Sensor assembly and methods of measuring a proximity of a machine component to a sensor
First Claim
1. A microwave sensor assembly comprising:
- a signal generator for generating at least one microwave signal;
an emitter coupled to the signal generator, the emitter configured to generate an electromagnetic field from the at least one microwave signal, wherein the emitter is detuned when an object is positioned within the electromagnetic field such that a loading signal is generated;
a detector coupled to the emitter and to the signal generator, the detector configured to calculate at least one of an amplitude, a phase, and a power of the loading signal at a primary frequency of the loading signal for use in measuring a proximity of an object to the emitter; and
a phase-locked loop configured to receive the loading signal and to generate a loading frequency signal that is approximately equal to the primary frequency of the loading signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microwave sensor assembly includes a signal generator for generating at least one microwave signal and an emitter coupled to the signal generator. The emitter is configured to generate an electromagnetic field from the at least one microwave signal, wherein the emitter is detuned when an object is positioned within the electromagnetic field such that a loading signal is generated. The microwave sensor assembly also includes a detector coupled to the emitter and to the signal generator. The detector is configured to calculate at least one of an amplitude, a phase, and a power of the loading signal at a primary frequency of the loading signal for use in measuring a proximity of an object to the emitter.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A microwave sensor assembly comprising:
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a signal generator for generating at least one microwave signal; an emitter coupled to the signal generator, the emitter configured to generate an electromagnetic field from the at least one microwave signal, wherein the emitter is detuned when an object is positioned within the electromagnetic field such that a loading signal is generated; a detector coupled to the emitter and to the signal generator, the detector configured to calculate at least one of an amplitude, a phase, and a power of the loading signal at a primary frequency of the loading signal for use in measuring a proximity of an object to the emitter; and a phase-locked loop configured to receive the loading signal and to generate a loading frequency signal that is approximately equal to the primary frequency of the loading signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A power system comprising:
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a machine comprising at least one component; a microwave sensor assembly positioned proximate to said at least one component and comprising; a signal generator for generating at least one microwave signal; and an emitter coupled to said signal generator, said emitter configured to generate an electromagnetic field from the at least one microwave signal, wherein said emitter is detuned when an object is positioned within the electromagnetic field such that a loading signal is generated; a detector coupled to said emitter and to said signal generator, said detector configured to calculate at least one of an amplitude, a phase, and a power of the loading signal at a primary frequency of the loading signal for use in measuring a proximity of said at least one component to said emitter, and a phase-locked loop configured to receive the loading signal and to generate a loading frequency signal that is approximately equal to the primary frequency of the loading signal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for measuring a proximity of a machine component relative to an emitter, the method comprising:
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transmitting at least one microwave signal to an emitter; generating an electromagnetic field from the at least one microwave signal; generating a loading signal representative of a disruption of the electromagnetic field, wherein the loading signal includes a plurality of frequencies; calculating at least one of an amplitude, a phase, and a power of the loading signal at a primary frequency of the loading signal; calculating a proximity of the machine component to the emitter based on at least one of the calculated amplitude, phase, and power of the loading signal and extracting the primary frequency of the loading signal from the plurality of frequencies; and generating a loading frequency signal that is representative of the primary frequency. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification