US5079847A — Two axis inclination sensor

Claim 1

Independent Claim 126 words

A sensor comprising: a spherically shaped outer member having an outer convex surface and an inner concave surface defining a common electrode, a correspondingly shaped inner member having an outer convex insulating surface and an inner concave electrically conductive surface, and located within said outer member substantially uniformly spaced therefrom to form a cavity therebetween, a dielectric fluid contained in and only partially filling said cavity; said inner concave electrically conductive surface being divided into a plurality of detecting electrodes, said inner member comprises a thin plastic film with a conductive coating on portions of its inner concave surface wherein said inner concave surface is divided by a pair of reinforcing ribs arranged substantially perpendicular to each other, and formed integrally with said inner concave surface.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 126 words

A sensor comprising: a spherically shaped outer member having an outer convex surface and an inner concave surface defining a common electrode, a correspondingly shaped inner member having an outer convex insulating surface and an inner concave electrically conductive surface, and located within said outer member substantially uniformly spaced therefrom to form a cavity therebetween, a dielectric fluid contained in and only partially filling said cavity; said inner concave electrically conductive surface being divided into a plurality of detecting electrodes, said inner member comprises a thin plastic film with a conductive coating on portions of its inner concave surface wherein said inner concave surface is divided by a pair of reinforcing ribs arranged substantially perpendicular to each other, and formed integrally with said inner concave surface.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 42 words

The sensor according to claim 1, further including a means for joining said inner member and said outer member, said joining means comprising an induction welded portion of at least a portion of one of said inner member and said outer member.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 160 words

A two-axis sensor comprising: an upwardly directed, spherically shaped common electrode, defining an outer member; an upwardly directed spherically shaped insulating member comprising an inner member, said inner member uniformly spaced from said common electrode to form a cavity therebetween, said common electrode and said insulating member being sealed to each other about respective peripheries thereof, with a dielectric fluid contained in and only partially filling said cavity; a plurality of detecting electrodes provided on an underside of said insulating member, said detecting electrodes formed by a selectively applied conductive surface coating on said underside; and means for detecting variations in capacitance proportional to movement of said sensor relative to each of two mutually perpendicular axes by reason of movement of said dielectric fluid within said cavity wherein said common electrode and said insulating member are each provided with peripheral flanges, said flanges being secured between an upper force distribution ring and a lower cover by a plurality of fasteners.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 160 words

A two-axis sensor comprising: an upwardly directed, spherically shaped common electrode, defining an outer member; an upwardly directed spherically shaped insulating member comprising an inner member, said inner member uniformly spaced from said common electrode to form a cavity therebetween, said common electrode and said insulating member being sealed to each other about respective peripheries thereof, with a dielectric fluid contained in and only partially filling said cavity; a plurality of detecting electrodes provided on an underside of said insulating member, said detecting electrodes formed by a selectively applied conductive surface coating on said underside; and means for detecting variations in capacitance proportional to movement of said sensor relative to each of two mutually perpendicular axes by reason of movement of said dielectric fluid within said cavity wherein said common electrode and said insulating member are each provided with peripheral flanges, said flanges being secured between an upper force distribution ring and a lower cover by a plurality of fasteners.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 21 words

A two-axis sensor as defined in claim 3 and further including a circuit board secured between said flanges and said cover.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 29 words

A two-axis sensor as defined in claim 4 wherein said conductive surface coating extends to said peripheral flange of said insulating member and makes electrical contact with said board.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 52 words

The sensor according to claim 3, wherein said sealing between said common electrode and said insulating member comprises a means for joining said common electrode and said insulating member, said joining means comprising an induction welded portion of at least a portion of one of said common electrode and said insulating member.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 152 words

A two-axis sensor comprising: an upwardly directed, spherically shaped common electrode comprising an outer member; an upwardly directed spherically shaped insulating member comprising an inner member, said inner member uniformly spaced from said common electrode to form a cavity therebetween, said common electrode and said insulating member being sealed to each other about respective peripheries thereof, with a dielectric fluid contained in and only partially filling said cavity; a plurality of detecting electrodes provided on an underside of said insulating member, said detecting electrodes formed by a selectively applied conductive surface coating on said underside; means for detecting variations in capacitance proportional to movement of said sensor relative to each of two mutually perpendicular axes by reason of movement of said dielectric fluid within said cavity wherein said inner member is constructed of a thin plastic film having a thickness of about 0.010 inch, and said outer member is constructed of aluminum.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 152 words

A two-axis sensor comprising: an upwardly directed, spherically shaped common electrode comprising an outer member; an upwardly directed spherically shaped insulating member comprising an inner member, said inner member uniformly spaced from said common electrode to form a cavity therebetween, said common electrode and said insulating member being sealed to each other about respective peripheries thereof, with a dielectric fluid contained in and only partially filling said cavity; a plurality of detecting electrodes provided on an underside of said insulating member, said detecting electrodes formed by a selectively applied conductive surface coating on said underside; means for detecting variations in capacitance proportional to movement of said sensor relative to each of two mutually perpendicular axes by reason of movement of said dielectric fluid within said cavity wherein said inner member is constructed of a thin plastic film having a thickness of about 0.010 inch, and said outer member is constructed of aluminum.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 52 words

The sensor according to claim 7, wherein said sealing between said common electrode and said insulating member comprises a means for joining said common electrode and said insulating member, said joining means comprising an induction welded portion of at least a portion of one of said common electrode and said insulating member.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-01-13	1995-07-15	1996-01-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-01-13	1999-07-15	2000-01-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-01-13	2003-07-15	2004-01-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Two axis inclination sensor

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