Method, apparatus and system for sensing a signal with automatic adjustments for changing signal levels

• US 8,786,343 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2010
• Issued: 07/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cognitive Vision, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cognitive Vision, Inc.
• Inventors: Geer, Derek H., Smelter, Timothy John, Thomas, John Gordon
• Primary Examiner(s): POOS, JOHN W
• Application Number:
  US13/510,202
• Publication Number:
  US 20130127511A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,343 Days
• Field of Search: 327/164, 327/165, 327/178, 324/160, 324/167, 324/179
• US Class Current: 327/178
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 3/013 Modifications of generator to prevent operation by noise or interference
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 5/02 by amplifying H03K5/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 5/082 with an adaptive threshold

Abstract

The present specification provides a method, apparatus and system for sensing a signal with automatic adjustments for changing signal levels. A novel fractional peak discriminator circuit is provided which can be incorporated into a system for measuring periodic signals from moving elements. The circuit can be used regardless of whether the periodic signals are detected using optics, magnetic detector or other methods.

Claims

1. A signal conditioner circuit comprising:

a filter for receiving an electrical signal generated by a sensor;

said sensor configured to detect rotational periodic movement and generate said electrical signal based on said rotational periodic movement;

said filter for generating a filtered signal having a peak where said electrical signal is greatest, wherein said peak represents a single rotation;

a peak detector configured to receive said filtered signal and to detect said peak and generate a detected-peak signal that holds said peak;

a peak-divider configured to receive said detected-peak signal and to divide said detected-peak signal by a predetermined amount and thereby generate a divided-peak signal;

a comparator configured to receive said divided-peak signal and said filtered signal;

said comparator configured to generate and output a pulse when a comparison between said divided-peak signal and said filtered signal results in a determination that said filtered signal exceeds said divided-peak signal.

2. The circuit of claim 1 further comprising a pulse generator configured to generate a further pulse, based on said pulse;

said further pulse conditioned for monitoring equipment.

3. The circuit of claim 1 wherein said sensor is an optical sensor.

4. The circuit of claim 1 wherein said sensor is a magnetic sensor.

5. The circuit of claim 1 wherein said rotational periodic movement corresponds to rotation of a turbine in a jet engine.

6. A signal conditioner circuit comprising:

a filter for receiving an electrical signal generated by a sensor;

said sensor configured to detect rotational periodic movement and generate said electrical signal based on said rotational periodic movement;

said filter for generating a filtered signal having a peak where said electrical signal is greatest, wherein a plurality of said peaks represents a single rotation;

a peak detector configured to receive said filtered signal and to detect said peak and generate a detected-peak signal that holds said peak;

a peak-divider configured to receive said detected-peak signal and to divide said detected-peak signal by a predetermined amount and thereby generate a divided-peak signal;

a comparator configured to receive said divided-peak signal and said filtered signal;

said comparator configured to generate and output a pulse when a comparison between said divided-peak signal and said filtered signal results in a determination that said filtered signal exceeds said divided-peak signal.

7. The circuit of claim 6 further comprising a pulse generator configured to generate a further pulse, based on said pulse;

said further pulse conditioned for monitoring equipment.

8. The circuit of claim 6 wherein said sensor is an optical sensor.

9. The circuit of claim 6 wherein said sensor is a magnetic sensor.

10. The circuit of claim 6 wherein said rotational periodic movement corresponds to rotation of a turbine in a jet engine.