Abstract: A sensor may simultaneously sense the angular position of a first rotatable member relative to a frame of reference and the angular position of a second rotatable member relative to the first rotatable member. The sensor may include a first and second disk, each having an annular pattern which alternates between two different levels of optical transparency. One disk may be coupled to the first rotatable member, the other disk may be coupled to the second rotatable member. A signal processing system may determine both angular positions based on sampling a consolidation of the first and the second annular patterns at locations that are not at a transition in the consolidated pattern.

Abstract: A sensor may simultaneously sense the angular position of a first rotatable member relative to a frame of reference and the angular position of a second rotatable member relative to the first rotatable member. The sensor may include a first and a second disk, each of which have an annular pattern which alternates between two different levels of optical transparency. The first disk may be coupled to the first rotatable member; and the second disk may be coupled to the second rotatable member. The first and the second disks may each have an integral annular race configured to support ball bearings.

Abstract: A sensor may simultaneously sense the angular position of a first rotatable member relative to a frame of reference and the angular position of a second rotatable member relative to the first rotatable member up to a maximum displacement angle. The sensor may include a first and a second disk, each of which have an annular pattern which alternates between two different levels of optical transparency. The first disk may be coupled to the first rotatable member; and the second disk may be coupled to the second rotatable member. A lighting system may direct light toward the first and the second disks with an orientation that causes an annular illumination pattern to be cast upon an optical sensing array which corresponds to a composite of a portion of the first and the second annular patterns and which spans an angle that is less than or equal to the maximum displacement angle. An optical sensing array may provide signals indicative of the annular illumination pattern.

Abstract: A sensor may simultaneously sense the angular position of a first rotatable member relative to a frame of reference and the angular position of a second rotatable member relative to the first rotatable member up to a maximum displacement angle. The sensor may include a first and a second disk, each of which have an annular pattern which alternates between two different levels of optical transparency. The first disk may be coupled by a first coupling to the first rotatable member; and the second disk may be coupled by a second coupling to the second rotatable member. The first and the second annular patterns may be configured such that the angular displacement of the second rotatable member relative to the first rotatable member angle is accurately indicated by the sensor up to the maximum displacement angle, regardless of how the first annular pattern is aligned with respect to the second annular pattern at the time the couplings are coupled to their respective rotatable members.

Abstract: A sensor may simultaneously sense the angular position of a first rotatable member relative to a frame of reference and the angular position of a second rotatable member relative to the first rotatable member. The sensor may include a first and second disk, each having an annular pattern which alternates between two different levels of optical transparency. One disk may be coupled to the first rotatable member, the other disk may be coupled to the second rotatable member. A signal processing system may determine both angular positions based on sampling a consolidation of the first and the second annular patterns at locations that are not at a transition in the consolidated pattern.

Abstract: A sensor may simultaneously sense the angular position of a first rotatable member relative to a frame of reference and the angular position of a second rotatable member relative to the first rotatable member up to a maximum displacement angle. The sensor may include a first and a second disk, each of which have an annular pattern which alternates between two different levels of optical transparency. The first disk may be coupled by a first coupling to the first rotatable member; and the second disk may be coupled by a second coupling to the second rotatable member. The first and the second annular patterns may be configured such that the angular displacement of the second rotatable member relative to the first rotatable member angle is accurately indicated by the sensor up to the maximum displacement angle, regardless of how the first annular pattern is aligned with respect to the second annular pattern at the time the couplings are coupled to their respective rotatable members.

Abstract: A sensor may simultaneously sense the angular position of a first rotatable member relative to a frame of reference and the angular position of a second rotatable member relative to the first rotatable member. The sensor may include a first and a second disk, each of which have an annular pattern which alternates between two different levels of optical transparency. The first disk may be coupled to the first rotatable member; and the second disk may be coupled to the second rotatable member. The first and the second disks may each have an integral annular race configured to support ball bearings.

Abstract: A sensor may simultaneously sense the angular position of a first rotatable member relative to a frame of reference and the angular position of a second rotatable member relative to the first rotatable member up to a maximum displacement angle. The sensor may include a first and a second disk, each of which have an annular pattern which alternates between two different levels of optical transparency. The first disk may be coupled to the first rotatable member; and the second disk may be coupled to the second rotatable member. A lighting system may direct light toward the first and the second disks with an orientation that causes an annular illumination pattern to be cast upon an optical sensing array which corresponds to a composite of a portion of the first and the second annular patterns and which spans an angle that is less than or equal to the maximum displacement angle. An optical sensing array may provide signals indicative of the annular illumination pattern.

Abstract: An angular-position and torque sensor assembly includes a low-hysteresis coupling for an assembly including a plurality of shafts. The coupling comprises an inner member, an outer member, and a base member disposed outside the outer member. The inner member and base member are coupled to the shafts. First rails connect the inner member to the outer member, and the first rails allow the inner member to be readily displaced relative to the outer member only in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first rails. Second rails connect the outer member to the base member, and the second rails are aligned perpendicular to the first rails. The second rails allow the outer member to be readily displaced relative to the base member only in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second rails.

Abstract: A burnishing apparatus is provided for burnishing a surface of a material. The burnishing apparatus includes a guide member having an annular groove which is eccentric to the rotating axis of the guide member. A rolling element is disposed between the groove and the surface of the material. The rolling element has a radius r, an effective rolling radius on the guide member r1, and an effective rolling radius r2 on the surface of the material, and r=r2 and r1<r2. Due to the combined effects of an eccentric groove and r1<r2, a variable track is left on the surface of the material as the rolling element rolls along the groove and on the surface of the material. The variable track repeats after the rolling element revolves around the surface of the material N revolutions. The burnishing apparatus may further include an actuator which drives a top cover onto the material to force the surface of the material on the rolling element. The burnishing disk may be rotatively driven by a motor.

Abstract: An angular-position and torque sensor assembly includes a low-hysteresis coupling for an assembly including a plurality of shafts. The coupling comprises an inner member, an outer member, and a base member disposed outside the outer member. The inner member and base member are coupled to the shafts. First rails connect the inner member to the outer member, and the first rails allow the inner member to be readily displaced relative to the outer member only in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first rails. Second rails connect the outer member to the base member, and the second rails are aligned perpendicular to the first rails. The second rails allow the outer member to be readily displaced relative to the base member only in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second rails.

Abstract: An improved multiturn potentiometer consists of a rotor assembly including a wiper in electrical contact with an output terminal and an annular resistance strip. The annular resistance strip is electrically connected to a source of potential through one or more potentiometric rotary switches which are activated periodically change the magnitude of potential to the annular resistance strip. Movement of the wiper along the annular resistance strip varies the potential to the output terminal. Activation of the rotary switches is effected by rotation of the rotor assembly and increases or decreases the potential to the annular resistance strip depending on the direction of rotation. Each potentiometric rotary switch is capable of multiple variations of potential so that each revolution of the rotor assembly effects movement of the rotary switch to supply a new potential to the annular resistance strip.