INCLINOMETRE Russian patent published in 2010 - IPC G01N27/02 G01C9/06 

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: disclosed inclinometre has a detecting element in form of a flat dish made from transparent substrates with transparent electrodes on the inner sides. Lateral faces of the dish are joined together by vertical connection pipes. The dish and connection pipes are filled to a certain level by a liquid crystal with positive dielectric anisotropy. Inside the dish the liquid crystal is given an initial homeotropic orientation. On the outer sides of the dish there are polaroids placed in a crossed position, as well as an optoelectronic pair which picks up the signal value during overflow of the liquid crystal when the level of the liquid crystal in connection pipes changes due to tilting of the platform which bears all components of the inclinometre. Inclination angles can be measured in stationary mode if the direction of inclination is known beforehand. In order to measure inclinations with unknown direction of inclination, the platform is made from a top part which rotates 360° and a bottom fixed part having 3 supports, at least two of which can be moved vertically. The top part of the platform is rotated. Periodic overflow of the liquid crystal takes place in the dish. The optoelectronic pair picks up a sinusoidal signal, the value of which determines the value of inclination.

EFFECT: increased sensitivity and accuracy of measurement and wider range of measurement.

2 dwg