Linear position sensor
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorRoger Sewell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for determining a linear position of a moveable member having a code disposed thereupon. The code includes a succession of data fields having at least n characters and including a frame-synch symbol at predetermined intervals in the code. A sensor reads the code on a predetermined portion of the moveable member. The predetermined portion of the member includes code having at least one frame-synch symbol and n characters. The sensor transmits a data signal as a function of the read code. A processing device is coupled with the sensor to receive the data signal. The processing device transmits a position signal as a function of the data signal, with the position signal being indicative of the linear position of the moveable member.
Claims21
An apparatus for determining a linear position of a moveable member, comprising:
- a moveable member having a code disposed thereupon, the code including a succession of data fields each having at least n characters and including a frame-synch symbol at predetermined intervals in the code;
- a sensor operable to read the code on a predetermined portion of the moveable member, the predetermined portion of the member including code having at least one frame-synch symbol and n characters, and operable to transmit a data signal as a function of the read code;
- and
- a processing device coupled with the sensor to receive the data signal and operable to transmit a position signal as a function of the data signal, the position signal being indicative of the linear position of the moveable member.
A method for determining a linear position of a moveable member having a code disposed thereupon, the code including a succession of data fields having at least n characters and including a frame-synch symbol at predetermined intervals in the code, comprising:
- reading the code on a predetermined portion of the moveable member, the predetermined portion of the member including code having at least one frame-synch symbol and n characters;
- aligning a first mask with the read code as a function of a correlation formula;
- and
- determining a linear position of the moveable member as a function of the alignment of the first mask when the correlation formula has a predetermined characteristic.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.