초록 ▼

The deflection, due to inertia, of the free end of the cantilever rod of fiber optic material is an indication of the acceleration of the supporting structure of the rod. The indication of the deflection of the rod is by detecting light propagating the free end of the rod. Disclosed are fiber optic

The deflection, due to inertia, of the free end of the cantilever rod of fiber optic material is an indication of the acceleration of the supporting structure of the rod. The indication of the deflection of the rod is by detecting light propagating the free end of the rod. Disclosed are fiber optic rod sensing element structures for acceleration indicators, a rate of change of acceleration indicator, a rotation indicator, and a latching acceleration indicator.

대표청구항 ▼

A direct visual reading accelerometer for indicating a plurality of magnitudes of acceleration in a predetermined vectorial direction of said accelerometer comprising, a. a flexible fiber optic rod having a predetermined cantilever bending characteristic with a support end and a free end; b. means f

A direct visual reading accelerometer for indicating a plurality of magnitudes of acceleration in a predetermined vectorial direction of said accelerometer comprising, a. a flexible fiber optic rod having a predetermined cantilever bending characteristic with a support end and a free end; b. means for cantilever supporting said fiber optic rod in said accelerometer at said support end with the nominal position of said rod, when said accelerometer is at rest, being substantially perpendicular to said vectorial direction, whereby said free end of said rod deflects through a planr arc with a predetermined magnitude of arc responsive to a corresponding magnitude of acceleration in said vectorial direction; c. means for illuminating said support end of said rod whereby light emanates said free end of said rod; and d. a plurality of fiber optic rod elements having a first end and a second end, positioned in adjacent stacked relationship in a plane containing said deflection arc, with said first end of each of said rod elements positioned adjacent said deflection arc of said free end of said rod for receiving said light emanating said free end of said rod, and with the corresponding respective said second end of each rod element positioned to provide a direct visual indication of a magnitude of acceleration.