Patent · US Expired

Capacitive dimensional measurement chain with linear output

US5065105A · kind A · utility

11Cited by
3References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 1, 1989
Grant dateNov 12, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 1, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01B7/023
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A capacitive dimensional measurement chain with linear output is essentia comprised of a capacitive sensor formed by a central detection electrode and a guard electrode surrounding the detection electrode that are respectively powered by two a.c. bias voltage sources. The chain also comprises a reference capacitor and a measuring circuit for measuring the distance between the detection electrode and a conductive part placed facing the detection electrode. The bias voltage sources are variable level sources and are level-controlled by a distance measurement signal issued by the measuring circuit. The measuring circuit comprises a level amplifier and a demodulator for amplifying and demodulating an incoming error signal representative of a difference between a load of a sensor capacitance that is defined between the detection electrode and the part separated by the distance to be measured, and a load of the reference capacitor. The distance measurement signal supplied by the measuring circuit linearly represents the distance to be measured.

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