Contact sensing apparatus and method

摘要

A sensing apparatus capable of delivering a control signal in response to contact between an element of the apparatus and an external object should respond readily to a predetermined level of contact, and should be sensitive along all portions of the contact sensing surface. The instant invention provides a contact sensing apparatus including a conduit having a generally hollow tubular construction and being formed a resilient deformable material. A sonic generator is connected to one end of the conduit and a sonic detector is connected to the other end of the conduit. An electrical circuit is connected to the sonic generator and sonic detector, and is adapted to controllably produce a control signal in response to contact between the conduit and an external object. The instant invention is advantageously free from electro-mechanical switches and optical devices likely to be contaminated when used in an industrial environment, and requires no seals or other precautions necessary to contain pressure or fluid within the conduit.