Differential motion sensor
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorsStephen Davies, Michael Carbone
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A differential motion sensor includes a base and a cradle. The base includes a first surface that extends along a first axis to define a length and a second axis to define a width. The base further includes at least one hinge that pivots about a rotational axis extending along the first axis. The cradle is pivotably coupled to the at least one hinge and is configured to move in the direction of the second axis when pivoting about the hinge. The differential motion sensor is configured to operate in a first mode when the cradle is aligned with the base and a second mode when the cradle is pivotably displaced with respect to the base.
Claims15
A differential motion sensor, comprising:
- a base including a first surface extending along a first axis to define a length and a second axis to define a width, and including at least one hinge that pivots about a rotational axis extending along the first axis;
- and
- a cradle pivotably coupled to the at least one hinge and configured to move in a direction of the second axis when pivoting about the hinge,
- wherein the differential motion sensor is configured to operate in a first mode when the cradle is aligned with the base and a second mode when the cradle is pivotably displaced with respect to the base.
A method of detecting displacement of a first object with respect to a second object, the method comprising, comprising:
- forming a base on the first object, the base including a first surface extending along a first axis to define a length and a second axis to define a width, and
- pivotably connecting a cradle to the base such that the cradle is configured to move in a direction of the second axis;
- and
- detecting that the first and second objects are aligned with respect to one another when the cradle is aligned with the base, and detecting that the first and second objects are displaced with respect to one another when the cradle is pivotably displaced with respect to the base.
The method of 11 further comprising flowing current through at least one conductive fuse formed on the differential motion sensor, and detecting that the first and second objects are displaced with respect to one another when the current flow is inhibited.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.