Abstract: An angle sensor for sensing the absolute angular position of a rotatable body, such as a rotating shaft of an electric power steering system for an automobile, is disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor for determining the position of a moveable surface having patterned regions is disclosed. The sensor includes an ASIC, at least one lens, and at least one EMR source. The ASIC includes at least one array of EMR sensitive detectors and processing means. The EMR source illuminates the surface. The lens focuses the reflected EMR from the surface and generates an image on the array of EMR sensitive detectors corresponding to the pattern on the surface. The ASIC, the one lens, and the one EMR source are all enclosed in a single housing providing accurate optical alignment of these elements and integrated as a single replaceable module. The processing means of the ASIC processes the image to determine the position of the pattern on the surface. The ASIC and the EMR source are both mounted on a PCB and the PCB is mounted in the housing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing patterns on the surfaces of grating elements of a torque transducer having a shaft comprising first and second rigid torque input members connected by a torsional coupling enabling relative angular deflection between the first and second input members, first and second grating elements respectively associated with the first and second input members, the surfaces of the grating elements being adjacent to each other and able to relatively displace as a function of torque in the shaft, the method comprising the steps of: forming an assembly by rotationally and axially fixing the input members and respective grating elements to the torsional coupling; mounting the assembly in a machine comprising a radiation source arranged to irradiate regions of the surfaces of the grating elements while a relative angular displacement between the torque input members with respect to their zero torque alignment condition is maintained; and simultaneously irradiating regions of the surfaces of the grati

Abstract: An angle sensor for sensing the absolute angular position of a rotatable body, such as a rotating shaft of an electric power steering system for an automobile, is disclosed.

Abstract: A torque transducer having a rotating shaft with first and second substantially rigid torque input members connected by a torsionally compliant coupling that enables angular deflection of the first torque input member relative to the second torque input member as a function of the magnitude of the torque in the shaft. First and second grating elements are attached to or integral with first and second torque input members, respectively. The grating elements have surfaces with alternating regions of high and low reflectivity connected by a torsionally compliant coupling. The surfaces are illuminated by a source of electromagnetic radiation (EMR), which generates patterns on one or more arrays of detectors sensitive to the EMR. The disposition of the patterns is a function of torque applied to the shaft, and the output of the one or more arrays can be processed to produce a measure of the torque applied to the shaft.

Abstract: A torque transducer comprises a rotating shaft having first and second torque input members connected by a torsionally compliant coupling thereby enabling angular deflection of the torque input members relative to each other as a function of the magnitude of the torque in the shaft. The transducer has an EMR source and an array of EMR sensitive detectors. Each of the torque input members has a grating zone with alternating regions of high and low transmissibility to the EMR. The grating zone resides in the transmission path communicating EMR from the source to the array. A pattern is produced by incident EMR on the array resulting from the alternating regions of high and low transmissibility of the grating zones residing in the transmission path to the array. The pattern on the array is processed to derive the relative angular deflection of the torque input members and provides a measure of the magnitude of the torque in the shaft.