Disconnect sensor
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorsPatrick D. Conner, Andrew N. Baines, William E. Leden, Dale W. Massolle, Teddy L. Jones, Jeffrey T. Wavering
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sensor assembly for sensing relative movement between adjacent panels includes a base and first and second arms pivotally mounted to the base. An electrical connecting element is attached to the first and second arms and holds the first and second arms in a first position to indicate a first condition. When the first and second arms have moved relative to each other by a predetermined amount, the electrical connecting element breaks to indicate a second condition.
Claims19
A sensor for detecting relative movement between two adjacent panels comprising:
- a base;
- a first arm pivotally attached to said base;
- a second arm pivotally attached to said base, said first and said second arms being held in a first position relative to each other to indicate a first condition, and said first and said second arms being movable relative to each other by a predetermined amount to indicate a second condition;
- and
- an electrical connecting element comprising a circuit board interconnecting said first and said arms, said electrical connecting element holding said first and said second arms in said first position and said electrical connecting element being breakable when said first and said second arms have moved relative to each other by at least said predetermined amount to indicate said second condition.
A method of sensing relative movement between two adjacent panels comprising:
- (a) providing a base that is attachable to a first panel;
- (b) pivotally connecting first and second arms to the base such that the first and second arms overlap a second panel;
- (c) attaching an electrical connecting element to the first and second arms to hold the first and second arms in a first position relative to each other, wherein the electrical connecting element comprises a circuit board and further including attaching a wire to the circuit board such that the circuit board can receive one of a direct and alternating current signal;
- (d) breaking the electrical connecting element at a predetermined force when the first and second arms have moved to a second position to indicate that relative movement between the first and second panels has exceeded a predetermined limit.
A method of sensing relative movement between two adjacent panels comprising:
- (a) providing a base that is attachable to a first panel;
- (b) pivotally connecting first and second arms to the base such that the first and second arms overlap a second panel;
- (c) attaching an electrical connecting element to the first and second arms to hold the first and second arms in a first position relative to each other, forming the electrical connecting element as a printed circuit board, attaching a first portion of the printed circuit board to the first arm with a first fastener, attaching a second portion of the printed circuit board to the second arm with a second fastener, and forming a narrow neck portion in the printed circuit board between the first and second portions;
- and
- (d) breaking the electrical connecting element at a predetermined force when the first and second arms have moved to a second position to indicate that relative movement between the first and second panels has exceeded a predetermined limit and wherein the printed circuit board is broken at the narrow neck portion in response to contact of a striker pin mounted to the second panel against one of the first and second arms at the predetermined force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.