Patents by Inventor Theo P. Schaad

Theo P. Schaad 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: 8616054
    Abstract: A high-resolution digital seismic and gravity sensor includes an inertial mass connected to one or more force-sensitive resonators. The weight of the inertial mass is substantially unloaded with a spring arrangement when exposed to the force of the static gravity field. Seismic accelerations applied to the base of the seismic and gravity sensor, or changes in the gravitational field, generate loads that are transmitted to force-sensitive resonators so that changes in resonant frequency are related to the applied load. The changes in resonant frequency are thus a measure of the seismic accelerations and gravitational field variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Quartz Seismic Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome M. Paros, Theo P. Schaad
  • Publication number: 20100031746
    Abstract: A high-resolution digital seismic and gravity sensor includes an inertial mass connected to one or more force-sensitive resonators. The weight of the inertial mass is substantially unloaded with a spring arrangement when exposed to the force of the static gravity field. Seismic accelerations applied to the base of the seismic and gravity sensor, or changes in the gravitational field, generate loads that are transmitted to force-sensitive resonators so that changes in resonant frequency are related to the applied load. The changes in resonant frequency are thus a measure of the seismic accelerations and gravitational field variations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: Quartz Seismic Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome M. Paros, Theo P. Schaad
  • Patent number: 6826960
    Abstract: A triaxial acceleration sensor comprises an inertial mass suspended in three orthogonal directions by support members in a statically determinate structure. Acceleration applied to the inertial mass generates loading forces that stress the support members either in tension or in compression. The stress levels are thus a measure of the applied acceleration. In an embodiment of this invention, the support members are force-sensitive resonators whose resonant frequencies of oscillation are related to the stresses in the members. The resonant frequencies are thus a measure of the complete three-dimensional vector of the applied acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Quartz Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Theo P. Schaad, Jerome M. Paros
  • Publication number: 20040025590
    Abstract: A triaxial acceleration sensor comprises an inertial mass suspended in three orthogonal directions by support members in a statically determinate structure. Acceleration applied to the inertial mass generates loading forces that stress the support members either in tension or in compression. The stress levels are thus a measure of the applied acceleration. In an embodiment of this invention, the support members are force-sensitive resonators whose resonant frequencies of oscillation are related to the stresses in the members. The resonant frequencies are thus a measure of the complete three-dimensional vector of the applied acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Theo P. Schaad, Jerome M. Paros
  • Patent number: 6595054
    Abstract: A digital angular rate and acceleration sensor is constructed with force-sensitive resonators positioned longitudinally on one or both sides of the neutral bending plane of a cantilevered structure. The cantilevered structure has an inertial proof mass at its free end with a periodic velocity applied sideways to the bending plane. Rotation about the longitudinal axis, which produces periodic Coriolis acceleration, as well as inertial acceleration applied perpendicular to the bending plane, generate tensile and compressive forces on the resonators thereby altering the resonant frequencies that are thus a measure of angular rate of rotation and acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Paroscientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome M. Paros, Theo P. Schaad
  • Patent number: 6497152
    Abstract: Digital pressure transducers employing force-sensitive resonators are designed according to a method that eliminates spurious mode resonances. The dimensional and geometrical relationships of the force-producing pressure elements and structures are chosen such that spurious modes of oscillation are not excited by the resonant modes of the force-sensitive resonators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Paroscientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome M. Paros, Theo P. Schaad
  • Publication number: 20020166379
    Abstract: A digital angular rate and acceleration sensor is constructed with force-sensitive resonators positioned longitudinally on one or both sides of the neutral bending plane of a cantilevered structure. The cantilevered structure has an inertial proof mass at its free end with a periodic velocity applied sideways to the bending plane. Rotation about the longitudinal axis, which produces periodic Coriolis acceleration, as well as inertial acceleration applied perpendicular to the bending plane, generate tensile and compressive forces on the resonators thereby altering the resonant frequencies that are thus a measure of angular rate of rotation and acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Jerome M. Paros, Theo P. Schaad
  • Publication number: 20020117006
    Abstract: Digital pressure transducers employing force-sensitive resonators are designed according to a method that eliminates spurious mode resonances. The dimensional and geometrical relationships of the force-producing pressure elements and structures are chosen such that spurious modes of oscillation are not excited by the resonant modes of the force-sensitive resonators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Jerome M. Paros, Theo P. Schaad