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 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 comprises a support structure; a first sense coil comprising a sine coil arranged about a longitudinal axis of the support structure, the sine coil having opposing ends between opposing ends of the support structure, the sine coil defining at least a first lobe and a second lobe; a second sense coil comprising a cosine coil arranged about the longitudinal axis of the support structure, the cosine coil having opposing ends between the opposing ends of the support structure, the cosine coil defining first lobe portions coextensive with the first lobe of the sine coil and second lobe portions coextensive with the second lobe of the sine coil; and one or more oscillator coils arranged around the sine and the cosine coils. A coil area of the first lobe of the sine coil is less than a coil area of the first lobe portions of the cosine coil.

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: 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 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: 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.