Liquid level monitor having a plurality of proximity sensors and a sensor actuating element
First Claim
1. Position responsive apparatus including:
- (a) a plurality of arrays of proximity sensors with said arrays arranged successively in series and with each array including a plurality of sensors, each array having a sensor output line;
(b) for each array of proximity sensors,(i) an array of resistance elements, the sensor output lines being connected to the array of resistance elements at positions in said array of resistance elements dependent upon the positions of the sensors in said respective array of proximity sensors,(ii) each said array of resistance elements having an end, an array output line at said end of each said array of resistance elements, and(iii) a signal processor connected to each said array output line;
(c) sensor actuating means traversable along the said arrays of proximity sensors without contact therewith, whereby in operation when the sensor actuating means is in proximity to a proximity sensor, the array of proximity sensors outputs a sensor signal on the sensor output line, which sensor signal after passing through the array of resistance elements becomes an array signal on the array output line, traversing of the sensor actuating means along the array from one end to the opposite end of a said array of sensors thereby changing the magnitude of the array signal from a minimum to a maximum signal in accordance with the position of the sensor actuating means; and
(d) array signal latching means for passing array signals between successive arrays of sensors such that when the sensor actuating means traverses from any one of the arrays to a succeeding array after generating a maximum signal from said one array, the array signal latching means passes the maximum signal to the signal processor of the succeeding array, the signal processor having means for summing the maximum signal with the array signal from the succeeding array, thereby to generate a cumulative signal representing the sensor actuating means position relative to said plurality of arrays of proximity sensors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Signal generating apparatus comprises a linear series of Hall-effect switches (44) arranged as a plurality of linear arrays in discrete probes (46a, 46b . . . 46n) which are butted end to end. Each switch is closed when in proximity of an actuating magnet (40) moveable along the series of switches. In each array a resistance chain (66) is linked at intervals to the switches. Movement of the magnet along an array thereby gives a progressively changing voltage on an output line (50) from the resistance chain as a cumulative signal indicating the position of the magnet. When the magnet moves from one array to the succeeding array after generating a maximum cumulative signal from said one array, that signal is maintained by a latch connection (56) between the two arrays. A cumulative signal representing the magnet position relative to the complete series of switches can thus be generated. The arrays are powered in parallel so that it is possible to extend substantially the total number of switches or indicating points in the apparatus.
32 Citations
11 Claims
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1. Position responsive apparatus including:
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(a) a plurality of arrays of proximity sensors with said arrays arranged successively in series and with each array including a plurality of sensors, each array having a sensor output line; (b) for each array of proximity sensors, (i) an array of resistance elements, the sensor output lines being connected to the array of resistance elements at positions in said array of resistance elements dependent upon the positions of the sensors in said respective array of proximity sensors, (ii) each said array of resistance elements having an end, an array output line at said end of each said array of resistance elements, and (iii) a signal processor connected to each said array output line; (c) sensor actuating means traversable along the said arrays of proximity sensors without contact therewith, whereby in operation when the sensor actuating means is in proximity to a proximity sensor, the array of proximity sensors outputs a sensor signal on the sensor output line, which sensor signal after passing through the array of resistance elements becomes an array signal on the array output line, traversing of the sensor actuating means along the array from one end to the opposite end of a said array of sensors thereby changing the magnitude of the array signal from a minimum to a maximum signal in accordance with the position of the sensor actuating means; and (d) array signal latching means for passing array signals between successive arrays of sensors such that when the sensor actuating means traverses from any one of the arrays to a succeeding array after generating a maximum signal from said one array, the array signal latching means passes the maximum signal to the signal processor of the succeeding array, the signal processor having means for summing the maximum signal with the array signal from the succeeding array, thereby to generate a cumulative signal representing the sensor actuating means position relative to said plurality of arrays of proximity sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of indicating the position of an actuating member traversable along a series of sensors, said actuating member acting on respective sensors by its proximity thereto, the sensors being grouped in a plurality of arrays in series, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) generating an active array output signal from an array at least one sensor of which is actuated by proximity of the actuating member thereto, the active array output signal being indicative of position of the actuating member with respect to the sensors in the array, (b) generating a traversed array output signal from all other arrays which the actuating member has traversed before the active array output signal was generated, the traversed array output signals corresponding to the active array output signal obtained when the actuating member is at the end of an array before traversing to the succeeding array, and (c) summing the traversed and active array output signals for said indication of the actuating member position along said series of sensors. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification