Sensors and methods for sensing displacement using radar
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A sensor comprising:
- a miniaturized radar transceiver microchip mounted on a first surface;
a second surface that is interconnected with a mechanical system having displacement to be sensed, the second surface being constructed and arranged to move relative to the first surface, the second surface being located relative to the miniaturized radar transceiver microchip so that radar waves from the miniaturized radar transceiver microchip are passed between the first surface and the second surface, and the miniaturized radar transceiver microchip generates a sensor signal representative of an amount of movement of the second surface relative to the first surface; and
a translating circuit, responsive to the sensor signal, that determines a location of the second surface relative to the first surface so that an operation performed by the second surface can be sensed.
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Abstract
A sensor for sensing a displacement in a mechanical system using radar utilizes a miniaturized radar transceiver formed, typically, on a silicon chip. The transceiver is mounted to a fixed surface that senses a displacement of a moving surface. The moving surface is typically located in mechanical communication with a system to be sensed. By using appropriate translating circuitry, an accurate determination of the nature of displacement of the mechanical system can be made. Mechanical systems sensed can include rotating and sliding components such as motors, valves and pressure gauges. Sensors according to this invention are highly accurate and reliable.
41 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A sensor comprising:
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a miniaturized radar transceiver microchip mounted on a first surface; a second surface that is interconnected with a mechanical system having displacement to be sensed, the second surface being constructed and arranged to move relative to the first surface, the second surface being located relative to the miniaturized radar transceiver microchip so that radar waves from the miniaturized radar transceiver microchip are passed between the first surface and the second surface, and the miniaturized radar transceiver microchip generates a sensor signal representative of an amount of movement of the second surface relative to the first surface; and a translating circuit, responsive to the sensor signal, that determines a location of the second surface relative to the first surface so that an operation performed by the second surface can be sensed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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- 12. The sensor as set forth in claim I wherein the second moving surface comprises a rotating shaft interconnected with a valve gate, the valve gate being actuated by rotation of the shaft.
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23. An axial translation sensor comprising:
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a fixed surface having a miniaturized radar transceiver microchip mounted thereon; a moving surface that moves along an axial direction relative to the fixed surface and including an irregular surface shape along at least a portion thereof in communication with the miniaturized radar transceiver microchip, so that radar waves from the miniaturized radar transceiver microchip are passed between the fixed surface and the moving surface, and the miniaturized radar transceiver microchip generates a sensor signal representative of an amount of axial translation of the moving surface relative to the fixed surface; and circuitry, responsive to the sensor signal, for determining axial translation based upon movement of the irregular surface shape relative to the miniaturized radar transceiver microchip. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A rotational sensor comprising:
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a rotationally fixed surface having a miniaturized radar transceiver microchip mounted thereon; a rotationally moving surface having an irregular surface shape thereon positioned relative to the radar transceiver microchip and having a surface that varies about at least a portion of a perimeter of the rotating surface, so that radar waves from the miniaturized radar transceiver microchip are passed between the fixed surface and the moving surface, and the miniaturized radar transceiver microchip generates a sensor signal representative of an amount of rotational displacement of the moving surface relative to the fixed surface; and a translating circuit, responsive to the sensor signal, for determining a rotational displacement of the moving surface relative to the fixed surface. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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30. A pressure sensor comprising:
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a miniaturized radar transceiver microchip mounted to transmit radar waves between a fixed surface and a moving surface, the moving surface being in communication with a fluid so that variation in a pressure of the fluid causes movement of the moving surface relative to the fixed surface, so that radar waves from the miniaturized radar transceiver microchip are passed between the fixed surface and the moving surface, and the miniaturized radar transceiver microchip generates a sensor signal representative of an amount of movement of the moving surface relative to the fixed surface; and a translating circuit, responsive to the sensor signal, that determines the pressure of the fluid based upon a relative movement of the moving surface relative to the fixed surface. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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34. A vibration sensor comprising:
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a fixed surface having a miniaturized radar transceiver microchip mounted thereto; a moving surface having a predetermined mass constructed and arranged to move in response to a predetermined amplitude and frequency of vibration applied thereto, so that radar waves from the miniaturized radar transceiver microchip are passed between the fixed surface and the moving surface, and the miniaturized radar transceiver microchip generates a sensor signal representative of an amount of movement of the moving surface relative to the fixed surface; and a translating circuit, responsive to the sensor signal, for determining a level of vibration in the moving surface. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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36. A method for sensing movement of a mechanical system comprising:
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providing a fixed surface and locating a miniaturized radar transceiver microchip relative to the fixed surface; said miniaturized radar transceiver microchip transmitting a radar beam between the fixed surface and a moving surface that is interconnected with the mechanical system; said miniaturized radar transceiver microchip receiving a reflected radar beam indicative of an amount of movement of the moving surface; and determining a degree of movement in the mechanical system in response to the reflected radar beam. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A method for sensing actuation of a valve comprising:
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providing a valve casing; locating a miniaturized radar transceiver microchip relative to a fixed portion of the valve casing; directing a transmitted beam from the miniaturized radar transceiver microchip between a moving component on the valve casing and the fixed portion; and determining a position of the moving component based upon a reflected beam received by the miniaturized radar transceiver microchip.
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Specification