Method and apparatus for changing the sensitivity of a transducer
AssigneePitney Bowes Inc.
InventorPaul C. Talmadge
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Abstract
A method of changing the sensitivity of a transducer includes applying to the transducer a cyclic excitation signal. The excitation signal has a number of recurring phases of different amplitudes. The transducer's output signal has a like number of recurring phases, each of which corresponds to a phase of the excitation signal. One of the phases of the output signal is selected for data acquisition. Selection of a different phase changes the effective measuring range of the transducer. Preferably, the excitation signal is an a.c. signal, and the output signal is partially demodulated as part of the selection of a phase for data acquisition.
Claims8
A method of changing the sensitivity of a transducer, comprising the steps of:
- (a) applying a cyclic excitation signal to said transducer, said excitation signal having a plurality of recurring phases of different amplitudes;
- (b) receiving an output signal from said transducer, said output signal having a like plurality of recurring phases corresponding to said phases of said excitation signal;
- and
- (c) selecting for data acquisition one of said recurring phases of said output signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.