Electromagnetic loop sensor for measuring dynamic loads applied to a roadway by road traffic

• US 20060137913A1
• Filed: 07/02/2004
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thales SA
• Original Assignee: Thales SA
• Inventors: Dicko, Mamadou
• Application Number:
  US10/563,448
• Publication Number:
  US 20060137913A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 177/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/024 using electrical weight-sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/035 using electrical weight-sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 7/02 by electromagnetic action
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/14 by measuring variations in capacitance or inductance of electrical elements, e.g. by measuring variations of frequency of electrical oscillators
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/042 using inductive or magnetic detectors

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of devices for measuring dynamic loads applied to a roadway by road traffic. The subject of the invention is a sensor having an electromagnetic loop designed to produce a signal in response to a pressure applied to its surface, the sensor comprising: an electromagnetic loop designed to radiate an electromagnetic field; and a conducting cover forming an interface between the surface on which the pressure is intended to be applied and the electromagnetic loop, the interface stopping the electromagnetic field radiated by the loop.

Claims

1-10. -10. (canceled)

11. A dynamic weighing system, comprising a combination of at least one speed measurement sensor and a sensor having an electromagnetic loop designed to produce a signal in response to a pressure applied to its surface, the sensor having an electromagnetic loop comprising:

an electromagnetic loop designed to radiate an electromagnetic field; and

a conducting cover forming an interface between the surface on which the pressure is intended to be applied and the electromagnetic loop, the interface stopping the electromagnetic field radiated by the loop.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the loop lies approximately in a plane, this plane being approximately orthogonal to the direction in which the pressure is applied.

13. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cover forms part of an envelope, the envelope being configured so as to entirely confine the electromagnetic field radiated by the loop.

14. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cover is configured so as to deform when pressure is applied to the surface of the sensor, the deformation of the cover being elastic.

15. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cover is configured so as to move elastically when pressure is applied to the surface of the sensor.

16. The system as claimed in the claim 15, wherein the displacement of the cover includes a translation toward the loop.

17. The system as claimed in the claim 16, wherein includes an elastic material placed between the cover and the loop, said elastic material being compressed in order to allow displacements of the cover.

18. The system as claimed in the claim 17, wherein the elastic material is formed by a resin.

19. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cover is made of a nonferromagnetic material.

20. The system as claimed in the claim 19, wherein the material forming the cover is aluminum, copper or one of their alloys.