IP Library Granted Patent US 9,702,896
Granted Patent B2
US 9,702,896 · App. 15/218,013 · Granted Jul 11, 2017

Acceleration sensor

Inventor: Whitmore B. Kelley, Jr. (Enfield, NH)
Assignee: SignalQuest LLC
G01P15/135G01P15/08H01H1/242H01H35/14H01H35/141H01H2001/5888
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,702,896
App. No.
15/218,013
Granted
Jul 11, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

An acceleration sensor is provided. The acceleration sensor contains a first electrically conductive element and a second electrically conductive element. An electrically insulative element is connected to the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element, where at least a portion of the first electrically conductive element and at least a portion of the second electrically conductive element make contact with the electrically insulative element. At least one electrically conductive spring is located within a cavity of the sensor, wherein the cavity is defined by at least one surface of the first electrically conductive element, at least one surface of the electrically insulative element, and at least one surface of the second electrically conductive element.

Claims (24)

1. A sensor, comprising:

a first electrically conductive element having a first diameter on a proximate portion of the first electrically conductive element and a second diameter on a distal portion of the first electrically conductive element;

a second electrically conductive element having a first diameter on a proximate portion of the second electrically conductive element and a second diameter on a distal portion of the second electrically conductive element;

an electrically insulative element connected to the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element, where at least a portion of the first electrically conductive element and at least a portion of the second electrically conductive element make contact with the electrically insulative element; and

at least one electrically conductive spring located within a cavity of the sensor, wherein the cavity is defined by at least one surface of the first electrically conductive element, at least one surface of the electrically insulative element, and at least one surface of the second electrically conductive element,

wherein the at least one electrically conductive spring is connected to an inner surface of the second electrically conductive element and is movable inside the cavity between a first position not contacting the first electrically conductive element, and a second position in contact with an inner surface of the first electrically conductive element.

2. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the electrically insulative element is tube-like in shape.

3. The sensor of claim 1 , where the electrically insulative element is square-like in shape.

4. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is in a closed state (ON) if a conductive path exists from the first electrically conductive element, through the at least one electrically conductive spring, to the second electrically conductive element, and wherein the sensor is in an open state (OFF) if there is no conductive path from the first electrically conductive element, through the at least one electrically conductive spring, to the second electrically conductive element.

5. The sensor of claim 4 , wherein a diameter of a distal portion of the first electrically conductive element and a diameter of a distal portion of the second electrically conductive element are smaller than a diameter of the electrically insulative element.

6. The sensor of claim 5 , wherein the tilt sensor is further defined by the first electrically conductive element further comprising a flat end surface located on a side opposite the distal portion of the first electrically conductive element, and wherein the second electrically conductive element further comprises a flat end surface located on a side opposite the distal portion of the second electrically conductive element.

7. The sensor of claim 5 , wherein the at least one electrically conductive spring is connected to the distal portion of the second electrically conductive element.

8. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the first electrically conductive element comprises a cylindrical lip that extends away from an inner surface of the first electrically conductive element further into the cavity of the sensor.

9. The sensor of claim 8 , wherein the at least one electrically conductive spring is movable to a third position in contact with the cylindrical lip of the first electrically conductive element.

10. The sensor or claim 8 , wherein the cylindrical lip is electrically conductive.

11. A sensor, comprising:

a first electrically conductive element having a first diameter on a proximate portion of the first electrically conductive element and a second diameter on a distal portion of the first electrically conductive element;

a second electrically conductive element having a first diameter on a proximate portion of the second electrically conductive element and a second diameter on a distal portion of the second electrically conductive element;

an electrically insulative element connected to the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element, where at least a portion of the first electrically conductive element and at least a portion of the second electrically conductive element make contact with the electrically insulative element;

at least one electrically conductive spring located within a cavity of the sensor, wherein the cavity is defined by at least one inner surface of the first electrically conductive element, at least one inner surface of the electrically insulative element, and at least one inner surface of the second electrically conductive element; and

a first electrically conductive weight located within the cavity of the sensor, wherein the first electrically conductive weight is connected to a first end of the electrically conductive spring, and

wherein the first electrically conductive weight is movable inside the cavity between a first position not contacting the first electrically conductive element, and a second position in contact with an inner surface of the first electrically conductive element.

12. The sensor of claim 11 , wherein the at least one electrically conductive spring is connected to the inner surface of the second electrically conductive element.

13. The sensor of claim 11 , wherein the at least one electrically conductive spring is connected to the inner surface of the second electrically conductive element at a portion of the inner surface of the second electrically conductive element that is substantially or completely flat.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 8, 2016
From: KELLEY, WHITMORE B., JR.
To: SIGNALQUEST, INC.
Reel/Frame 039370/0032 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 8, 2016
From: SIGNALQUEST, INC.
To: SIGNALQUEST, LLC
Reel/Frame 039627/0340 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 13735018 · Jan 6, 2013
Continuation 12398925 · Mar 5, 2009
Provisional Application 61033865 · Mar 5, 2008
Related Publication 20160327588A1 · Nov 10, 2016