Magnetostrictive multiple position sensing device
AssigneeUnico, Inc.
InventorsRamdas M. Pai, James A. Beck
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A position monitoring device for accurately determining a plurality of distances, velocity or acceleration along a line using a plurality of electromagnets. The position monitoring device includes an ultrasound transducer disposed along a line, an ultrasound generator to provide an ultrasound wave pulse along the ultrasound transducer and a plurality of electromagnets disposed along the line at selected positions. The electromagnets generate a magnetic field which interacts with the ultrasound pulse to generate a reflected pulse. A sensor measures the time lapse between generation of the initial pulse and receipt of the reflected pulse, and electronic components convert the time lapse interval to a position measurement.
Claims12
A position monitoring device, comprising:
- an ultrasound transducer disposed along a line;
- means for generating an ultrasound interrogation pulse along said ultrasound transducer;
- a plurality of electromagnets disposed along said line of said ultrasound transducer, each of said electromagnets selectively actuated for generating a magnetic field for interacting with said ultrasound interrogation pulse and causing generation of a reflected torsional strain pulse and twisting of said ultrasound transducer;
- sensor means for detecting the arrival of said reflected torsional strain pulse;
- means for determining a time difference interval between generation of said ultrasound interrogation wave and the arrival of said reflected torsional strain pulse;
- and
- means for converting said time difference interval into a position measurement.
A device for monitoring a plurality of positions along a line, comprising:
- an ultrasound waveguide including a nonmagnetic waveguide housing and a conducting element;
- means for generating an ultrasound interrogation pulse along said conducting element;
- a plurality of electromagnets disposed along the line of said ultrasound waveguide housing and removably coupled thereto, each of said electromagnets selectively activated for generating a magnetic field for interacting with said ultrasound interrogation pulse and causing generation of a reflected torsional strain pulse and twisting of said nonmagnetic waveguide housing;
- sensor means for detecting the arrival of said reflected torsional strain pulse;
- means for determining a time difference interval between generation of said ultrasound interrogation wave and the arrival of said reflected torsional strain pulse;
- and
- means for converting said time difference interval into a position measurement.
A position monitoring device, comprising:
- an ultrasound transducer disposed along a line;
- means for generating an ultrasound interrogation pulse along said ultrasound transducer;
- a plurality of electromagnets disposed along said line of said ultrasound transducer, each of said electromagnets selectively actuated for generating a magnetic field for interacting with said ultrasound interrogation pulse and causing generation of a reflected torsional strain pulse and twisting a portion of said ultrasound transducer;
- a plurality of electromagnets disposed along said line of said ultrasound transducer, each of said electromagnets including a continuously wound coil mounted on a coil core having a beveled single edge disposed adjacent the exterior housing of said ultrasound transducer and each of said electromagnets selectively activated for generating a magnetic field having substantially one magnetic field peak for interacting with said ultrasound interrogation pulse and causing generation of a reflected torsional strain pulse and twisting of said ultrasound transducer;
- sensor means for detecting the arrival of said reflected torsional strain pulse;
- means for determining a time difference interval between generation of said ultrasound interrogation wave and the arrival of said reflected torsional strain pulse;
- and
- means for converting said time difference interval into a position measurement.
A method for selectively monitoring and detecting desired positions of a commercial process, comprising the steps of:
- positioning an ultrasound transducer along a selected line;
- generating an ultrasound interrogation wave along said ultrasound transducer;
- disposing a plurality of electromagnets along said line of said ultrasound transducer, activating selectively each of said electromagnets for generating a magnetic field for interacting with said ultrasound interrogation wave and causing generation of a torsional strain pulse and twisting said ultrasound transducer;
- detecting the arrival of said torsional strain pulse;
- and
- determining a time difference interval between generation of said ultrasound interrogation wave and the arrival of said torsional strain pulse.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.