Abstract: An integrated circuit for measuring the distance houses an oscillator in a package. Further, a plane inductor is provided on the surface of the package housing the oscillator. The plane inductor is connected to the oscillator so as to specify a frequency of the oscillator. If conductive material approaches the surface of the package, the frequency of the oscillator is varied by means of the plane inductor. The approaching distance of the conductive material is detected by detecting the frequency of the oscillator. The conductive material is mostly metal, however, the integrated circuit for measuring the distance can measure the approaching distance of non-metal conductive material such as conductive liquid.

Abstract: A pump control system which can distinguish between water and oil so that a pump can be controlled to pump water and deactivated before oil is pumped. Sensing is accomplished by a pair of capacitive sensors, one located above the other in a vessel in which water accumulates. A dual mode frequency oscillator is associated with each sensor. Each sensor reacts to the dielectric constant of the liquid at the sensor by changing its capacitance, to thus detect the presence of a conductive substance, such as a liquid, to cause the sensor's oscillator to switch its mode of oscillation. The dual mode oscillator of each sensor selectively generates a control signal having two different duty cycles. As the dielectric constant of the liquid medium is sensed, a logic circuit interposed between the sensors allows the output of each sensor to be turned off when only the lower sensor is in water. The circuit turns on the pump only when both sensors are in water and the pump remains on until both sensors are out of water.

Abstract: A real time clock includes an oscillator, a digital counter, a temperature sensor, and a digital processor. The digital processor can read the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and utilize this information to generate an adjustment value for the digital counter. The digital counter is coupled to the digital processor and has an adjustment stage which the digital processor writes into in order to compensate for any oscillator error due to temperature variation. The digital processor may also be coupled to memory storing a temperature adjustment look-up table for use in generating the adjustment value. A method of the present invention includes the initial steps of generating an adjustment look-up table and storing it in non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A universal inductive proximity detector including an oscillator, whose oscillating circuit is powered by a current source. A fixed frequency master oscillator 16, which controls the current source 18, is coupled to the oscillator 10 so that the current source excites the oscillating circuit with a pulsed direct current.

Abstract: A capacitive detector is provided which includes an antenna for detecting small capacitive changes in an electric or electromagnetic field surrounding the antenna, and particularly to an alarm system which uses the capacitive detector to generate an alarm signal upon detection of capacitive changes in the generated electric or electromagnetic field. The detector is realized with an antenna connected to an electronic circuitry which generates an electric field around the antenna. The electronic circuitry generates an electric or electromagnetic field around the antenna, builds up a balanced electric field around the antenna, maintains the generated electric or electromagnetic field around the antenna balanced, prevents the detector device from being affected by changes in temperature and humidity, detects small changes in the generated electric field around the antenna, and indicates that a change in the generated electric field has occurred.

Abstract: An alternating bias current is made to flow through a coil wound around an MI device incorporated in an oscillation circuit, and an alternating-current bias magnetic field is applied to the MI device. An amplitude-modulated waveform corresponding to peaks which alternate between two different heights is provided at the output of the oscillation circuit in accordance with an impedance variation in the MI device according to an external magnetic field and the alternating-current bias magnetic field. The difference in height between the peaks corresponds to the strength of the external magnetic field. The output of the oscillation circuit is envelope-detected by an envelope detecting circuit, and an alternating-current component from which a direct-current component is eliminated is inputted to a comparator. The comparator provides an output signal having a digital waveform pulse-width modulated according to the difference in height between the peaks.

Abstract: A detector system filters the effects of periodic noise such as magnetic flux from nearby power lines or other periodic sources. The detector system further adapts in the case that the system incorporates microloops for the inductive sensors. The detector system further counts multiple vehicles while in presence mode. The detector system also logging of vehicle data and system faults.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a voltage controlled oscillator (20) in an ultrasonic flow meter (18) includes a comparator (28) for comparing a received signal to an estimate signal, to form an early-late signal (32). The early-late signal (32) is received by a counter (36) to form a count signal (38). A digital to analog converter (42) receives the count signal (38) and converts it to a control voltage output (40) that is coupled to the voltage controlled oscillator (20).

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the end of a workpiece as it passes a given point. The output of the apparatus can be used as an input to a display or to a device that controls manufacturing, materials handling or like processes. The apparatus has a sensor comprising a single turn inductive coil that surrounds a point at which it is desired to detect the passage of an end of the workpiece. The coil is connected in parallel with a capacitor to form a tank circuit. An integrated circuit has a variable frequency oscillator that excites the tank circuit at its resonant frequency. The integrated circuit produces an output signal that is proportional to the frequency at which the oscillator is operating. As the end of a workpiece passes through the coil, the inductance of the coil changes, causing a change in the resonant frequency of the tank circuit, a change in the oscillator frequency and a change in the output signal. The output signal can be used as an input to a variety of display and control devices.

Abstract: A drive voltage is supplied to a piezoelectric oscillator from an A.C. drive power source. Attached to an electrode of the piezoelectric oscillator is a loop circuit in which an amplifier having a (N+1) voltage amplification factor and an electrostatic capacitor are connected in series. When the electrostatic capacity is set to 1/N of a damping capacity of the piezoelectric oscillator, the current flowing through the damping capacity is replaced and shared by current from the electrostatic capacity, thus the drive current will not be consumed by the damping capacity. Therefore, a condition where the damping capacity is minimized depends on a capacity value of the electrostatic capacity and amplification factor of the amplifier only and does not depend on the frequency.

Abstract: To obtain a stable non-linear oscillator using polypyrrole, KCl liquid electrolyte is separated with a working electrode 14 provided with a polypyrrole film 14a. A counter electrode 16 is provided on one of the separated portions of the liquid electrolyte, and a reference electrode 12 is provided in the other separated liquid electrode portion. The counter electrode 16, working electrode 14 and reference electrode 12 are connected to a potentiostat 10. The potential on the working electrode 14 is set to be between the oxidizing and reducing potentials of polypyrrole. With oxidizing or reducing reaction of polypyrrole, an ion concentration gradient is produced in the liquid electrolyte across polypyrrole film to change the potentials on the reference and working electrodes 12 and 14, thus causing an oscillating current between the working and counter electrodes 14 and 16.

Abstract: A component detector circuit operates to detect the presence or absence of a circuit component, such as an external component. A resistor detecting circuit includes a biasing circuit connected to the resistor. The biasing circuit generating a bias current. The resistor detecting circuit also includes a bias current threshold detector connected to the biasing circuit and a circuit connected to the bias current threshold detector which generates a signal indicative that the bias current is lower than threshold. A capacitor detecting circuit includes a circuit connected to a resistor and configured to be connected to a capacitor which establishes a time constant proportional to an RC product of the resistor and capacitor.

Abstract: A split dielectric resonator having two preferably half cylindrical dielectric elements is used to stabilize an oscillator operating at microwave frequencies. Fine tuning may be achieved by means of a tuning screw which has a thermal expansion coefficient between those of the dielectric elements and electrically conductive supporting walls. Additionally, fine tuning may be achieved by offsetting the two elements from each other within a horizontal or vertical plane. This oscillator can also be configured as an accelerometer or pressure or displacement sensor by substituting a movable deflecting member for the supporting wall.

Abstract: A proximity switch for determining the approach of a metal object includes an oscillating circuit which has a coil and a capacitor, and which produces a high-frequency field at the poles of the coil. A sensing resistor is connected to the oscillating circuit and serves to determine and evaluate the damping of the oscillating circuit by the object. Also, the sensing resistor is controlled as a function of the current measured in the sensing resistor such that the total resistance of the evaluation circuit remains constant. The voltage drop across the sensing resistor is measured and the measured voltage drop may be used to signal the approach of the metal object.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for reliably starting the oscillation of an oscillator comprising a cylindrical piezoelectric body on which an exciting electrode, a feedback electrode which causes an oscillation, and an electrode for detecting an angular rate are mounted. The electrical circuit includes an exclusive OR gate for detecting a phase difference between an exciting voltage and a voltage developed at the feedback electrode, a circuit for integrating an output voltage from the gate and a band pass filter having its resonant frequency shifted in proportion to a voltage from the integrating circuit. The band pass filter is effective to provide an automatic adjustment of a phase difference of a voltage, which is actually fed back to the exciting electrode, with respect to a voltage developed at the feedback electrode.

Abstract: At least one microbeam situated on a substrate, having a resonant frequency dependent on the strain on the microbeam which may be affected by the bending of the substrate. The beam or beams have sense and drive electrodes proximate to the beam or beams and form capacitors with a beam being the other electrode. The capacitance varies as the beam moves in vibration. The sense electrode is connected to an input of a transistor, such as the gate or base, and the drive electrode is connected to an output of the transistor. The transistor has a load impedance with a capacitive component to aid in the sustaining of vibration of the beam at a resonant frequency. A high ohm resistor is connected between the gate and the drain of the transistor to appropriately bias the gate. The bending of the substrate may be caused by a magnitude of a physical stimulus being measured. However, the bending of the substrate is not utilized nor desired in the filter and temperature sensing configurations of the invention.

Abstract: The presence of an article at a specified location is detected by measuring a change in capacitance which is caused by the placement of the article at the specified location. The device used for this measurement includes an oscillator the frequency whereof is rendered highly sensitive to the capacitance being measured by structure which includes a triaxial cable and by electrical circuitry which includes a voltage follower circuit.

Abstract: An inductive proximity sensor has a resonant circuit including a sensing coil and driven by an oscillator at a predetermined frequency. To sense selectively ferrous and non-ferrous objects, the excitation frequency is a subcritical excitation frequency and discriminator logic is provided to process a phase-shift signal and a damping signal.

Abstract: A proximity sensor includes a coil for sensing metal objects which are part of an oscillatory circuit and an oscillator which drives the oscillatory circuit at a constant frequency. A tuning device is connected in parallel with the oscillatory circuit. The tuning device is a variable gain amplifier with feedback via an inductive or capacitive impedance.

Abstract: In order to improve a sensor for detecting an electrically conductive or netizable object with an oscillator comprising a resonant circuit including an inductance and a capacitance, the resonant circuit impedance depending on a damping distance between the inductance and the object and rising steeply in the range of small damping distances, further rising less steeply in the range of medium damping distances and substantially having a constant value in the range of large damping distances, and a closed adaptive loop stage supplying a loop current for the resonant circuit and generating a course of an amplitude value dependent on the damping distance, and an evaluation circuit detecting an oscillator voltage applied to the resonant circuit, such that the oscillator also oscillates in the range of small damping distances and has a characteristic curve, with which the oscillator voltage varies with the damping distance also in the range of small damping distances, it is suggested that the course of the amplitude

Abstract: A device is provided for measuring dielectric constant and conductance of a material such as massecuite, the device including a pair of electrodes which are switchably connected to a tank circuit which includes a variable frequency oscillator operating at radio frequencies, and two reference frequencies are measured with the electrodes disconnected from the oscillator and two measurement frequencies with the electrodes coupled to the oscillator tank circuit, the differences between the reference and measurement frequencies being used to compute the inductance and dielectric constant or composition of the material. The frequency is modified by not more than about 10 MHz and may be achieved either by switchably introducing additional inductance or capacitance into the tank circuit to modify its frequency or by having the electrodes switchable between a pair or oscillators operating at known radio frequencies.

Abstract: The oscillation circuit 30 has the two input terminals 32a and 32b connected to the piezoelectric elements 3a and 3b of vibrator 1. These input terminals 32a and 32b are connected to the two input terminals of the adder 36 via the buffers 34a and 34b. The output terminal of the adder 36 is connected to the inversion input terminal of the operational amplifier 44 used as a comparator and the input terminal of the control signal generator 46. The output terminal of the operational amplifier 44 is connected to the collector of the transistor 62 and the output terminal of the control signal generator 46 is connected to the base of the transistor 62. The emitter of the transistor 62 is connected to the output terminal 80 via the phase-shifting circuit 70. The output terminal 80 of the oscillation circuit 30 is connected to the piezoelectric element 3c of the vibrator 1.

Abstract: A proximity switch circuit including first and second transistors Q4, Q6 connected as a long tail pair with an inductive sensing circuit LC connected to one leg thereof and an emitter follower circuit Q7, Q8 connected between said one leg and the base of the transistor of the other leg, whereby an oscillator circuit can be provided which is non-critically damped to enable faster speed of operation of the proximity switch.

Abstract: A high frequency oscillation type proximity switch prevents mutual interference when it is mounted adjacent to other proximity switches. The switch includes a comparator having a threshold value at a level higher than an object detection level of the oscillation output of the proximity switch. When an output is continuously obtained from the comparator, a beat is generated and the generation of mutual interference is detected. Then, the generation is externally displayed, and mutual interference is alarmed and prevented by changing the oscillation frequency.

Abstract: The analyzer circuit includes a first oscillator producing an output signal having a first frequency depending on an inductance of an inductive position sensor having two oscillator coils positioned near a movable part; a switching device in the first oscillator for alternatingly connecting one of the two coils and simultaneously disconnecting the other according to a state of the switching device; a frequency divider for converting the output signal at the first frequency to another output signal at another frequency; a counter for counting a pulse signal under control of the other output signal of the frequency divider; a second oscillator connected to the counter and providing input pulses at a fixed frequency to the counter, which counts the input pulses under control of the other output signal of the frequency divider; a start synchronizing circuit for starting and synchronizing the divider and the counter; a flip-flop connected to the frequency divider and to the switching device to switch the state of

Abstract: An angular velocity detector circuit composed of: an oscillator circuit including an inverting amplifier connected between a driving electrode of a quartz crystal and an electrode for detecting an electric field generated in the quartz crystal by a Corioli's force when the quartz crystal is rotated; a differential amplifier circuit connected at its input terminals to the detecting electrode of the quartz crystal; a detector circuit which receives the output from the differential amplifier circuit and using the output from the oscillator circuit as detection signals; and an output amplifier circuit which receives the output from the detector circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a moisture and salinity measurement and in particular to a sensor and its method or use which may provide values for the moisture/complex dielectric constant of a variety of mediums. A sensor apparatus is arranged for indicating the complex dielectric constant and conductivity of a medium and uses a tuned circuit. The tuned circuit oscillates such that the frequency of oscillation is representative of the complex dielectric constant of the medium.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a Lever oscillator for use in high resistance resonator applications, especially for use with quartz resonator sensors. The oscillator is designed to operate over a wide dynamic range of resonator resistance due to damping of the resonator in mediums such as liquids. An oscillator design is presented that allows both frequency and loss (R.sub.m) of the resonator to be determined over a wide dynamic range of resonator loss. The Lever oscillator uses negative feedback in a differential amplifier configuration to actively and variably divide (or leverage) the resonator impedance such that the oscillator can maintain the phase and gain of the loop over a wide range of resonator resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the concentration of alcohol mixed with gasoline or light oil comprises a dielectric constant detection device for providing a resonance frequency corresponding to the dielectric constant of the mixed fuel; a device for detecting the resonance frequency provided by the dielectric constant detection device so as to output a first frequency signal having the same frequency as the resonance frequency; a frequency divider which divides the first frequency signal by a variable factor; a fuel temperature detector which outputs a second frequency signal representing the detected temperature; and a dividing factor decision device for determining the frequency dividing factor based on the first and second frequency signals. The alcohol concentration is determined by the output frequency of the frequency divider.

Abstract: An electrical circuit comprising means for receiving an input signal for encoding or modulating and amplification. Multiple amplification stages including at least one transconductance amplifier are provided. There are means for having the input signal modulate the oscillator constituted by the multiple amplification stages to provide a 360.degree. phase-shifted signal at a predetermined frequency. Gain control means are also provided for developing level for permitting oscillation under conditions including at least the conditions of turn on of the circuit and other operating conditions. The gain control means includes a transistor and resistor network for adjusting the gain to sustain the oscillation. The transistor and resistor also regulate amplification of an intermediate stage of the amplifier. The preamplifier directly converts an EKG and/or other signals to linearized control currents which modulate the oscillator.

Abstract: A ring oscillator includes a plurality of inverters, a leakage current generating part, and a current controlling part. The current controlling part supplies the inverters with a source current in accordance with a value of a leakage current generated from the leakage current generating part. The leakage current generated from the leakage current generating part is correlated with a leakage current generated from a memory cell. The oscillating frequency of the ring oscillator can be varied in accordance with the leakage current generated from the leakage current generating part.

Abstract: An alarm apparatus comprises an oscillator circuit (20) which provides an oscillating current to an antenna (A) from where a location (1) to be surveyed is irradiated with electromagnetic waves of in the RF frequency range provided by the oscillator circuit (20). The oscillator and the antenna are slightly mismatched with respect to their resonance frequency so as to avoid the oscillation current to go into resonance. Reception in the antenna (A) of an in-phase reflection of the emitted wave results in a superposition of the currents of the emitted and the received waves and increases thus the RF oscillation current. This current is coupled through a capacitor (C6) to a switch circuit (30) such as to trigger an alarm through actuation of the switch circuit if the RF current exceeds a defined threshold.

Abstract: A battery-powered magnetic pen has an oscillator for generating a magnetic field at a contact frequency and a proximity frequency. The oscillator is connected to a resettable timer. The pen also includes a tip switch that is actuated in response to the pen being brought into engagement with an object and disengaged from the object. The tip switch is connected to a pulse generator and to the oscillator. Each time the pen is brought into engagement with an object, the pulse generator resets the timer to initiate the timing of a time out period. Assuming the oscillator is off, the first time the pen contacts an object, the resetting causes the oscillator to be turned on. So long as the oscillator is on, the opening and closing of the tip switch causes the oscillator to switch between the contact frequency and the proximity frequency. Should the timer reach the end of a predetermined time out period, the oscillator is shut off.

Abstract: A micro-miniature resonator-oscillator is disclosed. Due to the miniaturization of the resonator-oscillator, oscillation frequencies of one MHz and higher are utilized. A thickness-mode quartz resonator housed in a micro-machined silicon package and operated as a "telemetered sensor beacon" that is, a digital, self-powered, remote, parameter measuring-transmitter in the FM-band. The resonator design uses trapped energy principles and temperature dependence methodology through crystal orientation control, with operation in the 20-100 MHz range. High volume batch-processing manufacturing is utilized, with package and resonator assembly at the wafer level. Unique design features include squeeze-film damping for robust vibration and shock performance, capacitive coupling through micro-machined diaphragms allowing resonator excitation at the package exterior, circuit integration and extremely small (0.1 in. square) dimensioning.

Abstract: An oscillator which produces a continuous wave output signal on an antenna having a preset frequency. A detection circuit detects changes in the preset frequency resulting from proximity between the antenna and an object and when such an object is detected, the detection circuit generates an output signal. A compensation circuit is also provided for compensating for changes of the preset frequency which are caused by factors other than proximity of the antenna with an object. Such other factors include radio frequency interference, long term component degradation, temperature, and the like.

Abstract: A variable reluctance transducer system incorporating digital control of parallel resonant circuits including two inductive sensors L1 and L2 on each side of a flat diaphram. The dual variable reluctance elements provide dual frequency signals for digital calculation to obtain a quotient of the frequencies, thereby substantially eliminating the resonant frequencies as a variable in the accuracy of the device. Manipulation of the produced quotient by a micro-controller 10 employing digital calibration tables stored in a programmable read only memory 14 allows calibration reponsive to a temperature sensor 16, thereby substantially eliminating temperature induced errors in the system, further increasing accuracy.

Abstract: An inductive type proximity switch (S) includes an open-ended loop (L3) adjacent to the inductor (L1, L2) of the parallel resonant circuit of its main (LC) oscillator. A high speed bistate switch (S1) is connected between the ends of the loop (L3). A pulsed input to the switch (S1) causes sequential making and breaking of a connection between the ends of the loop (L3) whereby the loop (L3) functions as a Faraday shield to inhibit mutual inductive linking of the inductor (L1, L2) with an inductor (L4) of a passive (LC) resonant circuit (L4, C4) of a target (T) when the target (T) is in proximity with the proximity switch (S) and the connection between the ends of the loop (L3) is made by the bistate switch (S1).

Abstract: A digital capacitive sensing device comprises: a reference capacitor having a reference capacitance unaffected by a force to be measured; a reference pulse signal generating circuit which generates a reference pulse signal of a frequency corresponding to the reference capacitance; a sensing capacitor having capacitance variable according to the magnitude of the force; a measuring pulse signal generating circuit having a construction similar to that of the reference pulse signal generating circuit and capable of generating a measuring pulse signal of a frequency corresponding to the capacitance of the sensing capacitor; and a differential arithmetic circuit which adds the number of pulses of the reference pulse signal in a predetermined time interval to a set value and subtracts the number of pulses of the measuring pulse signal in a predetermined time interval from the set value.

Abstract: A proximity detection system includes a dual mode oscillator for generating a pair of ON and OFF control signals. A sensing circuit including a capacitance device detects the presence of a conductive object, such as a liquid, to cause the oscillator to switch its modes of oscillation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a temperature-stable transistorised tuned-circuit oscillator. Provided for the purpose of temperature stabilisation of the tuned-circuit voltage is a transistor T2, which is thermally coupled to the tuned-circuit coil L and controls a current source Q in the circuit of the oscillator L, C1, T1, in such a way that temperature-induced variations of the data of the tuned-circuit coil L are compensated.

Abstract: A proximity switch which can detect any metal with equal changing rate of oscillating frequency, regardless of what kind of metal it may be (magnetic or nonmagnetic), is disclosed. The invention employs a series circuit consisting of a resistor and a first capacitor connected to the output side of a comparator. A detector coil and a second capacitor are connected in parallel to the first capacitor. By selecting appropriate capacitance and resistance values for these components, it can be insured that the change in oscillating frequency corresponding to the distance of an approaching object will be very nearly be identical regardless of the type of metal of which the object is constituted. An embodiment employing a frequency to voltage converter is also disclosed. The arrangement provides continuous detection also suitable for use in range indicator and self diagnosis applications.

Abstract: An inductive proximity switch contains an oscillator that generates an alternating magnetic field and which, when a trigger penetrates the alternating field, changes its oscillating state. An evaluation circuit uses the change in state to generate a switching signal to control a load switch. To achieve a proximity switch response distance that is as large as possible regardless of the trigger material and the ambient temperature, two sensing coils are located in the alternating field to detect the difference between voltages induced in them. The sensing coils are designed so that the alternating voltage differential becomes zero at a desired response distance. When the alternating voltage differential is zero at an input of oscillator amplifier, the oscillator abruptly changes its oscillating state. The change in oscillation state is detected by the evaluation circuit and converted into a binary switching signal for the load switch.

Abstract: This detector comprises a variable radio frequency oscillator (1) producing a first electrical signal, a transmission circuit (3) with a capacitive antenna to which said first signal is applied, a reception circuit (6) forming, with the transmission circuit (3), a selective coupler for picking up a second electrical signal at the frequency of the oscillator, and a circuit (9) for comparing the phases of the first and second electrical signals and producing an output signal in response to a variation of the phase shift between said signals due to the presence in the surroundings of the antenna of a foreign body to be detected.The detector further comprises a feedback circuit (13) driven by the output signal of the comparison circuit (9) and controlling the oscillator (1) in order to make the frequency of the first signal vary in the sense which tends to cancel out said variation of the phase shift.

Abstract: An identification marking system for objects involves giving each object its own electronic name tag. The electronic name tag can be specific amount of ferrite material that has been added to the object. An electronic reader system then measures the effect said object has on an identifying circuit as the object passes in close proximity to the identifying circuit. The measured effect is then compared to a pre-established value. The value on the electronic reader system becomes the electronic name tag for this specific object. It is not necessary to add ferrite to the objects to be identified. Most materials have a measurable effect on a variety of electronic circuits. An electronic name tag may well be established by simply placing an object in the vicinity of a particular circuit and measuring the results. The results are then compared to a pre-determined set of values. The results of this comparison will provide an electronic name tag for this specific object.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting a variation in stray capacitance by use of a PLL circuit.

Abstract: A magnetometer technology is provided based on a simple axial sensor which operates using the non-linear nature of saturating magnetic core material. The sensor appears electrically as an inductor with a non-linear inductance that varies both with magnetic field applied externally and the field created by the coil current. By using this sensor as the inductor of an LR relaxation oscillator, a change in applied magnetic field will cause a change in inductance, which will in turn cause a change in the oscillator period. The period of the oscillator can be converted to a digital form by using simple counting techniques. By introducing an enhancement of this scheme whereby two different periods are measured with different oscillator characteristics, the magnetometer will have no output drift when no field is applied.

Abstract: A position detection method and apparatus is disclosed which utilizes an electromagnetic probe as the control element in a relaxation oscillator circuit. The probe is energized by a pulse voltage waveform and the decay time of the induced transient probe voltage is utilized to modulate the frequency of the pulse generator. The probe transient voltage decay time is influenced by the proximity of an electrically conductive or magnetic object. Therefore, a frequency output is generated which indicates the position of the conductive or magnetic object.

Abstract: An apparatus for the detecting of metal parts (12) which move relative to a metal sensitive sensor arrangement has at least two part sensors which transmit an electrical pulse to an electronic evaluation circuit for a particular approach by a metal part (12). Several part sensors are connected spatially in series with one another so that a specific metal part (12) causes the part sensors to respond in sequence. The electronic evaluation circuit (13) then transmits a signal when and only when it detects the pulse sequence which arises through sequential response of the part sensors.

Abstract: Crystal oscillator and method which in one embodiment have a crystal element connected in a positive feedback loop with a charge amplifier and an integrator, with the gain of the loop being maintained at a level of unity. Compensation is provided to offset the effects of shunt capacitance in the crystal element, and precise phase control is maintained around the loop. In other embodiments, a crystal element is connected in a series feedback loop with a buffer amplifier, and operation is provided by maintaining the oscillation signal at level at which distortion, clipping, and saturation do not occur. Compensation for shunt capacitance across the crystal element is provided by applying a compensation signal which is equal in amplitude but opposite in phase to the signal passing through the shunt capacitance to the input terminal of the buffer amplifier to cancel the effect of the shunt capacitance.

Abstract: A capacitive level gauge for placement in a container (12) determines the level of substance (14) in the container (12). The gauge (10) includes a measurement capacitor (C1) for measuring level and a reference capacitor (C2) for determining dielectric constant of the substance (14). A controller (34) is responsive to the capacitors (C1, C2) for producing a level signal which simultaneously indicated the level and dielectric constant of the material. The level signal includes a frequency which is representative of dielectric constant and a pulse width representative of level. The gauge (10) supports a first pair of parallel conductive members (26, 28) to establish the measurement capacitor (C1) and a second pair of parallel conductive members (28, 32) spaced along the gauge and below the measurement capacitor (C1) to establish the reference capacitor (C2).