US5420380A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seismic switch for strong motion measurement
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1993-02-09
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Granted: 1995-05-30
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Expires: 2013-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A seismic switching device that has an input signal from an existing microseismic station seismometer and a signal from a strong motion measuring instrument. The seismic switch monitors the signal level of the strong motion instrument and passes the seismometer signal to the station data telemetry and recording systems. When the strong motion instrument signal level exceeds a user set threshold level, the seismometer signal is switched out and the strong motion signal is passed to the telemetry system. The amount of time the strong motion signal is passed before switching back to the seismometer signal is user controlled between 1 and 15 seconds. If the threshold level is exceeded during a switch time period, the length of time is extended from that instant by one user set time period.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip E. Harben
- 👤 Peter W. Rodgers
- 👤 Daniel W. Ewert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:31
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/01; G01V1/24; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
An apparatus for upgrading an existing microseismic station comprising: a switch; means for connecting said switch between a seismometer and a data telemetry system; a ground motion accelerometer; means for connecting said ground motion accelerometer to said switch; and a circuit which will connect said data telemetry system to said accelerometer when a signal from said accelerometer exceeds a preset value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
61 words
An apparatus for upgrading an existing microseismic station comprising: a switch; means for connecting said switch between a seismometer and a data telemetry system; a ground motion accelerometer; means for connecting said ground motion accelerometer to said switch; and a circuit which will connect said data telemetry system to said accelerometer when a signal from said accelerometer exceeds a preset value.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
95 words
An apparatus for measuring seismic motion, said apparatus comprising; a switch having a first input channel and a second input channel and an output channel; a seismometer connected to a first input channel of said switch; an accelerometer connected to a second input channel of said switch; a data telemetry system connected to said output channel of said switch; and a circuit which monitors a signal from said accelerometer and transmits said signal from said accelerometer to said data telemetry system for a selectable period of time when said accelerometer signal exceeds a preset value.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
95 words
An apparatus for measuring seismic motion, said apparatus comprising; a switch having a first input channel and a second input channel and an output channel; a seismometer connected to a first input channel of said switch; an accelerometer connected to a second input channel of said switch; a data telemetry system connected to said output channel of said switch; and a circuit which monitors a signal from said accelerometer and transmits said signal from said accelerometer to said data telemetry system for a selectable period of time when said accelerometer signal exceeds a preset value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said seismometer measures ground motion with magnitudes less than 2 on the Richter scale.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said accelerometer measures ground motion with magnitudes greater than 2 on the Richter scale.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said data telemetry system comprises a system for recording a signal from said seismometer and said accelerometer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said circuit comprises means for monitoring said accelerometer signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said circuit comprises means for amplifying said accelerometer signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said circuit comprises means for rectifying an amplified signal from said accelerometer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said circuit comprises means for level detection of an amplified and rectified signal from said accelerometer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said circuit comprises means for preventing said seismometer signal from being recorded by said data telemetry system when said accelerometer signal exceeds a user set threshold.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said circuit comprises means for causing said accelerometer signal to be recorded by said data telemetry system when said accelerometer signal exceeds a user set threshold.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said circuit comprises means for determining how long said accelerometer signal is recorded by said data telemetry system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
84 words
An apparatus of claim 2 wherein said circuit comprises: means for monitoring said accelerometer signal; means for amplifying said accelerometer signal; means for rectifying an amplified signal from said accelerometer; means for level detection of an amplified and rectified signal from said accelerometer; means for preventing a signal from said seisometer from being recorded by said data telemetry system when said accelerometer signal exceeds a user set threshold; and means for determining how long said accelerometer signal is recorded by said data telemetry system
Claim 16
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for upgrading an existing microseismic station to allow measurement of ground motion that is greater than 2 on the Richter scale, said method comprising the steps: providing a switch having a first input channel and a second input channel and an output channel, wherein said output channel is connected to a data telemetry system and wherein said output channel is normally connected to said first input channel; connecting a seismometer to said first input channel of said switch, wherein said seismometer is configured to measure ground motion having magnitudes less than 2 on the Richter scale; connecting an accelerometer to a second input channel of said switch, wherein said seismometer is configured to measure ground motion having magnitudes greater than 2 on the Richter scale; and connecting said accelerometer and said switch to a circuit which will connect said second input channel of said switch to said output channel of said switch for a selectable period of time when a signal from said accelerometer exceeds a preset value.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for upgrading an existing microseismic station to allow measurement of ground motion that is greater than 2 on the Richter scale, said method comprising the steps: providing a switch having a first input channel and a second input channel and an output channel, wherein said output channel is connected to a data telemetry system and wherein said output channel is normally connected to said first input channel; connecting a seismometer to said first input channel of said switch, wherein said seismometer is configured to measure ground motion having magnitudes less than 2 on the Richter scale; connecting an accelerometer to a second input channel of said switch, wherein said seismometer is configured to measure ground motion having magnitudes greater than 2 on the Richter scale; and connecting said accelerometer and said switch to a circuit which will connect said second input channel of said switch to said output channel of said switch for a selectable period of time when a signal from said accelerometer exceeds a preset value.
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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) | 1998-05-29 | 1998-11-28 | 1999-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-29 | 2002-11-28 | 2003-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-05-29 | 2006-11-28 | 2007-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |