Tilt switch
AssigneePulse Electronics, Inc.
InventorsAngel P. Bezos, Emilio A. Fernandez, James F. Shockley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gravity operated switching circuit, having particular application in end of train equipment, allows the microprocessor circuit board in the equipment to be turned off. The circuit turns the power off when the equipment is laid on its side after a predetermined time constant, and when the equipment is again mounted in an upright position, the power is turned on after a different predetermined time constant. A modification of the basic circuit requires a reset button to be manually pressed to restore power after the equipment is again mounted in an upright position.
Claims8
A gravity operated switching circuit for controlling the power supplied to a battery powered monitoring and signalling system having a microprocessor for controlling said monitoring and signalling functions comprising:
- a tilt switch which is open in a first orientation of said monitoring and signalling system and closed in a second orientation of said monitoring and signalling system, said tilt switch being gravity operated;
- timing means independent of said microprocessor connected to said tilt switch for providing a first control level with a first predetermined time constant when said tilt switch changes from a closed to an open condition and providing a second control level with a second predetermined time constant when said tilt switch changes from an open to a closed condition;
- and
- switched power supply means connected to said timing means for controlling the supply of electrical power to said battery powered monitoring and signalling system in response to said first and second control levels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.