The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 12, 2006
Filed:
Aug. 14, 2003
Robb M. Lee, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Randy J. Shul, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Marc A. Polosky, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Darren A. Hoke, Albuquerque, NM (US);
George E. Vernon, Rio Rancho, NM (US);
Robb M. Lee, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Randy J. Shul, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Marc A. Polosky, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Darren A. Hoke, Albuquerque, NM (US);
George E. Vernon, Rio Rancho, NM (US);
Sandia Corporation, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Abstract
An acceleration-sensing apparatus is disclosed which includes a moveable shuttle (i.e. a suspended mass) and a latch for capturing and holding the shuttle when an acceleration event is sensed above a predetermined threshold level. The acceleration-sensing apparatus provides a switch closure upon sensing the acceleration event and remains latched in place thereafter. Examples of the acceleration-sensing apparatus are provided which are responsive to an acceleration component in a single direction (i.e. a single-sided device) or to two oppositely-directed acceleration components (i.e. a dual-sided device). A two-stage acceleration-sensing apparatus is also disclosed which can sense two acceleration events separated in time. The acceleration-sensing apparatus of the present invention has applications, for example, in an automotive airbag deployment system.