Eddy current magnetic crash sensor
First Claim
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1. A method of detecting a change in a magnetic condition of a vehicle, comprising:
- a. generating a first time-varying magnetic field component proximate to a first portion of the vehicle at a first location;
b. generating at least one second time-varying magnetic field component proximate to at least one second portion of said vehicle at at least one corresponding second location, wherein said at least one corresponding second location is separated from said first location, said first portion of said vehicle and said at least one second portion of said vehicle are at least partially conductive so that said first time-varying magnetic field component generates a corresponding first eddy current component in said first portion of said vehicle, said at least one second time-varying magnetic field component generates a corresponding at least one second eddy current component in said at least one second portion of said vehicle, and said first location and at least one of said at least one corresponding second location are each proximally adjacent to corresponding separate conductive portions of a common surface of said vehicle; and
c. detecting a change in the magnetic condition of said vehicle responsive to a first signal responsive to said corresponding first eddy current component, and responsive to at least one second signal responsive to said corresponding at least one second eddy current component.
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Abstract
At least one time-varying signal is applied to a plurality of coil elements in cooperative relationship with and spanning different portions of a vehicle. The coil elements generate an associated plurality of magnetic field components that interact with the vehicle. At least one detection circuit generates a detected signal responsive to signal components from the coil elements so as to provide for detecting a change in a magnetic condition of the vehicle.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of detecting a change in a magnetic condition of a vehicle, comprising:
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a. generating a first time-varying magnetic field component proximate to a first portion of the vehicle at a first location; b. generating at least one second time-varying magnetic field component proximate to at least one second portion of said vehicle at at least one corresponding second location, wherein said at least one corresponding second location is separated from said first location, said first portion of said vehicle and said at least one second portion of said vehicle are at least partially conductive so that said first time-varying magnetic field component generates a corresponding first eddy current component in said first portion of said vehicle, said at least one second time-varying magnetic field component generates a corresponding at least one second eddy current component in said at least one second portion of said vehicle, and said first location and at least one of said at least one corresponding second location are each proximally adjacent to corresponding separate conductive portions of a common surface of said vehicle; and c. detecting a change in the magnetic condition of said vehicle responsive to a first signal responsive to said corresponding first eddy current component, and responsive to at least one second signal responsive to said corresponding at least one second eddy current component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of detecting a change in a magnetic condition of a vehicle, comprising:
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a. generating a first time-varying magnetic field component proximate to a first portion of the vehicle at a first location; b. generating at least one second time-varying magnetic field component proximate to at least one second portion of said vehicle at at least one corresponding second location, wherein said at least one corresponding second location is separated from said first location, said first portion of said vehicle and said at least one second portion of said vehicle are at least partially conductive so that said first time-varying magnetic field component generates a corresponding first eddy current component in said first portion of said vehicle, and said at least one second time-varying magnetic field component generates a corresponding at least one second eddy current component in said at least one second portion of said vehicle; c. operatively associating at least one conductive element with at least one of said first portion of said vehicle and said at least one second portion of said vehicle in cooperation with at least one of said first time-varying magnetic field component and said at least one second time-varying magnetic field component; d. incorporating a pattern in said at least one conductive element so as to provide for controlling at least one associated eddy current therein; and e. detecting a change in the magnetic condition of said vehicle responsive to a first signal responsive to said corresponding first eddy current component, and responsive to at least one second signal responsive to said corresponding at least one second eddy current component. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method of detecting a change in a magnetic condition of a vehicle, comprising:
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a. generating a first time-varying magnetic field component proximate to a first portion of the vehicle at a first location; b. generating at least one second time-varying magnetic field component proximate to at least one second portion of said vehicle at at least one corresponding second location, wherein said at least one corresponding second location is separated from said first location, said first portion of said vehicle and said at least one second portion of said vehicle are at least partially conductive so that said first time-varying magnetic field component generates a corresponding first eddy current component in said first portion of said vehicle, said at least one second time-varying magnetic field component generates a corresponding at least one second eddy current component in said at least one second portion of said vehicle, and said first portion of said vehicle and said at least one second portion of said vehicle comprise a door beam of a door of said vehicle; and c. detecting a change in the magnetic condition of said vehicle responsive to a first signal responsive to said corresponding first eddy current component, and responsive to at least one second signal responsive to said corresponding at least one second eddy current component, wherein the operation of detecting said change in said magnetic condition of said vehicle provides for detecting a deformation of said door beam.
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Specification