PROXIMITY DETECTION SYSTEM
First Claim
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1. A proximity detection system comprising:
- a capacitive sensor having a sense electrode that is arranged to secure to a surface of a system component;
an excitation source that generates an excitation signal for driving the capacitive sensor;
a circuit that couples the excitation source to the capacitive sensor such that when the excitation signal from the excitation source drives the capacitive sensor, a capacitive field is generated relative to the sense electrode that corresponds to the capacitance of the capacitive sensor, wherein the presence of objects that are or become proximate to the capacitive sensor alter the capacitive field thus changing the overall capacitance of the capacitive sensor;
a monitor that performs measurements of the circuit where the measurements are influenced by the capacitive field associated with the capacitive sensor; and
a controller operatively configured to evaluate one or more measurements taken by the monitor and to trigger a predetermined action if the evaluation corresponds to a triggering event;
wherein the controller is configured to dynamically update at least one parameter that alters the evaluation with regard to the triggering event to accommodate changes in at least one system condition.
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Abstract
Proximity sensing arrangements utilize one or more sensing devices to detect and/or to discern objects that are or become proximate, or are expected to be proximate to a position of interest. For example, one or more capacitive sensors may be distributed to locations about a machine, e.g., attached to, incorporated with, or otherwise associated with a moving or otherwise operating component of the machine. Corresponding control electronics drive each capacitive sensor, using a corresponding excitation signal, as well as process information read from each capacitive sensor to make intelligent proximity related decisions.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A proximity detection system comprising:
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a capacitive sensor having a sense electrode that is arranged to secure to a surface of a system component; an excitation source that generates an excitation signal for driving the capacitive sensor; a circuit that couples the excitation source to the capacitive sensor such that when the excitation signal from the excitation source drives the capacitive sensor, a capacitive field is generated relative to the sense electrode that corresponds to the capacitance of the capacitive sensor, wherein the presence of objects that are or become proximate to the capacitive sensor alter the capacitive field thus changing the overall capacitance of the capacitive sensor; a monitor that performs measurements of the circuit where the measurements are influenced by the capacitive field associated with the capacitive sensor; and a controller operatively configured to evaluate one or more measurements taken by the monitor and to trigger a predetermined action if the evaluation corresponds to a triggering event; wherein the controller is configured to dynamically update at least one parameter that alters the evaluation with regard to the triggering event to accommodate changes in at least one system condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of detecting proximity comprising:
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providing a capacitive sensor having a sense electrode that is arranged to secure to a surface of a system component; utilizing an excitation source to generate an excitation signal that drives the capacitive sensor such that a capacitive field is generated relative to the sense electrode that corresponds to the capacitance of the capacitive sensor, wherein the presence of objects that are or become proximate to the capacitive sensor alter the capacitive field thus changing the overall capacitance of the capacitive sensor; collecting measurements that are related to the capacitive field associated with the capacitive sensor; and evaluating one or more measurements taken to trigger a predetermined action if the evaluation corresponds to a triggering event, comprising; filling a circular buffer with said collected measurements; filtering the collected measurements by computing at least one discrete Fourier transform component from the collected measurements in the circular buffer; evaluating at least one computed Fourier transform component; triggering a predetermined action if the evaluation corresponds to a triggering event; and dynamically updating at least one parameter that alters the evaluation with regard to the triggering event to accommodate changes in at least one system condition. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A proximity detection system comprising:
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a capacitive sensor that couples to a surface of a first system component to sense the presence of objects of interest that are or become proximate to the capacitive sensor; a capacitive circuit comprising the capacitive sensor; a drive shield positioned between the capacitive sensor and a second system component that is not associated with the capacitive sensor; an excitation source that generates an excitation signal for driving both the drive shield and the capacitive circuit including the capacitive sensor; a monitoring circuit that performs a measurement of the capacitive circuit that corresponds to capacitance of the capacitive circuit, wherein the capacitance of the capacitive circuit is influenced by a capacitive field associated with the capacitive sensor; and a controller operatively configured to perform a comparison of the measurement with a function or threshold value and to trigger a predetermined action if the comparison corresponds to a triggering event, wherein the drive shield prevents the controller from triggering predetermined action, even if proximate to the capacitive sensor. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification