Proximity sensor device that determines at least one physical characteristic of an item
US7148681B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 2005 |
| Grant date | Dec 12, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 11, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B7/10
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sensor device includes the ability to determine part presence and at least one physical characteristic of the part. A drive coil and sense coil are arranged so that a voltage applied across the drive coil causes a response in the sense coil, which is influenced by the presence of the item of interest. In a first mode, a controller determines whether the item is present by determining an amount of coupling between the drive coil and the sense coil, which is indicative of whether a part is present near the sense coil. In a second mode, the controller determines an amount of magnetic flux that is indicative of a thickness of the material. In another mode, constant current applied to the drive coil instigates a voltage across both coils. The amplitude of the sense coil voltage and a phase shift of the sense coil voltage relative to the drive coil voltage provides material thickness information.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.