Patent · US Expired

Measuring distances using a plurality of frequencies

US4905207A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
4References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 21, 1988
Grant dateFeb 27, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 21, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01S15/89
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Distance measurements are made using two or more signal frequencies. Ultrasonic energy is transmitted from a transducer to an object. Returned ultrasonic energy is received by the transducer and processed to provide an accurate determination of the distance between the transducer and the point on the object receiving the ultrasonic energy. In connection with the processing, a number of relationships are utilized. Using certain of the relationships, a range of integers is determined using high and low frequency ultrasonic energy, as well as propagation time. A time-related phase shift determination is also made for each of the high and low frequencies using certain of the other known relationships. Using a range of distance values and the measured time-related values, an accurate determination of distance from the transducer to the object can be made. In one application, a number of different distance values are obtained to define the surface plane of the object, such as a wheel or tire.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.