Sensing and communication system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle system comprising:
- an air spring including a first member anda second member spaced a distance from said first member;
a transceiver and first antenna associated with said first member, said transceiver configured to broadcast an electromagnetic wave using said first antenna;
a transponder and second antenna associated with said second member, said transponder and said second antenna configured to receive said electromagnetic wave, said transponder configured to short circuit said second antenna for a predetermined period to induce an amplitude variation of said electromagnetic wave, said amplitude variation changing as a distance from said first antenna to said second antenna changes, said transponder configured to receive a sensor output signal, and said transponder configured to cause a modulation of said electromagnetic wave in relation to said output signal; and
,said vehicle system configured to detect and measure said amplitude variation of said broadcasted electromagnetic wave, correlate a specific amplitude variation with a respective distance from said first antenna to said second antenna, and generate a signal representative of said respective distance.
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Abstract
A sensing and communication system includes a transceiver broadcasting an electromagnetic wave, a transponder supported on an associated structural member at a distance from the transceiver that receives the electromagnetic wave, and a sensor adjacent the transponder and in communication therewith. The sensor being operable to sense an input acting on the associated structural member and communicate a signal corresponding to the input to the transponder. The transponder is adapted to induce a modulation of the electromagnetic wave in relation to at least one of the sensor signal and the distance between the transceiver and the transponder. A method is also disclosed.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A vehicle system comprising:
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an air spring including a first member and a second member spaced a distance from said first member; a transceiver and first antenna associated with said first member, said transceiver configured to broadcast an electromagnetic wave using said first antenna; a transponder and second antenna associated with said second member, said transponder and said second antenna configured to receive said electromagnetic wave, said transponder configured to short circuit said second antenna for a predetermined period to induce an amplitude variation of said electromagnetic wave, said amplitude variation changing as a distance from said first antenna to said second antenna changes, said transponder configured to receive a sensor output signal, and said transponder configured to cause a modulation of said electromagnetic wave in relation to said output signal; and
,said vehicle system configured to detect and measure said amplitude variation of said broadcasted electromagnetic wave, correlate a specific amplitude variation with a respective distance from said first antenna to said second antenna, and generate a signal representative of said respective distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An air spring assembly comprising:
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a first end member; a second end member spaced a distance from said first end member; a flexible wall secured between said first and second end members; a transceiver and first antenna associated with said first end member, the transceiver configured to broadcast an electromagnetic wave using said first antenna; a transponder and second antenna associated with said second end member, said transponder and said second antenna configured to receive said electromagnetic wave, said transponder configured to short circuit said second antenna for a predetermined period to induce an amplitude variation of said electromagnetic wave, said amplitude variation changing as a distance from said first antenna to said second antenna changes, said transponder configured to receive a sensor output signal, and said transponder configured to cause a modulation of said electromagnetic wave in relation to said sensor output signal; and said air spring assembly configured to detect and measure said amplitude variation of said broadcasted electromagnetic wave. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of determining a distance between first and second members of an air spring associated with a vehicle, said method comprising:
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a) providing a transceiver and first antenna associated with said first member, said transceiver and said first antenna configured to broadcast an electromagnetic wave; b) providing a transponder and second antenna associated with said second member, said transponder and said second antenna configured to receive said electromagnetic wave; c) broadcasting an electromagnetic wave using said first antenna and thereby inductively coupling said transceiver and said transponder through said first and second antennae; d) short circuiting said second antenna for a predetermined period, said second antenna inducing an amplitude variation of said electromagnetic wave broadcasted by said transceiver, the amplitude variation changing as a distance from said first antenna to said second antenna changes; e) detecting said amplitude variation of said broadcasted electromagnetic wave; f) determining said distance between said first and second members based at least in part on said detected amplitude variation; g) providing a sensor associated with said vehicle, said sensor configured to generate a sensor output signal corresponding to a property associated with said vehicle; h) generating said sensor output signal; i) causing a modulation of said electromagnetic wave in relation to said sensor output signal; and j) determining a value of said property associated with said vehicle based on said modulation. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification