Abstract: An orientation sensor especially suitable for use in an underground device is disclosed herein. This orientation sensor includes a sensor housing defining a closed internal chamber, an arrangement of electrically conductive members in a predetermined positional relationship to one another within the chamber and a flowable material contained within the housing chamber and through which electrical connections between the electrically conductive members are made such that a comparison between an electrical property, specifically voltage, of a first combination of conductive members to the corresponding electrical property of a second combination of conductive members can be used to determine a particular orientation parameter, specifically pitch or roll of the sensor.

Abstract: A method of configuring an electrolytic tilt sensor having a plurality of non-precious metal electrodes and a common electrode at least partially immersed in an electrolyte and included within an electrical circuit with a voltage supply by maintaining the power at the electrodes of the tilt sensor below a predetermined threshold power density measured at an immersed surface of the electrodes.

Abstract: A sensor (10) for measurement of acceleration and/or tilt of a movable object, particularly a motor vehicle, features an interior space (12) partially filled with fluid (15). Within that space, at least two heatable, temperature-sensitive electrical circuit elements are arranged so that, in a rest or initial position of the sensor, they are equally covered or wetted by the fluid. If the acceleration and tilt of the movable object are both zero, or the two cancel each other out, the sensor reading is zero. If this is not the case, the acceleration or tilt leads to a differing degree of coverage or wetting of the at least two circuit elements, and thus to a non-zero sensor reading.

Abstract: A joystick comprising a control handle within which is located an inclination sensitive potentiometer. The potentiometer includes an elongate resistance element and an electrically conductive liquid wiper. Movement of the potentiometer causes the wiper to flow along the resistance element and to vary the output resistance of the potentiometer.