Plural Measurements (e.g., Linear And Rotary) Patents (Class 324/207.23)
  • Patent number: 11175160
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes an analog front end having first and second magnetic field sensing elements arranged at approximately 90-degrees with respect to each other, a pre-processor and an arctangent processor. The first and second magnetic field sensing elements are arranged in a sideshaft orientation with respect to a rotating object and offset with respect to an axis of rotation of the rotating object, the rotating object having a radial axis and a tangential axis. The pre-processor is configured to receive the first and second magnetic field signals from the analog front end and to apply a correction factor to one or both of the first and second magnetic field signals to produce first and second scaled magnetic field signals. The arctangent processor is configured to calculate an arctangent value of the first and second scaled magnetic field signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Pablo Aguirre, Juan Manuel Cesaretti, Jesse Lapomardo
  • Patent number: 10982973
    Abstract: A position change measuring device which measures a change in position of a target object and includes a base member, a press member which is movable following a change in position of the target object, an elastic member which produces heat when contracting or absorbs heat when expanding, a heat flux sensor which outputs a signal as a function of a rate of heat flux transferred inside or outside the elastic member, and a diaphragm unit which is made of elastically deformable material. The diaphragm unit is retained by the base member in contact with the press member and works to produce force of resilience to recover the elastic member to its initial state when the elastic member contracts or expands in response to movement of the press member. This structure improves a response rate for sensing a change in position of the target object with high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norio Gouko, Toshihisa Taniguchi, Atusi Sakaida, Keiji Okamoto, Yoshihiko Shiraishi, Masahiro Asano
  • Patent number: 10835683
    Abstract: A drug delivery system comprises an indicator element and a sensor system. The indicator element is arranged to rotate relative to a reference component and corresponding to a reference axis and comprises a plurality of dipole magnets. The sensor system comprises a plurality of magnetometers arranged non-rotational relative to the reference component and adapted to determine continuous magnetic field values from the plurality of dipole magnets, as well as processor means configured to determine on the basis of measured values from the plurality of magnetometers a rotational position and/or a rotational movement of the indicator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
    Inventors: Nikolaj Eusebius Jakobsen, Preben Mikael Nielsen, Nikolaj Frogner Krusell, Laurits Hoejgaard Olesen
  • Patent number: 10682469
    Abstract: A drug delivery system comprises an indicator element and a sensor system. The indicator element is arranged to rotate relative to a reference component and corresponding to a reference axis and comprises a magnetic ring. The sensor system comprises a plurality of magnetometers arranged non-rotational relative to the reference component and adapted to determine continuous magnetic field values from the plurality of dipole magnets, as well as processor means configured to determine on the basis of measured values from the plurality of magnetometers a rotational position and/or a rotational movement of the indicator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
    Inventors: Nikolaj Eusebius Jakobsen, Preben Mikael Nielsen, Nikolaj Frogner Krusell, Laurits Hoejgaard Olesen
  • Patent number: 10458537
    Abstract: In a shift lever device, a lever moves an operation member when the lever is rotationally operated in a front-rear direction, and the lever rotates a select link such that the select link moves the operation member when the lever is rotation operated in a left-right direction. The position of the operation member is detected to detect a shift position of the lever. When the lever is rotation operated in the front-rear direction, the lever therefore moves the operation member without being through the select link, thereby enabling the precision with which the shift position of the lever in the front-rear direction is detected to be raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Takehiro Niwa, Yohei Nakano, Naomi Asahina
  • Patent number: 9903773
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rotor for a torque sensor configured to improve a mechanical coupling force with respect to a jig in a process of adjusting a torque center, thus enabling a fine adjustment, the rotor including a rotor body having a sleeve coupled to a rotating shaft and a yoke protruding from an outer circumference of the sleeve, a ring-shaped magnet coupled to an outer circumference of the yoke, and an anti-slip structure formed on the rotor body and partially coming into contact with a jig during a rotating process for adjusting a torque center, thus inhibiting slipping between the rotor body and the jig when a rotating force is transmitted, so that slipping between the jig and the rotor body is inhibited to enable precise transmission of the rotating force whereby accuracy is improved during fine adjustment of the torque center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Changhwan Lee
  • Patent number: 9766096
    Abstract: The encoder includes a scale and a sensor relatively movable in a first direction. The sensor includes first and second readers reading a first pattern. The encoder acquires a first position in a first direction by using an output signal from the first reader and acquires a second position in the first direction by using an output signal from the second reader. The encoder acquires a period of the first pattern by using the first and second positions, and acquires first and second shift amounts between the scale and the first and second readers in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The encoder produces position information by using the first and second positions, the period and the first and second shift amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Chihiro Nagura
  • Patent number: 9410788
    Abstract: A length measuring system includes a magnetic component having two helical magnetically conductive or magnetic elements which have first and second axial ends. The elements are arranged in an axially symmetrically manner relative each other along a common longitudinal axis such that a magnetic field can be formed between the elements, the angle of the field relative to the common longitudinal axis continuously rotating along a predetermined length. The length measuring system further includes a magnetic sensor which can be arranged between the two elements at a right angle to the common longitudinal axis of the elements and which is connected to an evaluation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Wallrafen
  • Patent number: 9200925
    Abstract: An absolute high resolution linear segment or revolution counter as a one-chip-solution with self sustained, economical intermediate solutions, preferably as absolute magnetic multi turn, having a Wiegand element for counting the revolutions or segments, respectively and for the energy supply of the counter and memory as well as processing electronics, whereby the additional sensor for the fine resolution and a ?-controller are part of the overall IC is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Inventors: Walter Mehnert, Thomas Theil
  • Publication number: 20150130446
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a magnetic angle sensor module having first magnetic polewheel comprising a first number of poles and a second magnetic polewheel comprising a second number of poles greater than the first number. First and second magneto-resistive sensors are located around the first polewheel at a first angular position and a second angular position, respectively. The first and second magneto-resistive sensors collectively generate sensor signals corresponding to a measured angle of the first polewheel, while the third magneto-resistive sensor generates a third sensor signal corresponding to a measured angle of the second polewheel. A signal processor receives the first and third sensor signals and operates an algorithm that determines a position within a signal curve of the second polewheel from the first sensor signal and that determines an enhanced angle from the position within the signal curve and the third sensor signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Wolfgang Granig, Gernot Binder
  • Publication number: 20150115940
    Abstract: A position measuring device includes a measuring standard that has a first magnetization in a first section for generating a first signal level. The first magnetization is oriented in a first direction, has a first clearance between two adjacent unlike poles, and generates a first maximum of the field strength at the working distance. Furthermore, the measuring standard has a second magnetization in a second section situated next to the first section for generating a second signal level. The second magnetization is oriented in a second direction, has a second clearance between two unlike poles, and generates a first maximum of the field strength at the working distance. The first direction is oriented counter to the second direction, the first clearance is greater than the second clearance, and the first maximum is greater than the second maximum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Pascal Haible
  • Patent number: 9018942
    Abstract: A magnetically-based position sensor. The sensor includes a magnet assembly that moves along a path, a common collector, one or more magnetic sensing elements, a first variable collector, and a second variable collector. The one or more magnetic sensing elements are coupled to the common collector. The first and second variable collectors are coupled to one of the one or more magnetic sensors and are configured to collect a magnetic field. The first and second variable collectors are positioned to transmit some of the magnetic flux generated by the magnet assembly as the magnet assembly moves along the path. The first variable collector and the second variable collector have a geometry and orientation such that the flux collected by the first and second variable collectors varies as the magnet moves along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventor: James Gregory Stanley
  • Patent number: 8957672
    Abstract: A hand-held check fixture to indicate excessive play in a pitch change link ball joint is provided. The check fixture can include a first member for attachment to a first portion of the pitch change link, a second member for attachment to a second portion of the pitch change link, and a gage to indicate movement of the first member relative to the second member. The gage is adapted to indicate the clearance between a pitch change link ball bearing and a pitch change link knuckle in the axial direction and/or in the radial direction. The check fixture can assist in evaluating the flightworthiness of each pitch change link on a rotor assembly with relative ease and without requiring the complete removal of each pitch change link from the rotor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Armick, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas E. Emenaker, Aaron J. Schradin
  • Patent number: 8947077
    Abstract: A rotary position sensor having a transmitter coil excited by a high frequency signal source. A first and second receiver coil, each having at least two oppositely wound loops, are rotatably positioned electrically 90 degrees relative to each other. The receiver coils are positioned so as to be inductively coupled with the transmitter coil while a coupler constructed of an electrically conductive material is rotatably positioned over and inductively coupled with the first and second receiver coils. The outputs from the first and second receiver coils are coupled through a high pass filter and a low pass filter, respectively, thus creating a 90° phase shift in the resultant signals. These signals are summed together and coupled as an input signal to a PWM circuit together with a signal from the transmitter coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: KSR IP Holdings LLC.
    Inventors: Joong K. Lee, Lingmin Shao, Ryan Elliott
  • Patent number: 8933691
    Abstract: A rotary position sensor for determining the rotary position of a rotary component may include a sensor and a magnet. The sensor may be responsive to a characteristic of a magnetic field that changes as the magnetic field moves. The magnet may be carried by the rotary component for rotation with the rotary component and have an anti-rotation feature to prevent rotation of the magnet relative to the rotary component to maintain a desired rotary position of the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventors: William E. Galka, Bradley J. Roche, David L. Speirs, Eric G. Zbytowski
  • Patent number: 8928310
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reluctance resolver (100) with an at least partially soft magnetic stator (104) and an at least partially soft magnetic rotor (102) which oppose each other by forming an air gap. The magnetic resistance in the air gap changes periodically on account of a configuration of the rotor that varies over the circumference. The angle sensor has a magnetic flux transmitter which is arranged on the stator and generates a predefined magnetic flux distribution in the air gap via at least one pair of poles. Furthermore, a magnetic flux receiver, which measures the intensity of the magnetic field via at least two pairs of signal poles arranged offset from one another at an angle, is arranged on the stator, wherein an angle value for a position of the rotor in relation to the stator can be derived from the two receiver signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Belgium EC BVBA
    Inventors: Tom Ocket, Jan Van Cauwenberge, Jurgen Verstraete
  • Patent number: 8922200
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the actual angle position of a rotatable magnetic component in an electric drive (10) having an odd number of pole pairs. An actual angle measurement value (?AMR,k) of the rotatable component is measured using an angle sensor (28) which only measures the actual angle measurement value (?AMR,k) within a predefined reduced angular area, and an associated device (20) for determining an actual angle position of a rotatable magnetic component in an electric drive (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Vollmer
  • Patent number: 8912791
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic sensor for determining the position of a part (2) movable firstly in rotation over a limited angular stroke by virtue of a rotary movement (R), and secondly in translation along a translation axis (X) and over a limited linear stroke, this sensor including both a magnetized target (3) mounted on and fastened to the movable part (2) and taking the form of a radially-magnetized part-cylinder having an axis of symmetry coinciding with the translation axis (X) and also a system (5) for measuring the magnetic field of the magnetized target to determine the position of the target in three dimensions. According to the invention, in order to determine the position and the orientation of the target, the system (5) acts at a single point to measure the direction of the magnetic field in two orthogonal planes, one of which (P1) is normal to the rotary movement (R) and the other of which (P2) is normal to the movement in translation (X).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Electricfil Automotive
    Inventor: Vincent Liebart
  • Patent number: 8878530
    Abstract: A measuring method of contactless magnetic detection of relative movement along a trajectory between a main creation system and a measuring system sensitive to the direction of the magnetic field, the creation system creating a main magnetic field of direction that varies in a plane detected by the measuring system to determine the relative position along that trajectory. The method includes subjecting the measuring system to a compensation magnetic field of direction that is fixed and opposite to the direction of the maximum main magnetic field measured by the measuring system and delivered uniquely by the main creation system and in determining the direction of a magnetic field resulting from the combination of the main magnetic field and the compensation magnetic field by measuring the two mutually-orthogonal components of the resultant magnetic field respectively varying substantially as cosine and sine functions of the angle of the resultant magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Electricfil Automotive
    Inventor: Vincent Liebart
  • Patent number: 8874623
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing data regarding parameter values by making a series of measurements of parameter values at times separated by predetermined time intervals, processing the series of measurements of parameter values made at predetermined time intervals to identify events at different times, generating a further series of measurements of parameter values at each of said different times, and storing each of said further series of measurements of parameter values in association with said respective different time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Onzo Limited
    Inventors: Jose Manuel Sanchez Loureda, Adam Richard Westbrooke, Edward Horsford, Brian McGuigan
  • Patent number: 8816676
    Abstract: The position sensor includes a shift lever used to select one of five ranges P, R, N, D, and B, fixed contacts corresponding to the ranges P, R, N, D, and B, and movable contacts configured to be electrically connected to the fixed contacts. The fixed contacts include regular fixed contacts, first backup fixed contacts, and second backup fixed contacts. The first and second backup fixed contacts have their lengths in the moving direction of the movable contacts configured to be longer than the length of the regular fixed contact that corresponds to the first and second backup fixed contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Yamashita, Yasuhiro Ijichi, Hiroshi Takei
  • Patent number: 8810237
    Abstract: Disclosed is a relative angle detection device for detecting a relative angle between a first rotary shaft and a second rotary shaft, the relative angle detection device being provided with a first magnetic field sensing unit which outputs a value according to a magnetic field of a magnet, a second magnetic field sensing unit which outputs a value according to the magnetic field of the magnet and outputs a value different from the output value of the first magnetic field sensing unit even if being placed in the same magnetic field as that of the first magnetic field sensing unit, a correction unit which corrects one output value out of the output value of the first magnetic field sensing unit and the output value of the second magnetic field sensing unit in accordance with an amplitude ratio between magnetic field components orthogonal to each other in the magnetic field of the magnet, and a computing unit which computes the relative angle between the first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft on the basi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Muto, Kiyokazu Okado, Tsukasa Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8786275
    Abstract: A gear position sensor employs a sliding electrical connection between arcuate conductors and flexible wiper arms held on opposite surfaces that rotate relative to each other with the movement of a gear selector shaft. The traces may have multiple segments joined by resistors to provide flexible change in resistance value and resistance range for different applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Mario M Orrico
  • Patent number: 8779761
    Abstract: A rotation angle detecting unit includes an IC package having a magnetism detecting element, a sealing body, and leads; and a covering member having a fixing part and a supporting part, which are integrally formed from resin. The element outputs a signal according to change of a magnetic field generated upon rotation of a magnetism generating device attached to a detection object. The sealing body covers the element. The leads are connected to the element, and project from the sealing body. The fixing part is fixed to a supporting body so that the covering member is attached to the supporting body. The supporting part supports the package such that the element can output the signal. The package is press-fitted into the supporting part after its formation, so that the package is supported by the supporting part with a predetermined pressure applied to part of an outer wall of the sealing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Hiramoto, Yoshiyuki Kono, Akitoshi Mizutani, Koichiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8773113
    Abstract: Cyclic motion of a ferromagnetic part in an environment made noisy by at least one electric source with an A.C. component is measured using at least one first magnetometer sensitive to the moving part and a sensor of an image of current in the electric source. An estimate is calculated of noise linked to the electric source on a signal measured by the first magnetometer and then subtracted from the measured signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Alexis Le Goff, Roland Blanpain
  • Patent number: 8773124
    Abstract: An embodiment of a magnetic-field sensor includes a magnetic-field sensor arrangement and a magnetic body which has, for example, a non-convex cross-sectional area with regard to a cross-sectional plane running through the magnetic body, the magnetic body having an inhomogeneous magnetization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Udo Ausserlechner
  • Patent number: 8766625
    Abstract: Absolute counters for linear segments or revolutions having a Wiegand element (WE) in the main field between two opposite excitation magnets (EM1, EM2) connected by a common ferromagnetic back connection body (14), and an additional sensor element (SE) for determining the information about the polarity and the position of the excitation magnet, wherein the output signals of the Wiegand element (WE) simultaneously supplies energy for the required counter and logic electronics, as well as having an additional sensor (ZS) for the fine resolution in the frame work of a multi-turn which also lies within the main field between the excitation magnets (EM1, EM2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventors: Walter Mehnert, Thomas Theil
  • Patent number: 8746104
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gear absolute position sensor assembly (GAPS) that senses the current absolute, position of the shift lever of a manual transmission. The sensor assembly provides data to an associated electronic controller such as an engine control module (ECM) regarding the current position of the shift lever, such as an engaged gear. The sensor assembly preferably comprises at least one Hall effect or other type of magnetic field (proximity) sensors in combination with an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which is supplied with data from the sensors, decodes the output of the sensors and provides an output identifying a specific engaged gear or neutral for use by vehicle or engine management electronics. The sensors are mounted proximate the shift linkage at a location where they can sense both rotation and translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher G. Benson, William L. Cousins, Bradford W. Bur, Kevin O'Connor, Mark Pickhard, Steven R. Stuve
  • Patent number: 8739647
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gear absolute position sensor assembly (GAPS) that senses the current absolute, position of the shift lever of a manual transmission. The sensor assembly provides data to an associated electronic controller such as an engine control module (ECM) regarding the current position of the shift lever, such as an engaged gear. The sensor assembly preferably comprises two Hall effect or other type of magnetic field (proximity) sensors in combination with an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which is supplied with data from the sensors, decodes the output of the sensors and provides an output identifying a specific engaged gear or neutral for use by vehicle or engine management electronics. The sensors are mounted proximate the shift linkage at a location where they can sense both rotation and translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher G. Benson, William L. Cousins, Bradford W. Bur
  • Patent number: 8729889
    Abstract: Contactless measurement of angular or linear positions is obtained by means of magnetic circuit configurations, biased by a permanent magnet, characterized by two airgaps whose relative geometry is designed to result in magnetic field values whose ratio is a function of the position to be measured. The magnetic field in said airgaps is measured by magnetic field probes, whose output signals are then electronically conditioned to generate a voltage proportional to said ratio. The output signal being function of a ratio, it naturally becomes insensitive to drifts of the magnet working point, or drifts in sensitivity of the magnetic field probes. In one embodiment said ratio of magnetic field values becomes a function of the relative angular displacement of two coaxial shafts, while becoming completely independent from their absolute angular displacement, allowing hence the realization of simple and robust torque sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: C-Sigma s.r.l.
    Inventor: Luca Ghislanzoni
  • Patent number: 8664943
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single component implementing highly precise pulse detection for rotational or liner position detecting apparatuses for jog dials and mechanical products. Focusing on the fact that the phase difference between the magnetic fields in circumferential and radial directions generated by a magnetized ring is precisely 90 degrees, a position detecting apparatus of the present invention includes two Hall elements placed at a distance; a protective film provided on magnetic sensitive portions of the two Hall elements to cover the magnetic sensitive portions; a thin-film magnetic plate placed on the protective film to cover the magnetic sensitive portions of the two Hall elements; and further a processing circuit calculating the sum and difference of the signals from the two Hall elements to generate signals having an accurate phase difference of 90 degrees. The position detecting apparatus can therefore detect the rotation direction and precise rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation
    Inventor: Ichiro Okada
  • Patent number: 8659289
    Abstract: A field generation unit generates a rotating magnetic field including a first partial magnetic field in a first position and a second partial magnetic field in a second position. The first and second partial magnetic fields differ in direction by 180° and rotate in the same direction of rotation. A first detection unit detects, in the first position, a first angle that the direction of a first applied field forms with respect to a first direction. The first applied field includes the first partial magnetic field as its main component. A second detection unit detects, in the second position, a second angle that the direction of a second applied field forms with respect to a second direction. The second applied field includes the second partial magnetic field as its main component. A detected value of the angle that the direction of the rotating magnetic field in a reference position forms with respect to a reference direction is calculated based on detected values of the first and second angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Shunji Saruki, Hiraku Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 8618792
    Abstract: A rotation angle detection device includes: a detection portion that detects detection angle that univocally corresponds to rotation angle of a rotating body which is within a predetermined range, wherein the detection angle linearly increases from a minimum value to a maximum value as the rotation angle increases within a unit range, and the detection angle changes from the maximum value to the minimum value or from the minimum value to the maximum value at a boundary between unit ranges that are adjacent to each other; and a correction portion that corrects the detection angle so that the detection angle detected in the predetermined range has linear characteristics, if the boundary between the unit ranges is contained in the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Kojima, Masashi Mure, Hisashi Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8531182
    Abstract: A control system for use in safety critical human/machine control interfaces is described, more particularly a joystick type control system and particularly a joystick type control system utilizing magnetic positional sensing. The control system provides a control input device having a movable magnet, a pole-piece frame arrangement positioned about the magnet, at least three magnetic flux sensors being positioned in said pole-piece frame arrangement and a monitoring arrangement for monitoring the output signal of each of said at least three sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Penny & Giles Controls Limited
    Inventor: Dev Kumar Banerjee
  • Patent number: 8519697
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting a mode change in an electronic device are provided. The apparatus includes a rotary switch including a common port and a plurality of contact points corresponding to a plurality of modes, a comparator for comparing a voltage of the common port with a reference voltage to output a resultant signal, a measurement unit for measuring the voltage of the common port according to the resultant signal of the comparator, and a Micro Control Unit (MCU) for evaluating a changed mode based on the measured voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Su Kim, Man-Ho Han, Tae-Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 8508218
    Abstract: A method for sensing an angular orientation of a magnetic field includes providing a set of N?2 Hall effect devices, each having a detection direction and including two pairs of connectors; providing at least one band pass filter having a fundamental frequency f=1/Tf; providing at least one current source for outputting an electrical current at its output; applying, during a first time period of a duration 0.5 Tf and in a specific sequence of the N Hall effect devices, to each of the N Hall effect devices a respective wiring scheme Wi+, during respective subsequent time periods of durations ti; and applying, during a second time period of a duration 0.5 Tf, subsequent to the first time period of a duration 0.5 Tf, and in the same specific sequence of the N Hall effect devices, to each of the N Hall effect devices a respective wiring scheme Wi?, during respective subsequent time periods of the same durations ti.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Sensima Technology SA
    Inventors: Serge Reymond, Pavel Kejik
  • Patent number: 8478560
    Abstract: A three-wire transformer position sensor is provided that includes an excitation coil and an output coil. The excitation coil is adapted to be electrically excited with an excitation signal, and has a first end and a second end. The output coil includes a first coil and a second coil and is inductively coupled to the excitation coil upon electrical excitation thereof the excitation coil. The first end of the first coil is electrically connected to the second end of the second coil and to the second end of the excitation coil, and the second end of the first coil is electrically connected to the first end of the second coil. The output coil is configured, when it is balanced and the excitation coil is being electrically excited, to supply a null output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Fox, Gene Holden, Robert Franconi
  • Patent number: 8466672
    Abstract: A method of processing signals in a rotary encoder of the kind which comprises at least one annular track of encoding regions arranged as an alternating pattern of first encoding regions and second encoding regions. The encoder including first and second detectors, each of which is arranged to produce a first alternating output signal as the track of encoding regions rotates about its axis past the detector. The detector identifying a usable pair of transitions and a rejectable pair of transitions and utilizing the pairs of transitions to produce a compensated position measurement for the rotary encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Limited
    Inventors: Christopher David Dixon, Connel Brett Williams, John Martin Reeve, Jiang Li
  • Patent number: 8450997
    Abstract: Magnetic tracking systems and methods for determining the position and orientation of a remote object. A magnetic tracking system includes a stationary transmitter for establishing a reference coordinate system, and at least one receiver. The remote object is attached to, mounted on, or otherwise coupled to the receiver. The transmitter can include a set of three mutually perpendicular coils having a common center point, or a set of three coplanar coils with separate centers. The receiver can include a set of three orthogonal coils. The position and orientation of the receiver and the remote object coupled thereto is determined by measuring the nine mutual inductances between the three transmitter coils and the three receiver coils. The magnetic tracking system provides reduced power consumption, increased efficiency, digital compensation for component variation, automatic self-calibration, automatic synchronization with no connections between transmitter and receiver, and rapid low-cost implementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Brown University
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Silverman
  • Publication number: 20130113469
    Abstract: A length measuring system comprises includes a magnetic component having two helical magnetically conductive or magnetic elements which have first and second axial ends. The elements are arranged in an axially symmetrically manner relative each other along a common longitudinal axis such that a magnetic field can be formed between the elements, the angle of said the field relative to the common longitudinal axis continuously rotating along a predetermined length. The length measuring system further comprises includes a magnetic sensor which can be arranged between the two elements at a right angle to the common longitudinal axis of the elements and which is connected to an evaluation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Werner Wallrafen
  • Patent number: 8436606
    Abstract: A rotation detector includes a first distance sensor disposed to face a rotating body with a gear portion formed non-parallel to a rotation axis for continuously measuring a distance from the gear portion during rotation of the rotating body, a second distance sensor disposed at a position different from the first distance sensor in a direction of the rotation axis for continuously measuring a distance from the gear portion during rotation of the rotating body, and an axis shift detecting portion for detecting an axis shift of the rotation axis based on a variation in the distance measured by at least one of the first and second distance sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Shuichi Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20130106407
    Abstract: An apparatus that includes two non-coinciding arrangements disposed in an two axes Cartesian coordinate system such that each arrangement having a non-zero projection on a respective axis from among the two axes. Each one of the arrangements includes a pair of oppositely directed, spaced apart, co-axial radiating-capable elements, each of the elements being hollow with internal space, and being slotted throughout its entire extent. A first circuitry coupled to the arrangement and being configured to sense an electric field projection along the axis and to convey it to a first feeding terminal. A second circuitry coupled to a slot of the arrangement and being configured to sense a magnetic field's projection along said axis and to convey it to a first feeding terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: ELTA SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventor: Benyamin ALMOG
  • Patent number: 8432119
    Abstract: Disclosed are various systems and methods for assessing and improving the capability of a machine tool. The disclosure applies to machine tools having at least one slide configured to move along a motion axis. Various patterns of dynamic excitation commands are employed to drive the one or more slides, typically involving repetitive short distance displacements. A quantification of a measurable merit of machine tool response to the one or more patterns of dynamic excitation commands is typically derived for the machine tool. Examples of measurable merits of machine tool performance include workpiece surface finish, and the ability to generate chips of the desired length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLC
    Inventors: William E. Barkman, Edwin F. Babelay, Jr., Kevin Scott Smith, Thomas S. Assaid, Justin T. McFarland, David A. Tursky, Bethany Woody, David Adams
  • Patent number: 8432163
    Abstract: The method for cancellation of low frequency noise in a magneto-resistive mixed sensor (1) comprising at least a superconducting loop with at least one constriction and at least one magneto-resistive element (6) comprises a set of measuring steps with at least one measuring step being conducted with the normal running of the mixed sensor and at least another measuring step being conducted whilst an additional super-current is temporarily injected in the at least one constriction of the at least one superconducting loop of the mixed sensor (1) up to a critical super-current of the constriction so that the result of the at least another measuring step is used as a reference level of the at least one magneto-resistive element (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Claude Fermon, Hedwige Polovy, Myriam Pannetier-Lecoeur
  • Patent number: 8427136
    Abstract: A magnetic displacement sensor, where, in order to achieve an improved measurement behavior, magnets are formed in a direction of an x-axis such that a z-component (Bz) of the flux density has an essentially linear characteristic curve in a region of travel and/or the magnets are formed in a direction of a y-axis such that the z-component (Bz) is essentially constant in a region of a transversal offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Hinkel, Michael Nagel, Andreas Schulze, Roger Pohlmann, Bernd Seitz
  • Patent number: 8427142
    Abstract: Provided is a rotation angle detecting device with high detection accuracy, which can be structured with a small number of teeth even if a shaft angle multiplier increases, thus enhancing winding workability and becoming suitable for mass production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masatsugu Nakano, Shinsuke Henmi, Satoru Akutsu
  • Patent number: 8423228
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a decrease in air pressure of a tire attached to a vehicle includes a rotation speed detection means for periodically detecting rotation speeds of tires of respective wheels of the vehicle; a rotation wheel speed ratio calculation means for calculating a rotation wheel speed ratio between front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle; a wheel torque calculation means for calculating a wheel torque of the vehicle; an initialization means for obtaining a relation at a normal internal pressure between the wheel torque and the rotation wheel speed ratio; a comparison means for comparing the rotation wheel speed ratio with the rotation wheel speed ratio at a normal internal pressure obtained from the wheel torque and the relation; and a determination means for correcting the comparison result by a front-to-rear direction acceleration and determining whether there is a tire having a decreased air pressure or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Oshiro
  • Patent number: 8415945
    Abstract: A sheet coil type resolver includes: a stator section in which a stator transformer coil composed of first and second stator transformer coil layers is disposed to axially overlap with a resolver stator coil composed of first and second resolver stator coil layers; and a rotor section in which a rotor transformer coil composed of first and second rotor transformer coil layers is disposed to axially overlap with a resolver rotor coil composed of first and second resolver rotor coil layers, whereby the axial dimension is reduced, lead wires can be easily led out from the coils, and high reliability is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Fujita, Takado Fukuda, Takaaki Ochiai
  • Patent number: 8358124
    Abstract: A magnetic absolute encoder with enhanced resolution is provided. A first cycle determining section 27 utilizes data stored in a fourth angle data storing section 23 to determine in which cycle of m cycles of the fourth angle data, fifth angle data, which has been newly computed in response to rotation of a rotary shaft 1, occurs. A second cycle determining section 29 determines in which cycle of n cycles of first angle data that occur in first determined cycle, the newly computed fifth angle data occurs. A third cycle determining section 31 determines in which cycle of N1 cycles of the first angle data, the current first angle data occurs, based on the first determined cycle and second determined cycle. An absolute position determining section 33 determines the absolute position based on third determined cycle and the digital value of the current first angle data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Sayno Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeharu Katou, Kazuhiro Makiuchi, Shoji Ito, Tooru Miyajima, Tomohito Yamazaki, Toshiaki Ayuzawa, Masato Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20130015844
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for measuring multi-turn position of a shaft with high resolution and in a non-contact manner. In some embodiments, a multi-turn sensing apparatus can include a rotation counter configured to determine a number of turns made by a shaft, and an angular position sensor configured to measure an angular position of the shaft within a given turn. The number of turns can be determined with an M-bit resolution, and the angular position per turn can be measured with an N-bit resolution. Selected appropriately, the rotation counter can be configured to operate as a relatively low resolution; and yet the multi-turn sensing apparatus can maintain the N-bit per-turn angular resolution throughout the full range. Accordingly, the multi-turn sensing apparatus can have an effective resolution of M+N bits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: BOURNS, INC.
    Inventors: Eugen Bogos, Perry Wehlman, Christopher Couch