Abstract: A differential angle sensor for measuring a differential angle between an input shaft and an output shaft includes a target assembly fixed to rotate with one of the shafts and a ring magnet with equidistantly spaced magnet segments fixed to rotate with the other one of the shafts. The target assembly includes four identical targets extending about the common axis parallel and axially spaced apart from one another, and each having a plurality of wedge-shaped teeth extending radially toward the ring magnet. A first magnetic field sensor is disposed between first and second targets for measuring a first magnetic field strength therebetween. A second magnetic field sensor is disposed between third and fourth targets for measuring a second magnetic field strength. The targets are all circumferentially offset relative to one another such that the magnetic field strengths each vary with the differential angle between the shafts and differently from one-another.

Abstract: A torque and angular sensor includes a differential angle sensor to precisely measure a differential angle between an input shaft and an output shaft and an angular position sensor to measure the angle of at least one of the shafts over a full angular range. The differential angle sensor measures an output rotation angle of an output target and an input rotation angle of an input target using changing voltages in taps on the input and output coils, which each carry an AC excitation current and which are each inductively coupled with teeth on targets fixed to rotate with one of the shafts. Input shaft rotation angle region is combined with the input angular position as a rotation angle composite. A raw torque angle is determined based on the difference between the input and output rotation angles. Rotational and Linear compensation provides a high-precision torque angle.

Abstract: A differential angle sensor for measuring a differential angle between an input shaft and an output shaft includes a target assembly fixed to rotate with one of the shafts and a ring magnet with equidistantly spaced magnet segments fixed to rotate with the other one of the shafts. The target assembly includes four identical targets extending about the common axis parallel and axially spaced apart from one another, and each having a plurality of wedge-shaped teeth extending radially toward the ring magnet. A first magnetic field sensor is disposed between first and second targets for measuring a first magnetic field strength therebetween. A second magnetic field sensor is disposed between third and fourth targets for measuring a second magnetic field strength. The targets are all circumferentially offset relative to one another such that the magnetic field strengths each vary with the differential angle between the shafts and differently from one-another.

Abstract: A torque and angular sensor includes a differential angle sensor to precisely measure a differential angle between an input shaft and an output shaft and an angular position sensor to measure the angle of at least one of the shafts over a full angular range. The differential angle sensor measures an output rotation angle of an output target and an input rotation angle of an input target using changing voltages in taps on the input and output coils, which each carry an AC excitation current and which are each inductively coupled with teeth on targets fixed to rotate with one of the shafts. Input shaft rotation angle region is combined with the input angular position as a rotation angle composite. A raw torque angle is determined based on the difference between the input and output rotation angles. Rotational and Linear compensation provides a high-precision torque angle.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material that exhibits enhanced thermoelectric power, and thus an improvement in the thermoelectric figure of merit. Bismuth, as elemental bismuth, a bismuth alloy, a bismuth intermetallic compound, a mixture of these, or any of these including a dopant, is embedded in the pores of a host material having an average pore size in the range of about 5-15 nm. A method of making a composite thermoelectric material is also provided in which a porous host material is provided having an average pore size of about 5-15 nm, and a vapor of a bismuth-based material is caused to flow into the pores from a vapor inlet side of the host material to a vapor outlet side. The host material is then cooled from the vapor outlet side to progressively condense the vapor in the holes in the direction from the outlet side to the inlet side to progressively form nanowires of the bismuth-based material in the pores.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material that exhibits enhanced thermoelectric power, and thus an improvement in the thermoelectric figure of merit. Bismuth, as elemental bismuth, a bismuth alloy, a bismuth intermetallic compound, a mixture of these, or any of these including a dopant, is embedded in the pores of a host material having an average pore size in the range of about 5-15 nm. A method of making a composite thermoelectric material is also provided in which a porous host material is provided having an average pore size of about 5-15 nm, and a vapor of a bismuth-based material is caused to flow into the pores from a vapor inlet side of the host material to a vapor outlet side. The host material is then cooled from the vapor outlet side to progressively condense the vapor in the holes in the direction from the outlet side to the inlet side to progressively form nanowires of the bismuth-based material in the pores.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming an array of submicron-sized wires in a host body. In the method, the vapor of a metal, such as bismuth, is caused to flow upward through a horizontal refractory plate having many through holes, 200 nanometers or less in diameter, until all foreign material is excluded from the holes and then the plate is cooled from the top side to progressively and simultaneously condense said vapor to form said wires in the holes.