Displacement Patents (Class 324/207.11)
  • Patent number: 8140145
    Abstract: A position detection apparatus and a medical-device-position detection system that have improved position detection accuracy are provided by setting high amplification for the position detection apparatus. The position detection apparatus includes a circuit that has at least one embedded coil (10a) and that is provided inside an object (10) to be detected; a first magnetic-field generating unit (11) for generating a first magnetic field in the region where the embedded coil (10a) is disposed; a magnetic-field detecting unit (5, 12) for detecting an induced magnetic field generated at the embedded coil (10a) by the first magnetic field; and a second magnetic-field generating unit (23) for generating a second magnetic field having a phase substantially opposite to the phase of the first magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Kimura, Akio Uchiyama, Ryoji Sato
  • Patent number: 8132529
    Abstract: An applicator and method of discharging a corrosion preventative. The applicator controllably and uniformly applies a corrosion preventative to a surface that has a sensor instrument mounted thereon. The applicator comprises a reservoir block that defines an interior reservoir that is configured to contain an amount of the corrosion preventative. The applicator further comprises a plate attached to the top of the reservoir block. The plate includes a sensor guide that extends outward from the top surface which is configured to engage the surface. Discharge tubes attach to the plate and extend outward from the plate in a pattern around the sensor instrument, wherein the tubes operatively communicate with the reservoir. A proximity sensor which is positioned within the sensor bore is configured to sense and to signal a presence of the sensor instrument positioned within the sensor bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventor: Russ A. Wells
  • Publication number: 20120038347
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for analysis of magnetic fields or signals used for the determination of the position of an object, wherein two temporally to each other shifted magnetic signals or fields are generated by two conductors arranged at least in part or completely separated from each other. The magnetic fields generated by the conductors are consecutively being captured by at least one and preferably three sensors arranged orthogonally to each other and determining from the captured signals information for determining the position of the object carrying the sensors relative to the conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Tilman Bucher
  • Publication number: 20120041297
    Abstract: A system for detecting a position and/or orientation of a magnetic dipole includes a first detector and a second detector, separate and spaced apart from the first detector. Each of the detectors includes three or more magnetic field sensors to detect a magnetic field generated by the magnetic dipole. The system has applications, for example, in image-guided surgery and/or therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Baylor College of Medicine
    Inventor: John E. McGary
  • Publication number: 20120041709
    Abstract: A method for deciding whether a movable object has been brought through a goal having a goal area defined by the goal, an internal magnetic field being measurable, within the goal area or in parallel with the goal area, which is larger than an external magnetic field present outside the goal area, the method including a step of generating the internal magnetic field within the goal, a step of providing information about a magnetic field experienced by the movable object, and a step of evaluating the information about the magnetic field to provide a goal statement by means of a detection that the movable object has passed through the internal magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Walter ENGLERT
  • Publication number: 20120019234
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a magnetic track having a plurality of magnetic poles separated by a plurality of pole junctions. The sensor assembly also includes a first magnetic sensor disposed proximate a high-resolution portion of the magnetic track and a second magnetic sensor disposed proximate a reference portion of the magnetic track. The second magnetic sensor spans adjacent pole junctions in the magnetic track. Each of the adjacent pole junctions includes a high-resolution segment corresponding with the high-resolution portion of the magnetic track and a reference segment corresponding with the reference portion of the magnetic track. The reference segment of each pole junction is one of offset and aligned with the corresponding high-resolution segment in each pole junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: THE TIMKEN COMPANY
    Inventors: Alfred J. Santos, Mark E. LaCroix, Lei Wang
  • Patent number: 8094141
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a base segment, a sliding segment, and an input module. The base segment defines more than one indicator. The sliding segment is slidably connected to the base segment and defines a pointer operable to align with an indicator. The input module includes a first magnet, a second magnet, and a sensor. The first magnet is received in the base segment. The second magnet is fixed to the sliding segment to align with the first magnet, and is configured for applying a magnetic force to the first magnet. The sensor is connected to the first magnet to sense the magnetic force and convert the magnetic force into a corresponding electrical signal. The electrical signal is inputted to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lei Jin, Xiong Li
  • Patent number: 8087304
    Abstract: The present invention involves a method and apparatus for canceling the effects of magnetic field noise in a torque sensor by placing three sets of magnetic field sensors around a shaft, the first set of field sensors being placed in the central region of the shaft and the second and third sets of field sensors being placed on the right side and left side of the field sensors placed at the central region, respectively. A torque-induced magnetic field is not cancelled with this arrangement of field sensors but a magnetic near field from a near field source is cancelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Seong-Jae Lee
  • Publication number: 20110316527
    Abstract: A readhead is provided for reading an absolute scale, optionally a passive magnetic scale, that encodes a series of data bits. The readhead includes a plurality of sensors, such as an array of Hall sensors, for producing a plurality of sensor signals. A plurality of signal combiners are also provided to receive at least two of the sensor signals and produce therefrom a combined sensor signal. A plurality of data bit extractors are arranged to receive at least two combined sensor signals and to determine the value of a data bit encoded in an associated absolute scale. The readhead also comprises an incremental signal generator for generating at least one incremental signal from the combined sensor signals produced by a plurality of the signal combiners. In this manner, both absolute and incremental position is measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicants: RENISHAW PLC, RLS MERILNA TEHNIKA D.O.O.
    Inventors: Gregor Dolsak, Aljaz Ogrin, Matjaz Janezic
  • Publication number: 20110316528
    Abstract: A position detection device includes a magnet and a magnetic detector. The magnet includes a first pole, a second pole, a third pole and a fourth pole. The first pole and the second pole are arranged spaced apart from each other and have a same magnetic polarity. The third pole and the fourth pole are arranged spaced apart from each other and have a magnetic polarity different from the magnetic polarity of the first pole and the second pole. The first pole faces the third pole. The second pole faces the fourth pole. The magnetic detector is configured to detect magnetism of the first pole, the second pole, the third pole, and the fourth pole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi MATSUMOTO
  • Patent number: 8085037
    Abstract: A method for measuring the pole position of a magnetic levitation vehicle in a magnetic levitation railway, wherein a supporting magnetic field is generated on the maglev vehicle as a result of a supporting magnetic current on the vehicle side being fed to at least one supporting magnet. The voltage in the stator on the track is measured and the pole position angle between a reference axis of the stator and a reference axis of the maglev vehicle is determined. The magnitude of the supporting magnetic current on the vehicle side and thus the supporting magnetic field is temporally modified and a voltage induced in the stator by the temporal modification of the magnitude of the supporting magnetic field is detected. The pole position angle is formed using the measured values for the induced voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Robert Schmid
  • Publication number: 20110291646
    Abstract: An origin position signal detector comprising: a rotary or linear scale (1) which includes an incremental track (3) magnetized at equal intervals and an origin position detection track (4) for detecting an origin position, and a magnetic sensor (5) which detects magnetic fields from the scale. The origin position detection track includes an origin position magnetized portion (11) and side magnetized portions (12) provided on both sides of the origin position magnetized portion (11) and magnetized with magnetization in the same direction at one or more positions as the origin position magnetized portion (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Musha, Hiroshi Nishizawa, Hajime Nakajima, Yoichi Omura, Koichi Takamune, Norio Takamune
  • Patent number: 8067933
    Abstract: A cost-effective system provides reliable location information for locating a vehicle tied to a guideway. Reference markers are mounted to the guideway and scanning devices are disposed in the vehicle and generate at least one output signal when they pass a reference marker. The scanning devices are formed from several individual sensors which are extended in the driving direction with an average scanning length equal to or greater than a distance between neighboring reference markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jens Rost, Robert Schmid
  • Publication number: 20110285385
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a television apparatus includes a first component and a second component, a cylindrical or columnar magnet, a magnetic sensor, and an engagement mechanism. The first component and the second component are connected to be relatively rotatable. The magnet is provided to the first component, and a plurality of magnetic poles are formed along the outer circumference of the magnet. The magnetic sensor is provided to the second component to detect magnetism of the magnetic poles. The engagement mechanism includes at least one convex-concave engagement portion configured to allow the magnet and the first component to be mutually engaged inside or on the outer circumference of the magnet. The engagement mechanism is asymmetric with respect to the central axis of the magnet and asymmetric with respect to any virtual plane including the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Toshikatsu Nakamura, Kohei Wada
  • Patent number: 8055456
    Abstract: An interior space of the at least one housing of a force-measuring device is filled with a gas composition that is distinguishable in at least one parameter from the ambient atmosphere. A sensor that is arranged in the interior space, or on the housing, measures this distinguishable parameter. A processing unit of the force-measuring device compares signals obtained from the sensor to monitor and determine the condition of the force-measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Urs Loher, Kurt Jensen, Volker Ziebart
  • Publication number: 20110267043
    Abstract: A magnetic scale includes a scale member having a plurality of grooves. The scale member defines a passive magnetic scale track. The plurality of grooves include grooves of at least a first groove type and a second groove type, the magnetic properties of the scale member in the locality of grooves of the first groove type being different than the magnetic properties of the scale member in the locality of grooves of the second groove type. The scale member is arranged to carry or encode absolute position information in the form of at least one codeword comprising a sequence of data bits, wherein each of the data bits is provided by a groove of the scale member, the data bit taking a first value if the groove is of the first groove type and a second value if the groove is of the second groove type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicants: RLS MERILNA TEHNIKA D.O.O., RENISHAW PLC
    Inventor: Gregor Dolsak
  • Publication number: 20110267042
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a motor function analyzing apparatus which simplifies a calibration measurement necessary before measuring a finger tapping motion, and which is capable of evaluating a motor function highly precisely. The present invention provides a motor function analyzing apparatus which simplifies a calibration measurement necessary before measuring a finger tapping motion, and which is capable of evaluating a motor function highly precisely by using a calibration point unique to each apparatus and a calibration point unique to each subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: HITACHI COMPUTER PERIPHERALS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuko SANO, Akihiko KANDORI, Tsuyoshi MIYASHITA, Katsuya MOROHOSHI, Kouichi ISHIZUKA
  • Publication number: 20110260715
    Abstract: A valve position sensor of a sliding sleeve of a flow control valve comprising a sleeve displacement converting means for converting a sleeve displacement into a radial displacement, and a measuring means for detecting the radial displacement and correlating the radial displacement to the position of the sliding sleeve within the flow control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Jerome Prost, Juchereau Bernard, Jean-Luc Garcia, Fabien Cens, Anthony Veneruso
  • Publication number: 20110254543
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a magnetic position sensor with field direction measurement and a flux collector. The disclosure proposes to measure two magnetic induction components at one and the same point, harmonizing the amplitude of the two magnetic induction components using flux collectors so as to have a ratio of the amplitudes of these two components close to one. For this purpose, the disclosure provides a contactless position sensor including at least one permanent magnet, emitting a magnetic field, at least one detection element sensitive to the direction of the magnetic field, and at least one pair of flux collectors, the permanent magnet being capable of moving in a direction of displacement and having a direction of magnetization that can be continuously varied according to the direction of displacement. Each flux collector has at least one portion, provided with an end, extending substantially along the direction of displacement of the magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Moving Magnet Technologies (MMT)
    Inventors: Didier Frachon, Gérald Masson, Stéphane Biwersi
  • Patent number: 8040126
    Abstract: A position detection device includes a magnetic generation unit that has: a first magnetism generating section that is provided on one end side along a predetermined direction and generates magnetism; a second magnetism generating section that is provided on another end side along the predetermined direction and generates magnetism of polarity different from that of the first magnetism generating section; and a low magnetism section that is formed in the first magnetism generating section and the second magnetism generating section such that a width of the low magnetism section varies along the predetermined direction to generate magnetism lower than those of the first magnetism generating section and the second magnetism generating section, and a magnetic detection unit that is capable of moving relative to the magnetic generation unit along the predetermined direction and that detects the magnetism generated by the first magnetism generating section and the second magnetism generating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20110248706
    Abstract: A method of navigation includes receiving a magnetic field signal from a magnetic field transducer, the magnetic field signal proportional to sensed magnetic fields associated with magnetic field sources, in a processor, processing the magnetic field signal to determine magnetic field axes of rotation corresponding to rotations of the sensed magnetic fields, and using the magnetic field axes of rotation to render a position of the magnetic field transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Raytheon UTD, Inc.
    Inventors: Clayton P. Davis, Mitchell R. Belzer, Benjamin P. Dolgin, James C. Zellner, John T. Ishibashi, Joseph C. Landry
  • Publication number: 20110251814
    Abstract: A method for tracking a position of an object includes using a field sensor associated with the object to measure field strengths of magnetic fields generated by two or more field generators, wherein a measurement of at least one of the field strengths is subject to a distortion. Rotation-invariant location coordinates of the object are calculated responsively to the measured field strengths. Corrected location coordinates of the object are determined by applying to the rotation-invariant location coordinates a coordinate correcting function so as to adjust a relative contribution of each of the measured field strengths to the corrected location coordinates responsively to the distortion in the measured field strengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Meir Bar-Tal, Assaf Govari
  • Publication number: 20110241656
    Abstract: A device coupled with a magnetometer and an angular rate sensor can determine a heading of the device using magnetometer data. When the device receives a notification that the magnetometer data may be inaccurate, the device can determine the heading of the device using angular rate data. When the device determines that the magnetometer data are accurate, the device can resume determining the heading of the device using the magnetometer data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Piemonte, Christopher Moore, Brian Michael King, William Matthew Vieta, Xiaoyuan Tu
  • Patent number: 8030917
    Abstract: A pair of cylindrical magnets with cut away portions has been arranged on both sides of a magnetic sensing element in symmetry of rotation, and a yoke surrounds the magnetic sensing element in contact with outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of the cylindrical magnets with cut away portions. The pair of the cylindrical magnets with cut away portions rotates around an axial center with a concurrent axial displacement along with a rotation of a rotating body. The pair of the cylindrical magnets with cut away portions is arranged in inclined manner against an axis-of-rotation of the magnet. Thereby, the rotation and the displacement in the direction of the axis against the magnetic sensing element of the pair of the cylindrical magnets with cut away portions, and the number of times of rotation can be detected by detecting the size of the magnetic flux density by the magnetic sensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Hatanaka, Kenji Takeda, Shigetoshi Fukaya
  • Publication number: 20110227561
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement for determining the position and/or change in position of a measurement object relative to a sensor, wherein a magnet (7) is assigned to the measurement object, is configured, with respect to the design of an operationally reliable sensor with low production costs, such that the sensor (1) has a first conductor (2) and a second conductor (3) which is arranged alongside the first conductor (2) and such that a magnetically soft film (5, 6) is arranged in the area of influence of the first and second conductors (2, 3), the permeability of which film changes under the influence of a magnetic field and which film influences the electromagnetic coupling between the first and second conductors (2, 3). A corresponding method is specified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Vladislav Mednikov
  • Publication number: 20110215796
    Abstract: A system for measuring a cyclic motion of a ferromagnetic part in an environment made noisy by at least one electric source with an A.C. component, comprising: at least one first magnetometer sensitive to the moving part; a sensor of an image of the current in said electric source; means for calculating an estimate of the noise linked to the electric source on a signal measured by the first magnetometer; and means for subtracting this estimate from the measured signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique et Aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Alexis LE GOFF, Roland Blanpain
  • Patent number: 8013598
    Abstract: Provided is an object detecting device, which can detect the shape of or the distance from an object made of an electrically conductive or magnetic material, and which can detect the position indicated by an object made of an electrically-non-conductive/non-magnetic material, such as a finger. The object detecting device detects the shape of or the distance from an object to be measured, which is placed on a detection surface and made of an electrically conductive or magnetic material, by using an electromagnetic induction. The object detecting device includes a first loop wire group of a plurality of first loop wires (1) arranged in parallel on the same plane, a second loop wire group of a plurality of second loop wires (2) arranged in parallel on the same plane, and a spacer (3) for keeping the distance between them at a constant. The plurality of the second loop wires (2) are individually arranged in a direction perpendicular to the plurality of the first loop wires (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Newcom, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuji Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8008911
    Abstract: In a method for determining road clearance of a vehicle, the vehicle is moved relative to a measurement configuration with a reference surface. One or more magnets, which are disposed on the vehicle and assigned preferably each to a defined measurement point on the vehicle, is detected by at least one device for magnetic field measurement. With the help of at least one device for separation measurement, the separation between the measurement configuration and the bottom side of the vehicle is determined. In this way, a rapid, reliable, repeatable and flexibly usable method for the determination of the road clearance of a vehicle is provided. A corresponding device is provided for implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Norbert Melinat, Ralf Bauer, Thorsten Leschinski, Harald Schöffler
  • Publication number: 20110204895
    Abstract: A device rotates at least one static magnetic field about an axis, producing a rotating magnetic dipole field, and is movable in relation to the surface of the ground. The field is periodically sensed using a receiver to produce a receiver output responsive to the field. A positional relationship between the receiver and the device is monitored using the output. In one aspect, changing the positional relationship, by moving the device nearer to a boring tool which supports the receiver, causes an increase in accuracy of depth determination. In another aspect, determination of an actual overhead position of the boring tool, and its application, are described. Use of a plurality of measurements over at least one-half revolution of each magnet is disclosed. Establishing a surface radial direction toward a boring tool and resolution of multi-valued parameters is described. Calibration techniques, as well as a three transmitter configuration are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Rudolf Zeller, Guenter W. Brune, Albert W. Chau, John E. Mercer
  • Publication number: 20110204880
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a scanner system for scanning the surface of an object, especially a vehicle wheel, the system comprises a mobile scanner including at least one sensor adapted to sense at least one position on the surface of the object and a reference system to which the sensor is sensitively adapted to provide at least one sensor signal corresponding the at least one sensed position on the surface with respect to the reference system, wherein the reference system is designed to provide a magnetic field having at least one orientation and the sensor is a magnetic sensor to be positioned within said magnetic field in proximity of or on the surface to be scanned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Francesco BRAGHIROLI
  • Publication number: 20110187353
    Abstract: A proximity sensor includes a circuit board provided with a processing circuit, a light emitting device mounted on the surface of the circuit board, and a light-transmitting cylindrical light guide surrounding the portion of the circuit board having the light emitting device mounted thereon and guiding the outgoing light from the light emitting device to be emitted to outside. The cylindrical light guide includes the first light emitting surface as the first light outgoing region causing the light emitted from the light emitting device to pass therethrough and directly emitting the light to outside, a reflective surface reflecting the light emitted from the light emitting device to guide the light through the cylindrical light guide in the circumferential direction, and the second light emitting surface as the second light outgoing region emitting, to outside, the light reflected on the reflective surface and propagated through the cylindrical light guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Mizusaki, Daisuke Inoue, Susumu Kutsuhara
  • Publication number: 20110187352
    Abstract: In a method and a machine for testing an electronic device, in which the magnetic field emitted is measured by a monodirectional measurement probe, a first value of the component Bz of the magnetic field along axis ZZ? is measured by the probe and recorded. The probe and the electronic device are displaced with respect to one another by relative pivoting about an axis XX? orthogonal to axis ZZ?, according to an angular amplitude of less than 90° while maintaining distance d0 and, for each position (x, y) of axis ZZ?, a second value of component Bz of the magnetic field along axis ZZ? is measured by the probe and recorded, then the value of component By of the magnetic field along axis YY? orthogonal to axes ZZ? and XX? is determined and recorded on the basis of the first value and the second value which have been obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales (C.N.E.S.)
    Inventor: Philippe Perdu
  • Publication number: 20110181273
    Abstract: To provide a position detecting system including a detected object disposed in a detection space and an external device disposed outside the detection space. The detected object includes a resonant circuit that generates a resonant magnetic field according to a driving magnetic field formed in the detection space, and the external device includes at least two drive coils that form the driving magnetic field in the detection space, at least two drive-signal input units that respectively input a drive signal for forming the driving magnetic field to the drive coils, at least one sense coil that detects a magnetic field formed in the detection space, a signal adjustment unit that adjusts a phase and an amplitude of the drive signal input to each of the drive coils by the drive-signal input units, based on a magnetic field detected by the sense coil, and a position deriving unit that derives a position of the detected object based on the magnetic field detected by the sense coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Takahiro Iida, Atsushi Chiba, Atsushi Kimura, Akio Uchiyawa
  • Patent number: 7986138
    Abstract: A method for measuring the pole position angle between the magnetic field of a track-side stator of a magnetic levitation train track and the magnetic reference axis of a magnetic levitation vehicle located on the track. When the levitation magnet of the magnetic levitation vehicle is energized, a direction component of the magnetic field of the stator, which component is predefined by a preferred measurement direction of the magnetic field sensors, is measured using a pair of magnetic field sensors, and the pole position angle is determined using the measured values of the two magnetic field sensors. The preferred measurement direction is set in such a way that at least one of the two magnetic field sensors has a minimum measurement sensitivity for the magnetic field of the levitation magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Robert Schmid
  • Publication number: 20110169482
    Abstract: An inductive position sensor includes an electronic circuit, which is configured such that initially three digital signals are able to be generated from the signals detected by three receiver printed conductors. At least two position values are ascertainable by combining the three digital signals, and the position values are able to be supplied to a comparator. A measuring system includes, in addition to the position sensor, a data interface and sequential electronics which include the comparator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Marc Oliver Tiemann
  • Publication number: 20110148401
    Abstract: A self-contained device intended to be carried by a wheel-tire assembly in order to locate whether the assembly is positioned on the right side or on the left side of a vehicle is described. The device includes two magnetic sensors with axes of maximum sensitivity, the sensors providing two periodic signals that are phase shifted relative to one another. Each signal is representative of variations in the magnitude of the magnetic field detected by the sensor during a revolution of the wheel-tire assembly. The device also includes a processing unit programmed to determine, from the phase shift between the two periodic signals, a direction in which the wheel-tire assembly is rotating and to deduce, from this direction of rotation and from a direction of travel of the vehicle, whether the wheel-tire assembly is located on the right side or on the left side. The two magnetic sensors are intended to be positioned on the wheel-tire assembly at distinct azimuthal locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicants: SOCIETE DE TECHNOLOGIE MICHELIN, MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A., TRW AUTOMOTIVE US, LLC
    Inventors: Thierry Penot, Franck Daumas, Xavier Huchard, Christophe Villien
  • Publication number: 20110148398
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a gear position detection device, comprising: a gear lever capable of being shifted into different gear positions; a shaft connected to and driven by the gear lever; a first detector and a second detector symmetrically arranged at both sides of the shaft, the first detector for outputting a first output signal value G1 corresponding to a distance from it to the shaft, and the second detector for outputting a second output signal value G2 corresponding to a distance from it to the shaft; and a means for determining the gear position of the gear lever based on a difference value of the first output signal value G1 and the second output signal value G2. In the present invention, the zero shift error can be effectively eliminated from the difference value, and the present invention can precisely detect the gear position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuchen Yang, Xiaoguang Sun
  • Publication number: 20110148399
    Abstract: An encoder to be mounted to a shaft extending from a piston meter configured to compute a volume of distributed fluid includes a magnet affixed to the shaft via a floating magnet holder, a magnetic sensor configured to sense the flux density and direction of a magnetic field created by the magnet and to output a signal indicating the flux density and direction of the magnetic field to a printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board configured to output a signal indicating the volume of distributed fluid if the encoder has not been tampered with and configured to output an error signal if the encoder has been tampered with.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: MEASUREMENT SPECIALTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Philip A. Amante, Jeffrey Creak
  • Publication number: 20110148400
    Abstract: Allows the specificity of an automatic MRT detection to be increased in a simple manner. This is achieved using an automatically calibrating position sensor, so that the user does not have to perform additional calibration of this sensor. Incorrect sensor calibrations are thus eliminated as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: BIOTRONIK CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Thomas Doerr, Ingo Weiss
  • Publication number: 20110133726
    Abstract: The present invention provides a precision alignment system operable to provide alignment of a first and second apparatus. The precision alignment system makes use of inductive coupling between loop antennas in the first and second apparatus. The mechanism for alignment is the detection of a null in the signal induced in the loop antennas of the second apparatus arising from an input signal fed to a loop antenna of the first apparatus. The precision alignment system can be incorporated in a system for the wireless transfer of electrical power or may be incorporated in a system for the transfer of data. The precision alignment system of the present invention is particularly suited to applications where optical or other means for alignment of two apparatus are unreliable. In particular, the alignment system disclosed is suitable for operation underwater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Alexander Ballantyne, Mark Rhodes, Brendan Peter Hyland, Brian Kearns
  • Publication number: 20110127994
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) sensor module includes a MR sensor array including a plurality of MR sensors/bridge circuits. A first group of bridge circuits has an output coupled to a first signal conditioning circuit and a second group of bridge circuits has an output coupled to a second signal conditioning circuit. A first electrical connector is coupled to one end of the module and a second electrical connector is coupled to its opposite end. The pins include a pin for providing signal coupling between adjacent modules and a Vsupply pin for coupling Vsupply to adjacent modules. Signals from the second signal conditioning circuit are coupled to the first signal conditioning circuit which determines a position of a magnetic target. The first signal conditioning circuit communicates the position to the controller which outputs a single sensor module signal that includes the position of the magnetic target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: ANTHONY DMYTRIW, STEWART D. JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 7952309
    Abstract: A rotating electrical machine control device includes an inverter; a resolver; a unit; a three-phase/two-phase modulation switching unit; and a motor control unit that switches to a two-phase modulation in a specific region where an electric noise given to the resolver by a rotating electrical machine is large, even in a region where the modulation ratio is smaller than the three-phase/two-phase modulation switching boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin A W Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Nishimura, Masuho Sakakibara, Yoshinari Nakagawa, Yoshinori Oono
  • Publication number: 20110120300
    Abstract: A linear actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder has linear position sensing apparatus. At least one magnet is provided in a recess in outer surface of the piston for generating a magnetic field that passes through the wall of the cylinder housing. A magnetic sensor arrangement determines the axial position of the piston relative to the housing and comprises at least a pair of magnetic sensor elements arranged at spaced apart locations along the external surface of the wall for sensing the strength of the magnetic field passing through the wall of the housing. The recess in the piston is axially positioned between the first and second end surfaces of the piston and the at least one magnet is disposed between axially spaced north and south pole pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: ROTA ENGINEERING LIMITED
    Inventors: Bruce Fletcher, Michael John Fawcett, Robert Gething
  • Publication number: 20110101965
    Abstract: A magnetic detection device includes a signal processing circuit that detects a moving position and a moving direction of a magnetic mobile object using an output of a comparing circuit configured to output a signal by comparing an output signal of a magneto-electric transducer element with a threshold. A duration during which an output of the signal processing circuit is in a high level or in a low level is fixed to a period t1 or a period t2 depending on the moving direction of the magnetic mobile object. When switching of the moving direction of the magnetic mobile object takes place within the period t1 or the period t2, the signal processing circuit outputs a position signal same as a position signal indicating a position immediately before the switching of the moving direction of the magnetic mobile object due to hysteresis of the threshold of the comparing circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideki SHIMAUCHI, Hiroshi KOBAYASHI, Yuji KAWANO, Yoshinori TATENUMA
  • Publication number: 20110101964
    Abstract: A magnetic encoder element for use in a position measurement system including a magnetic field sensor for measuring position along a first direction is disclosed. The encoder element includes at least one first track that includes a material providing a magnetic pattern along the first direction, the magnetic pattern being formed by a remanent magnetization vector that has a variable magnitude dependent on a position along the first direction. The gradient of the remanent magnetization vector is such that a resulting magnetic field in a corridor above the first track and at a predefined distance above the plane includes a field component perpendicular to the first direction that does not change its sign along the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Udo Ausserlechner, Tobias Werth, Peter Slama, Juergen Zimmer, Wolfgang Raberg, Stephan Schmitt, Martin Orasch
  • Patent number: 7932796
    Abstract: A movable contact which is positioned inside a sealing case is moved by a magnetic shunt body which moves outside the sealing case. The movement of the movable contact by the movement of the magnetic shunt body is caused by a change of magnetic force of a magnet through a pair of yokes. The magnetic shunt body is assembled to a moving member, and elastically moves around the moving member resisting a first spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho, NEC Tokin Corporation
    Inventors: Tomio Yamada, Masahiko Miyata, Katsuhide Kumagai, Tatsumi Ide, Yoshinori Ota
  • Patent number: 7918801
    Abstract: Sensors, apparatus, and methods for measuring movements are disclosed. The sensors include input and output windings wound about a common location and an armature is equally positioned relative to both windings movable to vary inductance reactance of the sensor. The mass of the sensor and the ease of movements are such that flexible membranes, such as skin, can be monitored with insignificant interference. The sensor can be included in “Band-aid” bandage arrangement in which the bandage backing can be removed and held in place on skin by the bandage. A monitoring circuit, responsive to the changes in sensor impedance, provides indications of the detected movements. The monitoring circuit includes an arrangement for self-adjusting parameters so that the system can be automatically preset and continually reset. The monitoring circuit includes a power savings arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Medility LLC
    Inventor: William T. Cochran
  • Patent number: 7915888
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting an angular position of an electric motor are disclosed, including sending an electrical pulse through a stator coil of the electric motor, determining an approximate angular position of a rotor of the electric motor in response to detecting an timing of a returning electrical pulse from the stator coil, the timing of the returning electrical pulse being indicative of the angular position of the rotor; and determining an accurate position of the rotor in response to sensing a transition of a digital sensor in response to the rotor rotating relative to the stator, the transition being indicative of the accurate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Rene Vivanco, Alex Kurnia
  • Publication number: 20110067256
    Abstract: A position display device providing a digital displacement signal is disclosed. The position display device includes an analogical signal input port electrically connected to a position probe of a magnetic scale, a position display module, a display unit, an analog/digital conversion module, and a digital signal output port. The position display device converts the received analogical displacement signal into a readout visually readable to an operator and displaying the readout through a display unit. The position display device also converts the analogical displacement signal into the digital displacement signal and outputs the digital displacement signal for an external motor controller to use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Shie-Li Jan
  • Publication number: 20110068776
    Abstract: A position detecting device is disclosed, which detects a position indicated by a human body. The position detecting device includes: a sensor substrate including a detection area, in which a plurality of detection electrodes are formed, and a wiring area, in which wiring led out from the detection electrodes is formed, and a case configured to house the sensor substrate. The sensor substrate further includes a conductor, which is connected to a fixed potential, provided at a position opposed to (facing) the wiring area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: WACOM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaru Yokota, Hiroshi Munakata