Resistance-Based Monitoring System and Method
First Claim
1. A monitoring system for a support structure, comprising:
- a resistance circuit coupled to the support structure, the resistance circuit having a first set of resistors and a second set of resistors, the second set of resistors being configured to provide a reference voltage; and
an interface circuit coupled to the resistance circuit and having one or more comparators, each comparator being configured to compare a voltage across at least one of the resistors with the reference voltage and generate an output signal corresponding to the comparison, the interface circuit being configured to monitor an effective resistance of the support structure based on the output signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A monitoring system for a support structure is provided. The monitoring system may include a resistance circuit coupled to the support structure, and an interface circuit coupled to the resistance circuit. The resistance circuit may include a first set of resistors and a second set of resistors, wherein the second set of resistors is configured to provide a reference voltage. The interface circuit may include one or more comparators, wherein each comparator is configured to compare a voltage across at least one of the resistors with the reference voltage and generate an output signal corresponding to the comparison. The interface circuit may be configured to continuously monitor an effective resistance of the support structure based on the output signals.
11 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A monitoring system for a support structure, comprising:
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a resistance circuit coupled to the support structure, the resistance circuit having a first set of resistors and a second set of resistors, the second set of resistors being configured to provide a reference voltage; and an interface circuit coupled to the resistance circuit and having one or more comparators, each comparator being configured to compare a voltage across at least one of the resistors with the reference voltage and generate an output signal corresponding to the comparison, the interface circuit being configured to monitor an effective resistance of the support structure based on the output signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for calibrating a resistance-based monitoring system for a support structure, comprising the steps of:
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providing a resistance circuit coupled to the support structure, the resistance circuit having a first set of resistors and a second set of resistors disposed at least partially in parallel to the support structure; generating a reference voltage across the second set of resistors; comparing a voltage across at least one of the first set of resistors with the reference voltage; and adjusting the reference voltage until an effective resistance of the support structure is substantially matched by the resistance circuit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for monitoring a support structure, comprising the steps of:
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providing a resistance circuit coupled to the support structure, the resistance circuit having a first set of resistors and a second set of resistors disposed at least partially in parallel to the support structure, generating a reference voltage across the second set of resistors, the reference voltage corresponding to an initial effective resistance of the support structure; comparing a voltage across at least one of the first set of resistors with the reference voltage; and determining at least one operational state of the support structure based on the comparisons. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification