A portable data collector and analyzer apparatus and method provides predictive and preventative maintenance of a multiplicity of assets through the use of a unique architecture that allows a variety of different application programs to be downloaded to the apparatus for providing a single multi-purpose portable data collector and analyzer apparatus that can employ the variety of different application programs for configuring, inter alia, different measurements types, different transducers types and different signal processing types for collecting and analyzing sensed physical data from a variety of different assets found in industrial plants. A unique frequency shifting and decimation method is employed for spectrum calculation that, inter alia, retains DSP addressing efficiency and increases signal processing speed. Additionally, a unique synchronous sampling method is employed that generates synchronous sample waveforms from asynchronous sample waveforms. Furthermore, a unique clear touch screen overlying a quarter VGA display, an ergonomically designed keypad, and an intuitive user interface allow quick and easy setup and operation for in-field data acquisition, analysis and display.

Portable data collector and analyzer: apparatus and method

A core (120; 120'; or 1220) of a proximity sensor (100; 1200; or 1500) is made of a highly permeable metal and is shaped and sized to operate as a saturable core proximity sensor, a variable reluctance proximity sensor, and an eddy current proximity sensor. The core (120; 120'; or 1220) has a cross-sectional shape including a head portion (220 or 1231), two legs (222 or 1232) extending from the head portion (220 or 1231), and two foot portions (224 or 1233) (feet) extending from the two legs (222 or 1232). The head portion (220 or 1231) forms a substantially planar section along the upper surface and is perpendicular to the sectional direction created by the two legs (222 or 1232). The sectional direction of the two legs (222 or 1232) are perpendicular to the sectional direction of the two feet (224 or 1233). The two feet (224 or 1233) are in a common plane along the bottom surface. Both foot portions are also parallel to the head portion. The cross-sectional shape of the core may further comprise two tail portions (1234) (tails), wherein each tail extends from one of the two foot (1233) portions in a direction toward the upper surface (1221).

Inductive proximity sensor for detecting ferromagnetic, non-permeable or magnet targets

A wireless velocity detector for a bicycle includes a coil mounted on the wheel hub of the bicycle which generates a rotating magnetic field as the wheel rotates, a receiver mounted on the handlebars that includes a pair of coils that sense variations in the strength of the rotating field as the bicycle moves and generates signals in response to the field variations and a microprocessor which converts the signals into information related to the movement of the bicycle, e.g. speed and distance. A liquid crystal display is used to display the information to the cyclist.

Wireless velocity detector for a bicycle having a rotating AC magnetic field and receiver coils

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an adaptive threshold circuit is provided which develops a series of square-wave voltage pulses from an alternating differential voltage that is produced in response to the rotation of a wheel The adaptive threshold circuit includes an input circuit for providing an input voltage in response to the alternating differential voltage A first voltage comparator compares the input voltage with an adaptive analog threshold voltage and produces an output in response thereto which causes a rising edge of the square-wave voltage pulse A second voltage comparator compares a selected portion of the input voltage with the adaptive analog threshold voltage and produces an output in response thereto The adaptive threshold circuit further includes a binary counter having a reset input for receiving the first voltage comparator output and an enable input for receiving the second voltage comparator output and provides a plurality of binary outputs The second voltage comparator output thereby enables the counter so as to detect a peak input voltage A digital-to-analog converter receives the binary outputs from the binary counter and generates the adaptive analog threshold voltage as a function of a selected percent of peak voltage

Variable reluctance sensor interface using a differential input and digital adaptive control

A conversion circuit is provided for converting a differential voltage to a single-ended voltage. The conversion circuit has an input circuit including first and second input lines for receiving a differential voltage that is produced by a magnetic sensor in response to rotation of a wheel. First and second buffers are coupled to the first and second input lines, respectively, of the input circuit and each provide a buffered output. The conversion circuit further includes a difference amplifier having a positive input coupled to the output of the first buffer and a negative input coupled to the output of the second buffer. The amplifier provides as an output the voltage difference between the first and second inputs as a single-ended voltage output. The output circuit further converts the single-ended voltage output into a series of voltage pulses which provide rotational speed information about the wheel.

Differential to single-ended conversion circuit for a magnetic wheel speed sensor

The invention relates to an angular measurement device comprising a variable reluctance magnetic circuit comprising a fixed portion (3) associated with a coil (2) and at least a moving element (4) attached to a part (5) rotating in front of the fixed portion, the angular position of which is to be detected, comprising: means (I) for integrating the voltage across the coil, means for measuring the instantaneous value of the integrated voltage (15), means for comparing this measure to a calibrating curve of the integrated voltage versus the angle.

Electronic angular measurement device

The present invention relates to an electronic ignition device for controlling an engine within a speed range in which that engine is capable of sudden accelerations, in which the moment of closure of the charging circuit of the engine's coil is fixed at a given angle of rotation of the engine, selected as a function of the highest speed in the said range, comprising a variable reluctance detector (10) supplying an output signal (e(t)), an integrator (12) supplying an integrated signal (F) from the said output signal and a comparator (16) comparing the said integrated signal with a reference voltage (Vref 1) and supplying the closing signal (S).

Motor vehicle ignition device

Dispositif d'allumage automobile

La presente invention concerne un dispositif de mesure d'angle comprenant un circuit magnetique a reluctance variable constitue d'une partie fixe (3) associee a une bobine (2) et d'au moins un element mobile (4) solidaire d'une piece (5) en rotation devant la partie fixe et dont on souhaite detecter la position angulaire, comprenant des moyens d'integration de la tension aux bornes de la bobine (I) et des moyens de mesure de la tension integree (15). The present invention relates to an angle measuring device comprising a variable reluctance magnetic circuit comprising a fixed part (3) associated with a coil (2) and at least one movable element (4) integral with a piece (5) rotating in front of the fixed part and whose angular position is to be detected, comprising the voltage integrating means at the terminals of the coil (I) and means for measuring the integrated voltage (15).

Jean-Pierre Lusinchi

Papers

Electronic angular measurement device

Motor vehicle ignition device

Dispositif d'allumage automobile

Electronic angle-measuring device