Caterpillar Inc.

Reme, L.l.c.

Denny E Morgan

Ali A Bitar

Charles W Bowman

John W Crayton

Wayne W Lark

Ricardo E Dao

Dennis L Schumacher

Eric F Lee

James R Turba

David M Bachelder

Harold H Kries

A feedforward amplifier is linearized by adapting off the detection of an applied modulation source. The feedforward amplifier has two loops: a first loop and a second loop. Modulators in the two loops are adjusted by controllers that adapt in response to detection of the modulation source injected into the first loop.

Feedforward amplifier linearization adapting off modulation

A computer control device which provides spacial information to a computer or electronic game by sensing the linear acceleration or tilt angle of the control device. The computer control device includes an accelerometer having an enclosure containing a fluid and temperature sensing elements positioned within the enclosure. The fluid moves across the temperature sensing elements in free convection during acceleration or inclination of the enclosure causing a temperature differential between the temperature sensing elements which is measurable. The control device incorporating one or more of these accelerometers senses acceleration or tilt in one to three dimensions and may be used to control a cursor on a computer screen, a display of a virtual reality device, or other computer and electronic game displays.

Computer control device

A piston position sensing system in which tabulated resonance width related information is stored in a form correlated with piston travel so that measured resonance width information can be compared with the stored information in determining piston position and compensation for the velocity of the piston is provided by correction for a time difference in serial sensing between the initial and the following extremes of a resonance signal as the piston moves. the compensation is developed from velocity information identified through previous and current processing cycles which assures reliability in detection of the subsequently sensed portion of the resonance signal envelope and enhanced sensitivity and accuracy through automatic application incrementally in a dynamic gain adjustment of the sensing system.

Hydraulic cylinder piston position sensing with compensation for piston

Improvement of the ability to detect selected resonant frequencies associated with the position of the piston in a piston position sensing system using electromagnetic waves in the fluid in a hydraulic cylinder is achieved by positioning the electric signal input and output probes with 90 degree separation around the circumferential periphery of the cylinder to suppress coupling into unwanted modes that diminish detectability of particular resonant frequency signals, In a coaxial sensing system 'dummy' probes at 90 degree separation to each other and 90 degree separation to the input and output probes operate to improve symmetry and resonance shape and to suppress unwanted modes.

Signal improvement in the sensing of hydraulic cylinder piston position

Dynamic gain adjustment in hydraulic piston position sensing that continuously accommodates for changes in signal level is provided by attenuating the gain of the sensing system through a comparison of a measured value with a stored value at each piston position.

Dynamic gain adjustment in electromagnetic wave hydraulic cylinder

A convective accelerometer and inclinometer includes two temperature sensing elements mounted within a sealed enclosure containing a gas. The application of heat to the gas within the enclosure by a heating element causes the gas to flow in a predetermined pattern in free convection. When linear acceleration or inclination is applied to the enclosure the convective flow of gas is affected causing a temperature differential between the temperature sensing elements. This temperature differential is measured as a difference in electrical resistance between the two temperature sensing elements which is proportional to the acceleration. The device can be used to measure linear acceleration, velocity, position or inclination. The device can also be used as an inclinometer for measuring the angle of gravity. The device has a wide variety applications particularly within the automotive field.

Convective accelerometer and inclinometer

A contacting and sealing structure, for electrical continuity, noise reduction and leakage reduction between parts that move in relation to each other at the ends of the cavity within a hydraulic cylinder employing electromagnetic wave position sensing, is provided by employing two springs having garter and canted coil spring functions that are retained in side by side grooves in one of the parts so that the spring coils extend directly across the intersection of the parts.

Electrical contacting in electromagnetic wave piston position sensing in

An apparatus (102) is adapted to detect the linear extension (position), velocity and acceleration of a hydraulic cylinder (108). The hydraulic cylinder (108) defines a variable length coaxial resonant cavity (112). Under the control of a controller (228), an RF transmitting section (114) and an RF receiving section (116) are used to determine the resonant frequency of the cavity. The resonant frequency of the cavity (112) is determined by comparing a received signal with a threshold and detecting slope intercept conditions.

Linear position sensor using a coaxial resonant cavity

An apparatus (102) is for detecting the linear extension (position), velocity and acceleration of a hydraulic cylinder (108). The hydraulic cylinder (108) defines a variable length coaxial resonant cavity (112). Under the control of a controller (228), an RF transmitting section (114) and an RF receiving section (116) are used to determine the resonant frequency of the cavity. The resonant frequency of the cavity (112) is determined by comparing a received signal with a threshold and detecting slope intercept conditions.

An apparatus is adapted to detect the linear extension, velocity and acceleration of a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder defines a variable length coaxial resonant cavity Under the control of a controller, an RF transmitting section and an RF receiving section are used to determine the resonant frequency of the cavity. The receiving section includes a comparator circuit for increasing the sensor's sensitivity and eliminating spurious detections of the cylinder's resonant frequency. The linear extension of the cylinder is determined as a function of the resonant frequency.

Linear position sensor with means to eliminate spurians harmonic

An apparatus is adapted to detect the linear extension, velocity and acceleration of a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder defines a variable length coaxial resonant cavity. Under the control of a controller, an RF transmitting section and an RF receiving section are used to determine the resonant frequency of the cavity. The receiving section includes an equalizer circuit for compensating for the insertion losses of the hydraulic cylinder. The linear extension of the cylinder is determined as a function of the resonant frequency.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Denny E Morgan