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:
Nov. 18, 2003
Filed:
Jul. 18, 2001
Applicant:
Inventor:
Timothy A. Christensen, Camano Island, WA (US);
Assignee:
Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01B 7/14 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G01B 7/14 ;
Abstract
A proximity sensor has a transducer coil that is part of an oscillator circuit. The oscillating signal varies as a function of the presence or absence of a metallic object adjacent the transducer coil. By analyzing selected characteristics of that oscillating signal, the presence of and object and the distance to the object can be determined. Other analysis techniques enable the sensor to distinguish between ferrous and non-ferrous materials. A mechanism also is provided to automatically configure operation of the proximity to avoid interference from another adjacent proximity sensor.