Ultrasonic ranging system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An ultrasonic ranging system comprising:
- transformer means;
means for selectively energizing said transformer means to produce a transducer drive signal, including timing means for generating a transmission period during which said transformer means is energized;
an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse in response to said drive signal and for developing an echo signal upon receipt of an echo pulse derived from said ultrasonic pulse;
damping means including a shunt switch connected across a winding of said transformer; and
means, responsive to said timing means, for selectively closing said shunt switch at the end of said transmission period and quickly dampling the ringing following the transsmission of an ultrasonic pulse to a level substantially below the level of the echo signal to permit close ranging.
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Abstract
An ultrasonic ranging system includes transformer means with a transformer which is selectively energized to produce a transducer drive signal. An ultrasonic transducer transmits an ultrasonic pulse in response to the drive signal and develops an echo signal upon receipt of an echo pulse derived from the ultrasonic pulse; a shunt switch is connected across a winding of the transformer and is selectively closed to quickly damp the ringing following the transmission of an ultrasonic pulse to a level substantially below the level of the echo signal to permit close ranging.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic ranging system comprising:
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transformer means; means for selectively energizing said transformer means to produce a transducer drive signal, including timing means for generating a transmission period during which said transformer means is energized; an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse in response to said drive signal and for developing an echo signal upon receipt of an echo pulse derived from said ultrasonic pulse; damping means including a shunt switch connected across a winding of said transformer; and means, responsive to said timing means, for selectively closing said shunt switch at the end of said transmission period and quickly dampling the ringing following the transsmission of an ultrasonic pulse to a level substantially below the level of the echo signal to permit close ranging. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An ultrasonic ranging system for a vehicle including a plurality of channels, each channel comprising:
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transformer means; means for selectively energizing said transformer means to produce a transducer drive signal, including timing means for generating a transmission period during which said transformer means is energized, clock means for providing a drive timing signal to energize said transformer means, and gate means, connected to said clock mean, for passing said drive timing signal to said transformer means when enabled by said timing means during said transmission period; an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse in response to said drive signal and for developing an echo signal upon receipt of an echo pulse derived from said ultrasonic pulse; damping means including a shunt switch connected across a winding of said transformer; and means, responsive to said timing means, for selectively closing said shunt switch at the end said transmission period and quickly damping the ringing following the transmission of an ultrasonic pulse to a level substantially below the level of the echo signal to permit close ranging. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. An ultrasonic ranging system including a plurality of channels, each channel comprising:
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transformer means; means for selectively energizing said transformer means to produce a transducer drive signal, including timing means for generating a transmission period during which said transformer means is energized, and clock means for providing a drive timing signal to energize said transformer means; an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse in response to said drive signal and for developing an echo signal upon receipt of an echo pulse derived from said ultrasonic pulse; damping means including a shunt switch connected across a winding of said transformer; and means, responsive to said timing means, for selectively closing said shunt switch at the end of said transmission period and quickly dampling the ringing following the transmission of an ultrasonic pulse to a level substantially below the level of the echo signal to permit close ranging.
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Specification