SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CAPACITIVE PROXIMITY SENSING
First Claim
1. A system, comprising:
- a first capacitive sensor disposed about a longitudinal axis and along a first axis radial to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first capacitive sensor is configured to transmit a first signal based at least in part on a first position of a rotational component along the first axis relative to the longitudinal axis;
a second capacitive sensor disposed about the longitudinal axis and along a second axis radial to the longitudinal axis, wherein the second axis is different from the first axis, and the second capacitive sensor is configured to transmit a second signal based at least in part on a second position of the rotational component along the second axis relative to the longitudinal axis;
a third capacitive sensor disposed about the longitudinal axis and along the first axis opposite to the first capacitive sensor, wherein the third capacitive sensor is configured to transmit a third signal based at least in part on a third position of the rotational component along the first axis; and
a fourth capacitive sensor disposed about the longitudinal axis and along the second axis opposite to the second capacitive sensor, wherein the fourth capacitive sensor is configured to transmit a fourth signal based at least in part on a fourth position of the rotational component along the second axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system includes first, second, third and fourth capacitive sensors, each disposed about a longitudinal axis. The first capacitive sensor is disposed along a first axis radial to the longitudinal axis, and the third capacitive sensor is disposed along the first axis opposite the first capacitive sensor. The second capacitive sensor is disposed along a second axis radial to the longitudinal axis, the fourth capacitive sensor is disposed along the second axis opposite the second capacitive sensor, and the second axis is different from the first axis. Each capacitive sensor is configured to transmit a respective signal based at least in part on a position of a rotational component along the respective axis relative to the longitudinal axis.
42 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a first capacitive sensor disposed about a longitudinal axis and along a first axis radial to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first capacitive sensor is configured to transmit a first signal based at least in part on a first position of a rotational component along the first axis relative to the longitudinal axis; a second capacitive sensor disposed about the longitudinal axis and along a second axis radial to the longitudinal axis, wherein the second axis is different from the first axis, and the second capacitive sensor is configured to transmit a second signal based at least in part on a second position of the rotational component along the second axis relative to the longitudinal axis; a third capacitive sensor disposed about the longitudinal axis and along the first axis opposite to the first capacitive sensor, wherein the third capacitive sensor is configured to transmit a third signal based at least in part on a third position of the rotational component along the first axis; and a fourth capacitive sensor disposed about the longitudinal axis and along the second axis opposite to the second capacitive sensor, wherein the fourth capacitive sensor is configured to transmit a fourth signal based at least in part on a fourth position of the rotational component along the second axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system comprising:
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a shaft comprising a shaft axis, wherein the shaft is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis; and a first sensor assembly disposed about the longitudinal axis at a first axial position, the first sensor assembly comprising; a first capacitive sensor comprising a first face disposed a first distance from the shaft along a first axis, wherein the first capacitive sensor is configured to transmit a first signal based at least in part on the first distance; a second capacitive sensor comprising a second face disposed a second distance from the shaft along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, wherein the second capacitive sensor is configured to transmit a second signal based at least in part on the second distance; a third capacitive sensor comprising a third face disposed a third distance from the shaft along the first axis opposite the first capacitive sensor, wherein the third capacitive sensor is configured to transmit a third signal based at least in part on the third distance; a fourth capacitive sensor comprising a fourth face disposed a fourth distance from the shaft along the second axis opposite the second capacitive sensor, wherein the fourth capacitive sensor is configured to transmit a fourth signal based at least in part on the fourth distance; and a controller configured to determine a first parameter of the system at the first axial position based at least in part on the first signal, the second signal, the third signal, and the fourth signal, wherein the first parameter comprises a first location of the shaft relative to the longitudinal axis at the first axial position, a first vibration of the shaft about the longitudinal axis, or any combination thereof. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method comprising:
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transmitting a first signal from a first capacitive sensor to a controller based at least in part on a first distance between the first capacitive sensor and a rotational component, wherein the first capacitive sensor is disposed along a first axis radial to a longitudinal axis; transmitting a second signal from a second capacitive sensor to the controller based at least in part on a second distance between the second capacitive sensor and the rotational component, wherein the second capacitive sensor is disposed along a second axis radial to the longitudinal axis, and the first axis is perpendicular to the second axis; transmitting a third signal from a third capacitive sensor to the controller based at least in part on a third distance between the third capacitive sensor and the rotational component, wherein the third capacitive sensor is disposed along the first axis opposite the first capacitive sensor; transmitting a fourth signal from a fourth capacitive sensor to the controller based at least in part on a fourth distance between the fourth capacitive sensor and the rotational component, wherein the fourth capacitive sensor is disposed along the second axis opposite the second capacitive sensor; and determining a parameter of a rotational system comprising the rotational component based at least in part on the first signal, the second signal, the third signal, and the fourth signal, wherein the parameter comprises a first location of the rotational component relative to the longitudinal axis, a first vibration of the rotational component about the longitudinal axis, a characteristic of a fluid disposed about the rotational component, or any combination thereof. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification