Abstract:
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for tilt detection and indication is disclosed. The tilt indicator includes a first member having a reservoir for retaining a granular indicating media therein; and a second member coupled to the first member and having an adhesive portion located corresponding to an indicating area of the first member. Responsive to a tilt event, at least a portion of the indicating media exits the reservoir and travels to the indicating area where the adhesive portion retains at least a portion of the indicating media within the indicating area. A blocking element located within a buffering area located between the reservoir and the indicating area is configured to impede travel of the indicating media from the reservoir toward the indicating area when the tilt indicator is in an activated state.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus are provided for improving the performance of displacement sensors, including absolute displacement sensors, such as inclinometers and accelerometers, and relative displacement sensors such as linear relative position transducers, by reducing or eliminating hysteresis. During use, independent, controlled and limited displacement is induced between the sensing unit and housing or base of such sensors.
Abstract:
A non-electronic head-worn system for providing visual inertial head orientation information to a person is disclosed. The system comprises a head-worn unit that displays at least one orientation reference symbol to the person wearing the unit wherein the orientation reference symbol stays in a fixed visual position for the person when the person's head changes orientation. The system also comprises a pitch indicator that gives visual pitch information to the person and a roll indicator that gives visual roll information to the person. The pitch indicator and the roll indicator are responsive to a pendulum, a rolling element, or a fluid in a reservoir. The pitch element and the roll element do not use electricity or electronics.
Abstract:
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for tilt detection and indication is disclosed. The tilt indicator includes a first member having a reservoir for retaining a granular indicating media therein; and a second member coupled to the first member and having an adhesive portion located corresponding to an indicating area of the first member. Responsive to a tilt event, at least a portion of the indicating media exits the reservoir and travels to the indicating area where the adhesive portion retains at least a portion of the indicating media within the indicating area.
Abstract:
A normal pendulum is coupled to an inverted pendulum to provide a composite conjugate pendulum having an effective length much longer than the actual physical lengths. The motion of the pendulum is sensed by a capacitive transducer and pivot friction is minimized by a two-bar two-strap suspension system.
Abstract:
A directing instrument for control of the inclination of the drill post of a drilling apparatus comprising means for sensing the inclination of the post in two directions at right angles to one another. Said means being supported by a holder arranged to be mounted rotatably on said post and so that the axis of rotation of said holder can be set relative to the post dependent on the type of operation to be carried out.
Abstract:
Apparatus for maintaining the direction of a beam of electromagnetic radiation relative to earth horizontal comprising an optical reflector, a pendulum connected to the reflector and a mounting frame supporting said reflector and said pendulum by independent gimbal suspension whereby said reflector moves responsive to pendulum motion through one-half the rotational angle of said pendulum, correcting an optical path in accordance with changes in the position of the pendulum relative to the mounting frame. Apparatus units utilizing coherent light beams are a specific embodiment.
Abstract:
An electromechanical device for measuring the inclination of a support plane with high resolution, high accuracy and low sensitivity to outside disturbances, comprising a first electromechanical pendulum system, controlled in a closed loop to measure the static rotations of an inverted pendulum pivoted to a supporting structure which can be associated with the support plane whose inclination is to be measured. The measurement is performed by measuring the mechanical torque required to keep the inverted pendulum in a neutral position, i.e., in a position which is substantially perpendicular to the support plane. This is made possible by a first motor which is associated with the inverted pendulum and turns it as a function of its angular deviation from the neutral position measured by a first position sensor associated with the inverted pendulum.
Abstract:
A carpenter's square having a first and second leg at right angles to each other, and a third leg extending between the first and second legs. A magnetic strip on the first leg for attaching the tool to a metallic surface to be plumbed. A first notch in the third leg a first distance from the first leg and a second notch in the third leg a second distance from the first leg so that a plumb string can be threaded through the first and second notches and thereby held in place to support a plumb bob to allow a plumb reading to be taken without the need for manually supporting the plumb bob.
Abstract:
First and second incline sensing devices measure the bending motion of the first body region and the second body region, respectively, in relation to gravity to provide range of motion determinations. With the incline sensing devices held against their respective body regions, a practitioner zeros a digital display provided on the device and the patient performs a range of motion exercise while the practitioner notes the angular value which is continuously updated on a display. The device is small, easily handled, and self contained. Numerous structures are provided to extend the useful life of an internal battery which provides power to all the components. The device utilizes programmed array logic components, which are reliable and consume very little power, to calculate the different between the orientation with respect to gravity of the two incline sensing devices. The difference is shown on a liquid crystal display.