초록 ▼

A shock detector provides for ultra low power detection and measurement of damage to an object caused by shock and vibration. The shock detector includes a shock sensor, such as an accelerometer, attached to the object that produces an electrical vibration signal representative of the mechanical vib

A shock detector provides for ultra low power detection and measurement of damage to an object caused by shock and vibration. The shock detector includes a shock sensor, such as an accelerometer, attached to the object that produces an electrical vibration signal representative of the mechanical vibration of the object. A signal conditioning circuit determines when the magnitude of the electrical vibration signal exceeds a threshold voltage and converts the signal into a digital signal that is in the high voltage state when the magnitude of the electrical vibration signal is above the threshold voltage. Otherwise, the digital signal is in a low voltage state. A data logger records the time spent in the high voltage state. The measured time data and the threshold voltage are then used to estimate the damage applied to the object. Mounting a number of the conditioning circuits in parallel allows for a more accurate estimation.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] An apparatus for detecting and measuring shock and vibration damage applied to an object comprising:a shock sensor operatively attached to the object, the shock sensor adapted to generate an electrical vibration signal representative of a mechanical vibration applied thereto;means f

[ I claim:] [1.] An apparatus for detecting and measuring shock and vibration damage applied to an object comprising:a shock sensor operatively attached to the object, the shock sensor adapted to generate an electrical vibration signal representative of a mechanical vibration applied thereto;means for conditioning the electrical vibration signal to produce a high voltage state when the magnitude of the electrical vibration signal is above a threshold voltage and a low voltage state when the magnitude of the electrical vibration signal is below the threshold voltage;means for measuring the time that the conditioned electrical vibration signal is in the high voltage state comprising an event counter connected to the means for conditioning the electrical vibration signal, the event counter adapted to activate when the conditioned electrical vibration signal is in the high voltage state, increment as long as the conditioned electrical vibration signal is in the high voltage state, and deactivate and remain inactive while the conditioned electrical vibration signal is in the low voltage state; andmeans for storing the measured time that the conditioned electrical vibration signal is in the high voltage state comprising a data loger connected to the event counter, the data logger adapted to store the time measurements.