Sensor arrays based on electronic oscillators
AssigneeUniversite de Sherbrooke
InventorMartin Brouillette
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Abstract
A sensor array for measuring various parameters in a machine environment, the sensor array comprising a number of oscillators, each of the oscillators comprising a feedback network, an amplifier and a limiter being connected together in a loop. The feedback network has a frequency which varies with the parameters to be measured. The amplifier consumes a current from a current supply and in cooperation with the feedback network produces a signal that alternates at the natural frequency of the feedback network. The limiter limits the amplitude of the signal within a predetermined amplitude range. All of the signals from the oscillators are multiplexed onto the output of the sensor array. Frequency analysis may then used to isolate the individual readings from each of the oscillators.
Claims51
A sensor for measuring a parameter in a machine environment, the sensor producing a signal having a frequency which varies with the parameter to be measured.
A sensor for measuring a parameter in a machine environment, the sensor comprising:
- a feedback network having a frequency which varies with the parameter to be measured;
- an amplifier in cooperation with the feedback network to generate a signal that alternates at the frequency of the feedback network, the amplifier and the feedback network being interconnected in a loop;
- and
- an output.
A sensor array for simultaneously measuring various parameters in a machine environment, the sensor array comprising:
- a plurality of sensors, each sensor producing a signal having a frequency which varies with the parameter to be measured by that sensor;
- and
- an output connected to the plurality of sensors, wherein the signals from each of the plurality of sensors are multiplexed onto the output.
A sensor array for simultaneously measuring various parameters in a machine environment, the sensor array comprising:
- a plurality of oscillators, each of the oscillators including;
- a feedback network having a frequency which varies with the parameter to be measured by that oscillator;
- and
- an amplifier in cooperation with the feedback network to generate a signal that alternates at the frequency of the feedback network, the amplifier and the feedback network being interconnected in a loop;
- an output connected to the plurality of oscillators, wherein the signals from each of the plurality of oscillators are multiplexed onto the output.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.