Time domain reflectometer linear position sensing
US6018247A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 19, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 19, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D5/485
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A time domain reflectometry linear position sensing system having a transmission line with a helically wound inductor and a ground conductor. The transmission line includes a movable member that electrically connects with the ground member and which extends along the inductor from a first end a distance that depends on the position of an object whose position is being determined. A signal generator applies pulses between the first end and the ground conductor and a receiver receives reflections of those pulses. The delays between the applications of pulses and the receptions of reflections depend upon the position of the object. A position determining circuit determines the position of the object based upon the delays, beneficially by using sing-around. Beneficially, a third member extends a predetermined distance along the inductor from a second end. That third member provides a reference delay that can improve the system accuracy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.