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:
-
- Albuquerque, NM
- 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 = {2006},
month = {12}
}