GB839094A - Improvements in or relating to axial accelerometers - Google Patents

Abstract

839,094. Electrical indicating systems. GIANNINI CONTROLS CORPORATION, [formerly GIANNINI & CO. Inc., G. M.]. May 30, 1958 [June 6, 1957], No. 17417/58. Class 40 (1). [Also in Group XIX] An accelerometer for measuring acceleration along an axis comprises a shaft fixed in a housing parallel to said axis, an inertial mass mounted on the shaft by means of a linear ball bushing, yielding means defining a normal axial position of the mass, means responsive to axial movement of the mass awav from said normal position, and means for maintaining the mass against rotational movement in the housing, comprising a roller journalled with respect to the housing on a roller axis which extends radially from the accelerometer axis and two walls facing one another and fixed with respect to said mass, said walls being parallel to the plane defined by said axes and being substantially tangent to the peripheral surface of said roller on opposite sides thereof. The mass 30, Figs. 1 and 2, is cylindrical and slidable on the shaft 18 by a ball bushing 35, its normal position being defined by springs 40, 41 secured to the mass by a post 44 and to fixed brackets 47, 48. Axial movement of the mass in response to acceleration is limited by adjustable stops 70, 74. Rotary movement of the mass is prevented by a roller 64 mounted on a fixed post 68 and running in a rectangular channel 62 in the mass. An arcuate potentiometer winding on a fixed arm is contacted by a brush 96 moved by rotation of a drum 98 encircled by a thin flexible metal strap 110 mounted on the mass. The other end of the strap is secured to a resilient bow 112 secured to the mass, the bow keeping the strap taut. Axial movement of the mass moves the brush 96 to give a measure of the acceleration.