US3946616A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid crystal accelerometer
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1974-08-09
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Granted: 1976-03-30
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Expires: 1994-08-09
Abstract
Abstract An accelerometer comprising a first glass plate mounted in a fixed position, a second glass plate mounted in spaced relation with said first plate and movable with respect to said first plate, an aligning agent coating the facing surfaces of said plates, a nematic liquid crystal mixture filling the space between said plates, means applying an electrical potential between the coated surfaces of said plates, and means for detecting optical characteristics within said liquid crystal mixture.
Inventors
- 👤 Freeman B. Jones, Jr.
- 👤 Ronald M. Govan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/02; G01P15/08; G01P15/093
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An accelerometer comprising; a first plate formed of electrically non-conductive material fixedly mounted on an article whose acceleration is to be sensed, a second plate formed of electrically non-conductive material mounted in spaced relation with said first plate and movable with respect to said first plate and resiliently connected to said article, an inertial mass fixedly connected to said second plate, an aligning agent coating the facing surfaces of said plates, a nematic liquid crystal mixture filling the space between said plates, means applying an electrical potential between the coated surfaces of said plates, and optical means for detecting changes in the optical characteristics within said liquid crystal mixture to provide an indication of the acceleration of said article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
An accelerometer comprising; a first plate formed of electrically non-conductive material fixedly mounted on an article whose acceleration is to be sensed, a second plate formed of electrically non-conductive material mounted in spaced relation with said first plate and movable with respect to said first plate and resiliently connected to said article, an inertial mass fixedly connected to said second plate, an aligning agent coating the facing surfaces of said plates, a nematic liquid crystal mixture filling the space between said plates, means applying an electrical potential between the coated surfaces of said plates, and optical means for detecting changes in the optical characteristics within said liquid crystal mixture to provide an indication of the acceleration of said article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 1 wherein; said plates are transparent, and said optical means including light source means passing a light beam through said plates and said liquid crystal mixture and photodetector means positioned to sense said light beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device of claim 1 wherein; one of said plates is transparent, optically reflective coating means applied to the facing surfaces of said plates, and said optical means includes light source means positioned to cause a light beam to undergo multiple reflections between the facing surfaces of said plates and photodetector means positioned to sense said light beam.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-03-30 | 1979-09-29 | 1980-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-30 | 1983-09-29 | 1984-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-30 | 1987-09-29 | 1988-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |