim 13, wherein the switching means includes a normally open switch interposed between, and in the lead connecting, one battery terminal and both the light source and photographic mechanism, whereby, upon actuation of the switching means, said switch is closed to permit the flow of current from the battery of both said light source and photographic mechanism, and said switch is maintained in its closed position until current of a predetermined magnitude ceases to flow in said coil as a result of the damping of its oscillation in said magnetic field by said resistance element.