DESCRIPTION:

This is a smart switch that can sense acceleration and at the same time can be calibrated to act like a switch beyond a specific threshold of acceleration. So the switch can do both actions:  sense like a sensor and switch as an actuator when needed.  The switch can replace existing complex and expensive systems employing sensing and actuating mechanisms for faction of price. Here is a list of some of the advantages that the new switch offers:

• Easy to fabricate and operate
  

• Low-power consumption.
  

• Is not sensitive for changing damping conditions.
  

• Is not sensitive for the shock duration.
  

• Is easy to calibrate to be triggered at wide range of accelerations (small and very large).
  

• The response of the switch beyond the desired acceleration is distinctive and strong. Hence, this sensor is less sensitive to noise and produces clear and strong signal when activated.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:

• To fire airbags in cars.
  

• To protect hard drivers in laptops.
  

• To protect portable devices, such as cell phones, when falling.
  

• To fire, arm, or disarm weapons, such as missiles, when they hit their targets, miss their targets, or to be triggered at some instants like during launch.

PATENT STATUS:

Patent pending. US Patent Application #11/448,413 filed    June 7, 2006.