Patent US4346597A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4346597A
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Dual range, cantilevered mass accelerometer
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1980-11-03
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Granted: 1982-08-31
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Expires: 2000-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A dual range accelerometer includes a mass 10 supported on a cantilevered beam 12, there being stops 70, 71 such that for low accelerations the beam acts as a cantilever and for high accelerations, one of the stops causes the beam to flex as a beam supported at both ends. Surface acoustic wave devices 17, 46 provide a signal having a frequency which is a function of strain in the beam 12, thereby to detect accelerations in two different ranges.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald E. Cullen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:07
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/02; G01P15/08; G01P15/097; G01P15/0975
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A dual range, cantilevered mass accelerometer comprising: a beam comprised of piezoelectric material rigidly disposed at a proximal end so as to form a cantilever and having an inertial mass disposed at the distal end thereof, a boundary acoustic wave device formed on said beam and oriented for significant frequency sensitivity to strain in said beam, and circuit means for providing a signal indication of the boundary acoustic velocity of a wave in said boundary acoustic wave device, characterized by: a pair of stops disposed adjacent said inertial mass and separated therefrom by a distance equivalent to deflections of said beam caused by accelerations of a magnitude defining the desired high end of the low range of said accelerometer, whereby said beam operates as a cantilever within said low range and operates as a beam supported at both ends in said high range.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A dual range, cantilevered mass accelerometer comprising: a beam comprised of piezoelectric material rigidly disposed at a proximal end so as to form a cantilever and having an inertial mass disposed at the distal end thereof, a boundary acoustic wave device formed on said beam and oriented for significant frequency sensitivity to strain in said beam, and circuit means for providing a signal indication of the boundary acoustic velocity of a wave in said boundary acoustic wave device, characterized by: a pair of stops disposed adjacent said inertial mass and separated therefrom by a distance equivalent to deflections of said beam caused by accelerations of a magnitude defining the desired high end of the low range of said accelerometer, whereby said beam operates as a cantilever within said low range and operates as a beam supported at both ends in said high range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An accelerometer according to claim 1 wherein said boundary acoustic wave device is a surface acoustic wave device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An accelerometer according to claim 2 wherein said beam consists of a crystaline piezoelectric material and said surface acoustic wave device is disposed on the surface of said crystaline piezoelectric material.
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) | 1985-08-30 | 1986-03-01 | 1986-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-08-30 | 1990-03-01 | 1990-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-08-30 | 1994-03-01 | 1994-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |