Patent ID: 6297463
Filing Date: 2001-10-02
Classification: B67D,F04B

Abstract:
A detector for sensing dynamic displacement, comprising:a housing defining a longitudinal axis;a mass supported within the housing and constrained against movement except along the longitudinal axis, the mass being movable along the longitudinal axis with respect to the housing, the mass having a magnet affixed thereto;a shock-absorbing member positioned in the housing adjacent the mass so as to define a stop against which the mass abuts when the detector is static;a spring contained within the housing, a first end of the spring connected to the housing for movement therewith and a second end of the spring connected to the mass for movement therewith, the spring being preloaded to urge the mass against the shock-absorbing member when the detector is static;a first magnetically operated proximity sensor operable to change state upon occurrence of a predetermined displacement of the mass away from a static position of the mass carrying the magnet into proximity with the first proximity sensor; anda second magnetically operated proximity sensor axially displaced relative to the first proximity sensor, the two proximity sensors being axially spaced at different distances from the mass when the mass is in the static position such that two different sensitivities of the detector can be achieved.