Abstract: An inductive proximity sensor includes a coil or inductance arranged in the vicinity of an active surface or end of the sensor, a current source repeatedly supplying the inductance, and a signals processor for signals corresponding to the voltages induced in the coil when fed. The induced voltages are influenced by the presence of objects within a given detection area, depending on their distance and on their constituting material. The coil or inductance is part of a parallel LC circuit. The current source is the capacitor of the LC circuit. A voltage signal amplitude measurement is performed after each switch from charge to discharge state. The result is computed using reference measurements to calculate a distance, a nature of the constituting material, and/or mass indicative value of the objects.

Abstract: Sensor head or detector head (1) composed primarily of a protective casing that forms a hollow body (2) with an external surface, the so-called active surface (2?), and of a sensing or detection element mounted in the hollow body and adjacent to part of the front wall of the protective casing defining the active surface, at the level of the internal surface opposite the latter, the sensor head characterized in that the sensing element (3) is located at a distance from the internal surface (4?) of the part of the wall (4) of the hollow body (2) in such a way as to delineate an interstitial space (5) of small thickness (d) forming a mechanical and physical decoupling interface between the part of the wall (4) and the sensing element (3).

Abstract: An inductive proximity sensor (D) includes: a coil or inductance (L) arranged in the vicinity of the active surface or end of the sensor (D), a current source (C, S) repeatedly supplying the coil or inductance, a signals processor (SP) for signals corresponding to the voltages (V) induced in the coil or inductance (L) when fed, the induced voltages (V) being influenced by the presence of objects or bodies (B) within a given detection area, depending on their distance and on their constituting material(s), and the coil or inductance (L) being part of a parallel LC circuit. The current source is the capacitor (C) of the LC circuit. A voltage signal amplitude measurement is performed after each switch from charge to discharge state. The result is computed using reference measurements to calculate distance (D), nature of the constituting material(s), and/or mass indicative value of the object(s) (B).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the detection of an object in an electrically conductive material and a corresponding sensor device. Process characterized in that it consists in generating, by means of a consequentially supplied inductance (3), a magnetic field adapted to induce Foucault currents in said conductive material, when said object (1) is located at a suitable distance from said inductance (3), in abruptly cutting the supply and the current flowing in said inductance (3), in collecting the voltage and/or current signal induced in said inductance (3) by said Foucault currents after cutting, and in analyzing the characteristics of said signal or signals, particularly its decay, thereby to deduce information concerning the nature and/or thickness of the conductive material of the detected object (1) and/or the distance between said inductance (3) and said object (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a proximity or presence switch arrangement operating in accordance with the inductive principle, comprising at least one inductor integrated in an oscillating circuit and an electronic control and evaluation device connected downstream for sensing or detecting the approach and/or presence of a material influencing electromagnetic fields.

Abstract: The invention relates to a proximity or presence switch arrangement operating in accordance with the inductive principle, comprising at least one inductor integrated in an oscillating circuit and an electronic control and evaluation device connected downstream for sensing or detecting the approach and/or presence of a material influencing electromagnetic fields.