IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0527907
(1983-08-30)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Heidel, Jeffrey C.
- Hoogervorst, Thomas R.
- Lane, Lynn R.
- Swartz, Harold L.
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출원인 / 주소 |
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대리인 / 주소 |
Terry, Howard P.Albin, Arnold L.
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
15 인용 특허 :
1 |
초록
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An angular measuring system consisting of one or more sensors that transmit angular measurements to a central control unit where numerical readout of any selected sensor is provided. A threshold can be preset at individual sensors or the control unit for an allowable angular deviation, beyond which
An angular measuring system consisting of one or more sensors that transmit angular measurements to a central control unit where numerical readout of any selected sensor is provided. A threshold can be preset at individual sensors or the control unit for an allowable angular deviation, beyond which a warning device is actuated. The circuitry permits locating the sensors remotely from the console and provides precision and stability of operation. Low power consumption permits extended operating periods with internal batteries. False alarms are minimized by incorporating a hysteresis loop in the threshold detection circuitry.
대표청구항
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1. Apparatus for sensing angular displacement of an inanimate body from a reference axis, comprising: (a) a mounting plate for securing said apparatus to said body; (b) a sensor assembly secured to said mounting plate, said assembly including: means for providing a pulsed audio-frequency excit
1. Apparatus for sensing angular displacement of an inanimate body from a reference axis, comprising: (a) a mounting plate for securing said apparatus to said body; (b) a sensor assembly secured to said mounting plate, said assembly including: means for providing a pulsed audio-frequency excitation signal of predetermined amplitude, an electrolytic bubble level sensor, means for differentially exciting said electrolytic bubble level sensor with said signal, thereby to provide a pulsed output signal whose magnitude and polarity depend on the inclination of said level sensor from a reference axis, said pulsed output signal having a null value when said level sensor is aligned with said reference axis, demodulator means responsive to said pulsed excitation signal and to said pulsed output signal for converting said pulsed output signal to a bidirectional direct current output signal, means for providing a control signal corresponding to a predetermined angular displacement of said level sensor from said reference axis, means for comparing said control signal with said bidirectional output signal, thereby to provide an indicator signal when said predetermined angular displacement is exceeded; (c) control means for providing sensor control signals; (d) means for remotely coupling said sensor assembly to said control means and for receiving signals representative of said inclination, said signals comprised of said bidirectional direct current output signal and said indicator signal; (e) numerical readout means, responsive to said bidirectional output signal; (f) indicator means, responsive to said indicator signal, for registering a condition wherein said angular displacement exceeds said predetermined value; (g) alarm means, responsive to said indicator means, for signalling the presence of said condition; and (h) means for providing said bidirectional output signal to a recorder. 2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reference axis comprises a vertical axis. 3. Apparatus for sensing and displaying angular displacement of an inanimate body comprising: sensor assembly means responsive to the influence of terrestrial gravitational force, comprising a plurality of electrical contacts immersed in an electrolytic fluid for providing a variable resistance representing the angle and direction of inclination of said means, voltage regulator means for providing a stabilized source of electrical energy, means for providing a first pulsed audio-frequency signal of predetermined peak amplitude from said voltage regulator means for exciting said sensor assembly means; means coupled to said sensor assembly means for deriving a second pulsed signal indicative of an inclination from a reference axis of said sensor assembly means, and synchronous demodulator means, responsive to said first and second pulsed signals, for converting said second pulsed signal to an equivalent bidirectional current and providing a variable direct current signal to said display means proportional in polarity and amplitude to the inclination of said sensor assembly means from said reference axis. 4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, further comprising threshold detector means coupled to receive said direct current signal for providing a signal output when said inclination exceeds a predetermined angular deviation from said reference axis. 5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said sensor assembly means comprises first voltage divider means for establishing said predetermined angular displacement. 6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said control means comprises second voltage divider means for establishing said predetermined angular deviation. 7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein, said threshold detector means further comprises: means for supplying a reference potential from said voltage regulator means to said first and second voltage dividers, means for varying at least one of said dividers to provide a calibration voltage corresponding to said predetermined angular deviation, means for comparing said calibration voltage and said variable direct current signal, and means for providing an alarm energizing signal when the difference between said direct current signal and said calibration voltage exceeds a predetermined value. 8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, further comprising: threshold indicator means, responsive to said alarm signal, for registering the presence of a condition wherein said direct current signal exceeds said predetermined value, and alarm means, responsive to said energizing signal, for providing a warning indication when said predetermined angular deviation is exceeded. 9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said variable direct current signal is coupled to energize a graphical recorder. 10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said threshold detector means includes hysteresis loop means, responsive to positive and negative input signals, coupled to receive said alarm energizing signal and said reference potential and to provide an output signal corresponding to an algebraic difference thereof to an input of said detector means, for delaying the response of said detector means until the difference of said calibration voltage and said variable direct current signal exceeds said predetermined value. 11. A circuit for the hysteresis loop means as set forth in claim 10, comprising: a differential amplifier having first and second voltage inputs and providing a voltage output responsive thereto, means for exciting said first input by said reference potential, means for exciting said second input by said alarm energizing signal, means for forming an algebraic sum of said differential amplifier voltage output and said calibration voltage for providing said alarm energizing signal to said alarm means, and unitary feedback means coupled to receive a voltage corresponding to said algebraic sum and to provide a portion thereof corresponding to said alarm energizing signal to said second input, said differential amplifier providing an output signal enhancing said calibration voltage when excited by a value of said alarm energizing signal less than said reference potential, and providing an output signal opposing said calibration voltage when excited by a value of said alarm energizing signal greater than said reference potential. 12. The circuit as set forth in claim 11, further comprising a resistor coupled to receive said voltage output responsive to said first and second voltage inputs and for applying at least a portion thereof to said comparator means. 13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, further comprising digital display means, responsive to said demodulator means, for providing a numerical readout representative of said inclination. 14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 13, further comprising threshold detector means coupled to receive said variable direct current signal and a source of reference potential for providing a signal output when said inclination exceeds a predetermined angular deviation from said reference axis, and control means, coupled to said display means and said signal output of said threshold detector means, coupled to receive energy from a power source and to distribute at least a portion thereof to said sensor assembly means, said display means, and to said threshold detector means. 15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 14, further comprising power supply means for energizing said control means. 16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 14, further comprising remote coupling means for coupling said sensor assembly means to said display means. 17. The apparatus as set forth in claim 16, said coupling means further comprising at least one pair of electrical conductors. 18. The apparatus as set forth in claim 14, further comprising a plurality of sensor assembly means coupled to provide signals representative of the individual angular inclinations thereof to said control means. 19. The apparatus as set forth in claim 18, further comprising switch means for selecting said inclination signals for at least one of said plurality of sensor assembly means and for coupling said at least one signal to said display means. 20. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said reference axis comprises a vertical axis.
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