Abstract: An apparatus comprises a target to rotate about an axis; an excitation coil to carry an excitation signal; and a first sense coil to carry a sense signal induced by the excitation signal. The first sense coil comprises two or more lobes in one or more planes that are perpendicular to the axis. The two or more lobes comprise a first lobe at a first position relative to the axis and a second lobe at a second position relative to the axis. The second position is substantially the same radial distance from the axis as the first position is from the axis. The second position is at an angular distance of ? from the first position, where ?=180°±?/2, and ? is a measurement range for angular-position sensing (e.g., ?=60°) within a range of 50% to 150% of ?.

Abstract: An apparatus for inductive rotational-position sensing is disclosed. An apparatus may include an electrically conductive material defining a continuous path for electrical current to flow between a first and a second location. The continuous path may include a first path portion, defined as a generally clockwise path for the electrical current to flow around a geometric center of the continuous path, and a second path portion, defined as a generally counter-clockwise path for the electrical current to flow around the geometric center. The continuous path may also include a radial-direction-reversal region at which one of the first path portion or the second path portion changes from being defined as a generally outward path for the electrical current to flow away from the geometric center to being defined as a generally inward path for the electrical current to flow toward the geometric center. Related systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various examples include a target for inductive angular-position sensing and an inductive angular-position sensor including the same. The target has a target body comprising an inner circular ring around a center axis, and multiple fins formed with and extending radially from portions of the inner circular ring and equally-radially spaced around the center axis. Respective ones of the multiple fins are formed as an arc band-shaped ring. In one or more examples, the respective ones of the multiple fins formed as the arc band-shaped ring provide a current path for an eddy current for the inductive angular-position sensing.

Abstract: Various examples include a target for an inductive angular-position sensor. The target may rotate about a center axis and may include a number of fins respectively including a respective outer-circumferential edge to overlap a respective first arc at least partially defining a first circle centered at the center axis. A respective first central angle of the respective first arc substantially equal to 360° divided by twice a count of the fins. The number of fins may respectively include a respective inner-circumferential edge, positioned closer to the center axis than the respective outer-circumferential edge is to the center axis. The respective inner-circumferential edge may overlap a respective second arc at least partially defining a second circle centered at the center axis. A respective second central angle of the respective second arc substantially equal to 360° divided by the count of the fins. Related devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A redundant angular position sensor comprising a first angular position sensor including a first excitation coil, a first sensing coil and a second sensing coil and a second angular position sensor. The second angular position sensor including a second excitation coil, a third sensing coil and a fourth sensing coil. Each of the first, second, third and fourth sensing coils comprising a respective clockwise winding portion and a respective counter-clockwise winding portion. The redundant angular position sensor further comprises a rotatable inductive coupling element positioned in overlying relation to the sensing coils and separated from the sensing coils by a gap, wherein the rotatable inductive coupling element comprises four, substantially evenly radially spaced, sector apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising: a support structure; and a first electrically-conductive material arranged at the support structure to define a first continuous path for first electrical current to flow between a first location and a second location, the first continuous path comprising: a first path portion defining a first generally-clockwise path for the first electrical current to flow around a first axis, the first path portion including a first inner-circumferential portion and a first outer-circumferential portion, the first inner-circumferential portion located closer to a central axis than the first outer-circumferential portion, a radius of curvature of the first inner-circumferential portion being greater than a radius of curvature of the first outer-circumferential portion; and a second path portion defining a first generally-counter-clockwise path for the first electrical current to flow around a second axis, the first path portion and the second path portion circumferentially arranged around the centra

Abstract: An angular position sensor comprising two annular sensors, one annular sensor for generating a coarse resolution time varying signal in the presence of a rotatable inductive coupling element and the other annular sensor for generating a fine resolution time varying signal in the presence of the rotatable inductive coupling element. The rotatable inductive coupling element comprising a first annular portion comprising at least one annular conductive sector and at least one annular non-conductive sector and a second annular portion comprising at least one annular conductive sectors and at least one annular non-conductive sector, wherein the number of annular conductive sectors of the first annular portion and the second annular portion are different. In particular, the annular conductive sectors of the annular portions may comprise 50% or 75% of the total area of the annular portions.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate generally to inductive angular-position sensors. An example apparatus may include a support structure, a first inductive angular-position sensor, a second inductive angular-position sensor, and a shield. The first inductive angular-position sensor may include a respective first sense coil arranged at a first portion of the support structure. The respective first sense coil may at least partially circumscribe an axis. The second inductive angular-position sensor may include a respective first sense coil arranged opposite the first sense coil of the first inductive angular-position sensor at a second portion of the support structure. The first sense coil of the first inductive angular-position sensor may at least partially circumscribe the axis. The shield may be arranged between the first sense coil of the first inductive angular-position sensor and the first sense coil of the second inductive angular-position sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for inductive linear-position sensing is disclosed. An apparatus may include a support structure and an electrically conductive material defining a continuous path for electrical current to flow between a first location and a second location. The continuous path may include: a first path portion defining a first spiraling path for the electrical current to flow in a clockwise direction around a first axis; a second path portion laterally spaced from the first path portion and defining a second spiraling path for the electrical current to flow in a counter-clockwise direction around a second axis; a first coupling portion coupling an inner portion of the first path portion to an inner portion of the second path portion; and a second coupling portion coupling an outer portion of the second path portion to an outer portion of the first path portion. Related systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for inductive rotational-position sensing is disclosed. An apparatus may include an electrically conductive material defining a continuous path for electrical current to flow between a first and a second location. The continuous path may include a first path portion, defined as a generally clockwise path for the electrical current to flow around a geometric center of the continuous path, and a second path portion, defined as a generally counter-clockwise path for the electrical current to flow around the geometric center. The continuous path may also include a radial-direction-reversal region at which one of the first path portion or the second path portion changes from being defined as a generally outward path for the electrical current to flow away from the geometric center to being defined as a generally inward path for the electrical current to flow toward the geometric center. Related systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An angular position sensor comprising two annular sensors, one annular sensor for generating a coarse resolution time varying signal in the presence of a rotatable inductive coupling element and the other annular sensor for generating a fine resolution time varying signal in the presence of the rotatable inductive coupling element. The rotatable inductive coupling element comprising a first annular portion comprising at least one annular conductive sector and at least one annular non-conductive sector and a second annular portion comprising at least one annular conductive sectors and at least one annular non-conductive sector, wherein the number of annular conductive sectors of the first annular portion and the second annular portion are different. In particular, the annular conductive sectors of the annular portions may comprise 50% or 75% of the total area of the annular portions.

Abstract: A redundant angular position sensor comprising a first angular position sensor including a first excitation coil, a first sensing coil and a second sensing coil and a second angular position sensor. The second angular position sensor including a second excitation coil, a third sensing coil and a fourth sensing coil. Each of the first, second, third and fourth sensing coils comprising a respective clockwise winding portion and a respective counter-clockwise winding portion. The redundant angular position sensor further comprises a rotatable inductive coupling element positioned in overlying relation to the sensing coils and separated from the sensing coils by a gap, wherein the rotatable inductive coupling element comprises four, substantially evenly radially spaced, sector apertures.

Abstract: An angular position sensor comprising two planar excitation coils forming a substantially circular interior area and two planar sensing coils positioned within a minor sector of the substantially circular interior area. Each of the two planar sensing coils comprises a clockwise winding portion and a counter-clockwise winding portion. The angular position sensor further comprises a substantially circular rotatable inductive coupling element positioned in overlying relation to the two planar sensing coils and separated from the two planar sensing coils by an airgap, wherein the substantially circular rotatable inductive coupling element comprises three, substantially evenly space, sector apertures.

Abstract: An angular position sensor comprising two planar excitation coils forming a substantially circular interior area and two planar sensing coils positioned within a minor sector of the substantially circular interior area. Each of the two planar sensing coils comprises a clockwise winding portion and a counter-clockwise winding portion. The angular position sensor further comprises a substantially circular rotatable inductive coupling element positioned in overlying relation to the two planar sensing coils and separated from the two planar sensing coils by an airgap, wherein the substantially circular rotatable inductive coupling element comprises three, substantially evenly space, sector apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a first planar inductive sensor including two oscillator coils and two sensing coils. The apparatus can also include a second planar inductive sensor independent of the first sensor and also including a pair of oscillator and sensing coils. The apparatus can further include a high frequency alternating current carrier generator configured to inject high frequency alternating current carrier signals into the oscillator coils. The carrier signal for the oscillator coil of the first planar inductive sensor is 180 degrees out of phase with a 2nd oscillator coil of the same planar inductive sensor, and wound in an opposite geometric direction, and the oscillator coils of the other inductive sensor can also be wound similarly The two sensing coils of the first planar inductive sensor can be 90 degrees out of phase with each another, and the sensing coils of the other inductive sensor can also be wound similarly.

Abstract: A planar linear inductive position sensor is formed on a substrate and includes at least one oscillating coil, a first sensing coil having opposing edges extending beyond opposing edges of the oscillating coil along a linear axis along which a linear position of a conductive target is to be sensed, and a second sensing coil having opposing edges extending beyond opposing edges of the oscillating coil along the linear axis.

Abstract: A planar linear inductive position sensor is formed on a substrate and includes at least one oscillating coil, a first sensing coil having opposing edges extending beyond opposing edges of the oscillating coil along a linear axis along which a linear position of a conductive object is to be sensed, and a second sensing coil having opposing edges extending beyond opposing edges of the oscillating coil along the linear axis.

Abstract: An angular position sensor comprising at least one planar excitation coil and at least two planar sensing coils positioned within an interior of the at least one planar excitation coil, each of the at least two planar sensing coils comprising a clockwise winding portion positioned opposite a counter-clockwise winding portion and a rotatable inductive coupling element comprising a sector aperture, the rotatable inductive coupling element positioned in overlying relation to the at least one planar excitation coil and separated from the at least one planar excitation coil by an air gap.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a first planar inductive sensor including two oscillator coils and two sensing coils. The apparatus can also include a second planar inductive sensor independent of the first sensor and also including a pair of oscillator and sensing coils. The apparatus can further include a high frequency alternating current carrier generator configured to inject high frequency alternating current carrier signals into the oscillator coils. The carrier signal for the oscillator coil of the first planar inductive sensor is 180 degrees out of phase with a 2nd oscillator coil of the same planar inductive sensor, and wound in an opposite geometric direction, and the oscillator coils of the other inductive sensor can also be wound similarly The two sensing coils of the first planar inductive sensor can be 90 degrees out of phase with each another, and the sensing coils of the other inductive sensor can also be wound similarly.

Abstract: An angular position sensor comprising at least one planar excitation coil and at least two planar sensing coils positioned within an interior of the at least one planar excitation coil, each of the at least two planar sensing coils comprising a clockwise winding portion positioned opposite a counter-clockwise winding portion and a rotatable inductive coupling element comprising a sector aperture, the rotatable inductive coupling element positioned in overlying relation to the at least one planar excitation coil and separated from the at least one planar excitation coil by an air gap.