Physical measurement from changes in reactance

Abstract

An apparatus and method for center finding and physical proximity measurement, the apparatus including a reactance controlled signal source for producing a measurement signal having a measurement signal frequency dependent upon reactance and a probe tip connected to the signal source. The probe tip is operable to receive the measurement signal while presenting a measurement reactance to the signal source, the measurement reactance being due to coupling of the probe tip with a workpiece adjacent the probe tip and the measurement reactance varying in accordance with the physical proximity of the probe tip to the workpiece. The measurement reactance causes the signal source to vary the measurement signal frequency according to the proximity of the probe tip to the workpiece. The measurement signal frequency is sufficiently high to enable the measurement signal to be radiated by the probe tip for reception by a remote receiver. The probe is therefore rotatable and operable to provide continuous proximity information while rotating.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.