PUMP END OF STROKE SENSOR
First Claim
1. A prime mover comprising:
- a shaft assembly supported for reciprocal movement between first and second ends of a stroke, the shaft assembly include first and second portions having a first material and a third portion in between the first and second portions having a second material different from the first material; and
a single inductive proximity sensor making a first indication in response to being proximate the first material and making a second indication different from the first indication in response to being proximate the second material;
wherein a portion of the single inductive proximity sensor is proximate the first portion of the shaft assembly when the shaft is at the first end of the stroke;
wherein the same portion of the same single inductive proximity sensor is proximate the second portion of the shaft assembly when the shaft is at the second end of the stroke; and
wherein the same portion of the same single inductive proximity sensor is proximate the third portion of the shaft assembly the entire time the shaft is in between the first and second ends of the stroke.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A prime mover includes a shaft assembly that is supported for reciprocal movement between first and second ends of a stroke, and that includes first and second portions having a first material, and a third portion in between the first and second portions, having a second material, different from the first material. A single inductive proximity sensor makes a first indication when proximate the first material, and makes a second indication, when proximate the second material. A portion of the sensor is proximate the first portion when the shaft is at the first end of the stroke, the same portion of the same sensor is proximate the second portion when the shaft is at the second end of the stroke, and the same portion of the same sensor is proximate the third portion the entire time the shaft is in between the first and second ends of the stroke.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A prime mover comprising:
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a shaft assembly supported for reciprocal movement between first and second ends of a stroke, the shaft assembly include first and second portions having a first material and a third portion in between the first and second portions having a second material different from the first material; and a single inductive proximity sensor making a first indication in response to being proximate the first material and making a second indication different from the first indication in response to being proximate the second material; wherein a portion of the single inductive proximity sensor is proximate the first portion of the shaft assembly when the shaft is at the first end of the stroke; wherein the same portion of the same single inductive proximity sensor is proximate the second portion of the shaft assembly when the shaft is at the second end of the stroke; and wherein the same portion of the same single inductive proximity sensor is proximate the third portion of the shaft assembly the entire time the shaft is in between the first and second ends of the stroke. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of operating a machine, the method comprising:
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providing a shaft assembly comprising first and second portions having a first material and a third portion having second material different from the first material; providing a drive assembly operable to drive reciprocation of the shaft assembly between first and second opposite ends of a stroke; providing a single inductive proximity sensor; positioning the first portion of the shaft assembly proximate the single inductive proximity sensor when the shaft assembly is at the first end of the stroke; positioning the second portion of the shaft assembly proximate the single inductive proximity sensor when the shaft assembly is at the second end of the stroke; positioning the third portion of the shaft assembly proximate the single inductive proximity sensor the entire time the shaft assembly is in between the first and second ends of the stroke; making a first indication with the single inductive proximity sensor in response to the single inductive proximity sensor being proximate the first and second portions of the shaft assembly; making a second indication different from the first indication with the single inductive proximity sensor in response to the single inductive proximity sensor being proximate the third portion of the shaft assembly; and actuating the drive assembly to reverse a direction of movement of the shaft assembly in response to the single inductive proximity sensor making the first indication. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification