A state observation device (30) uses an ADC (37) to digitize a detection signal from a gap sensor (21) at a low-speed sampling period and uses a separation unit (38) to separate the digitized detection signal into vane detection signals considered to be for the detection of a vane of a compressor impeller and non-vane detection signals considered not to be for the detection of a vane. Further, the determination unit (39) extracts a vane peak detection signal considered to be for a vane peak by comparing a vane detection signal with vane detection signals corresponding to other vanes and non-vane detection signals, and a shaft vibration and tip clearance are determined as states of the compressor impeller on the basis of the extracted vane peak detection signal. Thus, the state observation device (30) is capable of observing the state of a rotary machine without carrying out high-speed sampling.

A contact and ranging system includes a first device that includes a first transceiver, a second transceiver, and a controller to control the first transceiver and the second transceiver of the first device. The first device is operable to determine a distance between the first device and a second device. The first transceiver is configured to perform a discovery operation. Other devices are discovered and added to a list of paired devices. A ranging schedule for each paired device in the list of paired devices is determined. The second transceiver is configured to perform a ranging operation. The ranging and response transmissions are transmitted and received by a pair of devices, such that a range between the pair of devices is determined based upon a time of flight between the pair of devices. The range between the pair of devices is matched with a timestamp and stored in a database.

A rotational sensing system is adaptable to sensing motor rotation based on eddy current sensing. An axial target surface is incorporated with the motor rotor, and includes one or more conductive target segment(s). An inductive sensor is mounted adjacent the axial target surface, and includes one or more inductive sense coil(s), such that rotor rotation rotates the target segment(s) laterally under the sense coil(s). An inductance-to-digital converter (IDC) drives sensor excitation current to project a magnetic sensing field toward the rotating axial target surface. Sensor response is characterized by successive sensor phase cycles that cycle between L.sub.MIN in which a sense coil is aligned with a target segment, and L.sub.MAX in which the sense coil is misaligned. The number of sensor phase cycles in a rotor rotation cycle corresponds to the number of target segments. The IDC converts sensor response measurements from successive sensor phase cycles into rotational data.

The invention detects foreign objects FO near a primary coil 100 of an induction charger. A sensors 111 of a sensor array 110 output sensing signals in response to magnetically coupling the alternating magnetic field 103 produced by the primary coil. A controller 165 connected to each sensor 111 scans the sensing signals and determines whether there is a foreign object perturbing the magnetic field 103 near a sensor. The magnetic field has a spatial distribution that varies by location across the primary coil area. Each sensor has a magnetic field sensing sensitivity that is inversely proportional to the magnetic intensity of the magnetic field produced by the primary coil at a location of the sensor, to reduce the collective dynamic range of the signals, thereby contributing to maintaining a high accuracy in signal sampling. A reference sensor coil 155 compensates for magnetic field drift of the primary coil.

A sensorized covering, prearranged for covering at least part of a movable structure of an automated device. The sensorized covering is useful for sensing an actual impact or anticipating an imminent impact to the automated device. The sensorized covering includes one or more covering modules wherein each covering module may include contact sensors and/or proximity sensors, a loading bearing structure and/or controls. The individual sensorized modules may be independently connected or controlled, or connected together and collectively controlled. Examples of the automated device my include a movable robots or an automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

A sensorized covering, prearranged for covering at least part of a movable structure of an automated device. The sensorized covering is useful for sensing an actual impact or anticipating an imminent impact to the automated device. The sensorized covering includes one or more covering modules wherein each covering module may include contact sensors and/or proximity sensors, a loading bearing structure and/or controls. The individual sensorized modules may be independently connected or controlled, or connected together and collectively controlled. Examples of the automated device my include a movable robots or an automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

A method for determining a length of a span of electrically conductive material, comprising a first voltage measurement across the entire span, and a second voltage measurement across a constant-length segment of the span. The dual measurements allow the calculation of the span length in a manner that is robust to many disturbances including ambient temperature, material temperature, and material stress and fatigue.

A method for determining a length of a span of electrically conductive material, comprising a first voltage measurement across the entire span, and a second voltage measurement across a constant-length segment of the span. The dual measurements allow the calculation of the span length in a manner that is robust to many disturbances including ambient temperature, material temperature, and material stress and fatigue.

A magnetic field sensor includes: a substrate; a transmission coil formed on the substrate, the transmission coil being configured to generate a direct magnetic field; a sensing bridge that is formed on the substrate, the sensing bridge being configured to detect the direct magnetic field and a reflected magnetic field that is generated by a target, the reflected magnetic field being generated in response to eddy currents that are induced in the target by the direct magnetic field; a processing circuitry being configured to generate an output signal that is indicative of a position of the target, the output signal being generated by normalizing a first signal with respect to a second signal, the first signal being generated at least in part by using the sensing bridge, and the second signal being generated at least in part by using the sensing bridge, wherein the second signal is based on the detected direct magnetic field.

A magnetic field sensor includes: a substrate; a transmission coil formed on the substrate, the transmission coil being configured to generate a direct magnetic field; a sensing bridge that is formed on the substrate, the sensing bridge being configured to detect the direct magnetic field and a reflected magnetic field that is generated by a target, the reflected magnetic field being generated in response to eddy currents that are induced in the target by the direct magnetic field; a processing circuitry being configured to generate an output signal that is indicative of a position of the target, the output signal being generated by normalizing a first signal with respect to a second signal, the first signal being generated at least in part by using the sensing bridge, and the second signal being generated at least in part by using the sensing bridge, wherein the second signal is based on the detected direct magnetic field.