General Electric Company

Jonathan C Boomgarden

Floyd L Gray

Duane A Filtz

Timothy F Hamers

A collision sensor specially adapted for a power driven x-ray imaging apparatus includes a face collision sensor and an edge collision sensor. The face collision sensor has two annular plates which are biased apart longitudinally by three flat springs which are equiangularly spaced apart around the perimeter of the plates. Three equiangularly spaced cables hold the plates in parallel planes with the springs prestressed and collapse to allow the plates to be compressed together. Two sets of three switches each reside at equal angular intervals between the plates, with at least one of the switches of the first set being actuated when any point across the face of the sensor has been moved a predetermined longitudinal distance. At least one of the switches of the second set is actuated when the point on the face of the sensor has been moved a further predetermined longitudinal distance. An edge collision sensor includes a closed air bladder which surrounds the face collision sensor and in which a vacuum is drawn. A collision occurring around the edge of the face collision sensor causes an increase in the pressure of the bladder. A first pressure sensor is actuated if the pressure increase exceeds a first predetermined amount. A second pressure sensor is actuated if an additional predetermined increase in pressure occurs.

Growing community of inventors

Waukesha, WI, United States of America

Jonathan C Boomgarden