Patent ID: 7772839
Filing Date: 2010-08-10
Classification: B60R,G01D,G01R

Abstract:
1. A magnetic crash sensor, comprising: a. at least one coil operatively associated with a first portion of a vehicle; b. a signal source operatively associated with said at least one coil, wherein a first signal from said signal source is operatively coupled to said at least one coil so as to cause said at least one coil to generate a magnetic field; c. at least one conductive element operatively associated with or at least a part of a second portion of said vehicle, wherein said at least one conductive element is located so that said magnetic field generated by said at least one coil induces at least one eddy current in said at least one conductive element, wherein at least one said at least one coil is located outboard of said at least one conductive element; and d. at least one circuit, wherein said at least one circuit is operatively coupled to said at one coil, said at least one circuit is adapted to generate a second signal responsive to a self-impedance of said at least one said at least one coil located outboard of said at least one conductive element, wherein said second signal is at least partially in-phase with said first signal, said self-impedance is responsive to said at least one eddy current in said at least one conductive element, and said second signal provides for detecting a crash affecting said at least one said at least one coil located outboard of said at least one conductive element.