Ultra Electronics Limited

Ivan A Scott

Ian McGregor Stothers

Richard Andrew Hinchliffe

James Peachey

The present invention generally relates to proximity sensor monitors and proximity monitor systems incorporating proximity sensor monitors. A proximity sensor monitor measures the impedance or other electrical characteristics of a proximity sensor component to determine the presence of a target. The proximity sensor monitor performs this measurement independently of a separate proximity sensor. The proximity sensor monitor is configured to compensate for differences between the measurement frequency of the proximity sensor monitor and the driving frequency of the proximity sensor.

Proximity sensor monitor

An adaptive control unit is described for receiving an analog input signal containing at least an indication of a parameter to be controlled to generate an analog output signal for control of the parameter. The analog input signal contains a fed back component resulting from the analog output signal. The adaptive control unit comprises an analog filter having an adjustable gain, a gain adjuster for adjusting the gain of the analog filter using a feedforward adjustment method, and a filter for compensating for the fed back component in the analog input signal.

PID controller

Adaptive control unit with feedback compensation

An active vibration absorber is provided for absorbing vibrations in a member. An inertial mass is mounted on the member with a stiffness between the member and the mass. A force actuator arrangement applies a force between the inertial mass and the member. A damping arrangement provides for damping of a resonance of the active vibration absorber. A first sensor arrangement provides at least one first signal indicative of at least one movement and/or stress related parameter for the member and a second sensor arrangement provides for at least one second signal indicative of a reaction of the inertial mass. A control arrangement is provided for controlling the force actuator arrangement using the at least one first signal and the at least one second signal.

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Cambridge, United Kingdom

Ivan A Scott