US 6,282,804 B1 · Continuous monitoring inclination sensor

Abstract

A arcuate resistive sensor element is imprinted upon a ceramic substrate forming a wall of a ceramic body in which an electrolyte, advantageously silver nitrate dissolved in a mixture of methanol, water and butanol, is sealed. To avoid the effects of electroplating, an AC exciting voltage is applied between the ends of the sensor element which is bridged by a discharge resistor whose resistance is much lower than the internal resistance of the sensor element so as to dissipate any polarization caused by asymmetry of the voltage supply. A signal output is taken from a midpoint of the sensor element which is always immersed in the electrolyte so that the effect of any leakage current is minimized. Linearity of output with change in the tilt angle achieved with an illustrative embodiment has been measured at better than 99.9% in tilt angle range of −50 to +50 degrees.

Claims10

Dependent claims

An inclination sensor for use with an AC exciting voltage source which may have an asymmetrical waveform, comprising:

a. a low-porosity ceramic body defining a closed chamber which is partially filled with a quantity of electrically-conductive liquid, said body having at least one flat wall;
b. an arcuate resistive element disposed on said wall, said element having electrodes at each end thereof and an electrode at its midpoint, said midpiont electrode and a portion of said resistive element being immersed in said fluid;
said end electrodes being adapted for connection to said AC exciting voltage source;
and
c. a discharge resistor connected between said end electrodes, said discharge resistor having a resistance lower than the resistance of said arcuate element to prevent polarization of said element by said electrolyte, whereby the variation in resistance observable between said third electrode and one of said end electrodes varies linearly with the angle through which said ceramic body is rotated.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Continuous monitoring inclination sensor

Life of this patent

Continuous monitoring inclination sensor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10