Strategic Technologies
RF Piston Position Sensor
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U.S. Patents:
Reference Number: T01-03
Title: RF Piston Position Sensor
Inventors: Bitar; Ali (Peoria, IL); Lark; Wayne (Joliet, IL); Morgan; Denny E. (San Diego, CA), on behalf of Caterpillar, Inc.; Assigned to Mid-America Commercialization Corporation.
Abstract: A sensing technique that builds in the position sensing to the hydraulic cylinder and utilizes radio frequency technology to sense the position of the system is disclosed. RF based methods are used to determine piston position in hydraulic cylinders.
Application: The technology can be used for cylinder position sensing in heavy construction machinery such as dozers, loaders and dump trucks, specifically when laying concrete. It could also be used by tree harvesters, hydraulic cranes and marine and aviation steering controls.
Advantages:
· Provides more precise control of machinery than possible by the operator alone
· Allows for accurate placement and alignment of blades, buckets and other devices
· Reduces operator error and creates faster machine operation
· Less material waste
U.S. Patents:
5,994,906 Fluid measurement of dielectric property change in hydraulic fluid
5,856,745 Hydraulic cylinder end member arrangement for a piston position sensing system
5,780,743 Resonance identification in hydraulic cylinder piston position sensing
5,710,514 Hydraulic cylinder piston position sensing with compensation for piston velocity
5,617,034 Signal improvement in the sensing of hydraulic cylinder piston position using electromagnetic waves
5,608,332 Dynamic gain adjustment in electromagnetic wave hydraulic cylinder piston position sensing
5,560,278 Hydraulic cylinder with an electrical contacting and sealing ring
5,519,326 & 5,491,422 Linear position sensor using a coaxial resonant cavity
5,471,147 Apparatus and method for determining the linear position of a hydraulic cylinder
5,438,274 Linear position sensor using a coaxial resonant cavity
5,241,278 Radio frequency linear position sensor using two subsequent harmonics
5,182,979 Linear position sensor with equalizing means
5,150,060 Multiplexed radio frequency linear position sensor system
Other: Certain know-how documents could be made available under a confidential disclosure agreement. Physical equipment is also available.
For NISTAC Technology Licensing
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Bob Reader
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