Object locating system
First Claim
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1. In an overhead suspension system comprising a structure and a cable suspended from the structure, a sensor system for locating the cable relative to the structure comprising:
- a) a first plurality of electrode pairs;
b) means for imposing an electric field between the electrodes in each pair;
c) means for mounting the electrodes so that the cable causes a perturbation of at least one of the electric fields;
d) means for measuring the perturbations in the electric fields due to the cable; and
e) means for locating the cable with respect to the electrode pairs based on the relative perturbations of the electric fields.
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Abstract
A sensing system locates an object by sensing the object'"'"'s effect on electric fields. The object'"'"'s effect on the mutual capacitance of electrode pairs varies according to the distance between the object and the electrodes. A single electrode pair can sense the distance from the object to the electrodes. Multiple electrode pairs can more precisely locate the object in one or more dimensions.
64 Citations
15 Claims
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1. In an overhead suspension system comprising a structure and a cable suspended from the structure, a sensor system for locating the cable relative to the structure comprising:
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a) a first plurality of electrode pairs; b) means for imposing an electric field between the electrodes in each pair; c) means for mounting the electrodes so that the cable causes a perturbation of at least one of the electric fields; d) means for measuring the perturbations in the electric fields due to the cable; and e) means for locating the cable with respect to the electrode pairs based on the relative perturbations of the electric fields. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. In a gantry system comprising a structure and a cable suspended from the structure, a sensor system for locating the cable relative to the structure comprising:
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a) a first plurality of electrode pairs; b) means for imposing an electric field between the electrodes in each pair; c) means for mounting the electrodes so that the cable causes a perturbation of at least one of the electric fields; d) means for measuring the perturbations in the electric fields due to the cable; and e) means for locating the cable with respect to the electrode pairs based on the relative perturbations of the electric fields. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. In a crane comprising a cable suspended from the crane, a sensor system for locating the cable relative to the crane comprising:
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a) a first plurality of electrode pairs; b) means for imposing an electric field between the electrodes in each pair; c) means for mounting the electrodes so that the cable causes a perturbation of at least one of the electric fields; d) means for measuring the perturbations in the electric fields due to the cable; and e) means for locating the cable with respect to the electrode pairs based on the relative perturbations of the electric fields. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification