Other

USA as Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Frank J Sienkiewicz

Christopher P Cornell

Benoit G Gauthier

The present invention relates to a fiber optic rotation sensing device. The sensing device includes a stationary base, a rotatable member, and an optical fiber configured in at least one loop about the rotatable member. The optical fiber is secured to an exterior portion of the rotatable member and to the base. Rotation of the rotatable member causes a distortion of the at least one loop and a change in the intensity of the light passing through the optical fiber. The change in light intensity is measured to provide an indication of the degree of twist of the rotatable member.

High sensitivity fiber optic rotation sensor

A creepless snap acting bimetallic switch having flexible contact members. The bimetallic switch comprises: a bimetallic element being adapted to snap between a first mode and a second mode, the first mode corresponding to a closed position of the switch, and the second mode corresponding to an open position of the switch; a first flexible contact member disposed adjacent the bimetallic element and having a first contact portion thereon; a first terminal electrically conductively coupled to the first flexible contact member; a second flexible contact member disposed adjacent the first flexible contact member and having a second contact portion thereon, the first contact portion and the second contact portion being disposed relative to one another such that, when the switch is in a closed position, the first contact portion and the second contact portion are biased against one another by the bimetallic element to be in engagement with one another, and when the switch is in an open position, the first contact portion and the second contact portion define an open contact gap therebetween; a second terminal electrically conductively coupled to the second contact portion such that when the switch is closed, electrical continuity exists between the first terminal and the second terminal; wherein, when the bimetallic element exhibits creep by deforming prior to a snapping thereof from its first mode into its second mode, the first flexible contact member and the second flexible contact member flex in a deformation direction of the bimetallic element such that the first contact portion and the second contact portion remain engaged until the snapping of the bimetallic element from its first mode into its second mode. Advantageously, the bimetallic element may be configured as a bimetallic disc. An alternate embodiment of the switch latches into an open configuration.

Creepless snap acting bimetallic switch having flexible contact members

A bimetallic switch comprising a bimetallic element having an outer edge and being adapted to snap between an open mode and a closed mode; a movable contact disposed on the bimetallic element; a first terminal in electrically conductively coupled to the movable contact; a fixed contact disposed adjacent the movable contact such that, when the switch is in a closed position, the fixed contact and the movable contact are in engagement with one another, and when the switch is in an open position, the fixed contact and the movable contact define an open contact gap therebetween; a second terminal electrically conductively coupled to the fixed contact; a step disposed adjacent the outer edge of the bimetallic element such that a clearance is defined therebetween when the bimetallic element is in its closed mode, the clearance being positioned and dimensioned such that, when the outer edge of the bimetallic element deforms prior to a snapping open thereof, the clearance isolates a deformation of the outer edge thereby keeping the switch closed until the snapping open of the bimetallic element.

Growing community of inventors

Bristol, RI, United States of America

Frank J Sienkiewicz