Convective accelerometer and inclinometer

A device for sensing acceleration or inclination comprising:

• a hermetically sealed enclosure containing a fluid;
• heating means for heating the fluid in the enclosure;
• at least two parallel temperature sensing elements having first and second ends, said temperature sensing elements mounted within said enclosure such that the fluid moves across the sensing elements in free convection;
• and
• circuit means connected to the first and second ends of the temperature sensing elements for determining at least one of acceleration and inclination based on the difference in temperature between the temperature sensing elements resulting from the effect of acceleration on free convective flow within the enclosure, wherein the heating means are the at least two temperature sensing elements.

A device for sensing acceleration, position, velocity or inclination comprising:

• heating means for heating a fluid in an area surrounding the heating means;
• two parallel temperature sensing elements positioned such that the fluid heated by the heating means moves across the two temperature sensing elements in free convection;
• and
• circuit means connected to the temperature sensing elements for determining acceleration, position, velocity or inclination based on the effect of acceleration on the free convection of the fluid in the area surrounding the heating means, wherein the heating means are the two temperature sensing elements.

A method for measuring acceleration or inclination comprising:

• providing an enclosure containing a fluid, two parallel temperature sensing elements and a heating means;
• heating the fluid within the enclosure with the heating means, wherein the heating means are the two temperature sensing elements;
• subjecting the enclosure to acceleration or inclination;
• and
• determining the acceleration or inclination of the enclosure by measuring a change in the temperature of the temperature sensing element, wherein the change in the temperature is caused by changes in the free convective flow within the enclosure due to the force of acceleration on the enclosure.