The Whitaker Corporation

Pennwalt Corporation

Peter R Smith

Joseph V Chatigny

John C Henry

An accelerometer has a piezoelectric transducer which produces electrical signals in response to its deflection and comprises an elongated, continuous beam of generally flat configuration and narrow cross section to provide a bending axis which facilitates deflection of the free ends in response to shock in either or both of the linear and torsional modes. The beam is supported intermediate its ends by a mount, with the free ends of the beam preferably extending equidistantly in opposite directions from the mount so that the free ends of the beam deflect in the same direction in response to shock in the linear mode, e.g., along the X axis, and they deflect in opposite directions in response to shock in the torsional mode, i.e., about the Z axis.

Multi-mode accelerometer

A penetration sensor is disclosed which contains first and second transducers sandwiched around a layer which capacitively isolates the individual transducers. This sensing arrangement allows for the operational state of the sensor to be tested by applying an interrogation signal to each of the transducers.

Growing community of inventors

Folsom, CA, United States of America

Peter R Smith