James Michael Boozer

US Patent:

46821538, Jul 21, 1987

Filed:

Oct 23, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/790445

Inventors:

James M. Boozer - Hampton NJ
Robert W. Mayer - Hackettstown NJ
Alan J. Kumasaka - Hackettstown NJ
Paul R. Strelecki - Metuchen NJ
Paul F. Lindlau - Long Valley NJ

Assignee:

Amerace Corporation - Hackettstown NJ

International Classification:

G08B 2900
G08B 100
G08G 114

US Classification:

340507

Abstract:

A fail-safe sensor system to provide a positive indication of the proper operation of a sensor system by accounting for the return signals from an active zone and a monitor zone beyond. Search signals, provided by a transducer operating in the transmit mode, are transmitted within an active zone within which objects to be detected are expected to be located. Unreturned search signals are permitted to travel beyond the active zone into a monitor zone beyond and objects in such monitor zone cause return signals which are also employed. A counter feed from a free running clock source is permitted to run up a count whose predetermined limit represents the estimated maximum time period during which a sensor system should operate without contacting an object. Return signals, whether from objects in the active zone or the monitor zone, reset the counter back to zero. The absence of a return signal permits the counter to exceed its predetermined limit and produce an output signal which can be directed to control circuitry, an alarm or logic circuitry to determine if the system is operative.

US Patent:

48456829, Jul 4, 1989

Filed:

Aug 24, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/089357

Inventors:

James M. Boozer - Hampton NJ
Robert W. Mayer - Pleasanton CA

Assignee:

Electro Corporation - Sarasota FL

International Classification:

G01S 966
G08B 1318

US Classification:

367 93

Abstract:

The invention provides an apparatus and method to confirm or deny the presence of an object within the scan area of an ultrasonic sensing system by requiring that any object be identified on at least two consecutive scans of the sensing system and using scan energy patterns which occur at irregular repetition times to selectively reject spurious direct or reflected signals present in the area. A generator of predetermined pattern burst of ultrasonic energy is arranged to produce one such burst of ultrasonic energy and a timing signal is coupled thereto so as to apply timing signals to cause production of the bursts. The timing signal source produces timing signals only according to a varying pattern whereby separation between adjacent signals meet certain present parameters. The energy patterns are applied to a transmitter which applies them to a scan area whereby the echo or returned energy from an object in the scan area is received and stored. The return from the next sequential burst is also stored and compared to the first.