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Title: Microelectromechanical acceleration-sensing apparatus

Abstract

An acceleration-sensing apparatus is disclosed which includes a moveable shuttle (i.e. a suspended mass) and a latch for capturing and holding the shuttle when an acceleration event is sensed above a predetermined threshold level. The acceleration-sensing apparatus provides a switch closure upon sensing the acceleration event and remains latched in place thereafter. Examples of the acceleration-sensing apparatus are provided which are responsive to an acceleration component in a single direction (i.e. a single-sided device) or to two oppositely-directed acceleration components (i.e. a dual-sided device). A two-stage acceleration-sensing apparatus is also disclosed which can sense two acceleration events separated in time. The acceleration-sensing apparatus of the present invention has applications, for example, in an automotive airbag deployment system.

Inventors:
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2]
  1. Albuquerque, NM
  2. Rio Rancho, NM
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
907974
Patent Number(s):
7148436
Application Number:
10/641,860
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01H - ELECTRIC SWITCHES
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION

Citation Formats

Lee, Robb M, Shul, Randy J, Polosky, Marc A, Hoke, Darren A, and Vernon, George E. Microelectromechanical acceleration-sensing apparatus. United States: N. p., 2006. Web.
Lee, Robb M, Shul, Randy J, Polosky, Marc A, Hoke, Darren A, & Vernon, George E. Microelectromechanical acceleration-sensing apparatus. United States.
Lee, Robb M, Shul, Randy J, Polosky, Marc A, Hoke, Darren A, and Vernon, George E. Tue . "Microelectromechanical acceleration-sensing apparatus". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/907974.
@article{osti_907974,
title = {Microelectromechanical acceleration-sensing apparatus},
author = {Lee, Robb M and Shul, Randy J and Polosky, Marc A and Hoke, Darren A and Vernon, George E},
abstractNote = {An acceleration-sensing apparatus is disclosed which includes a moveable shuttle (i.e. a suspended mass) and a latch for capturing and holding the shuttle when an acceleration event is sensed above a predetermined threshold level. The acceleration-sensing apparatus provides a switch closure upon sensing the acceleration event and remains latched in place thereafter. Examples of the acceleration-sensing apparatus are provided which are responsive to an acceleration component in a single direction (i.e. a single-sided device) or to two oppositely-directed acceleration components (i.e. a dual-sided device). A two-stage acceleration-sensing apparatus is also disclosed which can sense two acceleration events separated in time. The acceleration-sensing apparatus of the present invention has applications, for example, in an automotive airbag deployment system.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Dec 12 00:00:00 EST 2006},
month = {Tue Dec 12 00:00:00 EST 2006}
}