Patent · US Expired

Sensor module integrating both the measurement of a rod travel and measurement of the force exerted on said rod

US6871916B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
8References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 6, 2001
Grant dateMar 29, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 16, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60G2400/60
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A sensor module including a processing unit, a stroke sensor and a force sensor (3) for obtaining data relating to both a force exerted on an axially-moving rod (1) and the travel of the rod through a determination of the position of the piston (2) with respect to the rod (1). The sensor module is characterized by a first stationary electrical coil (5) that is arranged about the piston (2) and the rod (1) and a second moving electrical coil (6) that is disposed about the rod (1) and connected to the force sensor (3). The first (5) and second (6) coils are coaxial and as a result induced oscillatory voltage within the stationary coil (5) generates an eddy current within the piston (2) that permit a measurement of the stroke of the piston (2) by means of eddy-current signal received by the stroke sensor using the piston (2) as a test body, and supplying the force sensor with electrical power through the second moving electrical coil (6). The first stationary electrical coil (5) is further used as a medium for the transmission of an electrical measurement signal (S) that is generated by the force sensor (3).

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