Patent US4866377A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4866377A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Proximity detector alternately operated to detect and self-check
Assignee: Eldec France SARL
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Filing: 1987-04-16
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Granted: 1989-09-12
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Expires: 2007-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A proximity detector of the integrated electronic type which includes an oscillator, which detector detects the position of a target relative to a proximity zone limit by Eddy current changes. The detector is operated over a cycle having a first period during which its functioning is checked by alternately starting and stopping the oscillator and for a second period during which the position of the target is determined.
Inventors
- 👤 Mihail Macovschi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/02; G01B7/023; H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/945; H03K17/95; H03K17/9502
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
The combination comprising: a proximity detector with an integrated electronic system including an oscillator means for detecting the position of a target relative to a proximity zone limit by Eddy current changes, means for controlling said detector to operate during a cycle for a first period to check the functioning of the detector and for a second period for determining the position of the target, said controlling means comprising means for alternately operating said oscillator to produce oscillations and to stop oscillating at predetermined times during said first period to check the functioning of said detector without regard to the position of the target.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
The combination comprising: a proximity detector with an integrated electronic system including an oscillator means for detecting the position of a target relative to a proximity zone limit by Eddy current changes, means for controlling said detector to operate during a cycle for a first period to check the functioning of the detector and for a second period for determining the position of the target, said controlling means comprising means for alternately operating said oscillator to produce oscillations and to stop oscillating at predetermined times during said first period to check the functioning of said detector without regard to the position of the target.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said operating means comprises: a first circuit for bringing about the operation of the oscillator, a second circuit for controlling the stopping of the oscillations, a monostable circuit for controlling, alternately, one or the other of the first and second circuits, and a counter for counting the oscillations which it receives from the oscillator, and controlling the monostable circuit in response thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination according to claim 2, further comprising means for resetting the counter to zero after a defined duration, so as to end the second period of the operating cycle of the detector in the absence of oscillations, that is, when the target is close.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination according to claim 2, further comprising means responsive to the production and stopping of the oscillations during the first period of the operating cycle of the detector, the signals permitting the checking of the correct functioning of the detector for producing two current pulses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination according to claim 4, wherein said monostable circuit produces a pulse and each of said current pulses has a duration equal to that of the pulse of the monostable circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination according to claim 4, wherein the duration of said gap between the two current pulses is a function of the frequency of the oscillations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein the duration of the second period of the operating cycle of the detector is characteristic of the position of the target relative to the limit of the proximity zone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination according to claim 7, wherein when the target is remote the oscillator produces oscillations and the duration of said second period of the cycle is defined by counting of the oscillations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination according to claim 1 further comprising a current generator capable of being controlled via two paths from said proximity detector, said current generator being electrically connected with a wire of a power supply line connected to a voltage source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination according to claim 9 further comprising a return wire for said current generator which can be used as a common line for several detectors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination according to claim 9 further comprising return wire which is grounded at the output of the detector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination according to claim 2, further comprising means for resetting the counter to zero after a defined duration, so as to end the second period of the operating cycle of the detector in the absence of oscillations, that is, when the target is close.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination according to claim 12 wherein that when the target is close, the duration of said second period of the cycle is defined by the period of said resetting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4084135A
Cited
US4112365A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-11 | 1993-03-13 | 1993-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-11 | 1997-03-13 | 1997-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-11 | 2001-03-13 | 2001-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |