Abstract: A sensor including at least one rotary magnetic coder with first and second rotary tracks, at least two detection cells, and logical resources for processing of digital signals delivered by the cells. At least the detection cell located in relation to a magnetic track with a singular pole is a single-element detection cell, and the generator elements of the magnetic tracks and the detection cells are arranged in dependence on the logical processing resources such that the digital output signal has the same constant period, both on its regular coding part and on its irregular coding part, and the regular coding part and the irregular coding part have cyclic ratios that are unbalanced and different from each other.

Abstract: A magnetizing jig used in cooperation with a magnetizing yoke formed with a circular magnetizing face, for fixing a ring-like magnetic encoder base plate to be magnetized thereto and magnetizing it by exciting a multi-pole magnetizing coil provided on the magnetizing yoke. The magnetizing yoke has holding portion to which the magnetic encoder base plate is concentrically held so as to face the circular magnetizing face, whereas the magnetizing jig is incorporated into the magnetizing yoke, keeping a predetermined positional relation which is in advance deviated from the center of the magnetizing yoke so as to correspond to the positional deviation amount between the arrangement center of the multi-pole magnetizing coil and the center of the magnetizing yoke.

Abstract: A non-contact linear absolute position sensor includes a first magnetic encoder having n+1 pole pairs, a second magnetic encoder having n pole pairs and located and aligned with the first magnetic encoder so as to cover a linear distance. The magnetic encoders are affixed to a traveling body. Two pairs of Hall Effect sensors are located near each of the first and second magnetic encoders and are configured to generate linear position signals. A processor is provided to process the linear position signals to generate an output signal indicative of a linear absolute position of the traveling body.

Abstract: An electrostatic encoder comprises a movable element having electrodes and a stator having induction electrodes and potential detection electrodes. The electrostatic encoder further comprises a voltage driving circuit configured to apply a voltage to the induction electrodes of the stator, and generate alternate potential distribution in the electrodes of the movable element by electrostatic induction, a vector generation circuit configured to generate a vector consisting of two signal components, from outputs of the potential detection electrodes of the stator which detect the alternate potential distribution, and a phase splitter circuit configured to measure the relative displacement of the movable element to the stator, from a rotation angle of the vector consisting of the two signal components outputted from the vector generation circuit.

Abstract: A device for positional and/or length determination comprising a carrier unit with an absolute magnetic length coding and a measuring unit that co-operates with the carrier measuring unit and can be displaced in relation to the latter. The measuring unit has a magnetic sensor unit (Sci, Sfi) and can be connected to an electronic evaluation unit (18 to 32) that is located downstream of the measuring unit. The elongated, rod-shaped carrier unit (10) is provided with one track of preferably radially magnetized length coding, a plurality of coding sections comprising periodic pole divisions is provided along the length coding and coding sections of a first polarity alternate with coding sections of a second polarity along the carrier unit, in such a way that a maximum of two coding sections of the same polarity lie directly adjacent to one another.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention comprises a sensor with a face having several tracks spaced apart from one another. One of these tracks has a first electrode and a second electrode separated by an electrically nonconductive gap. Also included is a detection device extending across the tracks to receive signals by capacitive coupling. Sensor circuitry electrically coupled to the tracks and the detection device is structured to generate a first number of bits from a sequential signal pattern applied to the tracks in accordance with an established sequence. The circuitry is also structured to generate a second number of bits as a function of a first signal and a second signal. The first bits and second bits represent a position of the detection device along the tracks with the first bits being more numerically significant than the second bits.

Abstract: A displacement detection device which detects a displacement of a movable member which is provided so as to be displaceable with respect to a fixed member, comprises: a scale that is provided as a unit with the movable member; a displacement detection section that detects a displacement of the scale; a support member that supports the displacement detection section in a state in which the displacement detection section is able to shift in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to a contact plane where the displacement detection section contacts with the scale at a contact position between the displacement detection section and the scale and in which shifting in a direction other than the direction substantially perpendicular to the contact plane is restricted; and a pressure application member that applies a pressure to the displacement detection section towards the scale.

Abstract: A transducer, a method and a coding pattern for determining a kinematic measurable variable are disclosed. A transducer comprises a first device part which is moveable in or through a corresponding device for oil or natural gas production and a second device part which is stationary relative to said first device part. To detect both the directions of movement and the respective position in a simple constructional and inexpensive way without the need for return movement up to ends of the range of movement, the first and/or second device part comprises a coding pattern which is changing along a direction of movement and of which position-specific patterns can be scanned by a scanning means which is arranged on the respective other device part. By scanning such a specific coding pattern during mutual relative movement of said objects or device parts a corresponding scanning signal can then be converted by an evaluation unit into a kinematic measurable variable.

Abstract: An arrangement for determining the direction of movement of a motion sensor element, requiring only two sensor elements, which, in a first zone having a first pitch and extending in the form of strips along a motion co-ordinate describing a movement of the motion sensor element, comprises periodically recurrent areas alternately influencing a first magnetic field, and, in a second zone having a second pitch and extending in the form of strips along the motion co-ordinate, comprises periodically recurrent areas alternately influencing a second magnetic field, the arrangement comprising a first sensor element for detecting the influence on the first magnetic field by the first zone of the motion sensor element, and a second sensor element for detecting the influence on the second magnetic field by the second zone of the motion sensor element, the first pitch of the first zone being in an odd, integral ratio to the second pitch of the second zone, such as 1:3, 1:5, etc.

Abstract: A rotary type encoder is provided with a signal generating portion 2 for generating a sine wave signal of N periods for each revolution in accordance with the rotation of the shaft 4 of a motor; a calculation means for obtaining the rotation angle of the shaft 4 based on the sine wave signal; an EEPROM 37 being arranged in a manner that the error value of the rotation angle for one revolution of the shaft 4 thus measured is divided in relation with the N periods to set a plurality of first angle regions i, the angle region almost at the center of the angle region i is divided into plural regions to set second angle regions j, and an error value corresponding to the angle at almost the center of each of the angle regions j is stored therein in correspondence with the rotation angle; and a correction means for reading the error value stored in the EEPROM 37 in correspondence with the rotation angle to correct the rotation angle.

Abstract: An encoder system includes an encoding medium having a plurality of encoder target portions alternating with a plurality of encoder window portions. A sensor is movable in relation to the encoding medium. A signal source provides an electronic drive signal to the sensor and sensor electronics coupled to the sensor sense an electrical characteristic of the code strip to determine whether the sensor is next to an encoder target portion or is next to an encoder window portion.

Abstract: In a linear position encoder, a support is provided upon which a pair of phase quadrature windings are mounted. The windings are arranged to have a sinusoidal magnetic sensitivity characteristic along the length of the support. Mounted on a movable element there is a resonant circuit including a coil and capacitor that can magnetically couple with the windings. When the circuit is excited, it induces currents in the windings that are dependent upon the position of the circuit within a period Ts of the windings. An excitation and processing unit is provided to energize the circuit and to process the signals induced in the windings. The excitation and processing unit is operably coupled to an external high permeability rod extending along the measurement path in a first plane having the windings but removed therefrom. The rod has first and second excitation coils connected in series and wound around the rod and disposed at opposite ends defining a length of the rod.

Abstract: A procedure for determining an absolute position of an object, which includes scanning a code pattern from a series of code patterns, wherein each code pattern of said series of code patterns unambiguously defines one absolute position and comprises a plurality of code elements. Forming a code word with a plurality of bits by the scanning the code pattern. Checking the plurality of bits of the code word for reliability, and if one of said plurality of bits fails to attain predetermined criteria, it is assigned an error code. Predetermining a series of bit strings, with one absolute position being unambiguously assigned to each one of the series of bit strings. Comparing the bits of the code word with the predetermined series of bit strings, and if a match of all of the bits of the code word and the predetermined series of bits strings occurs, assigning a corresponding absolute position to the code word, and upon comparison for a match, any bits assigned an error code are not taken into account.

Abstract: An encoder includes a housing, a light source coupled to the housing, and a light sensor coupled to the housing and positioned to receive a light beam from the light source. The encoder also includes a wheel having opaque and transmissive sections which may be positioned to pass through the light beam before it reaches the light sensor. The encoder further includes a floating aperture piece, which defines at least one aperture. The aperture is positioned so that the light beam must pass through it before reaching the light sensor. The floating aperture piece slidably engages the housing while allowing a loose tolerance between a position of the wheel and a position of the housing, thereby substantially eliminating a positioning error between the aperture and the wheel.

Abstract: Operates steering angular velocity in first steering angular velocity calculating unit and second steering angular velocity calculating unit, by using steering angle signal from steering angle generating unit, and outputs steering angular velocity by switching them with reference to a certain threshold value of steering angular velocity.

Abstract: The invention is based on a pressure-medium cylinder having a piston which has a piston rod, and having a measuring system for determining the absolute position of the piston rod relative to a reference point. Firstly, the measuring system has a code track of binary code elements which is applied to the piston rod and runs along the piston rod, which code elements are formed by grooves and plateaus which run in the circumferential direction in a magnetically conductive base material, which is coated with a protective layer, of the piston rod, and, secondly, the measuring system has a sensor which is in a fixed position relative to the reference point and has two or more sensor elements, which are arranged along the code track and each scan a limited number of code elements.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to reduce power consumption caused by controlling circuit in transmitting/receiving process between tablet system and cord less-battery less pointer apparatus. The present invention provides multi-channel switches set produced in semi-conductor process to replace traditional analog switch and tri-state element used in prior art as signal transmitting/receiving selector of inductive loops of tablet, which can simplify controlling circuit, enhance power efficiency of signal transmitting/receiving between tablet system and cord less and cell less pointer apparatus, and increase speed of response of signal transmitting/receiving between tablet and cord less-battery less pointer apparatus.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an encoder for a position sensor, the encoder having a multipole magnetic ring provided on its circumference with alternating north poles and south poles for traveling past a measurement cell that delivers a periodic signal corresponding to variation in the intensity of the magnetic field delivered by the poles.

Abstract: An ultra-wideband pulse modulation apparatus, system and method is provided. The pulse modulation method increases the available bandwidth in an ultra-wideband, or impulse radio communications system. A set of different pulse transmission, or emission rates are employed to represent different groups of binary digits. The modulation and pulse transmission method enables the simultaneous coexistence of the ultra-wideband pulses with conventional carrier-wave signals. This method may be used in wireless and wired communication networks such as CATV networks. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to guickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: There is provided a multirotation type encoder which is small-sized, having nomechanical contact portion other than a bearing, having high reliability and long life and dispensing with interchange of a battery.

Abstract: An angle measuring instrument having a device for determining a shaft angular position within one shaft rotation, and a device for determining a number of executed shaft rotations having a gear including at least one gear for converting the shaft rotary motion into rotary motion having a defined reduction ratio. The gear unit includes at least one gear wheel which rotates in a defined ratio to the shaft rotary motion. Devices are provided for generating sensor signals which are positionally dependent and are dependent upon the shaft rotations, in which the detecting device inductively scans reduced rotational movements of the shaft, and has alternating electrically conductive and electrically non-conductive graduation regions and a scanning device, movable relative to the graduation structure, including a device for generating a homogeneous electromagnetic field and a sensor device to scan the graduation structure and to transmit sensor signals which are dependent upon the shaft rotations.

Abstract: A magnetic encoder in which a pulse generator is protected and sensing capabilities and durability are remarkably improved, and a bearing unit into which the magnetic encoder is incorporated. The magnetic encoder is mounted on a bearing unit and comprises a reinforcing ring and a multi-pole magnet for detecting the rotation speed thereof. The multi-polar magnet is attached to the outside surface of the reinforcing ring, and a peelable protective cover formed from magnetic rubber or the like is attached to the surface of the multi-polar magnet and a handle is provided to facilitate operation. In alternative embodiment, the protective cover is composed of a thin film.

Abstract: An annular elastic magnetic body 3 as the magnetic member for a rotation detector contains hydrogenated nitrile rubber as base material and not more than 90 weight percent strontium-based ferrite as a magnetism imparting component. Therefore, the annular elastic magnetic body 3 has no cracks in a thermal shock test (with thermal shock between −40° C. and 150° C.) and resists harsh conditions on operating temperature. The magnetic member contains not less than 80 weight percent the strontium-based ferrite and therefore ensures a magnetic flux density required for a rotation detector. Thus, the magnetic member for a rotation detector is resistant to harsh conditions on operating temperature and has a stable magnetic property.

Abstract: A magnetic rubber encoder employing a rubber magnet, of a kind which, within a predetermined range of polarization pitches, the maximum magnetization intensity for the selected polarization pitch can be obtained, is provided. The magnetic rubber encoder 1 includes an annular magnetic member 2 made of a rubber material containing a magnet material and having a plurality of opposite magnetic poles N and S alternating with each other in a direction circumferentially thereof. The relationship between the polarization pitch p of each magnetic pole and the thickness w of the magnetic member 2 is expressed by 0.4 p≦w≦1.0 p. The polarization pitch p is chosen to be within the range of, for example, 0.5 to 1.5 mm.

Abstract: Described are a system and method of recording piston rod position information in a magnetic layer on the piston rod. A piston rod moving with respect to a cylinder has a magnetically hard layer formed thereon to provide a recording medium. A magnetic pattern is recorded in the magnetically hard layer. A magnetic field sensor senses the recorded magnetic pattern while the piston rod is moving with respect to the cylinder and generates signals in response to the magnetic pattern that are used to determine an instantaneous position of the piston rod.

Abstract: Inductive position detector (10) is described which includes scale (20) having a longitudinal axis containing a train of magnetic balls (22), and a transducer (30) moveable relative to the scale (20). The transducer (30) includes means to induce a magnetic field in the scale (20). Magnetic markers (23) are provided at axially spaced locations along the scale (20). As the transducer (30) is moved along the scale (20), the pattern of magnetic markers (23) detected enables the position of the transducer to be determined.

Abstract: A position sensing system, specifically for elevators, comprising at least one sensor which is able to move relative to a transducer for the sensor. According to the invention, a scale is provided as a transducer, to which scale a code (11-15, 19) detectable by the sensor is applied by which the position of the sensor relative to the scale is able to be measured. As a result, it is possible to detect the absolute height of the elevator car, with the result that, depending on the code, a high level of precision may be achieved. In addition, the position sensing system may be employed for automated start-up operation, and the data measured may be utilized both for the control equipment and to meet safety requirements.

Abstract: A rotary encoder and a kit thereof. The kit for a rotary encoder includes a plurality of signal generating members for generating mutually different signals, any selected one of the signal generating members being able to be attached in an exchangeable manner to a rotary body; and a signal sensing unit arranged in close proximity to one selected signal generating member attached to the rotary body, for sensing a signal generated due to a rotation of the signal generating member. The signal generating members are respectively formed in such a manner that the numbers of signal-cycles and the signal-intervals in signals generated during a unit rotation of respective signal generating members are different from each other, while the products of the numbers of signal-cycles multiplied by the signal-intervals in the signals are generally identical to each other.

Abstract: The invention is based on a pressure-medium cylinder having a piston which has a piston rod, and having a measuring system for determining the absolute position of the piston rod relative to a reference point. Firstly, the measuring system has a code track of binary code elements which is applied to the piston rod and runs along the piston rod, which code elements are formed by grooves and plateaus which run in the circumferential direction in a magnetically conductive base material, which is coated with a protective layer, of the piston rod, and, secondly, the measuring system has a sensor which is in a fixed position relative to the reference point and has two or more sensor elements, which are arranged along the code track and each scan a limited number of code elements.

Abstract: A position detection apparatus including a detection unit for an absolute track including a plural number of ABS heads for absolute track, in which the separation between neighboring heads is broadened. The n ABS heads 10-1 to 10-n are arrayed to satisfy the following equations 1 and 2 when n is an even number and the following equations 1 and 3 when n is an odd number: &lgr;1=m&lgr;, m being an integer not less than 2  (1) &lgr;1≠k(2n/2+1)&lgr;, k being a natural number  (2) &lgr;1≠k(2n+1)&lgr;  (3). By arraying the ABS heads 10-1 to 10-n under these conditions, the separation between neighboring ones of the ABS heads 10-1 to 10-n can be 2&lgr; or larger.

Abstract: A capacitive motion sensor includes a primary plate including a primary pattern replicated periodically, a secondary plate including a plurality of pattern regions with an insulated region inserted therebetween, wherein each of the pattern regions has a secondary pattern replicated periodically, a signal source for sending a plate input signal to the primary plate, and a displacement measuring unit for receiving a plurality of plate output signals from the secondary plate to measure a displacement of a moving one of the plates with respect to the other one of the plates.

Abstract: A rotary position transducer with a cosine and sine attenuating voltage wave output has the substantially linear portions segmented and pieced together from a predetermined set of conditions to form a continuously linearly varying voltage output.

Abstract: A magnetic micro-encoder 1 has a magnetic disk 4 polarized in an axial direction, a first back yoke 5 mounted on the magnetic disk 4, two magnetic sensors 6 arranged opposite to a surface of the magnetic disk 4 in an axial direction with a gap therebetween and being mounting on sensor mounting part of a flexible printed substrate 7 in such a manner that longitudinal direction of these magnetic sensors are substantially parallel to a band-formed wiring part of the flexible printed substrate 7, a second back yoke 8 mounted on a back of the magnetic sensors 6 with the flexible printed substrate 7 intervened therebetween and forming a magnetic circuit with the e first back yoke 5 and the magnetic disk 4, and a housing 3 for accmmodating the first back yoke 5, the magnetic disk 4, the magnetic sensors 6, and the second back yoke 8.

Abstract: A scale that includes a first base body having a first non-magnetizable support and a first set of magnetic elements that are arranged laterally next to the first non-magnetizable support, are magnetized in a single identical direction and are arranged in a measuring direction. A second base body having a second non-magnetizable support and a second set of magnetic elements that are arranged laterally next to the second non-magnetizable support, are magnetized in the single identical direction and area arranged in the measuring direction. The first base body and the second base body are put together such that in the measuring direction alternating ones of the first and second sets of magnetic elements are arranged and the first and second sets of magnetic elements have different magnetic orientations with respect to each other.

Abstract: A current sensing system including a carrier strip, the carrier strip disposed so as to be associated with a current carrying conductor, wherein when an electrical current flows through the conductor, the electrical current flowing through the conductor creates a magnetic field having a magnetic flux, wherein the magnetic flux is responsive to the electrical current flow, a Hall effect sensor disposed relative to the carrier strip such that the Hall effect sensor is communicated with the magnetic field, wherein the Hall effect sensor generates an electrical signal responsive to the magnetic flux and a metering device in communication with the Hall effect sensor, wherein the metering device processes the electrical signal so as to create a processed signal responsive to the electrical current flow.

Abstract: A magnetic encoder (6) which is used in a wheel bearing, that forms a pulse train by means of a magnetic force, and generates a code, comprising a magnetic ring (1), a reinforcing ring (2), and a protecting cover (3). The magnetic ring (1) is fixed to said reinforcing ring (2) and circumferentially magnetized with alternate S poles and N poles. The protecting cover (3) is made of a non-magnetic material and wraps around the magnetic ring (1). A plural number of weld-adhering parts are provided between an end part and/or end parts on a radial inner circumferential side and/or a radial outer circumferential side of the protecting cover (3), and the reinforcing ring (2).

Abstract: An encoder (10) for a nanopostioner (24) includes a strip of magnetic bits (18) for producing discrete magnetic fields and a giant magnetoresistor (GMR) (14) which changes in electrical resistance in response to changes in the magnetic fields. The GMR (14) is connected to a mass (12) which moves along a path proximate to the strip of magnetic bits (18). A voltage sensor (20) is connected to the GMR (14) to produce digital signals based on the changes in electrical resistance of the GMR (14). A processor (22) calculates the position of the nanopositioner (24) based on the digital signals.

Abstract: A magnetic micro-encoder 1 has a magnetic disk 4 polarized in an axial direction, a first back yoke 5 mounted on the magnetic disk 4, two magnetic sensors 6 arranged opposite to a surface of the magnetic disk 4 in an axial direction with a gap therebetween and being mounted on a sensor mounting part of a flexible printed substrate 7 in such a manner that longitudinal directions of these magnetic sensors are substantially parallel to a band-formed wiring part of the flexible printed substrate 7, a second back yoke 8 mounted on a back of the magnetic sensors 6 with the flexible printed substrate 7 intervened therebetween and forming a magnetic circuit with the first back yoke 5 and the magnetic disk 4, and a housing 3 for accommodating the first back yoke 5, the magnetic disk 4, the magnetic sensors 6, and the second back yoke 8.

Abstract: A magnetic encoder for use in a wheel bearing that forms a pulse train by means of a magnetic force and generates a code. The magnetic encoder is obtained by radially magnetizing a magnetic rubber ring with alternate S poles and N poles, said magnetic rubber ring is formed by vulcanizing and adhering a magnetic rubber base, in which unvulcanized rubber and rare earth magnetic powder are mixed, to a reinforcement ring.

Abstract: In a multiturn rotary encoder, a first code disk is arranged with an input shaft for detecting the angular position of the input shaft within one rotation. To detect the number of rotations of the input shaft, a multiturn part is provided with further code disks in the form of magnet bodies which are driven geared down. A printed circuit board having detector devices for scanning the first code disk and the magnet bodies is positioned between the first code disk and the multiturn part. The detector devices of the first code disk and of the magnet bodies are mounted on one common side of a printed circuit board which is opposite the first code disk.

Abstract: The seat position sensor includes a housing, a magnetoelectric converting element which performs changeover of an output at a given magnetic field intensity, and a magnet which is held by the housing at a position where the magnet faces the magnetoelectric converting element in an opposed manner. A shielding plate is capable of entering into or exiting from a space defined between the magnetoelectric converting element and the magnet. An inverse bias magnet which applies a magnetic field of an inverse direction to the magnet is provided to a side opposite to the magnet side while sandwiching the magnetoelectric converting element therebetween.

Abstract: According to the invention, a magnetoresistive sensor for scanning a magnetic multipole wheel is proposed, which scans many uniformly disposed magnetic pole pairs. The sensor has four magnetoresistive resistors, which are connected electrically as a Wheatstone bridge with two half-bridges and which output a sine-wave and cosine-wave signal, respectively. To suppress the third and/or fifth harmonic of the scanning signal, it is proposed that the spacing between the two half-bridges be selected such that it is not equal to half the wavelength (lambda). For the third harmonic, the spacing d=lambda/3 is preferably selected, so that the half-bridges are offset by a phase angle of 120°. To suppress the fifth semiharmonic, three identical sensors with a suitable spacing are connected together. The measured signals are averaged, so that the result is a field course with the third and fifth harmonics filtered out.

Abstract: A utility meter reading device includes a set of stator wheels each including a plurality of conductive segments and a set of indexable digit discs driven sequentially by consumption of a provided utility and having each a conductive segment movable upon rotation of a respective disc into capacitive alignment with one of the conductive segments of a stator wheel; a micro-controller supplies a current signal to the meter discs and stators and through a circuit reads the amount of the utility consumed as reflected in the alignment of certain ones of the conductive segments of the discs and stator wheels.

Abstract: A sensor system is provided in which a digital absolute value of the particular position of a stationary part (stator) with respect to a part moving relative to it (rotor) is created, which is transferred in serial transmission to an evaluation circuitry, whereby transfer of the serial absolute value is induced each time by an external signal. In order to increase the resolution of the encoder, the change in absolute value is recorded each time in the sensor and finest interpolation is undertaken beginning each time from the time of the change. Finally, the absolute value is amended by the accumulated result of finest interpolation when interrogated by the external signal.

Abstract: A differential pulse transformer having a drive coil (10a) and differential sense coils (10b) are disposed on a planar surface with a target (10e, 10f) movable over the sense coils to cause an imbalance in magnetic field when a large di/dt pulse is generated in the drive coil. A detection circuit senses the imbalance and provides a digital output accurately identifying the position of the target. Coil and target embodiments include relatively small secondary coils and relatively long targets (10b, 10e/10f; 12b, 12e/12f and 14b) and relatively large secondary coils and short targets (16b, 16c; 18b, 18c; 20b and 22b).

Abstract: A magnetic sensor apparatus has a ring circuit constructed with an odd number of semiconductor magnetic sensors connected in a ring shape. The drain regions of each magnetic sensor are separated from each other, so that currents flowing into the drain regions vary corresponding to the magnitude of the applied magnetic field. The semiconductor magnetic sensors function as inverters and inverting operations thereof cause time delay variable with the magnetic field strength. Digital data indicating a propagation condition of a pulse signal within the ring circuit correspond to the magnetic field.

Abstract: An incremental rotary encoder includes a rotary portion, a first sensor and a second sensor, the first and second sensors being arranged so as to be opposite from each other with respect to the axis of the rotary portion. The second sensor is offset from the first sensor so that the phase of output voltage of the second sensor advances or delays with respect to the phase of output voltage of the first sensor by &pgr;/X, wherein “X” represents a real number of one or more than one.

Abstract: A magnetic encoder includes a magnetic drum having, on the outer peripheral surface thereof, magnetized portions spaced at equal pitches; a magnetic sensor unit opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the magnetic drum; magnetic sensors are provided in the magnetic sensor unit spaced at a distance smaller than one pitch of the magnetized portions; a calculation device for calculating two sets of vectorial signals, from detection-signal output levels of the magnetic sensors generated upon rotation of the magnetic drum or the magnetic sensor unit, using the following equations (1) and (2): Aout=&Sgr;Wm=1Vm×sin &thgr;m  (1); and Bout=&Sgr;Wm=1Vm×cos &thgr;m  (2); wherein W designates the number of the magnetic sensors; Vm designates the detection-signal output levels of the magnetic sensors generated upon rotation of the magnetic drum or the magnetic sensor unit; Aout and Bout designates one and another set of vectorial signals.

Abstract: A miniature magnetic device package for use in applications as small as 5 mm as disclosed. Three embodiments of the invention are provided. In one embodiment, a magnetic encoder includes a magnetic flux responsive element, such as a Hall effect device, sandwiched between a pair of pole pieces, forming a subassembly. A resin, such as epoxy or a thermoplastic material is overmolded over the subassembly forming a housing. The magnetic flux responsive element is configured such that its major axis is generally parallel with a major axis of the housing, thus providing a sensor package with a footprint around 5 mm. The flux concentrators may be configured in an L-shape to provide magnetic focusing adjacent a sensing face of the housing to focus flux toward the magnetic encoder and the Hall effect device. In a second embodiment of the invention, a magnetic sensor is provided. In this embodiment, a magnetic flux responsive element is sandwiched between a magnet and a flux concentrator.

Abstract: In an angle-based binary encoded crankshaft position sensing system, a target wheel is coupled to a crankshaft and a single VR sensor is juxtaposed with the target wheel for sensing the angular position of the wheel and, hence, the angular position of the crankshaft. To permit the use of a single VR sensor in conjunction with an angle-based binary encoded system, the periphery of the target wheel is formed with teeth and slots defining a binary pattern. The slots are wider than the teeth, and the depth of the slots relative to the portion of the periphery defining a nominal radius is greater than the height of the teeth relative to the nominal periphery. With this structure, the signal generated by the sensor in response to a slot advantageously is symmetric to the signal generated by the sensor in response to a tooth.