Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated

Diana A Sufariu

Roberto S Santos

George E Rollins

Weihua Chen

Prachi S Kulkarni

Francis Lawrence Leard

Goerge E Rollins

Robert S Santos

Chen Weihua

An inductive proximity sensor is disclosed. The proximity sensor includes a source circuit with an inductive element configured to deliver energy to a resonator when a source current is changed. In various embodiments, the source current is provided a step current source. In various embodiments, the source current is provided by constant current source coupled to the inductive element by a switch. Apparatus and methods for operating the inductive proximity sensor are disclosed.

Apparatus and methods for proximity sensing circuitry

Devices and methods for providing sensor indication and enhancing sensor indication are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor indication is provided by sensing an operational status at a sensor circuit, generating a signal at the sensor circuit based on the sensed operational status, utilizing the signal to activate a light source, transmitting light into a first indicator layer with the light source, wherein the first indicator layer includes a fluorophore embedded within a substrate, and wherein the one or more fluorophores modify at least one characteristic of the transmitted light from the light source, and emitting the modified transmitted light from an end wall of the first indicator layer.

Method and device for enhancing sensor indication

A variety of sensing assembly components, and methods of assembling, mounting, and orientating such assemblies and/or components, are disclosed. In one example embodiment, a sensing assembly includes a main body including at least a housing portion, and a mounting portion protruding outward from the main body. The mounting portion includes an outer connector section including at least one electrical connector, and an intermediate section that includes an outer surface that either has substantially a shape of a polygon or is at least partly threaded, where the intermediate section is positioned in between the main body and the outer connector section. Additionally, the intermediate section has an outer diameter, the outer connector section has an outer diameter, and the intermediate section outer diameter is greater than the outer connection section outer diameter. In other example embodiments, retaining structures on portions of a sensing assembly, or bracket assembly components, are provided.

Sensing assembly components and methods of assembling, mounting and orientating same

Disclosed herein is a sensing assembly. The assembly includes a sensing assembly housing for enclosing an interior. The assembly further includes a plurality of sensing assembly components which are at least partially positioned, or at least partially contained, within the interior. And the assembly includes an indicator lens device which is integral with, or integrated with respect to the housing. In at least some embodiments, at least a portion of the housing coincides at least in part with a first axis and at least a portion of the indicator lens coincides with a second axis, such that the first axis and the second axis intersect to form an oblique viewing angle range and at least a portion of the indicator lens device is visible at least substantially throughout the oblique (e.g., obtuse) viewing angle range.

Sensing assembly having an oblique viewing angle range and methods of assembling, mounting and orienting the same

An inductive proximity sensor is disclosed. The proximity sensor includes a housing having at least a first pair of inductive coils disposed within the housing. One of the first pair of inductive coils is opposite in polarity from another one of the first pair of inductive coils. The sensor optionally includes a second set of inductive coils, having opposite polarity.

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Nashua, NH, United States of America

Diana A Sufariu