Apparatus for remotely determining the angular orientation, speed, and/or direction of rotation of objects
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for remotely monitoring the angular position, speed, and/or direction of rotation of a member as it rotates about an axis of rotation and defines a circumferential path comprising:
- a. means for generating a rotating electric field which defines a path parallel to said circumferential path of the rotating member and includes said circumferential path therein;
b. a reading electrode means fixedly positioned within said electric field and symmetrically placed with respect to said axis of rotation for sensing a voltage change responsive to the crossing of said rotating member by said rotating electric field and emitting an output signal responsive to said voltage change; and
c. said means for generating the rotating electric field and said reading electrode both being positioned in confronting, spaced relation to, but in no way mechanically or electrically connected to said rotating member other than that a portion of said rotating member is within the path of said rotating electric field.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A rotating electric field is generated in the vicinity of a rotating member, the electric field having an axis of rotation coinciding with the axis of rotation of the member. An electric-field sensing or reading device is positioned at the rotational axis of the electric field and associated therewith for detecting variations therein as the electric field passes the rotating member, and creates an electrical output whose relative phase is dependent upon the angular orientation of the rotating member.
27 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for remotely monitoring the angular position, speed, and/or direction of rotation of a member as it rotates about an axis of rotation and defines a circumferential path comprising:
-
a. means for generating a rotating electric field which defines a path parallel to said circumferential path of the rotating member and includes said circumferential path therein; b. a reading electrode means fixedly positioned within said electric field and symmetrically placed with respect to said axis of rotation for sensing a voltage change responsive to the crossing of said rotating member by said rotating electric field and emitting an output signal responsive to said voltage change; and c. said means for generating the rotating electric field and said reading electrode both being positioned in confronting, spaced relation to, but in no way mechanically or electrically connected to said rotating member other than that a portion of said rotating member is within the path of said rotating electric field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. System for determining the angular position, speed, and/or direction of rotation of the member as it rotates about an axis of rotation and defines a circumferential path comprising:
-
a. source of polyphase voltage; b. transducer means for receiving said polyphase voltage and generating a rotating electric field which defines a path parallel to said circumferential path, said transducer means further including a reading electrode means fixedly positioned within said rotating electric field and symmetrically placed with respect to said axis of rotation for sensing a voltage change responsive to the crossing of said rotating member by said rotating electric field and emitting an output signal responsive to said voltage change; c. said transducer means being positioned in confronting, spaced relation to, but in no way mechanically or electrically connected thereto other than that a portion of said rotating member is within the path of said rotating electric field; d. comparator means receiving a sample of the applied voltage from said source of polyphase voltage and said signal emitted from said reading electrode means, and translating the phase difference of said two signals into an electrical signal indicative of the position of said rotating member. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16)
-
-
12. System for reading utility meters of the type having a plurality of dials encased in a glass front housing, each of said dials having a hand which rotates about an axis of rotation defining a circumferential path and visually indicating one digit of the number signifying the amount of consumption of the utility, said system comprising:
-
a. a source of polyphase voltage; b. transducer means attached to said housing adjacent said glass front in confronting, spaced relationship to said plurality of dials, but mechanically and electrically unconnected thereto; c. said transducer means receiving said polyphase voltage and generating a plurality of rotating electric fields, each of which defines a path parallel to and including therein said circumferential path of the corresponding rotating hand, said transducer means further including a reading electrode means fixedly positioned within each of said rotating electric fields and symmetrically placed with respect to the axis of rotation of the corresponding meter hand for sensing a voltage change responsive to the crossing of said rotating hand by said rotating electric field and emitting an output signal responsive to said voltage change; d. comparator means successively receiving samples of the applied voltage from said source of polyphase voltage and said signal emitted from each of said reading electrode means, and translating the phase difference of said two signals into an electrical signal indicative of the position of each of said meter hands. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
-
Specification