Patent ID: 6062081
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: G01P

Abstract:
An accelerometer comprising:a magnetic proof mass,an aluminum sensor housing having a center axis,a ferro fluid contained within said aluminum sensor housing,an opposing magnetic field means, andtwo signal pickup coils;whereinsaid opposing magnetic field means is disposed along said aluminum sensor housing and provides a magnetic field aligned in opposition to said magnetic proof mass' magnetic field,said magnetic proof mass is suspended within said aluminum sensor housing by the magnetic force fields created between said magnetic proof mass' magnetic field and said ferro fluid,said two signal pickup coils are disposed externally to said aluminum sensor housing such that said magnetic proof mass moves as a function of time along said center axis thereby producing an electrical signal across each of said two signal pickup coils, andsaid two signal pickup coils are electronically connected such that said movement produces an output electrical signal from each of said two signal pickup coils which is of opposing polarity to the output of the other of said two signal pickup coils;wherebyeddy currents, generated by said movement creates magnetic fields which oppose said movement, andthe amplitude of the differential voltage between said output electrical signals bears a nonlinear relationship to the acceleration of said magnetic proof mass relative to said aluminum sensor housing.