1、Ultrasonic distance meter Document Type and Number:United States Patent 5442592 Abstract:An ultrasonic distance meter cancels out the effects of temperature and humidity variations by including a measuring unit and a reference unit. In each of the units, a repetitive series of pulses is generated, e
2、ach having a repetition rate directly related to the respective distance between an electroacoustic transmitter and an electroacoustic receiver. The pulse trains are provided to respective counters, and the ratio of the counter outputs is utilized to determine the distance being measured. A.BACKGROU
3、ND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for the measurement of distance and, more particularly, to such apparatus which transmits ultrasonic waves between two points. Precision machine tools must be calibrated. In the past, this has been accomplished utilizing mechanical devices such
4、 as calipers, micrometers, and the like. However, the use of such devices does not readily lend itself to automation techniques. It is known that the distance between two points can be determined by measuring the propagation time of a wave travelling between those two points. One such type of wave i
5、s an ultrasonic, or acoustic, wave. When an ultrasonic wave travels between two points, the distance between the two points can be measured by multiplying the transit time of the wave by the wave velocity in the medium separating the two points. It is therefore an object of the present invention to
6、provide apparatus utilizing ultrasonic waves to accurately measure the distance between two points. When the medium between the two points whose spacing is being measured is air, the sound velocity is dependent upon the temperature and humidity of the air. It is therefore a further object of the,pre
7、sent invention to provide apparatus of the type described which is independent of temperature and humidity variations. B.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing and additional objects are attained in accordance with the principles of this invention by providing distance measuring apparatus which incl
8、udes a reference unit and a measuring unit. The reference and measuring units are the same and each includes an electroacoustic transmitter and an electroacoustic receiver. The spacing between the transmitter and the receiver of the reference unit is a fixed reference distance, whereas the spacing b
9、etween the transmitter and receiver of the measuring unit is the distance to be measured. In each of the units, the transmitter and receiver are coupled by a feedback loop which causes the transmitter to generate an acoustic pulse which is received by the receiver and converted into an electrical pu
10、lse which is then fed back to the transmitter, so that a repetitive series of pulses results. The repetition rate of the pulses is inversely related to the distance between the transmitter and the receiver. In each of the units, the pulses are provided to a counter. Since the reference distance is k
11、nown, the ratio of the counter outputs is utilized to determine the desired distance to be measured. Since both counts are identically influenced by temperature and humidity variations, by taking the ratio of the counts, the resultant measurement becomes insensitive to such variations. C.DETAILED DE
12、SCRIPTION A.principle of ultrasonic distance measurement 1, the principle of piezoelectric ultrasonic generator Piezoelectric ultrasonic generator is the use of piezoelectric crystal resonators to work. Ultrasonic generator, the internal structure as shown in Figure 1, it has two piezoelectric chip
13、and a resonance plate. When its two plus pulse signal, the frequency equal to the intrinsic piezoelectric oscillation frequency chip, the chip will happen piezoelectric resonance, and promote the development of plate vibration resonance, ultrasound is generated. Conversely, if the two are not inter-
14、electrode voltage, when the board received ultrasonic resonance, it will be for vibration suppression of piezoelectric chip, the mechanical energy is converted to electrical signals, then it becomes the ultrasonic receiver. 2, the principle of ultrasonic distance measurement Ultrasonic transmitter in a direction to launch ultrasound, in the moment to launch the beginning of time at the same time, the spread of ultrasound in the air, obstacles on his way to return immediately, the ultrasonic reflected
