Shaft Angle Transducers Patents (Class 250/231.13)
- With plural gear driven discs (Class 250/231.15)
- Using phase difference of output signals from plural photodetectors (Class 250/231.16)
- With means to indicate a complete shaft rotation (Class 250/231.17)
- Position indicating shaft encoders with means to generate a unique signal for each specific angular shaft position (Class 250/231.18)
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Patent number: 11585651Abstract: There is provided an operating method of an optical positioning system including: capturing an image frame of a detected surface, which has interleaved bright regions and dark regions, using a field of view and a shutter time of an optical sensor; counting a number of edge pairs between the bright regions and the dark regions that the field of view passes; calculating an average value of the image frame; calculating a ratio between the calculated average value and the shutter time; determining that the field of view is aligned with one of the dark regions when the ratio is smaller than a ratio threshold; and determining that the field of view is aligned with one of the bright regions when the ratio is larger than the ratio threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2021Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.Inventors: Keen-Hun Leong, Tong-Sen Liew, Ching-Geak Chan
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Patent number: 11566922Abstract: There is provided an optical encoder with alignable relative positions between elements including an encoding medium, a sensor package and a memory. The sensor package includes a photodiode array and two alignment photodiodes opposite to the encoding medium. The memory records an alignment pattern associated with output signals of the two alignment photodiodes when the encoding medium and the sensor package are at nominal operating positions. When the encoding medium and the sensor package are not at the nominal operating positions, the relative position alignment is performed by adjusting current relative positions between the encoding medium and the sensor package to cause a current pattern associated with output signals of the two alignment photodiodes to be identical to the alignment pattern.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.Inventors: Chung-Min Thor, Meng-Yee Lim
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Patent number: 11545975Abstract: This application relates to a mechanical button apparatus that includes a body where an upper portion thereof is closed and a lower portion thereof is opened and a bottom plate attached on a display screen of a display apparatus to cover the opened lower portion. The body includes an aperture member including a wing set expanded or contracted in a rotation direction of the body. The body also includes a photovoltaic (PV) cell array substrate including a PV cell configured to generate power for charging a battery and an optical sensor configured to convert light signals, reflected by the expanded or contracted wing set, into electrical signals. The body further includes a circuit substrate configured to operate with the power charged into the battery, calculate number of rotation manipulations of the body by using the electrical signals, and transmit the calculated number of rotation manipulations to the display apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Korea Electronics Technology InstituteInventors: Sang Yub Lee, Jae Kyu Lee
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Patent number: 11541185Abstract: An injection-device and an injection-measuring method are described. The injection-device includes a pen-type sleeve for accommodating a cartridge holder, a mechanical injection system provided in the pen-type sleeve, which has a dosing sleeve by which a dosage quantity to be injected is predefinable and which is configured to execute a rotatory motion during the injection process; a selector device, connected to the dosing sleeve, for adjusting the dosage quantity to be injected; an injection button, connected to the selector device, for applying an injection force; and an optical sensor device for detecting the rotatory motion of the dosage sleeve during injection of the dosage quantity, which has a signal-processing device for ascertaining and storing the injected dosage quantity based on the detected rotatory motion of the dosage sleeve. The injection button has a switch device by which the optical sensor device is activatable when applying the injection force.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2018Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: David Bill, Philipp Troebner
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Patent number: 11499848Abstract: An optical detection system includes a marker product and an optical encoding device. The marker product includes a substrate and at least one structural portion. The structural portion has a first surface, a second surface and a dividing axis. The first surface and the second surface are arranged on opposite sides of the dividing axis. A sidelong direction aligning the first surface with the second surface is parallel to a moving direction between the optical encoding device and the marker product. The optical encoding device is disposed adjacent by the marker product. The optical encoding device includes an optical projector and an optical encoder. The optical projector is configured to project the optical detecting signal onto the marker product. The optical encoder is configured to receive an optical reflecting signal from the marker product and encode intensity variation of the optical reflecting signal into digital data.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2018Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.Inventor: Ching-Lin Chung
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Patent number: 11490676Abstract: An article of footwear and related method includes a midsole, an upper secured with respect to the midsole, and a lace extending through the upper. A motorized lacing system positioned within the midsole, configured to engage with the lace to increase and decrease tension on the lace. The motorized lacing system includes a motor, including a motor shaft, a spool, coupled to the motor shaft, configured to spool and unspool the lace based on the turning of the motor shaft, a processor circuit, and an optical encoder. The optical encoder comprises a three-dimensional encoder defining a major axis and having a surface having a first plurality of segments positioned between a second plurality of segments, and an optical sensor, positioned within optical range of the cylindrical encoder, configured to output a signal to the processor circuit indicative of a detected one of a first and second plurality of segments.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
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Patent number: 11493366Abstract: In a rotary motion detecting device that outputs a signal corresponding to rotary motion of a rotary disk coupled to a shaft, a boss is fixed to the shaft, the boss is fixed to one surface of the rotary disk, and one of the boss and the shaft is a hole member having a hole formed therein and the other is an inserted member that is inserted in the hole. The hole member has an inner periphery (inner diameter) that is larger than an outer periphery (outer diameter) of the inserted member so that the shaft can be vertical to the rotary disk without being restricted by the boss.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: FANUC CORPORATIONInventor: Miaomiao Wang
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Patent number: 11486740Abstract: An angle measuring device includes first and second component groups and a bearing. The first component group includes a scale element having a first graduation. The second component group has a first modular unit, including a position sensor, and a second modular unit, including first, second, and third position transducers, and a compensation coupling. The first and second modular units are connected in a torsionally stiff but axially and radially flexible manner. The angle measuring device is operable in first and second modes. In the first mode, the first graduation is scannable by the position sensor to determine a first angular position. In the second mode, the first graduation or a further graduation situated on the scale element is scannable by the position transducers to determine further angular positions. A corrected relative angular position is determinable based on the first angular position and the further angular positions.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GmbHInventors: Johann Mitterreiter, Sebastian Gruber, Alois Bartlechner
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Patent number: 11442427Abstract: The present invention provides a planar three-dimensional displacement sensor for a multiaxis machining device. With the measurement of the (planar) three-dimensional displacement sensor in the multiaxis machining device, the multiaxis machining device and a multiaxis machining compensation method are able to eliminate various deformation effects effectively.Type: GrantFiled: December 25, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Yi-Yuh Hwang, Li-Chung Liu
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Patent number: 11404938Abstract: Provided is an angle detection apparatus making it possible to reduce the labor of manufacturing while also suppressing bulkiness. The angle detection apparatus includes a first rotating body (120), a second rotating body (122), a first transmission mechanism (111) that causes the second rotating body (122) to rotate by reducing a speed of a rotation of the first rotating body (120), a first angle detector (Ds) that detects a rotational angle of the first rotating body (120), another second angle detector (Dm) that detects a rotational angle of the second rotating body (122), and a processor (40) that specifies a number of revolutions (Rs) of the first rotating body (120).Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2018Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI Inc.Inventors: Yasuo Osada, Hiroyuki Hishiyama
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Patent number: 11397108Abstract: A multi-function controller, comprising a control element, a support element, at least a first light emitter and at least a first light receiver. A multi-function controller, comprising a control element, at least a first magnet and at least a first sensor. In some aspects, one or more occluders is provided. In some aspects, a control element is rotatable and/or tiltable, and/or the control element can be pushed or pulled, and movement of the control element is detected optically or by Hall effect sensors. In some aspects, an icon cap is not rotatable. A method comprising rotating and/or tilting a control element on a multi-function controller, and detecting a position of the control element.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2016Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Marquardt GmbHInventors: Matthew R. Randle, Kenneth L. Markowski, Andrea Burke, David J. Fassett
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Patent number: 11378422Abstract: An encoder system includes a configurable detector array, wherein the configurable detector array includes a plurality of detectors. The encoder system may also include a memory operable to store a partition map that defines a state for each of the plurality of detectors. The encoder system may also include an emitter operable to generate a flux modulated by a motion object, wherein the configurable detector array is operable to receive the flux and generate respective current outputs for each of the detectors in response to the flux. In an embodiment, the current outputs from detectors having a same state are grouped together. The encoder system may also include one or more current duplicators to duplicate the current outputs from detectors having one state to group with the current outputs from detectors having a different state. The encoder system may also adjust weights of the current outputs.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: TT ELECTRONICS PLCInventors: James P. Cusey, Brent Hans Larson
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Patent number: 11372485Abstract: A mouse, including a mouse body and a wheel module, is provided. The wheel module includes a first wheel, a second wheel and an axle connecting assembly. The first wheel has a first axle portion, the second wheel has a second axle portion, and the first wheel and the second wheel are respectively rotatably disposed on the mouse body along a same axis of rotation by the first axle portion and the second axle portion. The axle connecting assembly is connected to and in between the first axle portion and the second axle portion, and the first axle portion and the second axle portion rotate relative to each other by the axle connecting assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2021Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tao Kuan Chen
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Patent number: 11338846Abstract: A detection signal correction method includes: calculating a rotation angle of a rotation shaft of a motor, based on a detection signal of a sensor; calculating a steering velocity of a steering shaft based on the rotation angle; calculating an error of the detection signal; and correcting the error of the detection signals when the steering velocity is equal to or greater than a steering velocity threshold value and the error of the detection signal is equal to or greater than an error threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: NSK LTD.Inventors: Yusuke Nishioka, Yoshihiro Aosaki, Hiroyuki Yamamura
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Patent number: 11293785Abstract: An encoder wheel assembly comprising: a first encoder wheel rotationally fixed to a rotor and having a number n of teeth arranged along the circumference of the encoder wheel; a second encoder wheel rotationally fixed to the first encoder wheel, and having the same number n of teeth as the first encoder wheel along the circumference of the encoder wheel, wherein the teeth of the second encoder wheel have an asymmetrical angular offset relative to the teeth of the first encoder wheel; a first sensor designed to scan the first encoder wheel; a second sensor designed to scan the second encoder wheel; and a controller connected to the first sensor and the second sensor and designed to ascertain the absolute angular position and the rotational direction based on a binary signal derived from a first signal of the first sensor and a second signal of the second sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2017Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Fabian Utermoehlen, Bernd Eckert, Marcel Maur, Matthias Letzgus, Stephan Hanel, Tino Merkel
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Patent number: 11240408Abstract: In one embodiment, a device includes a device body that includes a touch-sensitive display and a processor. The device also includes a band coupled to the device body and an optical sensor in or on the band. The optical sensor faces outward from the band and captures images. The processor communicates with the optical sensor to process captured images.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Pranav Mistry, Sajid Sadi, Curtis Douglas Aumiller, Chengyuan Wei
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Patent number: 11231298Abstract: A sensor includes a generator configured to generate a predetermined detection target, a detector configured to detect the detection target generated by the generator, and a substrate provided with the generator and the detector. The substrate includes a first portion provided with the generator, a second portion provided with the detector, a bent portion that is bent between the first portion and the second portion such that the generator and the detector face each other, and a ground pattern provided in a portion including the first portion, the second portion, and the bent portion. In the ground pattern, a ground pattern of the bent portion is narrower than a ground pattern of the first portion and a ground pattern of the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2016Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: NSK LTD.Inventors: Tomoyuki Yanagisawa, Minoru Kubokawa, Toshiaki Oguchi, Hideki Furukawa, Yasuhiro Kawai
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Patent number: 11199439Abstract: A photodetector device and an optical encoder device that can suppress level variation of a detection signal are provided. A photodetector device of one embodiment includes: a light receiving unit including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; a selector circuit that selects a first photoelectric conversion element group and a second photoelectric conversion element group, in the light receiving unit; a differential amplifier that outputs a detection signal in accordance with a difference between a first output signal of the first photoelectric conversion element group and a second output signal of the second photoelectric conversion element group; and a correction unit that corrects the detection signal based on the first output signal and the second output signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2020Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yasushi Nakata
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Patent number: 11167572Abstract: An implementation of an assembly of the present teachings includes a transport roll having a shaft with a tapered surface and an encoder having a coupler that defines a recess and has a tapered surface. During use of the assembly, the tapered surface of the shaft physically contacts the tapered surface of the coupler, and the encoder can be urged toward the transport roll using a spring such as a leaf spring.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2020Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Carlos M. Terrero, Brian J. Dunham, Steven M. Sippel
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Patent number: 11162819Abstract: A rotary position detector includes a housing having an inner space having a reflective element. A light source emits light rays into the inner space. A base supports a light detector assembly having a first number of toroidal-sector-shaped light sensors arranged circumferentially about a motor shaft axis, is, one “Cosine +” detector element, one “Cosine ?” detector element, one “Sine +” detector element, and one “Sine ?” detector element. A light blocker positioned between the light source and the light sensors rotates with the shaft. The light blocker includes a second number of opaque, equal-surface-area elements arrayed about the axis, the second number equal to one-half the first number. A circuit measures a signal from the detectors relating to an amount of light falling thereon, a difference related to an angular position of the motor shaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2018Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Inventor: William R. Benner, Jr.
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Patent number: 11150106Abstract: A measuring device comprising at least two output units for output of measured values, wherein the output units are optically coupled. The optical coupling effects a lessening of the manufacturing effort as well as a galvanic isolation of the output units.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2016Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER FLOWTEC AGInventors: Matthias Brudermann, Nikolai Fink, Christoph Schweizer, Michael Kirst
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Patent number: 11128202Abstract: An encoder includes a carrier disc, a coded disc, a rotating shaft, a bearing, a bracket, a housing and a sensing assembly is disclosed. The coded disc is disposed on the carrier disc. The rotating shaft includes a first attaching portion and a second attaching portion, and the first attaching portion is partially penetrated through the carrier disc. The bearing includes a bearing inner surface and a bearing outer surface, and the bearing inner surface is connected with the second attaching portion. The bracket includes a bearing attaching portion and a bracket curved feature portion, and the bearing attaching portion is connected with the bearing outer surface. The housing includes a housing curved feature portion, which is connected with the bracket curved feature portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.Inventors: Horng-Jou Wang, Ming-Tien Tsai
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Patent number: 11112279Abstract: An optical module includes a fixed substrate, and a sensor substrate secured to the fixed substrate and having a through-hole formed therein. A light emitting device is secured to the fixed substrate at a position in the through-hole. A light receiving device is provided in the sensor substrate. A dummy light receiving device is formed between the light receiving device and the through-hole, around the through-hole, and in the sensor substrate. The light receiving device and the dummy light receiving device are made of an impurity diffusion layer having a same conductive type as a conductive type of a surface layer of the sensor substrate. The dummy light receiving device is deeper than the light receiving device.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2020Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomomitsu Ohara, Kazuki Tsutsumi, Shinji Kimura, Syuhei Suzuki, Yusuke Ohba
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Patent number: 11105656Abstract: Scale pattern in a scale of an optical encoder includes a first scale mark that blocks a first light from being guided to an image capturer and guides a second light to the image capturer, and a second scale mark that guides the first light and the second light to the image capturer. Second scale mark is arranged in an ABS pattern and the first scale mark is arranged in an INC pattern by incorporating the second scale mark. Image capturer includes a first image capturing section that captures an image of the ABS pattern from the first light that arrives via the second scale mark, and a second image capturing section that captures an image of the INC pattern from the second light that arrives via the first scale mark and the second scale mark. Calculator calculates a position of a head relative to the scale.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2020Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATIONInventor: Yoshiaki Kato
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Patent number: 11105608Abstract: There is provided an operating method of an optical positioning system including: capturing an image frame of a detected surface, which has interleaved bright regions and dark regions, using a field of view and a shutter time of an optical sensor counting a number of edge pairs between the bright regions and the dark regions that the field of view passes; calculating an average value of the image frame; calculating a ratio between the calculated average value and the shutter time; determining that the field of view is aligned with one of the dark regions when the ratio is smaller than a ratio threshold; and determining that the field of view is aligned with one of the bright regions when the ratio is larger than the ratio threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.Inventors: Keen-Hun Leong, Tong-Sen Liew, Ching-Geak Chan
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Patent number: 11085799Abstract: The present invention provides a position detection apparatus that is provided with a scale and a detector and includes a processing unit configured to perform processing for setting a number of light receiving elements that are consecutive in a direction of relative movement and whose outputs are to be added for the light receiving elements so that, in a first resolution mode, a phase of a component of a fourth spatial frequency lower than a spatial frequency corresponding to a frequency offset amount is detected and, in a second resolution mode for which a resolution is lower than the first resolution mode, a phase of a component of a spatial frequency of an interference image of a second grating pattern is detected.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Chihiro Nagura
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Patent number: 11079257Abstract: The present disclosure provides an absolute encoder capable of suppressing an increase in size while securing the resolution. An encoder includes a magnet rotating integrally with at least one rotary body and a plurality of rotary sensors detecting magnetic poles of the magnet to output detection signals having sinusoidal waveforms, each sinusoidal waveform having a different phase. The at least one rotary body includes a first rotary body rotating integrally with a main shaft and a third rotary body rotating together with the rotation of the first rotary body. The absolute encoder includes an angular sensor to detect the rotational angle of the first rotary body and the magnet is arranged in the third rotary body.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.Inventor: Yasuo Osada
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Patent number: 11060931Abstract: A sensor device that can reduce an assembly error of a magnetic sensor with respect to holders is provided. Magnetic sensors are disposed between first magnetism collection portions and second magnetism collection portions with a first holder and a second holder assembled to each other. A circuit board recessed portion of the second holder is provided with positioning protrusions that extend toward the first holder. A circuit board, on which the magnetic sensors are mounted, is provided with through holes. The magnetic sensors are integrally assembled to the second holder in advance with the positioning protrusions inserted through the through holes.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventor: Yuichi Toyama
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Patent number: 11029648Abstract: A system and method to determine an angular movement of an arbor integral with a crown of a watch, the arbor being rotatable in a longitudinal direction. Included is a rotating reflector mounted on the arbor, and two emitter/detector pairs disposed on either side of the reflector. Each emitter/detector pair includes a light source for illuminating the reflector, and a light detector for receiving the light reflected on the reflector and for generating an electrical signal representative of the reflected light. A processor processes the electrical signals and determine a parameter relating to the angular movement of the arbor. The rotating reflector's visible outer surface changes when the reflector rotates on itself in a regular manner, such that the representative electrical signal generated by said detector of the pair has a substantially sinusoidal shape when the reflector rotates on itself in a regular manner in a same direction of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2019Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Pierpasquale Tortora, Vittorio Zanesco
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Patent number: 11032902Abstract: An electro-optical structure including at least one optical component and a plurality of electric components arranged on a common printed circuit board is disclosed herein. The printed circuit board includes a plate-shaped base body made of molybdenum or an Invar material. An optical bench including a printed circuit board with a plate-shaped base body of molybdenum or an Invar material is also disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2017Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.Inventors: Christopher Schmidt, Christian Fuchs
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Patent number: 11009374Abstract: A sealed encoder module for mounting onto a machine so as to measure relative displacement of first and second parts of the machine. The sealed encoder module can comprise, a scale, a readhead comprising a scale signal receiver, and an integral protective housing which encapsulates at least the scale and said scale signal receiver. The sealed encoder module can be configured to determine and output diagnostic information regarding a scale signal detected by the readhead.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2016Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Finlay Jonathan Evans, James Reynolds Henshaw, Stephen Lindsey Tocknell, Richard David James Gearing
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Patent number: 11002562Abstract: An encoder includes a magnet, an optical coded disc, a magnetic sensing assembly, an optical sensing assembly and a signal processing unit. The optical coded disc has a first incremental pattern track and a second incremental pattern track. The magnet and the optical coded disc are structurally coaxial and rotatable. The magnet sensing assembly senses the magnet rotation to obtain an absolute position signal. The optical sensing assembly senses the optical coded disc rotation to obtain a first incremental position signal and a second incremental position signal. The signal processing unit receives and integrates those signals to obtain a high precision absolute position information.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.Inventors: Horng-Jou Wang, Jeng-Ping Lin
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Patent number: 10989568Abstract: There is provided a position detection device to suppress an influence of a signal distortion due to a processing error, an assembly error of a sensor, or the like. The position detection device includes: a waveform correction unit that corrects waveforms of a first signal and a second signal, the first signal being detected from a first track provided on a moving body and having a scale of predetermined cycles, and the second signal being detected from a second track provided on the moving body and having a scale of cycles less than the predetermined cycles; and a position calculation unit that calculates a position of the moving body on the basis of the corrected first signal and second signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventor: Tetsuya Narita
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Patent number: 10989569Abstract: A bearingless angular measurement device includes an angle scale, a scanning unit, and an evaluation electronics. The scanning unit and the angle scale are located at a scanning distance relative to each other and are rotatable about an axis, so that the scanning unit is capable of generating angle-dependent output signals, which may be further processed in the evaluation electronics. The scanning distance is able to be determined on the basis of the output signals. In addition, the angular measurement device includes a compensation coupling that is attachable to a machine component and is elastically deformable in the direction of the axis.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2019Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GmbHInventors: Josef Thaler, Erich Strasser
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Patent number: 10985676Abstract: Various aspects include electric generators configured to boost electrical output by leveraging electron avalanche generated by a high energy photon radiation source. In various aspects, an electric generator includes a stator and a rotor positioned within the stator, wherein the stator and rotor are configured to generate electric current when the rotor is rotated, and a high energy photon source (e.g., a gamma ray source) positioned and configured to irradiate at least a portion of conductors in the rotor or stator. In some aspects, the stator generates a magnetic field when the electric generator is operating, and the rotor includes armature windings configured to generate electric current when the rotor is rotated. In some aspects, the high energy photon source includes cobalt-60 and/or cesium-137.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2019Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASAInventors: Sang H. Choi, Dennis M. Bushnell, Adam J. Duzik
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Patent number: 10952707Abstract: An optical fiber coupling system may include a first coupler half fixed to a first fiber optic element. The first coupler half may include a first magnetically energetic material. The first magnetically energetic material may include a first aperture extending through the first magnetically energetic material. The first fiber optic element may extend within the first aperture. The optical fiber coupling system may include a second coupler half fixed to a second fiber optic element. The second coupler half may include a second magnetically energetic material. The second magnetically energetic material may include a second aperture extending through the second magnetically energetic material. The second fiber optic element may extend within the second aperture. When the first magnetically energetic material is proximate the second magnetically energetic material, the first fiber optic element may be longitudinally aligned with the second fiber optic element.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Inventor: Austin R. Ritter
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Patent number: 10948318Abstract: An encoder, including: a scale that has a pattern and is mountable to a rotary member of an object to be measured; a main body including a detector that detects the pattern, the main body being mountable to a non-rotating portion of the object to be measured; and a holding member including: an abutment portion that is removably provided to the main body from outside the main body and passes through the main body to abut the scale; and a pushing portion that is capable of pushing the abutment portion toward the scale.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2017Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Yuichi Mitsuhashi
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Patent number: 10948368Abstract: An operation processing apparatus that calculates a rotation angle based on a first output signal and a second output signal, which differ in signal frequency from each other, is provided with a first cross-coupled operation part that performs a first cross-coupled operation and a second cross-coupled operation part that performs a second cross-coupled operation based on the first and second output signals. A first Lissajous curve generation part generates a first Lissajous curve based on the result of operation by the first cross-coupled operation part, and a second Lissajous curve generation part generates a second Lissajous curve based on the result of operation by the second cross-coupled operation part. A rotation angle computing part calculates the rotation angle based on the first Lissajous curve and the second Lissajous curve.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Shinichirou Mochizuki, Hiraku Hirabayashi
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Patent number: 10921156Abstract: A rotary encoder may include a magnetic encoder disc having a plurality of magnetic features added to the disc by additive manufacturing distributed over a surface of the encoder disc, wherein the disc is configured for attachment to the end of a rotatable shaft, or a cylindrical metallic encoding feature having a plurality of magnetic features added to the cylindrical encoder by additive manufacturing distributed over the surface of the cylindrical encoding feature, wherein the encoding feature is capable of attachment to an outer diameter of the rotatable shaft. The encoder additionally includes a magnetic sensor positioned adjacent to the end of the rotatable shaft to detect magnetic signals from the magnetic features on the disc and/or positioned over the surface of the rotatable shaft to detect magnetic signals from the magnetic features on the encoding feature.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.Inventors: Andrew S. Babel, Jagadeesh Kumar Tangudu
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Patent number: 10913156Abstract: An end tool metrology position coordinates determination system is provided for use with a robot. A first accuracy level defined as a robot accuracy (e.g., for controlling and sensing an end tool position of an end tool that is mounted proximate to a distal end of a movable arm configuration of the robot) is based on using position sensors (e.g., encoders) included in the robot. The system includes the end tool, an imaging configuration, XY scale, image triggering portion and processing portion. One of the XY scale or imaging configuration is coupled to the end tool and the other is coupled to a stationary element (e.g., a frame located above the robot). The imaging configuration acquires an image of the XY scale, which is utilized to determine a relative position that is indicative of the end tool position, with an accuracy level that is better than the robot accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Mitutoyo CorporationInventors: Michael Nahum, Casey Edward Emtman
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Patent number: 10895503Abstract: A bimodal optical spectroscopy device for producing spectra of autofluorescence and diffuse reflectance signals from a biological sample such as skin.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2016Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignees: UNIVERSITE DE LORRAINE, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUEInventors: Marine Amouroux, Walter Blondel, Alain Delconte
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Patent number: 10890432Abstract: A digital displacement sensor and a displacement measuring method thereof, pertaining to the technical field of displacement sensors. The digital displacement sensor includes a housing and a circuit board, and the circuit board is arranged inside the housing. The housing is provided with a window and an opening. The circuit board is provided with a signal acquisition module, an analog front end circuit, a digital compensation circuit, and a signal output interface. The digital displacement sensor allows to alternatively fix the sensor or measured object according to the structure. The measurement can be performed as long as a relative movement between the sensor and the measured object occurs. Factors such as material of the measured object etc. are not limited, so materials such as steel belts, aluminum plates, plastics etc. can be flexibly used. Merely surfaces of the measured object need to be coated with corresponding stripes.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2018Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: MONOLITH ELECTRIC (CHANGZHOU) CO., LTD.Inventors: Lei Liang, Qing Xia, Weijie Wu, Chunlei Yu
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Patent number: 10871385Abstract: The present disclosure is related to an optical encoder which is configured to provide precise coding reference data by feature recognition technology. To apply the present disclosure, it is not necessary to provide particular dense patterns on a working surface. The precise coding reference data can be generated by detecting surface features of the working surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2019Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.Inventors: Boon-How Kok, Keen-Hun Leong, Ching-Geak Chan, Chiang-Hee Lim, Chu-Leik Ho, Hsin-Chia Chen, Yen-Min Chang
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Patent number: 10845218Abstract: An encoder includes a base portion, a rotation portion that is provided to be rotatable about a rotation axis with respect to the base portion, a mark that is disposed around the rotation axis on the rotation portion, an imaging element that is disposed in the base portion and images the marks, a storage portion that stores a reference image, and a determination portion that performs template matching on the mark imaged by the imaging element by using the reference image, so as to determine a rotation state of the rotation portion with respect to the base portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Inventor: Takayuki Kondo
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Patent number: 10847995Abstract: An encoder for detecting a rotation angle of an object of detection includes: a main circuit including a rotational speed obtaining portion configured to obtain a rotational speed of the object of detection; a backup battery for supplying power to the main circuit while the main circuit is disconnected from a main power-supply circuit; a current obtaining portion configured to obtain a consumption current of the backup battery as a backup current while the electric power is being supplied from the backup battery to the main circuit; and a current abnormality determining portion configured to determine that the backup current is abnormal if the backup current is larger than a given current value when the rotational speed of the object of detection obtained by the rotational speed obtaining portion is a given rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: FANUC CORPORATIONInventor: Youhei Kondou
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Patent number: 10768204Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electrical measurement are disclosed. An example electrical measurement device includes a conductive cable comprising a plurality of conductive filaments on a first end and an electrical connector on a second end, a cable mount that includes a base and an adjustable support attached to the base and the conductive cable to hold the plurality of conductive filaments in contact with a rotating element of a device under test during a measurement operation, with the conductive cable forming a portion of a circuit when the plurality of conductive filaments are in contact with the rotating element of the device under test and the electrical connector is in contact with an output.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Richardson, Adam Willwerth
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Patent number: 10749412Abstract: A position-measuring device includes a graduation carrier which carries a measuring graduation and is non-rotatably connectable to a shaft. A scanner is configured to generate scanning signals by scanning the measuring graduation. Evaluation electronics are configured to process the scanning signals into a digital angle value of the shaft. An interface is configured to communicate with subsequent electronics. The scanner is mountable on a machine part that is supported so as to be movable in an axial direction of the shaft, so that the scanning signals are dependent on a position of the machine part in the axial direction of the shaft, and so that a measure of the position of the machine part in the axial direction of the shaft is determinable from the scanning signals by the evaluation electronics.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2017Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBHInventor: Erich Strasser
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Patent number: 10704931Abstract: An optical detecting device includes a multi-axis instruction outputting mechanism and an optical detecting module, and shift of the multi-axis instruction outputting mechanism is determined accordingly. An actuating component of the multi-axis instruction outputting mechanism is moved in reciprocation at a first operating direction to output an instruction. The optical detecting module is detachably disposed to the actuating component. An interval between the optical detecting module and the actuating component is varied according to a relative movement between the optical detecting module and the actuating component at a second operating direction, and the actuating component can be shifted between different gears.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.Inventors: Chung-Ting Yang, Yen-Min Chang, Chia-Fu Ke
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Patent number: 10670431Abstract: An encoder apparatus including a scale and a readhead including a sensor including an array of sensor elements for detecting a scale signal falling on the sensor, configured such that the sensor elements' outputs that are used to determine the relative position of the scale and readhead are weighted such that the influence of the sensor elements on the determined relative position of the scale and readhead varies across the array according to a predetermined non-rectangular window function that is configured to reduce the adverse effect of undesirable frequencies in the scale signal so as to thereby reduce the encoder apparatus' sub-divisional error.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Jason Slack, Richard James Bale
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Patent number: 10663280Abstract: A system and method for determining eccentricity of a casing and a rotor of a gas turbine includes a plurality of stationary distance detectors coupled to the casing at known circumferential positions and a rotating distance detector coupled to the rotor or a blade in or near an axial plane defined by the stationary distance detectors. The stationary distance detectors transmit wireless signals to one another to determine a first series of distance measurements between each pair of stationary distance detectors. The rotating distance detector transmits wireless signals to each of the stationary distance detectors, as the rotor is spun, to generate a second series of distance measurements. The measurements are transmitted, over a wireless local area network, to a remote computing device that processes the distance measurements into an eccentricity plot. An optional base station may be used to generate the wireless network.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Travis Edwin Lipstein, Sandra Beverly Kolvick