Proximity detection system
First Claim
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1. A proximity detection system comprising:
- an excitation source that generates an excitation signal;
a capacitive sensor having a sense electrode that secures to a surface of a system component, wherein the capacitive sensor forms a circuit with the excitation source to generate a capacitive field about the sense electrode at least in a direction of interest, wherein the capacitive field changes due to the presence of objects present within the capacitive field, thus changing the overall capacitance of the capacitive sensor;
a monitor coupled to the circuit formed of the excitation source and capacitive sensor that obtains measurements that are influenced by the capacitive field associated with the capacitive sensor;
a mapping of threshold values at a plurality of positions of the capacitive sensor within a space; and
a controller that, for a given position of the capacitive sensor within the mapped space;
determines a measured value from at least one measurement from the monitor for the given position;
retrieves, based at least in part upon the given position, a threshold value from the mapping to derive an anticipated value;
performs an evaluation based upon the determined value and the anticipated value; and
performs a predetermined action if the determined value is outside a predetermined range of the anticipated value.
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Abstract
Proximity sensing arrangements utilize one or more sensing devices to detect and/or to discern objects that are or become proximate, or are expected to be proximate to a position of interest. For example, one or more capacitive sensors may be distributed to locations about a machine, e.g., attached to, incorporated with, or otherwise associated with a moving or otherwise operating component of the machine. Corresponding control electronics drive each capacitive sensor, using a corresponding excitation signal, as well as process information read from each capacitive sensor to make intelligent proximity related decisions.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A proximity detection system comprising:
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an excitation source that generates an excitation signal; a capacitive sensor having a sense electrode that secures to a surface of a system component, wherein the capacitive sensor forms a circuit with the excitation source to generate a capacitive field about the sense electrode at least in a direction of interest, wherein the capacitive field changes due to the presence of objects present within the capacitive field, thus changing the overall capacitance of the capacitive sensor; a monitor coupled to the circuit formed of the excitation source and capacitive sensor that obtains measurements that are influenced by the capacitive field associated with the capacitive sensor; a mapping of threshold values at a plurality of positions of the capacitive sensor within a space; and a controller that, for a given position of the capacitive sensor within the mapped space; determines a measured value from at least one measurement from the monitor for the given position; retrieves, based at least in part upon the given position, a threshold value from the mapping to derive an anticipated value; performs an evaluation based upon the determined value and the anticipated value; and performs a predetermined action if the determined value is outside a predetermined range of the anticipated value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A proximity detection system comprising:
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an excitation source that generates an excitation signal; a capacitive sensor having a sense electrode that secures to a surface of a system component, wherein the capacitive sensor forms a circuit with the excitation source to generate a capacitive field about the sense electrode at least in a direction of interest, wherein the capacitive field changes due to the presence of objects present within the capacitive field, thus changing the overall capacitance of the capacitive sensor; a monitor coupled to the circuit formed of the excitation source and capacitive sensor that obtains measurements that are influenced by the capacitive field associated with the capacitive sensor; a mapping of threshold values at a plurality of points in time relative to a start time of a programmed operation of the system component to which the capacitive sensor is attached, each threshold value uniquely associated with the corresponding point in time of the corresponding programmed operation; and a controller that evaluates the capacitive field of the capacitive sensor during execution of the programmed operation of the system component at points in time corresponding to the mapping of threshold values, wherein the controller, for a given point in time of the mapping; determines a measured value from at least one measurement from the monitor; retrieves a threshold value from the mapping corresponding to the given point in time of the mapping, to derive an anticipated value; performs an evaluation based upon the determined value and the anticipated value; and performs a predetermined action if the determined value is outside a predetermined range of the anticipated value. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification