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US 2021/0046571 A1Published application
Inductive position sensor with switch function
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorMichael V. Hoeger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An inductive sensor which includes one or more inductive coils and an inductance to digital converter. The output of the inductive 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.
Claims20
A sensor, comprising:
- a first coil having a spacing that increases along a length of the first coil from a first region having a first density to a second region having a second density lower than the first density;
- a second coil having a spacing that increases along a length of the second coil from a third region having a third density to a fourth region having a fourth density lower than the third density;
- a conductive target configured to travel along the length of the coils, wherein the first coil and the second coil are arranged such that the conductive target is adjacent the first region when the conductive target is adjacent the fourth region and the conductive target is adjacent the second region when the conductive target is adjacent the third region;
- and
- measurement circuitry configured to measure a first response of the first coil and a second response of the second coil.
2 more elements
A mechanically actuated controller comprising:
- a first coil having a spacing that increases along a length of the first coil from a first region having a first density to a second region having a second density lower than the first density;
- a second coil having a spacing that increases along a length of the second coil from a third region having a third density to a fourth region having a fourth density lower than the third density;
- a mechanical travel device configured to actuate a conductive target, wherein the conductive target is configured to travel along the length of the coils, wherein the first coil and the second coil are arranged such that the conductive target is adjacent the first region when the conductive target is adjacent the fourth region and the conductive target is adjacent the second region when the conductive target is adjacent the third region;
- and
- measurement circuitry configured to measure a first response of the first coil and a second response of the second coil.
2 more elements
A welding control device comprising:
- a first coil having a spacing that increases along a length of the first coil from a first region having a first density to a second region having a second density lower than the first density;
- a second coil having a spacing that increases along a length of the second coil from a third region having a third density to a fourth region having a fourth density lower than the third density;
- a conductive target configured to travel along the length of the coils, wherein the first coil and the second coil are arranged such that the conductive target is adjacent the first region when the conductive target is adjacent the fourth region and the conductive target is adjacent the second region when the conductive target is adjacent the third region;
- and
- measurement circuitry configured to measure a first response of the first coil and a second response of the second coil;
- 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 the second response satisfies a threshold;
- and
- communicate, to the welding device, a control signal to control the welding process based in part on the first response and the second response if the second response satisfies the threshold.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.