Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
An improved capacitive type proximity sensor capable of sensing in three dimensions comprising: at least one outer electrical conductor spaced from an arbitrary, non-planar surface of a machine forming one electrode of a sensor capacitor, the other electrode comprising an object spaced from said machine, said outer electrical conductor including a first conducting layer which is shaped to conform to the arbitrary, non-planar surface of said machine; at least one intermediate electrical conductor corresponding to each of said outer electrical conductors located between said outer electrical conductor and said machine being of a size substantially larger than said outer electrical conductor to act as a shield for reducing the parasitic capacitance between said outer electrical conductor and said machine, said intermediate electrical conductor including a layer of conductive material of the same arbitrary, non-planar shape as said surface of said machine and geometrically shielding said first conducting layer from said machine; means for electrically insulating each of said outer electrical conductors from each of said intermediate electrical conductors; means for electrically insulating each of said intermediate electrical conductors from said surface of said machine; first circuit means for coupling in phase the instantaneous voltage at each of said outer electrical conductors to its corresponding said intermediate electrical conductor; and second circuit means coupled to each of said outer electrical conductors and being responsive to the capacitance of each said sensor capacitor for generating a control signal to said machine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
An improved capacitive type proximity sensor capable of sensing in three dimensions comprising: at least one outer electrical conductor spaced from an arbitrary, non-planar surface of a machine forming one electrode of a sensor capacitor, the other electrode comprising an object spaced from said machine, said outer electrical conductor including a first conducting layer which is shaped to conform to the arbitrary, non-planar surface of said machine; at least one intermediate electrical conductor corresponding to each of said outer electrical conductors located between said outer electrical conductor and said machine being of a size substantially larger than said outer electrical conductor to act as a shield for reducing the parasitic capacitance between said outer electrical conductor and said machine, said intermediate electrical conductor including a layer of conductive material of the same arbitrary, non-planar shape as said surface of said machine and geometrically shielding said first conducting layer from said machine; means for electrically insulating each of said outer electrical conductors from each of said intermediate electrical conductors; means for electrically insulating each of said intermediate electrical conductors from said surface of said machine; first circuit means for coupling in phase the instantaneous voltage at each of said outer electrical conductors to its corresponding said intermediate electrical conductor; and second circuit means coupled to each of said outer electrical conductors and being responsive to the capacitance of each said sensor capacitor for generating a control signal to said machine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The capacitive type proximity sensor of claim 1 wherein said surface of said machine is irregularly shaped in at least one of three dimensions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The capacitive type proximity sensor of claim 1 wherein said intermediate electrical conductor envelops said outer electrical conductor in all directions but those specifically chosen to provide directional sensitivity of said capacitive type proximity sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The capacitive type proximity sensor of claim 1 wherein said intermediate electrical conductor lines a recess in said surface of said machine and wherein said outer electrical conductor lies along an interior wall of said recess.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The capacitive type proximity sensor of claim 4 wherein said outer electrical conductor is is disposed parallel to a bottom surface of said recess.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The capacitive type proximity sensor of claim 1 wherein said intermediate electrical conductor and said outer electrical conductor are thin layers of a film shaped to conform to an arbitrary shape of said surface of said machine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The capacitive type proximity sensor of claim 6 wherein said thin layers of film are flexible.