Patent US5060158A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4797661A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4797661A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Motion sensing device
Assignee: ROBERT HOOKE MEMORIAL LABORATORIES Inc A CORP OF KS
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Filing: 1987-08-31
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Granted: 1989-01-10
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Expires: 2007-08-31
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a device adapted to sensing motion when powered by passage of an electric current between two electrodes that is comprised of a container partially filled with an electrically conductive liquid along with two electrodes in contact with the conductive liquid at least one of which is only partially in contact with said conductive liquid. Motion of the liquid causes a change in resistance between the electrodes which may be detected as a change in current flow. These changes in current flow can be amplified and used to activate an alarm or other signal device.
Inventors
- 👤 Wallace F. Wiley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:22
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/02; G08B13/14; G08B13/1436
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A device adapted to sensing motion when activated by passage of an electric current between two electrodes comprised of a container partially filled with a mobile, conductive liquid and first and second electrodes in contact with said conductive liquid with at least said second electrode being partially immersed in said conductive liquid, the immersed portion of said second electrode receiving the electric current from above the surface of the liquid through a resistor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A device adapted to sensing motion when activated by passage of an electric current between two electrodes comprised of a container partially filled with a mobile, conductive liquid and first and second electrodes in contact with said conductive liquid with at least said second electrode being partially immersed in said conductive liquid, the immersed portion of said second electrode receiving the electric current from above the surface of the liquid through a resistor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the resistance between said electrodes is from about 0.1 ohm to about 10 7 ohms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the container is a sealed container and the resistance between said electrodes is from about 0.1 ohm to about 10 7 ohms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the container is a sealed container, both electrodes are made of the same material and the resistance between said electrodes is from about 0.1 ohm to about 10 7 ohms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the container is cylindrical, the container is sealed, both electrodes are made of the same material and the resistance between said electrodes is from about 0.1 ohm to about 10 7 ohms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the container is cylindrical, the container is sealed, both electrodes are made of the same material, one electrode is centrally located within the container and partially immersed in the conductive liquid and the resistance between said electrodes is from about 0.1 ohm to about 10 7 ohms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the container provides one electrode and the resistance between said electrodes is from about 0.1 ohm to about 10 7 ohms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the container provides one electrode, the container is cylindrical and the resistance between said electrodes is from about 0.1 ohm to about 10 7 ohms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the container provides one electrode, the container is cylindrical, the container is sealed and the resistance between said electrodes is from about 0.1 ohm to about 10 7 ohms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the container provides one electrode, the container is cylindrical, the container is sealed, both electrodes are made of the same material and the resistance between said electrodes is from about 0.1 ohm to about 10 7 ohms.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the container provides one electrode, the container is cylindrical, the container is sealed, both electrodes are made of the same material, one electrode is centrally located within the container and partially immersed in said conductive liquid and the resistance between said electrodes is from about 0.1 ohm to about 10 7 ohms.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
102 words
A device adapted to sensing motion when activated by passage of an electric current between two electrodes comprised of a cylindrical, sealed container partially filled with a mobile, conductive liquid, said container providing one of two electrodes, the second electrode being a centrally positioned cylindrical wire partially immersed in said conductive liquid, the immersed portion of said second electrode receiving the electric current from above the surface of the liquid through a resistor both electrodes being made of the same material, with the resistance between said electrodes being in the range of from about 10 3 ohms to about 10 6 ohms.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
102 words
A device adapted to sensing motion when activated by passage of an electric current between two electrodes comprised of a cylindrical, sealed container partially filled with a mobile, conductive liquid, said container providing one of two electrodes, the second electrode being a centrally positioned cylindrical wire partially immersed in said conductive liquid, the immersed portion of said second electrode receiving the electric current from above the surface of the liquid through a resistor both electrodes being made of the same material, with the resistance between said electrodes being in the range of from about 10 3 ohms to about 10 6 ohms.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 12 wherein the conductive liquid has a specific resistance of from about 10 4 to 10 9 ohms-cm and a viscosity not greater than about 20 centipoise and the wire has a diameter not greater than about one-eighth of an inch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 12 wherein the conductive liquid has a specific resistance of from about 10 4 to 10 9 ohms-cm and a viscosity not greater than about 2 centipoise and the wire has a diameter not greater than about one-eighth of an inch.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
61 words
The device of claim 12 wherein the conductive liquid has a specific resistance of from about 10 4 to 10 9 ohms-cm and a viscosity not greater than about 20 centipoise, the wire has a diameter not greater than about one-eighth of an inch and the resistance between the electrodes is from about 5×10 4 ohms to about 5×10 5 ohms.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 12 wherein the conductive liquid has a specific resistance of from about 10 6 to 10 8 ohm-cm and a viscosity not greater than about 20 centipoise and the wire has a diameter not greater than about one-eighth of an inch.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 12 wherein the conductive liquid has a specific resistance of from about 10 6 to 10 8 ohm-cm and a viscosity not greater than about 2 centipoise and the wire has a diameter not greater than about one-eighth of an inch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device of claim 12 wherein the conductive liquid has a specific resistance of from about 10 6 to 10 8 ohm-cm and a viscosity not greater than about 2 centipoise, the wire has a diameter not greater than about one-eighth of an inch and the resistance between electrodes is from about 5×10 4 to 5×10 5 ohms.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
157 words
A device adapted to sensing motion when activated by passage of an electric current between two electrodes comprised of a cylindrical, sealed container partially filled with a mobile, conductive liquid with a specific resistance of from about 10 6 to 10 8 ohm-cm and a viscosity not greater than about 2 centipoise, said container providing one or two electrodes, the second electrode being a centrally positioned cylindrical wire with a diameter not greater than about one-eighth of an inch, the second electrode being only partially immersed in said conductive liquid, and the immersed portion of said second electrode receiving the electric current from above the surface of the liquid through a resistor the electrodes being made of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, nickel and zinc and alloys of aluminum, of copper, of nickel and of zinc, and, where the resistance between the electrodes is from about 10 3 to 10 6 ohms.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
157 words
A device adapted to sensing motion when activated by passage of an electric current between two electrodes comprised of a cylindrical, sealed container partially filled with a mobile, conductive liquid with a specific resistance of from about 10 6 to 10 8 ohm-cm and a viscosity not greater than about 2 centipoise, said container providing one or two electrodes, the second electrode being a centrally positioned cylindrical wire with a diameter not greater than about one-eighth of an inch, the second electrode being only partially immersed in said conductive liquid, and the immersed portion of said second electrode receiving the electric current from above the surface of the liquid through a resistor the electrodes being made of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, nickel and zinc and alloys of aluminum, of copper, of nickel and of zinc, and, where the resistance between the electrodes is from about 10 3 to 10 6 ohms.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 19 wherein the resistance between the electrodes is from about 5×10 4 to about 10 5 ohms.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 19 wherein both electrodes are made of the same material.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
17 words
The device of claim I9 wherein no dimension of the container is greater than about 1 inch.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 19 wherein the electrodes are made of copper.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 19 wherein the electrodes are made of brass.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 19 wherein no dimension of the container is greater than about one inch, and both electrodes are made of the same material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 19 wherein no dimension of the container is greater than about 1 inch, and both electrodes are made of brass.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 19 wherein no dimension of the container is greater than about 1 inch, and both electrodes are made of copper.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 19 wherein no dimension of the container is greater than about one inch, both electrodes are made of brass, and the conductive liquid is commercial acetone.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 19 wherein no dimension of the container is greater than about one inch, both electrodes are made of copper and the conductive liquid is commercial acetone.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 19 wherein no dimension of the container is greater than about one inch, both electrodes are made of brass and the conductive liquid is 95% ethanol.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 19 wherein no dimension of the container is greater than about one inch, both electrodes are made of copper and the conductive liquid is 95% ethanol.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
144 words
A device adapted to sensing motion when activated by passing of an electric current between two electrodes comprised of a container partially filled with a mobile, conductive liquid and first and second electrodes in contact with said conductive liquid with at least said second electrode only partially immersed in said conductive liquid, the immersed portion of said second electrode receiving the electric current from above the surface of the liquid through a resistor and with the resistance between said electrodes being in the range from about 0.1 ohm to about 10 7 ohms, means for passing an electric current through said electrodes, means for sensing the change in electric current when the resistance between the electrodes is changed by motion of the conductive liquid, signal means, and means for activating said signal means when the change in resistance is sensed by the sensing means.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
144 words
A device adapted to sensing motion when activated by passing of an electric current between two electrodes comprised of a container partially filled with a mobile, conductive liquid and first and second electrodes in contact with said conductive liquid with at least said second electrode only partially immersed in said conductive liquid, the immersed portion of said second electrode receiving the electric current from above the surface of the liquid through a resistor and with the resistance between said electrodes being in the range from about 0.1 ohm to about 10 7 ohms, means for passing an electric current through said electrodes, means for sensing the change in electric current when the resistance between the electrodes is changed by motion of the conductive liquid, signal means, and means for activating said signal means when the change in resistance is sensed by the sensing means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
186 words
The signal system of claim 32 wherein the motion sensing device is comprised of a cylindrical, sealed container partially filled with a conductive liquid with a specific resistance in the range from about 10 6 to 10 8 ohm-cm and a viscosity not greater than about 2 centipoise, said container providing one of two electrodes, the second electrode being a centrally positioned cylindrical wire with diameter not greater than about one-eighth of an inch, the second electrode being only partially immersed in said conductive liquid, the electrodes being made from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, nickel and zinc and alloys of aluminum, of copper, of nickel and of zinc, both electrodes being made from the same material, and, where the resistance between the electrodes is about 100,000 ohms, means for passing a flow of electric current through said electrodes, means for sensing the change in electric current when the resistance between the electrodes is changed by motion of the conductive liquid, signal means, and means for activating said signal means when the change in resistance is sensed by the sensing means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-01-10 | 1992-07-11 | 1993-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-10 | 1996-07-11 | 1997-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-10 | 2000-07-11 | 2001-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |