US3622874A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for measuring the thickness of sheet material included in an rf energy loop path
Assignee: International Microwave Corp
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Filing: 1970-01-14
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Granted: 1971-11-23
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Expires: 1990-01-14
Abstract
Abstract Sheet material is passed between microwave antennas connected in a transmission line loop which includes a negative resistance amplifier. RF energy reflected from opposing surfaces of a metal sheet or transmitted through a dielectric sheet is amplified by the amplifier to produce oscillatory operation. The frequency of oscillation is dependent upon the electrical length of the loop, and thus the thickness of the sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman E Chasek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B15/00; G01B15/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for monitoring a characteristic of an object, said system comprising, in combination: A. a microwave amplifier, B. microwave energy transmitting and receiving means positioned relative to the object, 1. said means transmitting electromagnetic energy for impingement on a surface of the object and receiving said surface impinging energy, C. means coupling said transmitted and surface impinging energy in a loop path including said amplifier and said transmitting and receiving means for oscillatory operation of said amplifier, 1. said loop path having an electrical length varying in accordance with variations in the object''s characteristic to be monitored, 2. the oscillation frequency of the energy propagating in said loop path being dependent upon the instantaneous electrical length thereof, and D. means coupled with said loop path for monitoring the frequency of the energy propagating therein and providing a characteristic indicative signal output.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for monitoring a characteristic of an object, said system comprising, in combination: A. a microwave amplifier, B. microwave energy transmitting and receiving means positioned relative to the object, 1. said means transmitting electromagnetic energy for impingement on a surface of the object and receiving said surface impinging energy, C. means coupling said transmitted and surface impinging energy in a loop path including said amplifier and said transmitting and receiving means for oscillatory operation of said amplifier, 1. said loop path having an electrical length varying in accordance with variations in the object''s characteristic to be monitored, 2. the oscillation frequency of the energy propagating in said loop path being dependent upon the instantaneous electrical length thereof, and D. means coupled with said loop path for monitoring the frequency of the energy propagating therein and providing a characteristic indicative signal output.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
establishing a desired oscillatory frequency shift versus electrical loop path length variation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
establishing a desired oscillatory frequency shift versus electrical loop path length variation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
said first port of said second circulator coupled to said receiving antenna of the other pair by a second segment of said transmission line,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
said first port of said second circulator coupled to said receiving antenna of the other pair by a second segment of said transmission line,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
8 words
said beams passing through object at spaced locations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
8 words
said beams passing through object at spaced locations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
7 words
The system defined in claim 1 wherein:
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
the oscillation frequency of the energy propagating in said loop path being dependent upon the instantaneous electrical length thereof, and D. means coupled with said loop path for monitoring the frequency of the energy propagating therein and providing a characteristic indicative signal output.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
the oscillation frequency of the energy propagating in said loop path being dependent upon the instantaneous electrical length thereof, and D. means coupled with said loop path for monitoring the frequency of the energy propagating therein and providing a characteristic indicative signal output.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
the oscillation frequency of the energy in said loop path being dependent upon the instantaneous electrical length thereof, and D. means coupled with such transmission lines for monitoring the frequency of the energy propagating therein and providing a signal output indicative of the sheet thickness.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
the oscillation frequency of the energy in said loop path being dependent upon the instantaneous electrical length thereof, and D. means coupled with such transmission lines for monitoring the frequency of the energy propagating therein and providing a signal output indicative of the sheet thickness.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
the oscillation frequency of the energy in said loop path being dependent upon the instantaneous electrical length thereof; and D. means coupled with said transmission line for monitoring the frequency of the energy transmitted therein and providing a signal output indicative of the sheet thickness.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
the oscillation frequency of the energy in said loop path being dependent upon the instantaneous electrical length thereof; and D. means coupled with said transmission line for monitoring the frequency of the energy transmitted therein and providing a signal output indicative of the sheet thickness.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
a quarter wave stub adjustably coupled into said third transmission line segment ahead of said resistive element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
a quarter wave stub adjustably coupled into said third transmission line segment ahead of said resistive element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
the oscillation frequency of the energy in said loop path being dependent upon the instantaneous electrical length thereof, and D. means coupled with said transmission line for monitoring the frequency of the energy propagating therein and providing a characteristic indicative signal output.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
the oscillation frequency of the energy in said loop path being dependent upon the instantaneous electrical length thereof, and D. means coupled with said transmission line for monitoring the frequency of the energy propagating therein and providing a characteristic indicative signal output.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
said first and second beams intersecting substantially during passage through the object.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
said first and second beams intersecting substantially during passage through the object.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
7 words
The system defined in claim 2 wherein:
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
said second port of said first circulator coupled to said loop phase filter by a third segment of said transmission line,
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
said second port of said first circulator coupled to said loop phase filter by a third segment of said transmission line,
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
said second port of said second circulator coupled to said amplifier through a fourth segment of said transmission line,
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
said second port of said second circulator coupled to said amplifier through a fourth segment of said transmission line,
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
7 words
The system defined in claim 1 wherein:
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
8 words
The system as defined in claim 1 wherein:
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
said third ports of said first and second circulators being coupled together by a fifth segment of said transmission line, and
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
said third ports of said first and second circulators being coupled together by a fifth segment of said transmission line, and
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
the remaining transmitting and receiving antennas of the pairs coupled together by a sixth transmission line segment.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
the remaining transmitting and receiving antennas of the pairs coupled together by a sixth transmission line segment.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
33 words
A system for measuring the thickness of sheet material, said system comprising in combination: A. a microwave amplifier, B. first and second microwave antennas positioned in spaced relation with the sheet passing therebetween,
Claim 34
Independent Claim
33 words
A system for measuring the thickness of sheet material, said system comprising in combination: A. a microwave amplifier, B. first and second microwave antennas positioned in spaced relation with the sheet passing therebetween,
Claim 35
Independent Claim
60 words
A system for monitoring the thickness of electromagnetic energy reflective sheet material, said system comprising in combination: A. at least one microwave amplifier, B. a pair of microwave antennas stationed on each side of the sheet in spaced relation to opposing surfaces thereof, one of the antennas of each pair being a transmitting antenna and the other a receiving antenna,
Claim 36
Independent Claim
60 words
A system for monitoring the thickness of electromagnetic energy reflective sheet material, said system comprising in combination: A. at least one microwave amplifier, B. a pair of microwave antennas stationed on each side of the sheet in spaced relation to opposing surfaces thereof, one of the antennas of each pair being a transmitting antenna and the other a receiving antenna,
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
7 words
The system defined in claim 7 wherein:
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
7 words
The system defined in claim 7 wherein:
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
7 words
The system defined in claim 7 wherein:
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as defined in claim 7 which further includes: E. a loop phase filter included in said loop path, said filter,
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system defined in claim 11 wherein said system further includes: F. first and second circulators having respectively first, second and third ports,
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system defined in claim 12 wherein said loop phase filter comprises:
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
9 words
The system defined in claim 7 which further includes:
Claim 44
Independent Claim
39 words
A system for monitoring a characteristic of a radiotransparent object, said system comprising, in combination: A. at least one microwave amplifier, B. first and second microwave transmitting antennas and first and second receiving antennas positioned relative to the object,
Claim 45
Independent Claim
39 words
A system for monitoring a characteristic of a radiotransparent object, said system comprising, in combination: A. at least one microwave amplifier, B. first and second microwave transmitting antennas and first and second receiving antennas positioned relative to the object,
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
7 words
The system defined in claim 15 wherein:
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
7 words
The system defined in claim 15 wherein:
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
7 words
The system defined in claim 17 wherein:
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
7 words
The system defined in claim 17 wherein:
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3490037A
Cited
US3484711A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-22 | 1975-05-24 | 1975-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-22 | 1979-05-24 | 1979-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-22 | 1983-05-24 | 1983-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |