Method for mounting ultrasonic sensors
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsJonathan Charles Crosby, William John Weigel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved sensor assembly is provided that allows for close proximity detection of one or more objects by isolating a first sensor from a second sensor within the sensor assembly using isolation boots and a unique mounting structure. Each sensor has at least a portion positioned within an isolation boot, and the isolation boots are supported between a base plate and a support plate by one or more base plate ribs and one or more support plate ribs. The sensor is therefore prevented from otherwise contacting the base plate or the support plate.
Claims20
A sensor assembly, comprising:
- a base plate defining:
- a first aperture and a first base plate rib surrounding and concentric with the first aperture, and
- a second aperture and a second base plate rib surrounding and concentric with the second aperture;
- a support plate attached to said base plate, said support plate comprising:
- a first support plate rib;
- and
- a second support plate rib;
- a first sensor assembly comprising a first sensor and a first isolation boot, wherein at least a portion of the first sensor is positioned within the first isolation boot, the first isolation boot supported between the first base plate rib and the first support plate rib such that the first sensor is isolated from contact with said base plate and said support plate;
- and
- a second sensor assembly positioned adjacent to said first sensor assembly and comprising a second sensor and a second isolation boot, wherein at least a portion of the second sensor is positioned within the second isolation boot, the second isolation boot supported between the second base plate rib and the second support plate rib such that the second sensor is isolated from contact with said base plate and said support plate.
A sensor assembly for use in a refrigerator appliance, comprising:
- a base plate defining
- a first aperture and a first base plate rib surrounding and concentric with the first aperture, and
- a second aperture and a second base plate rib surrounding and concentric with the second aperture;
- a support plate attached to said base plate, said support plate comprising:
- a first support plate rib;
- and
- a second support plate rib;
- a first sensor assembly comprising a first sensor and a first isolation boot, wherein at least a portion of the first sensor is positioned within the first isolation boot, the first isolation boot supported between the first base plate rib and the first support plate rib such that the first sensor is isolated from contact with said base plate and said support plate;
- and
- a second sensor assembly positioned adjacent to said first sensor assembly and comprising a second sensor and a second isolation boot, wherein at least a portion of the second sensor is positioned within the second isolation boot, the second isolation boot supported between the second base plate rib and the second support plate rib such that the second sensor is isolated from contact with said base plate and said support plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.