Scheme for low power measurement

• US 20120185192A1
• Filed: 03/29/2012
• Published: 07/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hottinger Bruel & Kjaer Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Lord Corporation (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Inventors: Townsend, Christopher P., Arms, Steven W.
• Granted Patent: US 9,239,223 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/64
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/58 Wireless transmission of information between a sensor or probe and a control or evaluation unit
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/16 for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. by resistance strain gauge
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/225 Measuring circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/00 Investigating the elasticity of structures, e.g. deflection of bridges or air-craft wings G01M9/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 5/0091 by using electromagnetic excitation or detection
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/127 for acceleration values
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/123 by piezo-resistive elements, e.g. semiconductor strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/04 Measuring peak values or amplitude or envelope of ac or of pulses

Abstract

A method of determining a parameter includes providing a sensor that provides a sensor analog voltage. A peak detecting circuit for detecting a peak voltage in the sensor analog voltage is also provided. The sensor analog voltage is provided to the peak detecting circuit, and the peak voltage is detected. A microprocessor is provided in sleep mode and is awakened once the circuit detects the peak voltage. The microprocessor samples and records the peak voltage and the microprocessor goes back to sleep.

Claims

1. A method of determining a parameter, comprising:

a. providing a sensor that provides a sensor analog voltage;

b. providing a peak detecting circuit for detecting a peak voltage in said sensor analog voltage;

c. providing said sensor analog voltage to said peak detecting circuit and detecting said peak voltage;

d. providing a microprocessor in sleep mode;

e. awakening said microprocessor once said circuit for detecting a peak voltage detects said peak voltage, sampling and recording said peak voltage, and providing that said microprocessor goes back to sleep.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein after said recording said peak voltage (e) further comprising resetting said peak detecting circuit for detecting another peak voltage in said sensor analog voltage.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein said circuit includes a resetting switch for resetting said peak detecting circuit.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said circuit stores a present sensor analog peak voltage and repeatedly compares said sensor analog voltage with said present sensor analog peak voltage, wherein said present sensor analog peak voltage is determined to be said peak voltage when said sensor analog voltage falls a specified amount below said present sensor analog peak voltage.

5. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein said circuit includes an amplifier for storing said present analog peak voltage.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein said circuit includes a comparator, wherein said comparator includes a first input and a second input, wherein said first input is for said sensor analog voltage and wherein said second input is for said present sensor analog peak voltage.

7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein said circuit draws less than 4 microamps.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising providing a display and displaying a parameter related to said peak voltage.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

e. providing a valley detecting circuit for detecting a valley voltage in said sensor analog voltage;

f. providing said sensor analog voltage to said valley detecting circuit and detecting said valley voltage; and

g. recording said valley voltage.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising providing a display and displaying a parameter related to said peak voltage and said valley voltage.

11. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor is self-powering.

12. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein said sensor includes a piezo-electric element.

13. A method of determining a parameter, comprising:

a. providing a sensor that provides a sensor analog voltage;

b. providing a circuit for detecting a feature of said sensor analog voltage;

c. providing said sensor analog voltage to said circuit for detecting a feature of said sensor analog voltage, and detecting said feature;

d. providing a microprocessor in sleep mode;

e. awakening said microprocessor after said circuit for detecting a feature detects said feature, recording, and providing that said microprocessor goes back to sleep mode.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein said recording includes recording a voltage associated with said feature.

15. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein said feature is at least one from the group consisting of a peak sensor analog voltage and a valley sensor analog voltage.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein said recording includes recording at least one from the group consisting of said peak sensor analog voltage and said valley sensor analog voltage.

17. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein said sensor provides said sensor analog voltage without consuming power.

18. A method as recited in claim 13, further comprising providing a display and displaying a parameter related to said feature.

19. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein said sensor includes a piezo-electric element.

20. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein said circuit includes a comparator, wherein said comparator includes a first input and a second input, wherein said first input is for receiving said sensor analog voltage and wherein said second input is for receiving a voltage associated with said detected feature.

21. A method of determining a parameter, comprising:

a. providing a dynamic analog sensor that provides a sensor analog voltage while a parameter is changing;

b. providing a circuit for detecting at least one feature from the group consisting of a peak and a valley of sensor analog voltage from said dynamic analog sensor; and

c. recording only after said circuit detects one said feature from said dynamic analog sensor.

22. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein said recording includes recording a feature voltage in said sensor analog voltage.

23. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein after said recording further comprising resetting said detecting circuit for detecting another feature voltage in said sensor analog voltage.

24. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein said circuit includes a resetting switch for resetting said detecting circuit.

25. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein said detecting circuit stores a present sensor analog feature voltage and repeatedly compares said sensor analog voltage with said present sensor analog feature voltage wherein said present sensor analog feature voltage is determined to be said feature voltage when said sensor analog voltage departs a specified amount from said present sensor analog feature voltage.

26. A method as recited in claim 25, wherein said circuit includes an amplifier for storing said present analog feature voltage.

27. A method as recited in claim 26, wherein said circuit includes a comparator, wherein said comparator includes a first input and a second input, wherein said first input is for said sensor analog voltage and wherein said second input is for said present sensor analog feature voltage.

28. A method as recited in claim 27, wherein said circuit draws less than 4 microamps.

29. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein said sensor provides said sensor analog voltage without consuming power.

30. A method as recited in claim 21, further comprising providing a display and displaying a parameter related to said feature.