Patent ID: 6509733
Filing Date: 2003-01-21
Classification: F15B,G01D

Abstract:
A fluid cylinder, comprising:a cylinder body including a cylindrical internal cavity therein having a longitudinal axis therethrough, the internal cavity being adapted for disposition of a piston and rod assembly for axial movement therein; a member enclosing an axial end of the internal cavity, the member having a sensor port therethrough extending between an internal opening communicating with the internal cavity and an external opening; and a sensor disposed in the internal opening of the sensor port, and a sensor electronics module being encased within a portion of the fluid cylinder not including the piston and rod assembly, the sensor being connected to the sensor electronics module by a conductive element and being operable for sensing an axial distance of the piston or the rod from the sensor or a predetermined location and outputting a signal representative of the distance along the conductive element to the sensor electronics module, the sensor electronics module including circuitry for receiving the signal, determining an axial position of the piston or the rod therefrom, and outputting a position signal representative of the axial position of the piston or the rod.