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US 11,305,368 B2Granted
Inductive position sensor with switch function
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorMichael V. Hoeger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sensor which includes inductive coils and an inductance to digital converter. The output of the sensor may be used to replace the functions of a switch and a potentiometer to initiate and control various outputs in welding-type systems and applications.
Claims16
A sensor, comprising:
- a first coil having a first region and a second region, the first region having a spacing between successive corresponding portions of turns of the first coil less than a first threshold distance, and the second region having a spacing between successive corresponding portions of turns of the first coil greater than the first threshold;
- a second coil having a third region and a fourth region, the third region having a spacing between successive corresponding portions of turns of the second coil less than a second threshold distance, and the fourth region having a spacing between successive corresponding portions of turns of the second coil greater than the second threshold;
- a conductive target configured to travel within a travel zone extending from a first location to a second location, wherein both the first location and the second location are adjacent to both the second region and the fourth region;
- and
- measurement circuitry configured to:
- measure a first response of the first coil and a second response of the second coil to detect when a combination of the first response and the second response satisfies a threshold value;
- while the conductive target is within the travel zone, determine a position of the conductive target within the travel zone;
- output a first signal indicating whether the combination satisfies the threshold value;
- and
- output a second signal based on the magnitude of the combination if the combination satisfies the threshold value.
7 more elements
A mechanically actuated controller comprising:
- a first coil having a first region and a second region, the first region having a spacing between successive corresponding portions of turns of the first coil less than a first threshold distance, and the second region having a spacing between successive corresponding portions of turns of the first coil greater than the first threshold;
- a second coil having a third region and a fourth region, the third region having a spacing between successive corresponding portions of turns of the second coil less than a second threshold distance, and the fourth region having a spacing between successive corresponding portions of turns of the second coil greater than the second threshold;
- a mechanical travel device configured to actuate a conductive target, wherein the conductive target is configured to travel within a travel zone extending from a first location to a second location, wherein both the first location and the second location are adjacent to both the second region and the fourth region;
- and
- measurement circuitry configured to:
- measure a first response of the first coil and a second response of the second coil to detect when a combination of the first response and the second response satisfies a threshold value;
- while the conductive target is within the travel zone, determine a position of the conductive target within the travel zone;
- output a first signal indicating whether the combination satisfies the threshold value;
- and
- output a second signal based on the magnitude of the combination if the combination satisfies the threshold value.
7 more elements
A welding control device comprising:
- a first coil having a first region and a second region, the first region having a spacing between successive corresponding portions of turns of the first coil less than a first threshold distance, and the second region having a spacing between successive corresponding portions of turns of the first coil greater than the first threshold;
- a second coil having a third region and a fourth region, the third region having a spacing between successive corresponding portions of turns of the second coil less than a second threshold distance, and the fourth region having a spacing between successive corresponding portions of turns of the second coil greater than the second threshold;
- a conductive target configured to travel within a travel zone extending from a first location to a second location, wherein both the first location and the second location are adjacent to both the second region and the fourth region;
- measurement circuitry configured to measure a first response of the first coil and a second response of the second coil to a position of the conductive target within the travel zone;
- and
- communications circuitry configured to:
- communicate, to a welding device, an enable signal indicating whether to enable or disable a welding process based on whether a combination of the first response and the second response satisfies a third threshold;
- and
- communicate, to the welding device, a control signal to control the welding process based in part on the combination if the combination satisfies the third threshold.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.