Sensor arrangement and method for using same
First Claim
1. A sensor arrangement for determining a value of at least one property of a selected object, the sensor arrangement comprising:
- a magnetostrictive element configured to output magnetic signals in response to an alternating magnetic field;
a first sensor configured to sense a value of a property of the selected object and to provide an electrical resistance that varies in response to variations in the sensed value, the first sensor cooperating with the magnetostrictive element to vary the frequency of the signals output by the magnetostrictive element based on variations of the electrical resistance provided by the first sensor;
a transmitter configured to generate and send an alternating magnetic field to the magnetostrictive element; and
a receiver for receiving the signals output by the magnetostrictive element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor arrangement includes, in some embodiments, a magnetostrictive element configured to output magnetic signals in response to a magnetic field. A sensor is configured to sense a value of a property of a selected object, and to provide an electrical resistance that varies in response to variations in the sensed value. The sensor cooperates with the magnetostrictive element to vary the frequency of the signals output by the magnetostrictive element based on variations of the electrical resistance provided by the sensor. A transmitter provides an alternating magnetic field to the magnetostrictive element, and a receiver picks up the magnetic signals generated by the magnetostrictive element. The frequency of the signals received is correlated with the sensor resistance, and the resistance is correlated to a value of the property sensed.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A sensor arrangement for determining a value of at least one property of a selected object, the sensor arrangement comprising:
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a magnetostrictive element configured to output magnetic signals in response to an alternating magnetic field; a first sensor configured to sense a value of a property of the selected object and to provide an electrical resistance that varies in response to variations in the sensed value, the first sensor cooperating with the magnetostrictive element to vary the frequency of the signals output by the magnetostrictive element based on variations of the electrical resistance provided by the first sensor; a transmitter configured to generate and send an alternating magnetic field to the magnetostrictive element; and a receiver for receiving the signals output by the magnetostrictive element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A sensor arrangement for determining a value of at least one property of a selected object, the sensor arrangement comprising:
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a passive transducer configured to output mechanical oscillations at a frequency in response to a magnetic field, the mechanical oscillations generating corresponding magnetic output signals; a first sensor configured to sense a value of a first property of the selected object and to provide an electrical resistance based on the sensed value, the first sensor cooperating with the transducer such that the frequency of the output signals generated by the transducer is at least in part dictated by the electrical resistance provided by the first sensor; a transmitter for generating and sending a magnetic field to the transducer; and a receiver for receiving the output signals generated by the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for determining a value of at least one property of at least one selected object using a sensor arrangement including a passive transducer and a first sensor, the transducer being configured to output mechanical oscillations at a frequency in response to a magnetic field, the mechanical oscillations generating corresponding magnetic output signals, the first sensor being configured to sense a value of a first property of the selected object and to provide an electrical resistance based on the sensed value, the first sensor cooperating with the transducer such that the frequency of the output signals generated by the transducer is at least in part dictated by the electrical resistance provided by the first sensor, the sensor arrangement further including a second sensor configured to sense a value of a second property of the selected object and to provide an electrical resistance based on the value it senses, the second sensor cooperating with the transducer such that the frequency of the output signals generated by the transducer is affected by the electrical resistance provided by the second sensor, the method comprising:
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disabling operation of one of the sensors; enabling operation of the other sensor, thereby allowing determination of the value sensed by the enabled sensor independently from the disabled sensor; sensing a value of a property of the selected object with the enabled sensor; sending a magnetic field to the transducer; receiving the output signals generated by the transducer; and determining the sensed value of the property of the selected object using the output signals received, including correlating the frequency of the output signals received with the resistance of the enabled sensor, and correlating the resistance of the enabled sensor with the sensed value. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification