Geometrical instruments – Indicator of direction of force traversing natural media – Level or plumb – terrestrial gravitation responsive
Patent
1988-03-18
1989-09-19
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
Geometrical instruments
Indicator of direction of force traversing natural media
Level or plumb, terrestrial gravitation responsive
33 1PT, 33346, 340689, G01C 906
Patent
active
048668508
ABSTRACT:
A clinometer includes a cylindrical cavity having a conductive cylindrical wall and a vertical annular wall having a high resistance resistor uniformly distributed thereon. A freely moving, heavy conductive ball, which may be solid or liquid such as mercury, seeks the lowest point in the cavity. The conductive ball contacts both the conductive cylindrical wall at a point along the resistor, thereby defining the resistance between a terminal connected to one end of the resistor and another terminal connected to the conductive cylindrical wall. This resistance is a function of the inclination of the clinometer. A reference voltage is applied to the end terminal of the resistor. The terminal connected to that conductive cylindrical wall may be coupled to a circuit that converts a voltage across the resistance into a digital voltage that represents the inclination of the clinometer. In another embodiment, the resistor is cylindrical, the vertical wall is conductive, and the conductive ball is liquid that contacts both the cylindrical resistor and the conductive wall. The circuit is connected to the conductive vertical wall and an end terminal of the cylindrical resistor produces a voltage across the resistance between the conductive liquid ball and the end terminal. The voltage represents the inclination.
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Kelly Madelyn I.
Kelly Vincent M.
Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Will Thomas B.
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