Tilt sensor and method of making same
US6943339B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 1, 2002 |
| Grant date | Sep 13, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 6, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V8/12
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method of making the same for sensing inclination. The apparatus includes a member moveably positioned in a body, the member moves in response to gravity between two positions if the body is rotated relative to an axis exceeding a certain amount. A detector can be used to detect when the member moves and can automatically report rotation. A method of making an inclinometer includes creating the body by laminating layers, where a layer is prefabricated to include an appropriate cut-out to guide the member between the two positions. Another layer or layers can include the detector. An aspect of the invention comprises having each layer include prefabricated features for multiple inclinometers, and then superposing the prefabricated layers, activating adhesive between them to form a lamination defining a plurality of inclinometers, and then separating the lamination into individual inclinometers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.