Sonar distance sensing apparatus
First Claim
1. Distance sensing apparatus comprising a measurement signal generator including exciting means for generating pulsed electrical signals and a transducer responsive to the exciting means for radiating pulsed sonic or ultrasonic measurement signals along a measurement path, said transducer also receiving and converting into return electrical signals reflections of said measurement signals from a remote surface back along the measurement path, a time measurement device for determining the time lapse between radiation of a measurement signal pulse and receipt of a reflected signal, thereby to provide a distance signal which will be representative of the path distance between the apparatus and said surface, an amplifier for increasing the amplification of said return electrical signals as a function of the time elapsed from radiation of a measurement signal pulse, said amplifier including an attenuator and means coupled to said attenuator for reducing the attenuation of the attenuator as a function of time elapsed from the radiation of a measurement signal pulse and a sound lens or sound horn provided adjacent to the transducer to create a narrow directional beam sonic or ultrasonic signal, said beam having a projection angle of about 3°
- or less.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A distance sensing apparatus is provided in the form of a case housing electronic equipment including a piezoelectric transducer for radiating pulsed sonic or ultrasonic signals along a measurement path through a sound horn (3) which creates a narrow beam. Reflected signals received back through the horn are received by the transducer and converted into electric measurement signals. A time measurement device is providing for determining the time lapse between radiation of a pulse and receipt of a reflected signal so as to provide a distance signal which will be representative of the path distance between the apparatus and the surface which will trigger a display (7) to give a distance reading. An important feature of the apparatus is that the electronic circuitry will include an amplifier which will increase the amplification of the electrical signals carried by a reflected pulse at a function of time lapsed from the radiation of a measurement signal pulse so as to compensate for the attenuation of the received signal.
34 Citations
11 Claims
- 1. Distance sensing apparatus comprising a measurement signal generator including exciting means for generating pulsed electrical signals and a transducer responsive to the exciting means for radiating pulsed sonic or ultrasonic measurement signals along a measurement path, said transducer also receiving and converting into return electrical signals reflections of said measurement signals from a remote surface back along the measurement path, a time measurement device for determining the time lapse between radiation of a measurement signal pulse and receipt of a reflected signal, thereby to provide a distance signal which will be representative of the path distance between the apparatus and said surface, an amplifier for increasing the amplification of said return electrical signals as a function of the time elapsed from radiation of a measurement signal pulse, said amplifier including an attenuator and means coupled to said attenuator for reducing the attenuation of the attenuator as a function of time elapsed from the radiation of a measurement signal pulse and a sound lens or sound horn provided adjacent to the transducer to create a narrow directional beam sonic or ultrasonic signal, said beam having a projection angle of about 3°
Specification