초록 ▼

An apparatus and associated method for detecting impending earthquakes includes at least one sensor, and preferably multiple sensors, for mounting on a building or other like structure, and include a transducer for converting vibration signals to electronic impulses. The signals are transmitted to a

An apparatus and associated method for detecting impending earthquakes includes at least one sensor, and preferably multiple sensors, for mounting on a building or other like structure, and include a transducer for converting vibration signals to electronic impulses. The signals are transmitted to a solid state detection circuit, which distinguishes between extraneous signals and signals indicative of the P-waves which signal an impending earthquake. Discrimination between relevant and non-relevant may be achieved by selecting a minimum amplitude and duration of signals within a selected frequency range, and triggering an alarm when the selected minimums are exceeded. Where multiple sensors are deployed, temporal overlap between selected signals can be assessed for further discrimination.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for detecting vibration signals from a stationary object or objects, said signals being indicative of an impending earthquake, characterized by the steps of:providing first and second sensors for detecting vibration within a structure responsive to vibration of a fixed substrate upon whi

1. A method for detecting vibration signals from a stationary object or objects, said signals being indicative of an impending earthquake, characterized by the steps of:providing first and second sensors for detecting vibration within a structure responsive to vibration of a fixed substrate upon which the sensor is mounted, said sensors each featuring an electronic detection circuit to convert said vibration to electronic signals, and a transmitter to transmit said electronic signals via transmission means; providing a processing unit having receiving means for receiving electronic signals transmitted by said sensors, a timer circuit for measuring the duration of the signals received from said sensors, and a logic circuit including a potentiometer circuit; mounting said first and second sensors to said fixed structure; determining the natural vibration frequencies of said structure; presetting said potentiometer circuit to said vibration frequencies of said structure; comparing electronically with said logic circuit any extraneous vibration signal different from said preset vibration frequencies of said structure and allowing passage of electronic signals indicative of P-waves acting on said structure; measuring with said timer circuit the duration and temporal overlap of said signals indicative of P-waves from each of said sensors; determining whether said duration and temporal overlap of said extraneous signals exceed predetermined levels indicative of an impending earthquake; and activating alarm means when said duration and temporal overlap indicate an impending earthquake.