Estimation of gap between a proximity sensor and target
AssigneeSimmonds Precision Products, Inc.
InventorsBernard Dion, Eric DeWind
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method is provided for sensing proximity of a target. The method includes sensing inductance associated with a magnetic field, wherein the inductance is affected by the target when the target is proximate the magnetic field. The method further includes providing the sensed inductance for processing. The processing includes determining an inductance value from at least the sensed inductance and estimating a parameter of a gap between a location of sensing the inductance and the target as a function of the inductance value and application of a nonlinear model of a relationship between the gap and inductance.
Claims17
A system for sensing proximity of a target, the system comprising:
- a sensor configured to generate a magnetic field and sense inductance and resistance, wherein the inductance is affected by the target when the target is proximate the sensor;
- a sensor cable coupled to the sensor, the sensor cable being configured to provide the sensed inductance from the sensor to processing equipment;
- and
- the processing equipment configured to receive the sensed inductance and resistance via the sensor cable, determine an inductance value from the sensed inductance as a function of an inductance model, and a resistance value from the sensed resistance as a function of a resistance model, and estimate a parameter of a gap between the sensor and the target by a lookup step as a function of the inductance value, the resistance value, the inductance model, and the resistance model,
- wherein the inductance model includes a first term giving a non-linear relationship between the parameter and inductance and applies experimentally determined first coefficients, and the resistance model includes a second term giving a non-linear relationship between the parameter and resistance and applies experimentally determined second coefficients.
A method for sensing proximity of a target, the method comprising:
- sensing inductance and resistance associated with a magnetic field, wherein the inductance is affected by the target when the target is proximate the magnetic field;
- and
- providing the sensed inductance for processing, wherein the processing comprises:
- determining an inductance value from the sensed inductance as a function of an inductance model;
- determining a resistance value from the sensed resistance as a function of a resistance model;
- performing a lookup step as a function of the inductance value, the resistance value, the inductance model, and the resistance model;
- and
- estimating a parameter of a gap between a location of sensing the inductance and the target by a result of the lookup step,
- wherein the inductance model includes a first term giving a non-linear relationship between the parameter and inductance and applies experimentally determined first coefficients, and the resistance model includes a second term giving a non-linear relationship between the parameter and resistance and applies experimentally determined second coefficients.
A method for sensing proximity of a target, the method comprising:
- receiving a signal associated with sensing inductance and resistance associated with a magnetic field, wherein the inductance is affected by the target when the target is proximate the magnetic field;
- determining an inductance value from the signal as a function of an inductance model;
- determining a resistance value from the signal as a function of a resistance model;
- performing a lookup step as a function of the inductance value, the resistance value, the inductance model, and the resistance model;
- and
- estimating a parameter of a gap between a location of sensing the inductance and the target by a result of the lookup step,
- wherein the inductance model includes a first term giving a non-linear relationship between the parameter and inductance and applies experimentally determined first coefficients, and the resistance model includes a second term giving a non-linear relationship between the parameter and resistance and applies experimentally determined second coefficients.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.