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:
Feb. 14, 2012
Filed:
Oct. 02, 2009
Alex C. Lumbab, Bothell, WA (US);
Alex C. Lumbab, Bothell, WA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A device for determining a position of a proximity sensor with respect to a target mechanism is described. The device includes a frequency generator, a processing device, and an RC circuit. An output of the frequency generator is operable for application to a proximity sensor whose position relative to a target is to be verified. The RC circuit is chargeable via voltage applied to the proximity sensor by the frequency generator. The processing device is programmed to turn off the output of the frequency generator after a prescribed amount of time, and further programmed to measure a discharge time of the RC circuit after turning off the output of the frequency generator. The discharge time of the RC circuit is directly proportional to a perceived gap between a face of the proximity sensor and the target mechanism.