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:
Jan. 21, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 20, 2000
James F. Blubaugh, Peoria, IL (US);
Hans P. Dietz, Naperville, IL (US);
Wayne W. Lark, Joliet, IL (US);
David J. McIntyre, Plainfield, IL (US);
Thomas G. Skinner, Aurora, IL (US);
Sean P. Wiltz, Oak Forest, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc, Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
The present fluid cylinder includes a cylinder body having a cylindrical internal cavity therein with a longitudinal axis therethrough, the internal cavity being adapted for disposition of a piston and rod assembly for axial movement therein. The cylinder includes a member such as an end cap enclosing an axial end of the internal cavity, the member having a sensor port or passage therethrough extending between an internal opening communicating with the internal cavity and an external opening. A sensor is disposed in the internal opening of the sensor port or passage, and a sensor electronics module is disposed therein between the sensor and the external opening. The sensor is operable for sensing an axial distance of the piston or the rod from a predetermined location when disposed in the internal cavity and outputting signals representative of the distance to the sensor electronics module which includes circuitry for retrieving the signals.