Patent ID: 8367952
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: G01P,H01H

Abstract:
1. A sensor, comprising: a first electrically conductive element having a first diameter on a proximate portion of the first electrically conductive element and a second diameter on a distal portion of the first electrically conductive element, where the second diameter of the first electrically conductive element is smaller than the first diameter of the first electrically conductive element; a second electrically conductive element having a first diameter on a proximate portion of the second electrically conductive element and a second diameter on a distal portion of the second electrically conductive element, where the second diameter of the second electrically conductive element is smaller than the first diameter of the second electrically conductive element, and wherein the distal portion of the first electrically conductive element faces the distal portion of the second electrically conductive element; an electrically insulative element connected to the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element, where at least a portion of the first electrically conductive element and at least a portion of the second electrically conductive element make contact with the electrically insulative element; at least one electrically conductive spring located within a cavity of the sensor, wherein the conductive spring has a diameter, and wherein the cavity is defined by at least one surface of the first electrically conductive element, at least one surface of the electrically insulative element, and at least one surface of the second electrically conductive element; and at least one electrically conductive weight located within the cavity of the sensor and connected to a first end of the electrically conductive spring, wherein the electrically conductive weight has a diameter, wherein the diameter of the electrically conductive weight is larger than the entire diameter of the conductive spring so that the conductive spring pushes the electrically conductive weight.