Including Speed-related Frequency Generator Patents (Class 324/166)
  • Patent number: 9664748
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor and associated method provide an output signal with first and second different pulses with first and second different pulse widths indicative of first and second different directions of rotation of a moving target. The magnetic field sensor also includes third pulses with an identifiable encoding to indicate when a signature region in the moving target proximate to the magnetic field sensor passes by the magnetic field sensor. The third pulses each comprise respective state transitions and each comprise respective pulse widths with respective fixed predetermined time durations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, LLC
    Inventors: Andreas P. Friedrich, Andrea Foletto, Jay M. Towne, Michael Morris, Eric Shoemaker
  • Patent number: 9638548
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to predictive output switching threshold determination systems and methods for sensors, for example magnetic field sensors. In embodiments, at least one individual switching threshold is determined predictively, rather than reactively, for each tooth or pole of a ferromagnetic tooth or pole wheel, respectively. For example, in one embodiment, the number of teeth or poles is programmed, and an optimal threshold for each tooth or pole is determined during a rotation of the wheel. The determined optimal threshold for each tooth is then used for that tooth in at least one subsequent rotation of the wheel, with calibration optionally taking place in future subsequent rotations. Thus, in embodiments, thresholds are predictive for each individual tooth or pole rather than reactive to an adjacent tooth or pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Razvan-Catalin Mialtu, Dan-Ioan-Dumitru Stoica, Heinz Untersteiner, Catalina-Petruta Juglan
  • Patent number: 9612135
    Abstract: A device for determining motion parameters includes a magnetic multipole that generates an alternating magnetic field, at least one magnetic sensor for measuring the magnetic field of the magnetic multipole, and an evaluation and control unit for evaluating the signals from the magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor includes a magnetizable core, a drive coil, and a measuring coil. The evaluation and control unit charges the drive coil with a periodic drive signal so as to bring about a periodic magnetic reversal of the core and detects the points in time at which the magnetic reversals occur in the core. Based on the points in time at which the magnetic reversals occur, the evaluation and control unit determines a current value of the effective magnetic field of the magnetic multipole within a defined measuring range representing a range around a zero crossing of the magnetic field of the magnetic multipole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Welsch, Frank Schatz
  • Patent number: 9562924
    Abstract: A system for detecting a vehicle speed, includes: a pulse ring including a pulse ring rotation part rotating according to travel of a vehicle, and a plurality of pitch units provided in the pulse ring rotation part at a predetermined interval; a vehicle speed sensor adjacently provided to the pulse ring and configured to output a voltage signal generated according to a distance between the vehicle speed sensor and a pitch unit; an output unit configured to output a voltage pulse signal and a voltage pulse amplitude change signal of the vehicle speed sensor; a first vehicle speed detection unit configured to detect the vehicle speed based on the voltage pulse signal of the output unit; and a second vehicle speed detection unit configured to detect the vehicle speed based on the voltage pulse amplitude change signal of the output unit, in which at least one of the plurality of pitch units has an adjacent distance which is different from an adjacent distance between another of the pitch units and the vehicle spe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Semin Oh
  • Patent number: 9553751
    Abstract: A demodulation device for demodulating a base signal from a composite signal, which is composed of a carrier wave and a sensor modulation signal of the base signal. The demodulation device determines a difference between the composite signal of a former-half period and the composite signal of a latter-half period to be a pre-correction base signal. The former-half period is a one-half period of a sampling period starting at one of a local maximum and a local minimum of the carrier wave. The latter-half period follows the former-half period. The demodulation device determines a reference level from the composite signal and determines a signal level of a post-correction base signal based on a ratio between a signal level of the pre-correction base signal and the reference level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takamoto Watanabe, Shigenori Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 9397571
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, apparatus, circuitry, components, mechanisms, modules, units, systems, and processes for controlling a power switch of a voltage regulator. A capacitor is coupled to an output of the power switch. Charge delivery circuitry is coupled to the capacitor and configured to provide a charging current to the capacitor. Charge control circuitry can be coupled to the charge delivery circuitry and configured to selectively allow the providing of the charging current to the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Joel Tang, Qingxiang Zhang, Seth Kahn, David Lidsky
  • Patent number: 9377518
    Abstract: A system for testing a magnetic sensor according to one embodiment includes a discharge circuit to cause a discharge event on a magnetic sensor; a bias generation circuit to apply at least one first bias current to the sensor and at least one second bias current to the sensor, the second bias current being different than the first bias current; a resistance determination circuit to determine a resistance of the magnetic sensor at each of the applied bias currents; and a damage determination circuit to determine whether the magnetic sensor is damaged and/or was fixed by a discharge event based on the resistances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Icko E. T. Iben
  • Patent number: 9328766
    Abstract: A rolling bearing having a permanently excited first generator (09) which is arranged in an intermediate space between two bearing rings which are rotatable relative to one another, the first generator having a primary part and a secondary part and generating a first generator voltage when it operates, the secondary part has permanent magnets (04) which are arranged with alternating polarity on the circumference of one of the bearing rings at least in sections. The rolling bearing includes a second generator (21), and the first generator voltage serves for the supply of energy to a sensor arrangement and/or actuator arrangement integrated in the bearing, whereas the second generator outputs a voltage signal for position determination and rotational speed measurement. A method for the energy management of a rolling bearing of this type is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Schaefller Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Benkert, Thomas Rink
  • Patent number: 9302582
    Abstract: A display system for a work vehicle includes a rotation speed display section for selectively displaying an engine rotation speed or a PTO rotation speed in a same display area, a display selection switch for outputting a display selection command, a discrimination display section for displaying a discrimination object for discriminating which of the engine rotation speed and the PTO rotation speed is being displayed and a display control section for selectively providing an engine rotation speed display signal or a PTO rotation speed display signal to the rotation speed display section based on the display selection command and providing the discrimination display section with a display signal for the discrimination object based on the display selection command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Togo, Keita Ono, Ryuji Kitagawa, Koji Masumoto, Kengo Satoh
  • Patent number: 9304142
    Abstract: This invention provides an angular speed detection and monitoring system comprised of an energy harvesting integrated generator and sensor with wireless data transmission capability, a wireless data relay station and a wireless remote termination station for control wiring connections and digital communications. The invention provides real-time rotational acceleration and speed measurement for continuous process control and ‘Zero-Speed’ detection for simple on-off interlock control and fault monitoring of rotating equipment or moving surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: A. Steve Gurganian
  • Patent number: 9287811
    Abstract: An electric motor control device is capable of reducing vibration in a speed fluctuation range at a high frequency. The electric motor control device includes a target rotation speed setting unit that sets the target rotation speed of an electric motor, a rotation speed estimation unit that calculates an estimated rotation speed of the electric motor, and a drive command signal generation unit that generates a drive command signal for the electric motor so as to eliminate a rotation speed difference between the target rotation speed and the estimated rotation speed. The rotation speed estimation unit includes an error calculation unit that calculates an error related to rotation of the electric motor and an estimated corrected rotation speed calculation unit that calculates an estimated corrected rotation speed by taking the error as input and correcting the estimated rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: CALSONIC KANSEI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kensuke Osamura, Yousuke Ooneda, Mitsuo Hirata, Hayato Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9217786
    Abstract: A variable-reluctance magnetic detection head delivers an electrical signal (Uin) and a rising wavefront of the electrical signal is compared with a first threshold (Th) in order to switch from a first state (B0) to a second state (B1), and a falling wavefront is compared with a second threshold (Tb) lower than the first threshold (Th) in order to switch from the second state (B1) to the first state (B0). In a diagnostics step, the first threshold (Th) or the second threshold (Tb) is modified, bringing these thresholds closer together, and a magnetic detection head is diagnosed as being defective if the duty cycle of the second state (B1) is modified during the diagnostics step by a value higher than a diagnostics threshold predetermined in relation to a reference level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Delcol, Aurore Desgeorge
  • Patent number: 9085300
    Abstract: A method is provided for ascertaining a wheel circumference of a vehicle wheel attached to a vehicle with reference to the distance travelled by the vehicle and measuring signals of a wheel revolution sensor associated with a vehicle wheel. The method includes, but is not limited to positioning the vehicle in front of a stationary obstacle and registering the obstacle with a distance measuring device of the vehicle, moving the vehicle in direction of the obstacle, ascertaining the distance travelled as the reference distance with the distance measuring device, ascertaining the number of measuring pulses of the wheel sensor over the distance travelled, and determining the wheel circumference from the ascertained distance and the ascertained number of measuring pulses of the wheel sensor. A parking assistance system is also provided for a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle, a computer program product and a computer program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Stefan Bauer
  • Patent number: 9000710
    Abstract: A system for determining motor speed of a brush DC motor in an apparatus, including a first filter for receiving a substantially DC component of the motor current and parameters corresponding to the brush DC motor, for calculating a speed estimate thereof; an adaptive bandpass filter having a center frequency corresponding to the speed estimate of the first filter, for receiving the motor current and substantially isolating a periodic current fluctuation thereof; a block for determining a frequency of the periodic current fluctuation, the current fluctuation corresponding to motor speed of the brush DC motor. The adaptive bandpass filter uses debounce filtering to reduce rapid filter passband switching, and a run-in period prior to passband switching to obviate transient effects of filter switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Mark Atay
  • Patent number: 8985068
    Abstract: A system for operating a rotating component. The system includes a rotating component, a motor driving the rotating component, a sensor detecting a stimulus related to the rotating component, and a controller. The controller receives an indication of the magnitude of the stimulus from the sensor and is configured to adjust a speed of the rotating component when the stimulus indicates the rotating component is operating at a resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Dana Nicgorski
  • Patent number: 8981764
    Abstract: A rolling bearing sensor, especially a rotational speed sensor, having a housing and a signal pick-up which is arranged in the housing in a manner secured against rotation and is arranged, with the housing, in a stationary receptacle in a stationary part of a rolling bearing or in a stationary component adjoining a rolling bearing, for example, an axle journal, where the housing has an outer design via which the rolling bearing sensor in the receptacle is secured against rotation in a form-fitting manner. The sensor may have a groove which runs in the axial direction and interacts with a screw or a projection. Alternatively, a securing element which predefines a defined angular position may be pushed onto the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marc-Andre Schaefer, Jens Heim
  • Patent number: 8836322
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention described herein provide a magnetic sensor interface capable of adjusting signal conditioning dynamically using a speed signal of a target such that the true positive and negative peaks of the input signal are maintained for the given target across its entire speed range (0-Max rpm), therefore increasing the signal to noise ratio at low speeds and avoiding clipping or distortion at high speeds. In one aspect, a method comprises receiving an alternating differential voltage signal from a sensor. The differential voltage signal has an amplitude that changes relative to a change in speed of a target. The alternating differential voltage signal is converted to an attenuated single-ended voltage signal that can be dynamically scaled. The attenuated single-ended voltage signal can be scaled by multiplying the attenuated single-ended voltage signal by a scaling factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Merrill Roylance, Daniel Zahi Abawi, Biplab Deb
  • Patent number: 8836321
    Abstract: The motor speed detection apparatus detects rotational speed of a motor. The apparatus includes an FG coil (21) and a magnet (22) to be relatively moved with rotation of the motor, the FG coil outputting an alternating-current signal to be sampled by the apparatus, an A/D converter (1) to convert the alternating-current signal into a digital signal, an integrator (2) to perform time integration on the digital signal, a first determiner (3, 9) to determine which one of plural threshold ranges includes an integration value obtained by the integrator, a second determiner (3, 8) to determine whether change of the integration value is increase or decrease, and a logical product calculator (3, 10) to produce a binary signal showing a logical product of determination results of the first and second determiners. The apparatus calculates the rotational speed based on a production cycle of the binary signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Precision Inc.
    Inventor: Masaya Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20140253104
    Abstract: A method of determining a rotor displacement angle of a synchronous generator having a rotor and electrically connected to a power supply network uses at least one rotary speed measuring device. During a revolution of the rotor, in particular during each revolution of the rotor, the measuring device communicates at least one rotary speed signal to an evaluation unit. A frequency measuring device communicates a frequency signal to the evaluation unit for each period duration of a voltage signal of the power supply network. A time duration between communication of the rotary speed signal and communication of the frequency signal is determined by the evaluation unit, and the rotor displacement angle is inferred in dependence on the determined time duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: GE Jenbacher GmbH & Co OG
    Inventor: Helmut NIEDRIST
  • Publication number: 20140247038
    Abstract: A fan speed testing device is provided. The device includes a power jack, a voltage conversion module, a first fan connector, a DIP switch, and a control module. The first fan connector receives voltage from the power jack and outputs a PWM signal to a fan, receives a first feedback signal from the fan, and outputs the first feedback signal to the control module. The control module receives the predetermined voltage, sets the rotation speed of the fan as marked or predicted by the manufacturer, and outputs the generated PWM signal to the first fan connector. The control module further analyzes the first feedback signal to determine an actual rotation speed of the fan, and outputs the predicted rotation speed of the fan and the first actual rotation speed of the fan, by visual or audible signal to the user for comparison purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: KANG WU, BO TIAN
  • Patent number: 8818685
    Abstract: A rotation detecting device and a rotation detecting method determines normal rotation/reverse rotation of a rotating shaft based on a rotation signal different between the normal rotation and the reverse rotation of the rotating shaft. The rotation signal is set to have a pulse width different between the normal rotation and the reverse rotation of a crankshaft that is an output shaft of an internal combustion engine. By determining whether or not the pulse width is greater than a threshold value, the normal rotation or the reverse rotation of the crankshaft is detected. Whether or not the crankshaft is rotating normally is determined based on engine rotating speed, a cylinder in which a piston is in a predetermined position, an engine load, a starter switch, intake pressure, battery voltage, and the like. When the condition for the normal rotation is satisfied, the threshold of the pulse width is set based on a pulse width of a rotation signal measured at this time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8717008
    Abstract: A fan speed testing system includes a voltage regulating module, a rotational frequency collecting module, and a rotational frequency converting module. The voltage regulating module receives an AC voltage signal and converts the AC voltage signal to a variable first DC voltage signal to adjust a rotational speed of a fan. The rotational frequency collecting module detects the rotational speed of the fan and outputs rotational frequency signals. The rotational frequency converting module receives the rotational frequency signals and determines the rotational speed of the fan according to numbers and period of time level voltage switching in the rotational frequency signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiang-Biao Chen, Li-Ping Fan, Yu-Lin Liu
  • Patent number: 8659250
    Abstract: A management apparatus is described of a rotating motor and a load during power loss; the apparatus comprises a first switching circuit coupled with the rotating motor and a controller of said first switching circuit. The controller is configured to drive the first switching circuit so as to convert a back-electromotive force voltage developed in the rotating motor into a power supply voltage for the load. The first switching circuit is driven in accordance with a first duty cycle. The apparatus comprises a second switching circuit coupled with the load and driven in accordance with a second duty cycle. The controller is configured to vary said first and said second duty cycles to keep the power supply voltage for the load above or equal to a threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Maiocchi, Ezio Galbiati
  • Publication number: 20140035561
    Abstract: An interface for processing a variable reluctance sensor signal provided by a variable reluctance sensor including an integrator, an arming comparator and a detect circuit. The integrator includes an input for receiving the variable reluctance sensor signal and an output providing an integrated signal indicative of total flux change of the variable reluctance sensor. The arming comparator compares the integrated signal with a predetermined arming threshold and provides an armed signal indicative thereof. The detect circuit provides a reset signal after the armed signal is provided to reset the integrator. A corresponding method of processing the variable reluctance sensor signal is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: John M. Pigott, Fred T. Brauchler, William E. Edwards, Mike R. Garrard, Randall C. Gray, John M. Hall
  • Publication number: 20140035562
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying a fan type of a fan in an electronic system having a controller. The method includes: setting a fan identification characteristic value, the fan identification characteristic value corresponding to a PWM (pulse width modulation) duty cycle with a substantial maximum difference between the fan speed of a first type of fan and the fan speed a second type of fan; receiving, via the fan, the fan identification characteristic value; initiating the fan with the fan identification characteristic value; reading, via the controller, a stable fan speed value of the fan; identifying, via the controller, the fan type of the fan based on which fan has a predetermined fan speed (RPM) that is the closest to the stable fan speed value (RPM) when operating at the fan identification characteristic value (PWM).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kelvin WP Huang, Marcus A. Kelly, Edward YC Kung
  • Publication number: 20140028292
    Abstract: A fan identification system identifies a fan type of a fan in an electronic system. The fan identification system includes a controller that includes: a setting module for setting a fan identification characteristic value corresponding to a pulse width modulation duty cycle with a substantial maximum difference between a fan speed of a first type of fan and a fan speed of a second type of fan; a reading module for reading a stable fan speed value after the fan receives the fan identification characteristic value and is initiated with the fan identification characteristic value; and an identification module for identifying the fan as the first type of fan or the second type of fan based on which fan has a predetermined fan speed that is the closest to the stable fan speed value when operating at the fan identification characteristic value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Kelvin WP Huang, Marcus A. Kelly, Edward YC Kung
  • Publication number: 20130342189
    Abstract: A rotational device comprises a first portion, a rotatable body rotatable relative to the first portion and comprising at least one salient member, and a speed sensor arrangement for use in measuring a speed of rotation of the at least one salient member, the speed sensor arrangement comprises a signal electrode, at least a portion of which is located between the rotatable body and the first portion, there being an electric potential difference between the signal electrode and the first portion in use, the signal electrode being configured to output a first signal in use which is a function of the speed of rotation of the at least one salient member; a guard electrode, at least a portion of which is located between the signal electrode and the first portion, the guard electrode being separated from the signal electrode by at least a first electrically insulating portion, and the guard electrode being separated from the first portion by at least a second electrically insulating dielectric portion; and a buffer
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Cummins Ltd.
    Inventor: Calvin Cox
  • Patent number: 8558534
    Abstract: An ECU detects a steering angle that is an absolute angle based on a sine signal and a cosine signal that are output from a steering sensor. The ECU includes a three-phase pulse generator that generates, based on the sine signal and the cosine signal, three-phase pulse signals that have edges corresponding to predetermined rotational angles and that are set in such a manner that the predetermined rotational angles corresponding to the respective edges do not overlap each other and are at regular intervals. A microcomputer has a function as a second rotational angle detector that calculates a steering angle based on the pulse signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Tomita
  • Patent number: 8547085
    Abstract: An arrangement for measuring process parameters within a processing chamber is provided. The arrangement includes a probe arrangement disposed in an opening of an upper electrode. Probe arrangement includes a probe head, which includes a head portion and a flange portion. The arrangement also includes an o-ring disposed between the upper electrode and the flange portion. The arrangement further includes a spacer made of an electrically insulative material positioned between the head portion and the opening of the upper electrode to prevent the probe arrangement from touching the upper electrode. The spacer includes a disk portion configured for supporting an underside of the flange portion. The spacer also includes a hollow cylindrical portion configured to encircle the head portion. The spacer forms a right-angled path between the o-ring and an opening to the processing chamber to prevent direct line-of-sight path between the o-ring and the opening to the processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Booth, Douglas Keil
  • Patent number: 8531182
    Abstract: A control system for use in safety critical human/machine control interfaces is described, more particularly a joystick type control system and particularly a joystick type control system utilizing magnetic positional sensing. The control system provides a control input device having a movable magnet, a pole-piece frame arrangement positioned about the magnet, at least three magnetic flux sensors being positioned in said pole-piece frame arrangement and a monitoring arrangement for monitoring the output signal of each of said at least three sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Penny & Giles Controls Limited
    Inventor: Dev Kumar Banerjee
  • Patent number: 8504209
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that controls a device that generates vibrations in a computer system. During operation, a critical vibration frequency is determined for the computer system. Next, a keep-out zone is generated based on the critical vibration frequency, wherein the keep-out zone specifies a range of frequencies to be avoided. Then, the device is controlled based on the keep-out zone to reduce vibrations generated by the device in the keep-out zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenny C. Gross, Aleksey M. Urmanov, Kalyanaraman Vaidyanathan
  • Patent number: 8497673
    Abstract: A logging while drilling tool includes a directional resistivity antenna and an antenna shield having. The shield has at least one slot having at least one electrically open end formed therein. The antenna shield may include a base portion and a plurality of spaced apart fingers extending away from the base portion such that the finger ends are electrically isolated from the tool body and from one another. The antenna shield may alternatively include a plurality of spaced apart plates that are electrically isolated from the tool body and from one another. These antenna shields have been found to provide suitable physical protection for sensitive antenna components while at the same time being substantially transparent to both z-mode and x-mode electromagnetic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tsili Wang, Jun Zhang, Jing Li, Stephen D Bonner
  • Patent number: 8497672
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide an acceleration sensor, which enables highly accurate detection and has an extremely compact size. The acceleration sensor of the present embodiments is provided with a substrate, a anchor portion formed on the substrate, a support beam, which has one end connected to the anchor portion and extends across a space from the substrate, and a proof mass which is connected to the other end of the support beam and held across a space from the substrate. The acceleration sensor is further provided with first and second piezoelectric bending resonators, a comparison unit, and a calculation unit. The first and second piezoelectric bending resonators have one end connected to the anchor portion and the other end connected to the proof mass or the support beam and have a stack of a first electrode, a first piezoelectric film, and a second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takashi Kawakubo, Toshihiko Nagano, Michihiko Nishigaki, Hiroshi Ono
  • Patent number: 8493061
    Abstract: An example cycle meter adjusting device includes a circuit configured to provide voltage pulses and an adjustable potentiometer configured to vary the frequency of the voltage pulses provided by the circuit. A coupling interface is configured to selectively communicate the voltage pulses provided by the circuit to a cycle meter having a display. The voltage pulses adjust a number of cycles shown on the display. Another example cycle meter adjuster includes a circuit configured to provide voltage pulses. A controller is configured to selectively adjust a frequency of the voltage pulses. A connection interface is configured to communicate the voltage pulses to a cycle meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen James Ruckle
  • Patent number: 8493017
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical drive having a motor with a rotor and a stationary stator, which has a coil arrangement, and having a motor controller for controlling the motor, with the motor controller being configured to pass current through the coil arrangement in order to produce an excitation field, with the coil arrangement having a plurality of coil winding sections, and with each coil winding section having a plurality of coil sections, wherein the polarity of at least one coil section of the plurality of coil sections of each coil winding section can be selectively reversed with respect to the other coil sections of the coil winding section. The drive is particularly suitable for use for an electrical tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: C. & E. Fein GmbH
    Inventor: Lothar Dietl
  • Patent number: 8461827
    Abstract: The invention relates to a roller bearing (01), with a revolving bearing component (05) and a stationary bearing component (04), and with a capacitive sensor unit (02). The capacitive sensor unit (04) comprises a pivoted sensor element (08), which is connected to the revolving bearing component (05), and a stationary sensor element (09). The sensor units (08, 09) form a capacitor. At least one of the sensor elements (08, 09) bears a first material measure (14, 16), so that a change arises in the capacitance of the capacitor when there is a relative motion in the sensor areas (08, 09). The sensor unit also includes a means for generating a periodic electrostatic field between the sensor plates, and a processing and amplifying electronics unit for evaluating the change in capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignees: SICK Stegmann GmbH, Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG, INA Drivers & Mechatronics GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Josef Siraky, Dirk Schmidt, Jörg Kegeler
  • Patent number: 8436606
    Abstract: A rotation detector includes a first distance sensor disposed to face a rotating body with a gear portion formed non-parallel to a rotation axis for continuously measuring a distance from the gear portion during rotation of the rotating body, a second distance sensor disposed at a position different from the first distance sensor in a direction of the rotation axis for continuously measuring a distance from the gear portion during rotation of the rotating body, and an axis shift detecting portion for detecting an axis shift of the rotation axis based on a variation in the distance measured by at least one of the first and second distance sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Shuichi Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20130069634
    Abstract: A speed sensor including at least one sensor element and an analog-to-digital converter that digitizes the output signals of the at least one sensor element, and a Costas loop unit that is connected to the output of the analog-to-digital converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co oHG
    Inventor: Heinrich Acker
  • Publication number: 20130038319
    Abstract: A speed target wheel includes an annular body portion and a plurality of gear teeth. The annular body portion consists of a plastic material and the plurality of gear teeth project from the annular body portion. Each of the plurality of gear teeth includes a base portion adjacent the annular body portion and a tip portion, where the base portion is integrally formed with the annular body portion and substantially comprises the plastic material, and where the tip portion includes a ferrous region integrally encompassed by the plastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jack M. Gayney, Kevin A. Shipley, Apoorva S. Kelkar
  • Patent number: 8339122
    Abstract: A speed sensor for use in measuring the speed of rotation of a rotationally salient rotating member The speed sensor comprises an electrode and a sensor circuit. The sensor circuit comprises a constant voltage source for supplying a voltage to the electrode to generate an electric field in a dielectric medium. A current detector detects current flow between the constant voltage source and the electrode due to perturbation of the electric field by passage of at least one salient feature of the rotating member through the electric field as the rotating member rotates. The current detector outputs a first signal modulated at a frequency corresponding to the frequency of perturbation of the electric field. The first signal is amplified to produce an amplified signal modulated at a frequency corresponding to the frequency of perturbation of the electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins Turbo Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Calvin Cox, Thomas W. Bach
  • Patent number: 8334686
    Abstract: Example vibrating helical spring sensors and methods to operate the same are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a housing, a helical spring held in tension, a flowline to expose the helical spring to a fluid, a magnet to expose the helical spring to a magnetic field, and a wire to electrically conduct an actuating current through the helical spring to displace the helical spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeru Sato
  • Patent number: 8334687
    Abstract: A system includes a transceiver module and a rotating device. The transceiver module generates an electromagnetic (EM) field using an antenna. The rotating device includes N transponders arranged such that each of the N transponders passes through the EM field during one revolution of the rotating device. Each of the N transponders damps the EM field when passing through the EM field. The transceiver module determines a rotational speed of the rotating device based on a number of times the EM field is damped during a period. N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventors: Qi Ma, Brian M. Tulkki
  • Patent number: 8330450
    Abstract: A magnetic position sensor consisting of a non-electroconductive, non-magnetic carrier on which a resistive layer is arranged, in addition to a pick-off layer which is located at a distance from the resistive layer and at least partially overlaps the same. The distance between the two layers is selected in such a way that contact is established between the two layers by a magnetic device that can be moved along the overlapping regions of the resistive layer and the pick-off layer. The pick-off layer is a film which consists of a ferromagnetic material and is electroconductive at least on one side. The pick-off layer is a film which consists of a ferromagnetic material and is electroconductive at least on one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hirschmann Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Peter, Werner Dengler
  • Patent number: 8330451
    Abstract: A measurement of a lower and a higher speed of rotation is taking place via the inductive sensor. A sensor unit, which comprises a pulse generator, a transmitter side and a receiver side, is used for determining the speed of rotation, whereby the transmitter side comprises a transmitter inductor connected with an oscillator, and the receiver side comprises two receiving inductors. The signal, which is generated by the two receiver inductors and transmitted along each of the signal paths, is forwarded to two signal processing units. Through each of the two signal paths, for lower and higher speed of rotation, the processed signal is forwarded to a logic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Schunk, Matthias Trescher
  • Patent number: 8310227
    Abstract: An electronic measuring wheel has a casing, a distance wheel and an operating shaft. The casing has a power supply, a seven-segment display and a sensor. The seven-segment display is mounted in the casing and is electrically connected to the power supply. The sensor is mounted on the seven-segment display in the casing and is electrically connected to the power supply and the seven-segment display. The distance wheel is rotatably connected to the casing and has a distance wheel axle and an induction ring. The distance wheel axle has an inner end mounted in the casing. The induction ring is mounted around the inner end of the distance wheel axle near the sensor. The operating shaft is connected to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Ying-Wu Lai
  • Patent number: 8306775
    Abstract: A rotation speed information detection apparatus, including: a wheel sensor for detecting passage of teeth of a gear provided in association with tires of a vehicle; a number-of-teeth calculation means for calculating the number of teeth of the gear passed per a sampling cycle set in advance; and a wheel speed calculation means for regularly calculating rotation speed information of the tire with using the number of teeth calculated. The number-of-teeth calculation means is configured to use a ratio between time information at the point and a remaining time until the time at which the next sampling cycle is started is reached to thereby calculate the number of remaining teeth to calculate the number of teeth passed during the sampling cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Fujita, Hiroaki Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 8294454
    Abstract: Disclosed is a position measuring device, comprising: a first and second solid measure and a first and second scanning mechanism, wherein: the first and second solid measure and the first and second scanning mechanism are respectively designed identically but mirrored in a plane including the direction of measurement and perpendicular to the direction that is not measured; the first and second solid measure are mounted in a fixed opposite position in a direction that is not measured; the first and the second scanning mechanism are mounted in a fixed opposite position in the direction that is not measured; and the scanning signals generated by the first and second scanning mechanisms respectively are electronically combined into an output scanning signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Sick Stegmann GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Siraky
  • Patent number: 8278910
    Abstract: A PLL for controlling a motor includes first and second feedback loops. The first feedback loop includes an oscillator for generating a signal having a frequency corresponding to an input voltage, a first phase comparator for outputting a first phase difference signal corresponding to a phase difference between the signal from the oscillator and an input signal, and a first smoothing filter for smoothing the first phase difference signal to output the smoothed signal as the input voltage. The second feedback loop includes a second phase comparator for outputting a second phase difference signal corresponding to a phase difference between a signal having a frequency corresponding to a rotational speed of the motor and the input signal, an adder for adding the first and second phase difference signals, and a second smoothing filter for smoothing an output of the adder to output the smoothed signal to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: ShinMaywa Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Machida, Michinobu Kambara, Takeshi Hasegawa, Fumihiko Shinoda
  • Patent number: 8248064
    Abstract: A device for inductive speed detection includes two planar coils which are arranged offset at a given distance from a pulse wheel and in the rotational direction of the pulse wheel, and are each part of an oscillator, the oscillator frequency of which is evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Cherry GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Schunk
  • Patent number: 8228055
    Abstract: The transverse critical-current uniformity in a superconducting tape was determined using a magnetic knife apparatus. A critical current Ic distribution and transverse critical current density Jc distribution in YBCO coated conductors was measured nondestructively with high resolution using a magnetic knife apparatus. The method utilizes the strong depression of Jc in applied magnetic fields. A narrow region of low, including zero, magnetic field in a surrounding higher field is moved transversely across a sample of coated conductor. This reveals the critical current density distribution. A Fourier series inversion process was used to determine the transverse Jc distribution in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Fred M. Mueller, Jens Haenisch