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US4475089A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Proximity detector

Assignee: Honeywell Inc
•
Filing: 1982-03-31
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Granted: 1984-10-02
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Expires: 2002-03-31
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Abstract

Abstract A proximity detection system is disclosed including an oscillator circuit which has an electromagnetic resonator characterized by a hollow metallic chamber, an oscillator having negative resistance characteristics fixed in the chamber, and a source of direct current connected in series with the oscillator and the chamber. A radiating iris opening is provided in the chamber of a size and disposition such that oscillation of said oscillator circuit means is damped except in the proximate presence of an object before the iris. A detector responsive to a characteristic change in output in the oscillator circuit produced by the oscillation thereof such as an operational amplifier or comparator produces an output indicative of the presence of an object.

Inventors

  • 👤 Joseph Kahnke

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 10:15
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/22; G08B13/24; G08B13/2491

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 129 words
A proximity detector comprising: an oscillator circuit means, said oscillator circuit means further comprising: an electromagnetic resonator characterized by a closed hollow metallic cylindrical chamber; an oscillator means having negative resistance characteristics disposed in said chamber; impedance element connected in series with said oscillator means; and a source of direct current connected in series with said oscillator means and said chamber; a radiating iris opening in one end of said chamber wherein said iris is of a size and disposition such that oscillation of said oscillator circuit means is damped except in the proximate presence of an object before said iris; and detector means having input terminals connected across said impedance element responsive to a characteristic change in output in said oscillator circuit means produced by the oscillation thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 129 words
A proximity detector comprising: an oscillator circuit means, said oscillator circuit means further comprising: an electromagnetic resonator characterized by a closed hollow metallic cylindrical chamber; an oscillator means having negative resistance characteristics disposed in said chamber; impedance element connected in series with said oscillator means; and a source of direct current connected in series with said oscillator means and said chamber; a radiating iris opening in one end of said chamber wherein said iris is of a size and disposition such that oscillation of said oscillator circuit means is damped except in the proximate presence of an object before said iris; and detector means having input terminals connected across said impedance element responsive to a characteristic change in output in said oscillator circuit means produced by the oscillation thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said detector means is an operational amplifier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said detector means is a comparator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said oscillator means is a Gunn diode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said oscillator means is a Baritt diode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 46 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said oscillator means is fixed in said chamber and has an output connected to said chamber and an input insulated from said chamber by a material having a high dielectric constant such that AC components are by-passed to said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 157 words
A proximity detector comprising: an oscillator circuit means, said oscillator circuit means further comprising: an electromagnetic resonator characterized by a closed hollow metallic cylindrical chamber; an oscillator means having negative resistance characteristics disposed in said chamber; and a source of direct current connected in series with said oscillator means and said chamber; a radiating iris opening in one end of said chamber wherein said iris is of a size and disposition such that oscillation of said oscillator circuit means is damped except in the proximate presence of an object before said iris; and detector means responsive to a characteristic change in output in said oscillator circuit means produced by the oscillation thereof; and wherein the length of said resonant cavity is approximately equal to the three-fourths of the wavelength of the natural resonating frequency thereof, and wherein said oscillator means is located at a distance approximately one-fourth of said wavelength from the closed end of said cavity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 157 words
A proximity detector comprising: an oscillator circuit means, said oscillator circuit means further comprising: an electromagnetic resonator characterized by a closed hollow metallic cylindrical chamber; an oscillator means having negative resistance characteristics disposed in said chamber; and a source of direct current connected in series with said oscillator means and said chamber; a radiating iris opening in one end of said chamber wherein said iris is of a size and disposition such that oscillation of said oscillator circuit means is damped except in the proximate presence of an object before said iris; and detector means responsive to a characteristic change in output in said oscillator circuit means produced by the oscillation thereof; and wherein the length of said resonant cavity is approximately equal to the three-fourths of the wavelength of the natural resonating frequency thereof, and wherein said oscillator means is located at a distance approximately one-fourth of said wavelength from the closed end of said cavity.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3278922A Cited
US3691556A Cited
US4030037A Cited
US4016490A Cited
US4001718A Cited
US4371849A Cited
US4259647A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1987-10-02 1988-04-02 1988-10-02 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-10-02 1992-04-02 1992-10-02 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-10-02 1996-04-02 1996-10-02 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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