A simple estimation of transverse response of high-g accelerometers by a free-drop-bar method

In this research, a simple free-drop-bar method was proposed to evaluate the transient transverse response (or the transverse sensitivity) of a high-g accelerometer with full-scale of 50,000g. Four different metal bars with different lengths and diameters were used in the dynamical impact experiments. It shows that the transverse response depends on the dimension (aspect ratio) of the round metal bar used. The bar with small diameter is favored due to its low distortion and attenuation of wave. For the same device, the bar with small diameter less than 16 mm gives the very low transverse response about 3%, which approaches the results measured by the sinusoidal vibration method. While the thick bar with 20 mm in diameter gives high transverse response about 10%. When performed in the usual drop-hammer equipment, the transverse response even reaches 24%. Stress analysis shows that the transverse response is proportional to the diameter squared of round metal bar used. It is demonstrated that this method is easy to implement with higher repeatability and reliability. In addition to the transverse response, the parameter such as the sensitivity can also be evaluated using the free-drop-bar method.