초록 ▼

An inclinometer 20 has a sensing unit 40 for providing a varying capacitance signal depending on the orientation of the inclinometer 20. An oscillator circuit unit 82 includes the sensor unit 40 as a capacitive element for providing a signal having a period and a frequency depending on the capacitan

An inclinometer 20 has a sensing unit 40 for providing a varying capacitance signal depending on the orientation of the inclinometer 20. An oscillator circuit unit 82 includes the sensor unit 40 as a capacitive element for providing a signal having a period and a frequency depending on the capacitance of the sensor unit 40. A unit 92 is provided for determining the period of the signal. A look-up table unit 96 stores a predetermined relationship between the period of the signal and the angle of orientation of the inclinometer 20. A comparison unit 94 then compares the period of the signal to the period stored in the look-up table unit 96 and selects the corresponding angle which is the angle of orientation of the inclinometer 20. The angle is then displayed on the inclinometer display 25.

대표청구항 ▼

An inclinometer comprising: a sensor means for providing varying capacitance depending on the orientation of the inclinometer; a circuit means connected to said sensor means for providing a signal having a period and a frequency dependant on the capacitance of the sensor means; means for determining

An inclinometer comprising: a sensor means for providing varying capacitance depending on the orientation of the inclinometer; a circuit means connected to said sensor means for providing a signal having a period and a frequency dependant on the capacitance of the sensor means; means for determining at least one of the period and the frequency of the signal; look-up table means for storing a relationship between a table value including at least one of the period and the frequency of the signal and the orientation of the inclinometer; means for comparing at least one of the period and the frequency of the signal to the table value of the relationship stored in the look-up table means and for selecting a corresponding orientation; means for displaying the results of the comparing means; and wherein the sensor means includes: (a) a first plate having a plurality of isolated, conducting first sectors, which first sectors have an inner curved border defining a first center, generally circular, area; (b) a first thin dielectric layer covering said first sectors and said first center area; (c) a second plate having a plurality of isolated, conducting second sectors, which second sectors have an inner curved border defining a second central, generally circular area; (d) a second thin dielectric layer covering said second sectors and said second center area; (e) said first plate positioned substantially parallel to said second plate with the first dielectric layer facing the second dielectric layer; (f) conducting peripheral edge means for defining a cavity between said first and second plates; and a conducting fluid partially filling said cavity such that the fluid is positioned between at least one of the first sectors and at least one of the second sectors. A capacitive sensor including: a first plate having a plurality of isolated conducting first sectors; a first thin dielectric layer covering said first plate and said first sectors; a second plate having a plurality of isolated, conducting second sectors; a second thin dielectric layer covering said second plate and said second sections; said first plate positioned substantially parallel to said second plate and the first dielectric layer facing said second dielectric layer; conducting peripheral edge means for defining a cavity between said first and second dielectric layers of said first and second plates; a conducting fluid partially filling said cavity and in contact with said conducting peripheral edge means such that the fluid is positioned adjacent at least one of the first and second sectors; and connecting means for selectively associating selected first and second sectors with the conducting peripheral edge means such that capacitive values can be determined between said conducting peripheral edge means and said first and second sectors in order to facilitate a determination of an orientation of the capacitive sectors.