Abstract: An apparatus for automatically drying wet floors includes a controller, a moisture detector that is operable to detect the presence of moisture at a first location and transmit a moisture detection signal to the controller in response to detecting the presence of moisture at the first location, and a blower. The blower is operative to turn on and off for drying the wet floors by directing moving air toward the first location in response to an operating signal from the controller. The controller outputs the operating signal to the blower based on the moisture detection signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically drying wet floors includes a floor mat; a controller; a detector mat that is positioned adjacent to the floor mat, the detector mat having at least one moisture sensing element that is operable to detect moisture and transmit a moisture detection signal to the controller in response to detecting the presence of moisture at the first location, and a floor dryer that is operative to turn on and off for drying the floor mat by directing moving air toward the floor mat in response to an operating signal from the controller, wherein the controller outputs the operating signal to the blower based on the moisture detection signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically drying wet floors includes a controller, a moisture detector that is operable to detect the presence of moisture at a first location and transmit a moisture detection signal to the controller in response to detecting the presence of moisture at the first location, and a blower. The blower is operative to turn on and off for drying the wet floors by directing moving air toward the first location in response to an operating signal from the controller. The controller outputs the operating signal to the blower based on the moisture detection signal.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system includes a vehicle displacement sensor comprising a wireless transmitter generating a signal indicating rotational displacement of a vehicle component. A complementary wireless transmitter receives the signal from the transmitter. A computer calculates vehicle speed or displacement based upon the rotational speed or displacement of the vehicle component. In a preferred embodiment, the transmitter is secured to a wheel of the vehicle and generates an RF signal upon each revolution of the wheel.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting the position of a vehicle to a remote location, the LOCUS position of the vehicle is calculated at the vehicle relative to a map database. The vehicle navigation system calculates its LOCUS position relative to the map database using map matching prior to sending that calculated position to the remote location. The LOCUS position of the vehicle is then transmitted to the remote location relative to the road network in the map database.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an orthogonal sensor suite includes the steps of imparting on the sensor suite a series of known accelerations at orientations known relative to each other, while recording readings from the sensors from each acceleration at each orientation. This data is used to create a transformation matrix which removes offsets from each sensor and removes any cross-coupling of the sensors.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an orthogonal sensor suite includes the steps of imparting on the sensor suite a series of known accelerations at orientations known relative to each other, while recording readings from the sensors from each acceleration at each orientation. This data is used to create a transformation matrix which removes offsets from each sensor and removes any cross-coupling of the sensors.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive wire waveguide type position measuring system wherein the wire waveguide is mounted within a small diameter brass tube which, in turn, is mounted by way of resilient suspension components within a rigid outer tube affixed to a position reference frame. The suspension components isolate the waveguide from relatively high frequency shock inputs characteristic of rough environment applications. The position signal is derived from output signal quantities generated by the propagation times of sonic disturbances from a first reference magnet held in a fixed position relative to the outer housing and a second user magnet which moves relative to the outer housing with the element or quantity being monitored.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the position of a movable object along a magnetostrictive wire having first and second opposed ends. A first electrical excitation pulse is applied to a two-wire circuit including the magnetostrictive wire and propagates along the wire to the position of a movable magnet surrounding the wire. The magnet generates oppositely directed first and second torsional waves in the wire. One torsional wave propagates along the wire to a reflective termination at the second end of the wire and is reflected back toward the magnet where it interacts with the magnetic field of the magnet to induce a return electrical pulse in the two-wire circuit. The position of the magnet along the wire is determined from the time differential between the first and second electrical pulses in the two-wire circuit.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive waveguide position measuring apparatus includes a waveguide extending between opposed anchored ends. A magnet is displaceable along the waveguide and generates torsional strain in the waveguide in response to an electrical excitation signal transmitted along the waveguide. A piezoelectric film element is coupled to the waveguide to sense the torsional strain signal on the waveguide. A signal processor determines the relative elapsed time between the excitation signal and the output signal of the piezoelectric film element to determine the position of the magnet along the waveguide. The piezoelectric film element is coupled to the waveguide along an axis transverse to the axis of stretch of the element. Alternately, a differential piezoelectric film element formed of two piezoelectric elements contacts a waveguide, with the two elements connected in differential parallel or series configuration and in or out of phase to double the output current or the output voltage.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive wire waveguide type position measuring system wherein the wire waveguide is mounted within a small diameter brass tube which, in turn, is mounted by way of resilient suspension components within a rigid outer tube affixed to a position reference frame. The suspension system prevents relatively high frequency shock inputs characteristic of rough environment applications from reaching the waveguide. The position signal is derived from output signal quantities generated by the propagation times of sonic disturbances from a first reference magnet held in a fixed position relative to the outer housing and a second user magnet which moves relative to the outer housing with the element or quantity being monitored.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive wire waveguide type position measuring system wherein the wire waveguide is mounted within a small diameter brass tube which, in turn, is mounted by way of resilient suspension components within a rigid outer tube affixed to a position reference frame. The suspension components isolate the waveguide from relatively high frequency shock inputs characteristic of rough environment applications. The position signal is derived from output signal quantities generated by the propagation times of sonic disturbances from a first reference magnet held in a fixed position relative to the outer housing and a second user magnet which moves relative to the outer housing with the element or quantity being monitored.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive waveguide type position measuring system wherein the wire waveguide is mounted within a small diameter brass tube which, in turn, is mounted by way of resilient suspension components within a rigid outer tube affixed to a position reference frame. The resilient components isolate the waveguide from relatively high frequency shock inputs characteristic of rough environment applications. The waveguide is made of rolled and drawn wire with a round section, but the terminal ends are gradually reconfigured from round to flat, rectangular sections and are sandwiched between acoustic dampening pads to reduce or eliminate sonic reflections.

Abstract: In a position detection probe having a magnetostrictive wire stretched between a head and a reflective foot end termination, and a magnet displaceable along the probe and using the sonic pulse propagation time from the magnet to the foot end termination as a position detection parameter, compensation for thermal expansion and thermal change of propagation velocity is made by measuring the wire resistance and calculating a compensation from the resistance. The probe is excited by an electrical pulse having a known current. The voltage across the wire is measured at a time when the current has stabilized to a precise value, and resistance is determined from the current and voltage.

Abstract: In a position detection probe having a magnetostrictive wire stretched between a head and a reflective foot end termination, and a magnet displaceable along the probe and using the sonic pulse propagation time from the magnet to the foot as a position detection parameter, compensation for thermal expansion and thermal change of propagation velocity is made based on the property of the total propagation time along the wire length being a unique function of temperature and calibrating the probe at different temperatures to yield either equations or look up tables of true positions as functions of the total propagation time and the position detection parameter. By mapping wire characteristics at a plurality of magnet positions and temperatures to construct look up tables, wire nonlinearities as well as thermal effects can be compensated for.

Abstract: A position detection probe having a magnetostrictive wire stretched between a head and a reflective foot end termination, and a magnet movable along the probe uses the sonic pulse propagation time from the magnet to the head as one parameter and the time from the magnet to the foot and reflected back to the head as another parameter for determining the magnet position. The sum of the propagation times is a constant which is used as a reference value. Upon receipt of the first two pulses the propagation times are summed and compared to the reference value, and the data is accepted if the sum is within a prescribed window around the reference value. When noise occurs, it creates a false measure of propagation time so that the sum of the propagation times is no longer equal to the reference value and the data is rejected.

Abstract: The present invention is a combined magnetostrictive linear displacement detector and plural location temperature detector. The combined apparatus produces a composite signal for transmission on a 2 wire transmission line. The resistances of the temperature sensitive resistors as well as two reference resistors are measured in a predetermined sequence. The linear displacement is measured by the length of time required for a torsional strain to travel along the magnetostrictive wire to the position of the magnet. A pulse generator generates a predetermined number of pulses for each resistance measurement having pulse period corresponding to the measured resistance, with the minimum such pulse period preferably being greater than twice the maximum time required for a torsional strain to propagate the length of the magnetostrictive wire. An electrical signal is supplied to the transmission line when either said pulse generator generates a pulse or the induced electrical signal is detected.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting energy, such as power, consumed by a load is disclosed. The apparatus preferably takes the form of a housing of sufficiently small size to be mounted in a motor control panel of a machine tool. The apparatus includes a digital processor adapted to enable bidirectional communication between the device and an external computer such as a host computer or machine controller. The processor is also used to perform various calibration functions.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting energy, such as power, consumed by a load. The apparatus preferably takes the form of a housing of sufficiently small size to be mounted in a motor control panel of a machine tool. The apparatus includes a digital processor adapted to enable bidirectional communication between the device and an external computer such as a host computer or machine controller. The processor is also used to perform various calibration functions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for use in monitoring the operation of an automated machine tool which has at least one linear slide axis. Motion along the various machine axes is detected and used to provide an output signal for synchronizing the comparison of real time monitored parameters with previously stored data which varies depending upon the operational stage of the part cycle in which the machine tool is operating. In one embodiment, a plurality of sections are stored in a memory. Each section contains limit values associated with normal characteristics of parameters such as power, vibration, acoustical emission and the like which occur during a given operational stage. A preselected detected change in motion along any of the slide axes initiates the generation of a new section of limit values to be used during the comparison. Provision is also made for inhibiting the comparison when the motion information indicates that the machine is not presently removing metal from the workpiece.