Radio frequency surface acoustic wave proximity detector
First Claim
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1. A proximity sensor for determining a position of an object comprising:
- (a) a SAW device having a load end and an input end, wherein the input end is adapted and configured to receive an input pulse; and
(b) a sensing section operatively connected to the load end of the SAW device,wherein the sensing section is adapted and configured such that, when the object is in a first position, the sensing section provides a first response indicative of the first position and, when the object is in a second position, the sensing section provides a second response indicative of the second position, andwherein the position of the object is determined based upon a reflection of the input pulse.
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Abstract
A proximity sensor for determining a position of an object. The proximity sensor includes a SAW device having a load end and an input end for receiving an input pulse. A sensing section connects to the load end of the SAW device. When the object is in a first position, the sensing section provides a first response indicative of the first position and, when the object is in a second position, the sensing section provides a second response indicative of the second position such that the position of the object can be determined based upon the response to the input pulse.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A proximity sensor for determining a position of an object comprising:
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(a) a SAW device having a load end and an input end, wherein the input end is adapted and configured to receive an input pulse; and (b) a sensing section operatively connected to the load end of the SAW device, wherein the sensing section is adapted and configured such that, when the object is in a first position, the sensing section provides a first response indicative of the first position and, when the object is in a second position, the sensing section provides a second response indicative of the second position, and wherein the position of the object is determined based upon a reflection of the input pulse. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A proximity sensor for indicating a far field position and a near field position of an object comprising:
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a) a substrate having a first end and a second end; a) an input/output interdigital transducer (IDT) connected to the first end of the substrate; b) an antenna electrically connected to the input/output IDT such that the input/output IDT converts an electrical signal of the antenna into a surface acoustic wave on the substrate; c) a reflective IDT connected to the second end of the substrate for converting the surface acoustic wave on the substrate into an electrical signal; and d) a sensing section connected to the reflective IDT for modifying the reflective IDT electrical signal based upon the near field position and the far field position of the object. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method for ascertaining a position of a moving part comprising the steps of:
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(a) generating and broadcasting an input pulse; (b) receiving the input pulse with an antenna that converts the input pulse into an electrical signal; (c) converting the electrical signal into a propagating surface acoustic wave; (d) converting the propagating surface acoustic wave to an input signal for a sensing section; (e) reflecting the input signal in the form of a second propagating surface acoustic wave; (f) converting the second propagating surface acoustic wave into a second electrical signal; (g) broadcasting the second electrical signal with the antenna; and (h) receiving and analyzing the broadcast second electrical signal to determine the position of the object.
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Specification