The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 17, 1990
Filed:
Mar. 31, 1988
Thomas K Hiniker, N. Mankato, MN (US);
Semor D Tofte, Mankato, MN (US);
Micro-Trak Systems, Inc., Mankato, MN (US);
Abstract
An ultrasonic ground speed sensor has a single transducer which both transmits and receives ultrasonic signals. The sensor is mounted on a vehicle in alignment with the direction of the vehicle, the transducer having a built-in angle with the body of the sensor unit. The transmitted signal is clocked by a 16 MHz clock, with the signal received by the transducer selectively filtered and amplified. A temperature sensor is also used to determine the speed of the transmitted and received signal. A 64-cycle sample period is used, as well as multiple counters and a signal processor to increase accuracy and minimize erroneous readings. A drop-out detector and monitoring system sensor is also described. The vehicle speed is calculated from a Doppler-based formula as a function of both the sum and difference of the transmitted and received signal frequencies. Also disclosed is a gasket seal having leak holes for drainage from the interior of the sensor.