US4887023A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Capacitive sensor and circuit for detecting contamination of guard electrode
Assignee: Mestra AG
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Filing: 1987-01-30
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Granted: 1989-12-12
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Expires: 2007-01-30
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for detecting contamination of a capacitive sensor, comprising a guard electrode surrounding a portion of the sensor, and a circuit for supplying an excitation signal to the sensor and an identical excitation signal to the guard electrode. The circuit periodically isolates the guard electrode from the excitation signal, and detects the difference between the sensor output when the guard electrode is supplied with the excitation signal and when the guard electrode is isolated from the excitation, the detected difference being a function of the contamination of the guard electrode.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher J. Gimson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/22; G01N27/228
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
An apparatus for detecting contamination of a capacitive sensor, comprising a guard electrode surrounding a portion of the sensor, and a circuit for supplying an excitation signal to the sensor and an identical excitation signal to the guard electrode, wherein the circuit comprises means for periodically isolating the guard electrode from the excitation signal, and means for detecting the difference between the sensor output when the guard electrode is supplied with the excitation signal and when the guard electrode is isolated from the excitation signal, the detected difference being a function of the contamination of the guard electrode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
An apparatus for detecting contamination of a capacitive sensor, comprising a guard electrode surrounding a portion of the sensor, and a circuit for supplying an excitation signal to the sensor and an identical excitation signal to the guard electrode, wherein the circuit comprises means for periodically isolating the guard electrode from the excitation signal, and means for detecting the difference between the sensor output when the guard electrode is supplied with the excitation signal and when the guard electrode is isolated from the excitation signal, the detected difference being a function of the contamination of the guard electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for generating an output signal in response to a predetermined change in the detected difference.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-12-11 | 1993-06-12 | 1993-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-11 | 1997-06-12 | 1997-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-11 | 2001-06-12 | 2001-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |