Fluid dynamic linear accelerometer

DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fluid dynamic linear accelerometer.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide said fluid linear accelerometer that does not depend on the presence or absence of electricity.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a fluid linear accelerometer that does not require mechanically moving parts.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a fluid linear accelerometer utilized in backup fluidic flight controls used in advanced tactical aircraft.
These objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a fluid dynamic linear accelerometer that has a fluid-filled cylinder with oppositely-disposed flexible thin metal diaphragm ends.
A pressurized liquid or gas chamber may surround each diaphragm end, and at least one matched pair of proportional proximity sensors are positioned, one adjacent to each diaphragm, to detect deflections thereof due to acceleration.
Additionally, each proximity sensor is connected through fluid connections into a fluid flow resisting network which produces a differential pressure, compatible with fluid control circuits.
This flow resisting network, which serves to linearize the essentially nonlinear differential pressure,, from the pair of proximity sensors, has two similar branches supplied from the same regulated fluid supply.
When a diaphragm moves towards or away from a proximity sensor, the flow in the associated branch is altered.
As an alternate embodiment, an electro-formed thin metal bellows, such as an instrument-grade bellows, may be substituted for the pair of thin metal diaphragm ends.