APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PROXIMITY SENSING CIRCUITRY
First Claim
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1. A proximity sensor comprising:
- a resonator having a bifurcated inductance, the bifurcated inductance including a reference portion and a target sensing portion;
a plurality of transimpedance amplifiers coupled to the resonator at the reference portion and the target sensing portion; and
a detector coupled to an output of the transimpedance amplifiers, wherein the detector is to provide a differential signal associated with an electromagnetic field interacting with a metal.
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Abstract
An inductive proximity sensor is disclosed. The proximity sensor includes a resonator with a bifurcated inductance coupled to a plurality of transimpedance amplifiers. A portion of the resonator is configured to generate eddy currents in a target containing metal. In various embodiments, the transimpedance amplifiers provide signals associated with eddy currents to a synchronous detector. Apparatus and methods for operating the inductive proximity sensor are disclosed.
51 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A proximity sensor comprising:
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a resonator having a bifurcated inductance, the bifurcated inductance including a reference portion and a target sensing portion; a plurality of transimpedance amplifiers coupled to the resonator at the reference portion and the target sensing portion; and a detector coupled to an output of the transimpedance amplifiers, wherein the detector is to provide a differential signal associated with an electromagnetic field interacting with a metal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operating an inductive proximity sensor, the method comprising:
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charging an inductive source to a steady state value; initiating transfer of energy from the inductive source to a resonant circuit, the resonant circuit including a reference portion and a target sensing portion; generating current oscillations in the reference portion and the target sensing portion; sensing the current oscillations using a plurality of transimpedance amplifiers; and generating a time dependent differential signal from signals provided by the transimpedance amplifiers and a reference signal generator. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A dynamic control system comprising:
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a processor; an inductive proximity sensor coupled to the processor, the sensor including; a source circuit comprising at least one of an inductive element and a step current source; a resonator coupled to the source circuit, the resonator including an inductive portion having a reference portion and a target sensing portion; a plurality of transimpedance amplifiers coupled to the resonator; and a detector coupled to an output of the resonator to provide signals for determining proximity, and wherein the inductive proximity sensor is configured to; initiate transfer of energy from the source circuit to the resonant portion, generate current oscillations in the reference portion and the target sensing portion; sense the current oscillations using the plurality of transimpedance amplifiers; and generate a time dependent differential signal from signals provided by the transimpedance amplifiers. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification