Pulsed echo propagation device and method for measuring a parameter
First Claim
1. A low power measurement system for measuring a parameter comprising:
- a medium where the parameter to be measured affects the medium;
a transducer coupled to the medium at a first location where the transducer emits a pulsed energy wave into the medium in response to a pulse; and
a reflective surface coupled to the medium at a second location where the pulsed energy wave propagates through the medium to the second location and where the reflective surface reflects the pulsed energy wave back to the first location; and
a pulsed system including;
an edge detect circuit for detecting an edge of a signal from the transducer; and
a first pulse circuit far generating a pulse to initiate a subsequent measurement sequence in response to a detected edge by the edge detect circuit where a transit time of the pulsed energy wave is measured and the transit time or change in transit time corresponds to the parameter where the system includes an amplifier having an input coupled to an output of the edge detect circuit and an output coupled to the transducer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
At least one embodiment is directed to a sensor for measuring a parameter. A signal path of the system comprises an amplifier (612), a sensor element, and an amplifier (620). The sensor element comprises a transducer (4) at a first location of a waveguide (5), and a reflective surface (30) at a second location of the waveguide (5). A parameter such as force or pressure applied to the sensor element can change the length of waveguide (5). A pulsed energy wave is emitted by the transducer (4) into the waveguide (5) at the first location. The transducer (4) is responsive to pulsed energy waves reflected from reflective surface (30) to the second location. The transit time of each pulsed energy wave is measured. The transit time corresponds to the pressure or force applied to the sensor element.
30 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A low power measurement system for measuring a parameter comprising:
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a medium where the parameter to be measured affects the medium; a transducer coupled to the medium at a first location where the transducer emits a pulsed energy wave into the medium in response to a pulse; and a reflective surface coupled to the medium at a second location where the pulsed energy wave propagates through the medium to the second location and where the reflective surface reflects the pulsed energy wave back to the first location; and a pulsed system including; an edge detect circuit for detecting an edge of a signal from the transducer; and a first pulse circuit far generating a pulse to initiate a subsequent measurement sequence in response to a detected edge by the edge detect circuit where a transit time of the pulsed energy wave is measured and the transit time or change in transit time corresponds to the parameter where the system includes an amplifier having an input coupled to an output of the edge detect circuit and an output coupled to the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of measuring a parameter comprising the steps of:
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maintaining at least one pulsed energy wave in a medium subjected to the parameter being measured comprising the steps of; detecting a first pulsed energy wave of the at least one pulsed energy waves reflected back to a first location with an edge detect circuit; preventing a first pulse circuit from providing further pulses; generating a pulse from a second pulse circuit upon detecting the first pulsed energy wave; and emitting a pulsed energy wave into the medium at first location in response to each detected pulsed energy wave reflected back to the first location; initiating measurement by providing a fixed integer number of pulsed energy waves to the medium from the second pulse circuit; measuring a transit time of each pulsed energy wave with a timer where the transit time comprises each pulsed energy wave traversing the medium to the second location, being reflected by a reflector at a second location and traversing the medium to the first location; and relating the transit time to the parameter being measured. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification