What is Shock Tolerance of Applied Geomechanics Tiltmeters and Inclinometers?
The electrolytic tilt sensors in Applied Geomechanics tiltmeters and inclinometers have no moving parts that can break or wear out. This design feature contributes to their very high tolerance to shock and vibration. All electronic components in our instruments are solid state, which also provides high shock tolerance. The sensors in the 500 and 700 Series tiltmeters are “hard potted” using a ceramic cement whose thermal expansion coefficient is matched to that of the sensor itself. The sensor is protected within a cavity machined into solid aluminum or stainless steel, then totally encapsulated by the potting material. When subjected to 170 G acceleration changes over 11 milliseconds in military tests, hard potted sensors remain undamaged. 800 Series tiltmeters (e.g., Model 801 Tuff Tilt) withstand >20 G acceleration over 11 milliseconds. The Model 906-V and Model 906-H Little Dipper In-Place Inclinometers are filled with polyurethane elastomer. Little Dippers survive shocks >40 G ove
