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Patent Number: |
7528606 |
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Case ID: |
0 |
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Patent Title:
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Coupled nonlinear sensor system for sensing a time-dependent target signal
and method of assembling the system
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Status: |
ACTIVE |
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Status Date: |
2/15/2010 1:11:35 PM |
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Issue Date:
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5/5/2009 |
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Filed Date:
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4/4/2007 |
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Serial #:
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1/732,678 |
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Assignee Name:
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The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
(Washington,
DC)
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Inventor(s):
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In, Visarath , Palacios, Antonio , Ko, Yong , Bulsara, Adi R. |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fluxgate magnetometers detect localized changes to the earth''s magnetic field caused by presence of ferrous objects. In general, fluxgate magnetometers are of two common configurations. These two configurations are commonly referred to in the
art as "core-type" and "ring-type". In this regard, "core-type" fluxgate magnetometers include a cylindrically-shaped ferromagnetic core while "ring-type" fluxgate magnetometers include a torodial-shaped ferromagnetic core. Wrapped about the core are
an excitation coil and a sensor coil. The excitation coil excites the core to produce a magnetic flux. The sensor coil senses changes in the magnetic flux due to presence of a nearby ferromagnetic object. It will be observed that the discussion
hereinbelow is with respect to core-type fluxgate magnetometers. However, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the same physical principles generally apply to ring-type fluxgate magnetometers, as . . . . More |
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A coupled non-linear sensor system is provided for sensing a
non-sinusoidal time-dependent target signal. The system comprises an odd
number, other than one, of interconnected oscillatory sensors for sensing
time-dependent changes in an external magnetic flux generated by the
non-sinusoidal time-dependent target signal, the sensors coupled to each
other by a coupling parameter characterized by a threshold value, so that
each of the sensors oscillates in the presence of the non-sinusoidal
time-dependent target signal as the coupling parameter exceeds the
threshold value.
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What is claimed is:
1. A coupled nonlinear sensor system for sensing a non-sinusoidal time-dependent target signal, comprising an odd number, other than one, of interconnected oscillatory
sensors for sensing time-dependent changes in an external magnetic flux generated by the non-sinusoidal time-dependent target signal, said sensors coupled to each other by a coupling parameter characterized by a threshold value, so that each of said
sensors oscillates in the presence of the non-sinusoidal time-dependent target signal as the coupling parameter exceeds the threshold value.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a control unit coupled to said oscillatory sensors for controlling said oscillatory sensors.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein said control unit is capable of storing a plurality of predetermined non-sinusoidal time-dependent target signals corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of predetermined objects.
4. A coupled nonlinear . . . . More |
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