US5630280A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual axis electrolytic tilt sensor
Assignee: FREDERICKS COMPANY
•
Filing: 1995-05-01
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Granted: 1997-05-20
•
Expires: 2015-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A dual axis electrolytic tilt sensor is disclosed which includes a spherical enclosure that houses a plurality of electrodes partially immersed in an electrolytic solution. The electrodes have arcuate contact portions and the spherical inner surface of the enclosure defines a common electrode. When connected to an appropriate electrical circuit, the sensor produces a substantially linear output voltage in proportion to tilt angle.
Inventors
- 👤 Wallace R. Crossan, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:27
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C9/00; G01C9/18; G01C9/20; G01C9/02; G01C9/06; G01C2009/068; G01C2009/182
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A tilt sensor which comprises: a) a spherical containment vessel for sealingly containing an electrolytic solution and having an inner surface defining a common electrode; and b) a plurality of electrodes each including an arcuate contact portion housed within the containment vessel and a lead portion depending from the containment vessel and extending to the exterior of the containment vessel for allowing interfacing with an external electrical circuit, the arcuate contact portion of each electrode having a radius of curvature that is less than the radius of the inner surface of the spherical containment vessel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A tilt sensor which comprises: a) a spherical containment vessel for sealingly containing an electrolytic solution and having an inner surface defining a common electrode; and b) a plurality of electrodes each including an arcuate contact portion housed within the containment vessel and a lead portion depending from the containment vessel and extending to the exterior of the containment vessel for allowing interfacing with an external electrical circuit, the arcuate contact portion of each electrode having a radius of curvature that is less than the radius of the inner surface of the spherical containment vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tilt sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the spherical containment vessel is formed of a metallic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tilt sensor as recited in claim 2, wherein the spherical containment vessel includes two hemispherical sections hermetically sealed to one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tilt sensor as recited in claim 3, wherein each hemispherical section has a peripheral flange provided thereon which together define an equatorial flange about the containment vessel when the two sections are hermetically sealed to one another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A tilt sensor as recited in claim 3, wherein one of the hemispherical sections defines an upper section and the other defines a lower section, and wherein the upper section has a filling hole formed therein for introducing the electrolytic solution into the containment vessel, and a plug is provided for plugging the filling hole.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A tilt sensor as recited in claim 5, wherein the lower hemispherical section has an aperture formed therein through which the lead portions of the plurality of electrodes extend to depend from the constant vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tilt sensor as recited in claim 6, wherein a glass preform is maintained in the aperture to seal the containment vessel, insulate the lead portions of each electrode from the containment vessel, and maintain the spacing between each electrode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tilt sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes includes two pairs of electrodes, each pair defining a distinct tilt axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tilt sensor as recited in claim 2, wherein the plurality of electrodes are formed from the same metallic material from which the containment vessel is formed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tilt sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature of the arcuate contact portion of each electrode is constant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tilt sensor as recited in claim 10, wherein the radius of curvature of the arcuate contact portion of each electrode is greater than one half of the radius of the spherical containment vessel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tilt sensor as recited in claim 1, wherein the arcuate contact portion of each electrode has a terminal end, and the terminal ends coincide with a common insulator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
161 words
A tilt sensor which comprises: a) a containment vessel for sealingly containing an electrolytic solution and having a spherical inner surface which defines a common electrode; and b) a plurality of electrodes each including an arcuate contact portion housed within the containment vessel and a lead portion depending from the containment vessel and extending to the exterior of the containment vessel for allowing interfacing with an external electrical circuit, the plurality of electrodes including: i) a first pair of electrodes arranged in such a manner so that the arcuate contact portions thereof form a first great circle of a sphere which is concentric with the spherical inner surface of the containment vessel, the first great circle defining a first tilt axis; and ii) a second pair of electrodes arranged in such a manner so that the arcuate contact portions thereof form a second great circle of the sphere defining a second tilt axis which is orthogonal to the first tilt axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
161 words
A tilt sensor which comprises: a) a containment vessel for sealingly containing an electrolytic solution and having a spherical inner surface which defines a common electrode; and b) a plurality of electrodes each including an arcuate contact portion housed within the containment vessel and a lead portion depending from the containment vessel and extending to the exterior of the containment vessel for allowing interfacing with an external electrical circuit, the plurality of electrodes including: i) a first pair of electrodes arranged in such a manner so that the arcuate contact portions thereof form a first great circle of a sphere which is concentric with the spherical inner surface of the containment vessel, the first great circle defining a first tilt axis; and ii) a second pair of electrodes arranged in such a manner so that the arcuate contact portions thereof form a second great circle of the sphere defining a second tilt axis which is orthogonal to the first tilt axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
A tilt sensor as recited in claim 13, wherein at least the spherical inner surface of the containment vessel is formed of a metallic material, and the plurality of electrodes are formed at least in part from the same metallic material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tilt sensor as recited in claim 14, wherein the containment vessel includes two hemispherical sections which are hermetically sealed to one another.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tilt sensor as recited in claim 15, wherein each hemispherical section has a peripheral flange provided thereon which together define an equatorial flange about the containment vessel when the two sections are hermetically sealed to one another.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
A tilt sensor as recited in claim 15, wherein one of the hemispherical sections defines an upper section and the other defines a lower section, and wherein the upper section has a filling hole formed therein for introducing the electrolytic solution into the containment vessel, and a plug is provided for plugging the filling hole.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A tilt sensor as recited in claim 13, wherein the lower hemispherical section has an aperture formed therein through which the lead portions of the plurality of electrodes extend to depend from the constant vessel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tilt sensor as recited in claim 18, wherein a glass preform is maintained in the aperture to seal the containment vessel, insulate the lead portions of each electrode from the containment vessel, and maintain the spacing between each electrode.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tilt sensor as recited in claim 13, wherein the arcuate contact portion of each electrode has a terminal end, and the terminal ends coincide with a common insulator.
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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) | 2000-05-19 | 2000-11-18 | 2001-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-19 | 2004-11-18 | 2005-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-19 | 2008-11-18 | 2009-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |