Temperature gradient compensation circuit

• US 5,914,593 A
• Filed: 07/06/1998
• Issued: 06/22/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lord Corporation (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Micro Strain Company, Inc.
• Inventors: Arms, Steven W., Townsend, Christopher P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Snow, Walter E.
• Application Number:
  US09/110,513
• Time in Patent Office: 351 Days
• Field of Search: 324/207.12, 324/225, 324/209, 324/207.15, 324/207.16, 324/207.19, 324/207.24, 324/234, 324/236, 324/669, 324/670, 73/766, 73/779, 600/587, 600/595
• US Class Current: 324/207.12
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/24 using change in magnetic properties
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/2216 by a movable ferromagnetic element, e.g. a core

Abstract

The novel temperature gradient compensation circuit is designed to overcome temperature gradient problems in inductive or capacitive circuits, such as, differential variable reluctance transducers. The system comprises, in one embodiment, the use of an inductive or alternating current bridge which sends its output to a low pass filter in order to remove the alternating current component of the bridge output. The output of the low pass filter is fed into an instrumentation amplifier whose gain can be adjusted. The output of this instrumentation amplifier is a signal that is proportional to the temperature gradient experienced by the alternating current bridge. The output of the alternating current bridge is also fed to a high pass filter and then sent to a demodulator and amplifier. By subtracting the direct current output from the alternating current output, the effects of temperature do not have an effect upon the result.

Claims

1. A temperature gradient compensation circuit, for use in the measurement of circuit impedance'"'"'s such as inductance for use in sensors and transducers used in medical and industrial research applications to measure strains and displacement in inaccessible areas where temperature gradient may exist, comprising:

an impedance bridge circuit;

said impedance bridge circuit having at least two power supplies, each with a different frequency;

said impedance bridge circuit further having a low pass filter for removing the signal generated by the higher frequency power supply;

said impedance bridge circuit further having a high pass filter for removing the signal generated by the lower frequency power supply;

said impedance bridge circuit further having a demodulator positioned after each of said filters to convert the alternating current signal into a direct current signal proportional to the magnitude of the alternating current signal; and

means for measuring the difference from the output of the demodulators.

2. A temperature gradient compensation circuit, according to claim 1, wherein:

said impedance bridge circuit comprises an inductor.

3. A temperature gradient compensation circuit, according to claim 1, wherein:

said impedance bridge circuit comprises capacitors.

4. A temperature gradient compensation circuit, according to claim 1, wherein:

said power supplies further comprises one of said power supplies having a frequency of zero.

5. A temperature gradient compensation circuit, according to claim 1, wherein:

said filters have amplification means; and

said amplification means having a gain adjustment circuit for controlling the interference of the signal being measured.

6. A temperature gradient compensation circuit, according to claim 1, wherein:

said high pass filter further having an amplifier for increasing the level of the output of the high pass filter.

7. A temperature gradient compensation circuit, according to claim 1, wherein:

said means for measuring the difference from the output of the demodulators comprises the use of an instrumentation amplifier.

8. A temperature gradient compensation circuit, according to claim 1, wherein:

said means for measuring the difference from the output of the demodulators comprises the use of a microprocessor and controlling software.