Patents by Inventor Howard F. Devaney

Howard F. Devaney has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4574168
    Abstract: An accelerometer assembly is provided for use in activating a switch in response to multiple acceleration pulses in series. The accelerometer includes a housing forming a chamber. An inertial mass or piston is slidably disposed in the chamber and spring biased toward a first or reset position. A damping system is also provided to damp piston movement in response to first and subsequent acceleration pulses. Additionally, a cam, including a Z-shaped slot, and cooperating follower pin slidably received therein are mounted to the piston and the housing. The middle or cross-over leg of the Z-shaped slot cooperates with the follower pin to block or limit piston movement and prevent switch activation in response to a lone acceleration pulse. The switch of the assembly is only activated after two or more separate acceleration pulses are sensed and the piston reaches the end of the chamber opposite the reset position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Howard F. Devaney
  • Patent number: 4345124
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an improved integrating acceleration switch of the type having a mass suspended within a fluid filled chamber, with the motion of the mass initially opposed by a spring and subsequently not so opposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Joseph P. Abbin, Jr., Howard F. Devaney, Lewis W. Hake