Apparatus for determining the position of a work implement
US5880681A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 16, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 16, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D5/202
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for determining the position of a work implement relative to an earthworking machine. An antenna is mounted to the machine and is oriented to transmit a high frequency signal toward the implement and receive a reflected signal back from the implement. An oscillator is electrically coupled to the antenna and energizes the antenna with electrical energy to generate the high frequency signal. The oscillator produces an output signal having a frequency responsive to the inductance of the antenna. A microprocessor based circuit receives the output signal of the oscillator and responsively determines the position of the work implement relative to the machine. The position of the work implement is a function of the frequency of the output signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.