Abstract: An apparatus for driving and sensing motion in a gyroscope including a dielectric mass, an anchor, a spring coupled between the anchor and the dielectric mass, a substrate adjacent the dielectric mass, an insulator layer on the substrate, and a first electrode and a second electrode on the insulator layer. When an alternating current voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes, an electric field gradient is generated in the dielectric mass and causes the dielectric mass to move relative to the anchor. When the dielectric mass has motion relative to the anchor and a voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes, the movement of the dielectric mass generates a current at the first and second electrodes proportional to the motion.

Abstract: A MEMS sensor has at least a movable element designed to oscillate at an oscillation frequency, and an integrated measuring system coupled to the movable element to provide a measure of the oscillation frequency. The measuring system has a light source to emit a light beam towards the movable element and a light detector to receive the light beam reflected back from the movable element, including a semiconductor photodiode array. In particular, the light detector is an integrated photomultiplier having an array of single photon avalanche diodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capacitive micromechanical acceleration sensor comprising a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor. The first sensor comprises a rotor electrode and stator electrode. The sensor comprises a first beam that is connected to a rotor electrode support structure and that is connected to the rotor electrode. The sensor comprises a second beam that is connected to the rotor electrode support structure and that is connected to the rotor electrode. The second sensor is situated in a first space circumscribed by the first beam, the first sensor, and the rotor electrode support structure. The third sensor is situated in a second space circumscribed by the second beam, the first sensor, and the rotor electrode support structure.

Abstract: A method for detecting mechanical damage to a rotor blade of a wind turbine includes measuring vibrations of the rotor blade and generating a frequency-dependent vibration signal. A value of the signal energy over a predetermined frequency range of the vibration signal is determined at each of a number of measuring times and the respectively determined signal energy values are evaluated with respect to time in order to detect mechanical damage.

Abstract: A method of non-destructively evaluating a thickness of a coating layer on a turbine engine component includes directing an acoustic wave into the turbine engine component, the acoustic wave including a frequency and a wavelength, receiving a return time-domain signal reflected from the turbine engine component, and transforming the time-domain signal into a frequency-domain signal. The method further includes subtracting a baseline signal from the frequency-domain signal and determining a local minimum frequency of the baseline-subtracted frequency-domain signal. Still further, the method includes calculating the thickness of the coating layer based on the determined local minimum frequency. Additional evaluation methods including ones based on resistivity, terahertz, and microwave are further disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for detecting and analyzing deposits in liquid-bearing systems. More particularly, the device relates to being able to detect and analyze deposits in a liquid-bearing systems such as industrial plants that use and store fluids. The method relates to being able to determine a distribution of the run time of a detected ultrasonic reflection signal and analyzing the distribution to determine if deposits are deposited onto a reflecting area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for detecting and analyzing deposits in liquid-bearing systems. More particularly, the device relates to being able to detect and analyze deposits in a liquid-bearing systems such as industrial plants that use and store fluids. The method relates to being able to determine a distribution of the run time of a detected ultrasonic reflection signal and analyzing the distribution to determine if deposits are deposited onto a reflecting area.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic NDT sensor arrangement for inspecting surfaces of variable geometry of metal bodies. The sensor arrangement includes a housing with a hollow inner space and an opening, through which part of an incoming sound beam exits the housing to enter a metal body to be tested. An ultrasonic sensor is coupled to the housing such that it emits said incoming sound beam directly into said hollow inner space in a direction towards the opening. The said inner space of the housing is filled with a first coupling fluid which is water. The opening of the housing is closed with a closing member, which is made of a silicone material and which has a similar density and velocity of sound compared to the first coupling fluid.

Abstract: A system for conducting phased array testing on a vehicle hub includes a guide element having a first end and a second end, a pivot element extending from the second end to couple to the vehicle hub, and a slide element coupled to the guide element. The slide element is movable relative to the guide element between the first end of the guide element and the second end of the guide element. The slide element including an object-receiving aperture to receive a phased array probe element.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for scanning an object. Two virtual, orthogonal axes are positioned on a surface of the object. A scanning path of a moving probe is controlled as a function of the two virtual, orthogonal axes. The scanning path can include a plurality of probe positions determined according to a desired coverage of the object. A single probe can be used or, optionally, a pair of probes or an array of probes can be used, optionally mounting the probes on a multi-axis movable support. Optionally, a computer-aided design representing the object can be used to parameterize the object. The method and apparatus can be used to create an image of the object for non-destructive testing.

Abstract: Used is an object information acquiring apparatus including an irradiation unit for irradiating an object with a laser beam, a wavelength switching unit for selecting a wavelength of the laser beam, a restriction unit for restricting an output value of the laser beam, a probe for receiving acoustic waves that are generated from the object irradiated with the laser beam, and a configuration unit for generating characteristic information relating to the object in use of the acoustic waves, wherein the restriction unit restricts the output value according to the wavelength selected by the wavelength switching unit.

Abstract: An object information acquiring apparatus is used, which includes: an irradiation unit for irradiating an object with a laser beam; a restriction unit for restricting an output of the laser beam from the irradiation unit; a control unit for controlling an irradiation of the laser beam and an activation of the restriction unit; a probe for receiving acoustic waves that are generated from the object irradiated with the laser beam; and a construction unit for generating characteristic information relating to the object in use of the acoustic waves, wherein the control unit performs irradiation control of not irradiating the laser beam when the restriction unit is being activated.

Abstract: An outer part for a device which is attachable thereto as a housing and/or an attachment part, a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface being formed on the outer part so that at least one signal emitted by an optical and/or acoustic source is directly or indirectly deflectable onto at least one detector surface of an optical and/or acoustic detector, an optical path being configured as a cavern or continuous recess in the outer part or as a depression of a boundary surface of the outer part, the optical path having at least one opening via which at least one substance is transferable into the optical path, and the at least one signal being deflectable into the optical path to the second reflective surface which is formed at a second end of the optical path with the first reflective surface at a first end of the optical path.

Abstract: An object characteristics measurement apparatus of the invention includes a surface acoustic wave device. The surface acoustic wave device includes: an interdigitated electrode that is formed on a first surface on a piezoelectric substrate, excites an elastic wave, and receives reflection based on the elastic wave; a reflector that has a third surface and a fourth surface between the interdigitated electrode and a second surface orthogonal to the first surface in a propagation direction of the elastic wave; a reaction field that is formed between the interdigitated electrode and the reflector, in which the measured object is to be loaded; and a propagator that is formed between the reflector and the second surface.

Abstract: This application describes method and apparatus for detecting train separation, where one or more railway cars/carriages (401) accidentally decouple from the rest of the train. The method involves performing distributed acoustic sensing on at least one optical fibre (104a, 104b) to provide a plurality of longitudinal acoustic sensor portions along the railway (201). The acoustic response is analysed to detect a signature indicative of a train separation. This may involve detecting acoustic events (302, 303) associated with different parts of the train and detecting when the separation between the two events exceeds a threshold amount. The method may identify the front of the train and the rear of the train and detect when the distance between the front and rear changes by more than a threshold amount and/or sounds associated with wheelsets passing track features (402) may be used to determine the intervals (T3, T4) between wheelsets of adjacent cars and determine when the interval exceeds a threshold amount.

Abstract: A fluidic chip device configured for processing a fluid, wherein the fluidic chip device comprises a plurality of layers laminated to one another, wherein at least a part of the layers comprises a patterned section of an alternating sequence of bars and fluidic channels for conducting the fluid under pressure, the patterned section being configured for being displaceable in response to the pressure, and a pressure detector responding to the displacement of the patterned section by generating a detector signal being indicative of a value of the pressure.

Abstract: A process fluid pressure measurement probe includes a pressure sensor formed of a single-crystal material and mounted to a first metallic process fluid barrier and disposed for direct contact with a process fluid. The pressure sensor has an electrical characteristic that varies with process fluid pressure. A feedthrough is formed of a single-crystal material and has a plurality of conductors extending from a first end to a second end. The feedthrough is mounted to a second metallic process fluid barrier and is spaced from, but electrically coupled to, the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor and the feedthrough are mounted such that the secondary metallic process fluid barrier is isolated from process fluid by the first metallic process fluid barrier.

Abstract: A variable resistance flexure sensor, and a system and method of controlling an appliance using a variable resistance flexure sensor are provided. The sensor can include a substrate having a flexible portion and a non-flexible portion. A plurality of electrically resistive elements, such as a first resistive element and a second resistive element, can be disposed on the substrate where at least one resistive element is exclusively within the non-flexible portion of the substrate and at least one resistive element is within the flexible portion of the substrate. The resistive element within the non-flexible portion of the substrate can act as a reference resistance for the flexure sensor and can be used as, or as part of, a biasing network for the electrically resistive element within the flexible portion of the substrate. The flexure sensor can be used within an appliance to detect various conditions such as temperature, moisture, etc.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a sensor element which is formed by laminating a piezoelectric substance and an electrode, a first case and a second case which house the sensor element therein, and a pressing portion which presses the sensor element in the lamination direction of the piezoelectric substance and the electrode via the first and second cases.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for verifying temperature measurements in an ultrasonic flow meter. An ultrasonic flow metering system includes a passage for fluid flow, a temperature sensor, an ultrasonic flow meter, and a flow processor. The temperature sensor is disposed to provide measured temperature of fluid flowing in the passage. The ultrasonic flow meter is configured to measure transit time of an ultrasonic signal through the fluid. The flow processor is configured to 1) compute speed of sound through the fluid based on the transit time; 2) calculate a computed temperature of the fluid based on the speed of sound; 3) apply compensation, based on a historical difference between the computed temperature and the measured temperature, to a temperature verification parameter; and 4) determine, based on the temperature verification parameter, whether a current difference between the measured temperature and the computed temperature is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A magnetic-inductive flowmeter and method in which a control circuit and/or evaluation circuit is designed/operated in such a manner that a measuring voltage tapped or tappable by measuring electrodes for flow measurement are evaluated only during a flow measuring time that is less than half the duration of the period of generation of the magnetic field and that the control circuit is designed/operated in such a manner that the measuring electrodes are impinged with conductivity measuring signals only during a conductivity measuring time that lies outside the flow measuring time.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flow measurement device for ascertaining flow velocity, respectively volume flow, of a fluid, especially a gas or a liquid, using a travel-time difference method, comprising: a measuring tube having a straight measuring tube axis; at least one transmitter for transmitting an acoustic signal; at least one receiver for receiving the acoustic signal; and at least one reflection surface for reflecting the acoustic signal. The transmitter and the receiver are arranged on the tube wall of the measuring tube in such a manner that they can transmit the acoustic signal inclined or perpendicularly to the flow direction of the fluid, wherein at least one reflection surface is embodied concavely in a preferential direction; and a method for ascertaining flow velocity, respectively volume flow, of a fluid.

Abstract: One or more electroactive polymer (EAP) strips are circumferentially or lengthwise embedded or mounted around the fluid passage member. The EAP strips are configured to function as a pump when a prescribed electrical charge is applied and removed from the EAP strips, which causes the EAP strips to expand and constrict accordingly. A series of these strips may be mounted along a portion of the fluid passage member and electrically actuated in a prescribed manner to exert a squeezing force around the fluid passage member, which functions to pump fluid through the fluid passage member. The EAP strips also change electrical characteristics (e.g., capacitance, resistance) independent of the applied actuation as they are stretched, so they may be used to measure fluid pressure and/or fluid flow rate.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring bend radius and torque force exerted on a drill string. A sensor system is supported within a pipe section of the drill string and has a light source supported within the pipe section to emit a light beam within the pipe section. An optical sensing device is supported within the pipe section and spaced apart from the light source. The optical sensing device transmits a detection signal indicative of the position of the light beam on a surface of the optical sensing device to a processor that determines the bend radius and torque force exerted on the pipe section.

Abstract: A sheet pressure sensor includes a first fiber layer, a second fiber layer, and a third fiber layer provided between the first and second fiber layers. The third fiber layer has connecting yarns that electrically connect first conductive portions of the first fiber layer and the second conductive portion in the second fiber layer with a predetermined electric resistivity. The sheet pressure sensor further includes a measuring instrument for measuring electric resistance between at least one of the first conductive portions and the second conductive portion. The connecting yarns unstrain due to deformation of the first or second conductive portion which is generated by applied pressure, and then are short-circuited with one of them. The sheet pressure sensor can detect the pressure while keeping air ventilation characteristic by giving a pressure detection function to the fiber layers.

Abstract: A system and method for conditioning of very low pressure gas samples extracted from a source, heating the samples, boosting the pressure to a level appropriate for analysis, regulating the gas sample temperature and pressure to prevent dew-point dropout from Joules Thompson condensation, and passing the gas sample to an a remotely located analyzer or analyzer array where the electrical power for the pressurizing pump and heated regulator is provided by heat tracing.

Abstract: A volumetric sample adjustment assembly located outside of a process line to facilitate rapid changes in the sample volume without having to remove the sampler from the process line, from process pressure or without having to manually disassemble the collection head assembly, like some prior art devices. The volumetric sample adjustment assembly has a “gross adjustment” assembly to vary the gross sample volume within the predetermined range. This gross adjustment assembly uses a removable pin to vary the sample size. This removable adjustment pin may be removed and replaced in different positions to change the gross volume of the sample on short notice and without having to remove the sampler from the process line, from process pressure or without having to manually disassemble the collection head assembly.

Abstract: A sample processing apparatus comprises an aspirating member which comprises a pump at one side and which is configured to aspirate a sample from the other side, a sensor which is configured to sense the presence or absence of a liquid at a predetermined position of the aspirating member, and a controller which is programmed to execute operations. The operations comprise controlling the aspirating member to aspirate a sample, obtaining a first sensing result by the sensor when the aspirating member aspirates a sample, controlling the aspirating member to aspirate air after aspirating a sample, obtaining a second sensing result by the sensor when the aspirating member aspirates air, and detecting an error in the aspirating operation, based on the first sensing result and the second sensing result.

Abstract: A pipette is described which pipette includes a piston for aspirating liquid into and dispensing out of a container in the pipette. The pipette is provided with at least one tracking element, which is able to count the magnitude of some variable or variables relating to the amount of use of the pipette, means for creating a limit magnitude for each variable, and means for giving information when the limit value is exceeded. Thus, the user may, for instance, be warned when he may be exposed to high workload stress possibly causing injuries.

Abstract: A method and a device that determines surface characteristics of a stent to be implanted in a lumen in a body in which a wetting behavior of a stent surface serves as measure for the surface characteristics of the stent surface. In order to determine the wetting behavior, a course of a wetting force along a length of the stent surface is determined, the wetting power between the stent surface and a liquid surface being detected along the length of the stent.

Abstract: An element is provided in particular as a closure element or fastening element for inserting into a bore (12) in a component (11), such as into a bore in an engine, a valve block, a hydraulic unit or a container. At least one electric element (20) which is arranged in the element (10) or on the element (70) is provided, wherein each electric element (20) transmits and/or receives electric signals. In the fitted state, the electric element (20) is advantageously positioned in such a manner that said electric element is adjacent to the chamber (12?) formed in the bore (12) and is therefore in contact, for measuring purposes or the like, with the medium contained in the bore (12). In addition to the actual sealing and/or fastening function, said element can therefore be used to undertake one or more measurements, etc.

Abstract: Provided is a power transfer unit, such as a power take-off unit including an input shaft coupled to an input gear for common rotation and axially movable relative to the input gear for engaging a coupling at a first end of the shaft with a drive component, a chamber formed between the input shaft and input gear, and a piston axially movable in the chamber, whereby the piston rotates with the input shaft. Due to the rotation of the piston with the input shaft, a power take-off unit is provided without the need for components to separate the piston from the input shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering actuator piston with a rack (6) for an aircraft landing gear (1) characterized in that the piston comprises a body (10) made of a lightweight alloy having an externally threaded main span (11) terminated on one side by a shoulder (12) and extended on the other side by a skirt (13), the body having screwed to it a tapped bronze bushing having on its outer wall at least one groove for receiving a seal, the skirt having a drilling to receive a pin for securing the piston to the rack, the bushing extending in service between the shoulder and the pin so that it is retained axially between the shoulder and the pin.

Abstract: A machine tool assembly includes a basic body, and a clamp and an actuator component mounted to the basic body. The clamp and actuator components include ramping surfaces for cooperatively biasing the clamp into an engagement position. The actuator component is configured to move along an actuator movement axis and includes an actuator relief surface connected, and extending at a different angle, to the actuator component's ramping surface. The different angle is configured to facilitate disengagement of the actuator component and clamp for a smaller movement of the actuator component along the actuator movement axis than would have been the case in the absence of such configuration, thereby allowing a compact construction of the assembly.

Abstract: A power-assisted supporting apparatus includes a base, a supporting member, and a drive mechanism connected between the base and the supporting member. The drive mechanism includes a motor, a gear assembly, and a controller controlling the motor. The motor includes a drive gear driving the gear assembly. The gear assembly includes a connecting shaft connected to the supporting member. The user presses buttons to instruct the controller to activate the motor, and the drive gear drives the gear assembly to rotate an electronic device which is held by the supporting member.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a base, a display unit, a supporting member, a first drive mechanism, a second drive mechanism, and a controller. The first drive mechanism includes a first motor and a first gear assembly. The first motor includes a first drive gear driving the first gear assembly and the second drive mechanism includes a second motor and a second gear assembly. The second motor includes a second drive gear driving the second gear assembly. By operating buttons, the user can change the orientation of the display unit or other supported device, the first and second motors providing power assistance to the user in two planes of movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a joint motion control apparatus. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a joint motion control apparatus, comprising: an annular unit; and a rotating unit to guide and fix a wire such that the wire causes joint motion of an instrument according to the rotation thereof, wherein the annular unit comprises a first fixing unit and a second fixing unit, and wherein the rotating unit carries out sliding operation in a pitch or yaw direction via a sliding assistance member disposed with respect to the first or second fixing unit.

Abstract: This device comprises a pair of parallel arms (1, 2) having clamps (11, 21) for clamping the packages (E) to be transported and means for regulating separation which comprise:—a scissor mechanism (4) having two rods (41, 42) articulated to the rear end of the arms (1, 2) and carrying roller means (46, 47);—guide sections (5, 5a . . . ) distributed on the packaging machine, provided with a longitudinal track (51) for guiding the roller means (46, 47) of the scissor mechanism (4) and—actuating means (7) suited to moving each guide section (5, 5a) and arranging the latter in a position suited to determining the separation of each pair of parallel arms (1, 2) in each area of the route of the transport device by means of a variation in longitude of the scissor mechanism (4).

Abstract: A method for the operation of a dual-clutch transmission wherein, through a clutch of a dual-clutch device, sub-transmissions are able to be switched on in the power flux of the dual-clutch transmission or are able to be switched off from the power flux. In the sub-transmissions, two different transmission ratios are able to be engaged or disengaged through the actuation of shifting elements. In the operation of the dual-clutch transmission, one of the sub-transmissions is switched on, while the other sub-transmission is switched off. If the transmission ratio in the switched-on sub-transmission is engaged, all transmission ratios in the switched-off sub-transmission are simultaneously disengaged through the shifting elements, as long as there is no request for a change of transmission ratio in the dual-clutch transmission.

Abstract: A dual-clutch transmission has two input shafts for connection to a power shift clutch, at least one countershaft offset in parallel to the input shafts, an output gearwheel designed as an idler gear and situated coaxially with respect to the countershaft, at least one gearwheel plane having an idler gear situated coaxially with respect to the countershaft, and a shifting unit having a first shift position in which the output gearwheel and the countershaft are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner. The shifting unit has a second shift position in which the idler gear and the output gearwheel are directly connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner.

Abstract: A transmission having a plurality of shifting elements which are selectively engaged and disengaged when a gearshift is carried out, and a plurality of gearsets which, depending on the shifting position of the shifting elements produce a defined transmission ratio, and a shifting oil system which supplies the shifting elements with oil in order to operate them and a cooling and lubricating oil system which supplies assemblies of the transmission with oil for cooling and/or lubricating. From the shifting oil provided by the shifting oil system, a partial stream of oil can be tapped off for cooling and/or lubricating the shifting elements, such that a quantity of cooling and lubricating oil that is or can be supplied by the cooling and lubricating oil system can be reduced to the quantity required for cooling and/or lubricating those assemblies of the transmission which do not contain the shifting elements.

Abstract: An electronic, high-efficiency vehicular transmission, an overrunning, non-friction coupling and control assembly and switchable linear actuator device for use in the assembly and the transmission are provided. The device controls the operating mode of at least one non-friction coupling assembly. The device has a plurality of magnetic sources which produce corresponding magnetic fields to create a net translational force. The net translational force comprises a first translational force caused by energization of at least one electromagnetic source and a magnetic latching force based upon linear position of a permanent magnet source along an axis.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a housing having a first wall and a second wall opposing each other, a drive-transmission member and a detected body rotatable about a first axis and a second axis respectively parallel to a first direction from the second wall toward the first wall. The detected body having a detected portion is movable first in the first direction and then in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the first wall while irreversibly moving from a first position to a second position, a distance between the detected portion and the first wall in the first direction being longer at the second position than at the first position. The drive-transmission member includes a first engaging portion engageable with the detected body at the first position and positioned upstream of an abutment portion abuttable with a receiving portion of the detected body in the first direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transmission (1), in particular for an adjustment drive, comprising a housing (2), a worm shaft (3) which is rotatably mounted in the housing (2) and which can be driven, a worm wheel (4) which is rotatably mounted in the housing (2) and which meshes with the worm shaft (3), an encircling first wedge surface (5) which is formed on the worm wheel (4) or fixedly connected to the worm wheel (4), a brake element (6) which is arranged so as to be rotationally conjoint with respect to the worm wheel (4) and which has a second wedge surface (7), wherein the first wedge surface (5) bears areally against the second wedge surface (7).

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic transmission shifter which comprises a shifter body, and a shift lever. The shifter body comprises a housing having a gate, and a lever contact noise-preventing element. The shift lever comprises a lever shaft and a locking piece. The lever contact noise-preventing element comprises a shaft contact noise-preventing portion configured to prevent contact noise between the lever shaft penetrating the gate and the shifter body, and a locking piece contact noise-preventing portion integrally formed with the shaft contact noise-preventing portion and configured to prevent contact noise between the locking piece and the shifter body. The housing and the lever contact noise-preventing element are formed by a double molding process.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic transmission shifter which comprises an automatic transmission-manipulating member coupled to an automatic transmission, and a shift lever having a manipulating member-coupling portion. The automatic transmission-manipulating member comprises a receiving section movably receiving therein the manipulating member-coupling portion. The receiving section has a peripheral wall formed to surround the manipulating member-coupling portion around the entire circumference thereof, wherein an inner periphery of the peripheral wall comprises a lever-coupling portion configured to be coupled and decoupled with respect to the manipulating member-coupling portion.

Abstract: In a shifting-operation detection unit, a first detection unit has a first resistor connected in series to a first switch and a second resistor connected in parallel to the first switch and the first resistor, a second detection unit has a third resistor connected in series to a second switch and a fourth resistor connected in parallel to the second switch and the third resistor, and the first detection unit and the second detection unit are connected in series to be connected to correspond to a power supply terminal and a ground terminal of an external device and apply a divided voltage of a voltage of the power supply terminal to the external device via an electric wire, the divided voltage having voltage values corresponding to a shift-up operation and a shift-down operation, respectively.

Abstract: A shift position detecting device that determines a shift position based on a detection logic formed of a combination of turning on or off of a plurality of switches that are fixedly arranged at least one by one at positions corresponding to a plurality of detecting object portion rows mounted on a shift drum. An accurate shift position can be detected even if there is an irregularity in switching timings of switching modes of the plurality of switches. A shift position detecting member establishes the shift position as a new shift position and outputs shift position information, while when the detection logic after the transition is a detection logic other than the detection logic corresponding to the changeable shift position, sets the new shift position not yet established and outputs information corresponding to non-establishment of the shift position.

Abstract: A range switch device has a range switch control without an abutment control of a motor. The range switch control detects an encoder count at a slack removed rotation position of the motor during a rotation to a target rotation position at a shift range switch time. Then, the range switch control sets the target rotation position based on the slack removed rotation position of the motor and a by-design rotation amount of the motor, in which the slack removed rotation position is detected by an encoder count that marks an output change start time of a rotation sensor and a by-design rotation amount between pre- and post-switching rotation positions regarding pre- and post-switching shift ranges.

Abstract: A shift-by-wire controller is applied to a shift-by-wire system which switches a shift range of an automatic transmission by a driving force of a motor, and drives the motor according to an input signal. The shift-by-wire controller includes a position sensor, a position acquirement portion acquiring a switching edge corresponding to a position where the shift range is switched from the position sensor, an encoder detecting a rotational position of the motor, a determining portion determining whether the rotational position can be acquired as a present-position from the encoder, and a position determination portion. When the determining portion determines that the present-position cannot be acquired, the position determination portion drives the motor to switch the shift range, and determines a position of the motor based on the switching edge.