Proximity Probe Interchange Compensation via Stored Error Data
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Proximity probe systems face challenges in accurately determining the combined error characteristics of their components, leading to unknown interchange errors that can decrease measurement accuracy, as the error characteristics of individual components vary across multiple copies and are not readily known in the field.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating information elements such as barcodes, RFID tags, or digital encoders on each component to store and encode error characteristics like gain, offset, and linearity errors, which can be decoded by a processor-based monitor to determine the actual error characteristics and compensate for interchange errors, thereby increasing measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple copies of proximity probe components are used, then system versatility and availability are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to unknown interchange errors from varying error characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing error characteristic data (gain error, offset error, linearity error) in information elements during the manufacturing and testing phase. This allows the data to be readily available when components are assembled or interchanged in the field, eliminating the need for re-testing and enabling immediate compensation for interchange errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using processor-based monitors to read information elements from components, determine interchange errors based on stored error characteristics, and apply compensation to the output signal. This closed-loop feedback ensures that measurement accuracy is maintained despite component variations.
2Reliability
If error characteristics of individual components are tested during manufacturing, then reliability of individual components is improved, but loss of information occurs because the actual error characteristics remain unknown when components are assembled in the field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating information elements (such as barcodes, RFID tags, or digital memory) that contain copies of the error characteristic data from the physical components. These information elements travel with the components through assembly and can be read in the field, preserving the error characteristic information without requiring the physical components themselves to be re-tested.
3Measurement precision
If compensation for interchange errors is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional information elements and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the system so that each component carries its own error characteristic data in information elements attached to or within the component itself. This eliminates the need for external documentation or manual tracking of error characteristics, as the components themselves provide the necessary information for compensation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a proximity probe. The system also includes a probe information element. The probe information element is coupled to the proximity probe. The probe information element includes first data corresponding to one or more first error characteristics of the proximity probe.