# US 2014/0190281 A1 · Method for mounting ultrasonic sensors > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190281 A1 - Document ID: US20140190281A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/735,238 - Filed: 2013-01-07 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-07 - Assignees: General Electric Company - Applicants: General Electric Company - Inventors: Jonathan Charles Crosby; William John Weigel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190281A1 ## CPC - G01D 11/30: Supports specially adapted for an instrument; Supports specially adapted for a set of instruments - F16B 2200/60: Coupler sealing means - G01D: MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A sensor assembly as in claim 1, further comprising a first plurality of nubs, wherein each of said first plurality of nubs extends from a distal end of the first support plate rib or from a distal end of the first base plate rib; and a second plurality of nubs, wherein each of said second plurality of nubs extends from a distal end of the second support plate rib or from a distal end of the second base plate rib. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A sensor assembly as in claim 1, wherein the first support plate rib of said support plate comprises a plurality of ribs extending in an axial direction, each defining a space in between each adjacent rib, and wherein the second support plate rib of said support plate comprises a plurality of ribs extending in the axial direction, each defining a space in between each adjacent rib. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A sensor assembly as in claim 1, wherein the first base plate rib of said base plate forms a concentric circle with the first aperture in said base plate, and wherein the second base plate rib of said base plate forms a concentric circle with the second aperture in said base plate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A sensor assembly as in claim 1, wherein said first sensor and said second sensor are ultrasonic sensors, and wherein said first sensor sends an ultrasonic signal and said second sensor detects an ultrasonic signal. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A sensor assembly as in claim 1, wherein said support plate is attached to said base plate using a mounting structure extending from said support plate in an axial direction and a mounting slot positioned in said base plate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A sensor assembly as in claim 1, wherein the first isolation boot of said first sensor and the second isolation boot of said second sensor are comprised of a resilient material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) A sensor assembly as in claim 2, wherein the first isolation boot of said first sensor and the second isolation boot of said second sensor are comprised of a resilient material and each deform around said first and second plurality of nubs when said support plate is attached to said base plate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) A sensor assembly as in claim 2, wherein the first isolation boot of said first sensor and the second isolation boot of said second sensor are comprised of a resilient material, and each comprise a plurality of holes corresponding in size, number, and position to said first and second plurality of nubs, such that each nub in said first and second plurality of nubs fits into the plurality of holes when said support plate is attached to said base plate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A sensor assembly as in claim 1, further comprising a gasket positioned adjacent to a back side of said base plate, a face plate positioned adjacent to a front side of said base plate, or both. ### Claim 11 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. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A sensor assembly as in claim 11, further comprising a first plurality of nubs, wherein each of said first plurality of nubs extends from a distal end of the first support plate rib or from a distal end of the first base plate rib; and a second plurality of nubs, wherein each of said second plurality of nubs extends from a distal end of the second support plate rib or from a distal end of the second base plate rib. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A sensor assembly for use in a refrigerator appliance as in claim 11, wherein the first support plate rib of said support plate comprises a plurality of ribs extending in an axial direction, each defining a space in between each adjacent rib, and wherein the second support plate rib of said support plate comprises a plurality of ribs extending in the axial direction, each defining a space in between each adjacent rib. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) A sensor assembly for use in a refrigerator appliance as in claim 11, wherein the first base plate rib of said base plate forms a concentric circle with the first aperture in said base plate, and wherein the second base plate rib of said base plate forms a concentric circle with the second aperture in said base plate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) A sensor assembly for use in a refrigerator appliance as in claim 11, wherein said first sensor and said second sensor are ultrasonic sensors, and wherein said first sensor sends an ultrasonic signal and said second sensor detects an ultrasonic signal. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) A sensor assembly for use in a refrigerator appliance as in claim 11, wherein the first isolation boot of said first sensor and the second isolation boot of said second sensor are comprised of a resilient material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) A sensor assembly for use in a refrigerator appliance as in claim 12, wherein the first isolation boot of said first sensor and the second isolation boot of said second sensor are comprised of a resilient material and each deform around said first and second plurality of nubs when said support plate is attached to said base plate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) A sensor assembly for use in a refrigerator appliance as in claim 12, wherein the first isolation boot of said first sensor and the second isolation boot of said second sensor are comprised of a resilient material, and each comprise a plurality of holes corresponding in size, number, and position to said first and second plurality of nubs, such that each nub in said first and second plurality of nubs fits into the plurality of holes when said support plate is attached to said base plate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) A sensor assembly for use in a refrigerator appliance as in claim 11, further comprising a gasket positioned adjacent to a back side of said base plate, wherein the sensor assembly is mounted to a surface of the refrigerator appliance such that said base plate and said gasket form a fluid seal with the surface of the refrigerator appliance. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) A sensor assembly for use in a refrigerator appliance as in claim 11, further comprising a face plate positioned adjacent to a front side of said base plate.