GB814800A - Combined acceleration indicator and timer - Google Patents

Abstract

814,800. Accelerometers. LEAK Inc. Dec. 10, 1957, No. 38297/57. Class 106 (3). An instrument for comparing change in acceleration of a moving vehicle with an elapsed time interval comprises an accelerometer including a mass and means for guiding the mass in a predetermined path when subjected to an accelerative force, and a time-indicating device including an index movable in a path parallel and adjacent to the path of the mass, whereby time correspondence between the mass and the index may be visually co-ordinated. The accelerometer comprises a metal ball 32, Fig. 3, supported on a compression spring 33 in a transparent tube 31, Figs. 2 and 3, having a scale 34 graduated in G's and supported between a compression spring 43 and a resilient pad 26 on a slidable support 38 vertically adjustable by a screw 41 and nut 42. The index 62 is carried on a shoe 63 of Lucite threadedly engaged with a lead screw 58 rotated by a constant-speed electric motor 55 at a speed controlled by a potentiometer 81. Limit switches 65, 73 for actuation by the shoe 63 are adjustably mounted on a bracket 66 to set the index in its initial position and to arrest it at its bottom limit respectively. A leaf spring 76 urges the lead screw 58 upwardly to control backlash between it and the shoe 63. A lamp 83 is provided to indicate that the motor current is on and a lamp 46 and a further lamp within the shoe to facilitate reading of the scale through a window in the front wall of the casing of the apparatus.