Abstract: A capacitance sensing system for sensing the rotary position of a rotating shaft, particularly one having limited rotary motion. The system uses at least four capacitances comprising fixed capacitance plate members, one of which is preferably made of four arcuate segments enclosing the shaft and the other of which is a ring member enclosing the shaft and displaced therefrom along the shaft. A dielectric member is attached to the shaft between the fixed plate members. The capacitance value of the four capacitances change as the shaft rotates in such a manner that the capacitance changes produce an output voltage which represents the rotary position of the shaft, which output voltage is insensitive to radial motions of the shaft.

Abstract: A transformerless capacitance detection device for picofarad level capacitances, used in a galvanometer for position feedback. A variable capacitor is connected between transistor emitter and ground with a ground-referenced oscillating voltage source connected directly to base and a capacitor discharge means connected to the emitter. Oscillating voltage appears across the capacitor via the transistor base; the capacitor is charged through the transistor while the transistor is conducting and is discharged through the discharge means while the transistor is non-conducting. The collector current while conducting is a measure of capacitance in this transformerless, simple circuit. This current is used to feedback the position of the rotor of a galvanometer or other moving element to enable operation of the position control circuit for the element.