Inductive Patents (Class 324/207.15)
  • Patent number: 11770086
    Abstract: An operation device includes a movable portion, a vibration generating unit, a fixed portion, a detecting unit, and a control unit. The vibration generating unit includes a movable yoke attached to the movable portion, and a fixed yoke attached to the fixed portion and disposed facing the movable yoke in a first direction. The vibration generating unit includes a permanent magnet attached to one yoke among the movable yoke and the fixed yoke, both ends of the permanent magnet in the first direction being opposite magnetic poles created by magnetization. The vibration generating unit includes an exciting coil attached to a different yoke from the one yoke among the movable yoke and the fixed yoke, the exciting coil being configured to induce magnetic flux in response to a current flowing through the exciting coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Wakuda
  • Patent number: 11742853
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a housing and a housing for an inductive sensor having at least one sleeve-like housing part and at least one beaker-like end cap for a sensor element, wherein the beaker-like end cap, wherein the end cap is composed of plastic, wherein the end cap is arranged in the sleeve-like housing part, wherein the end cap has a peripheral annular pressing surface that has an excess size with respect to an inner diameter of the housing part along an outer diameter of the sleeve-like section so that a press fit is formed between the sleeve like housing part and the end cap, and wherein a jacket-like outer surface of the sleeve-like section of the end cap does not have a step that projects beyond the inner diameter of the sleeve-like housing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventors: Frank Gutmann, Torsten Neuhaeuser, Wolfgang Marschner, Dominik Paul, Matthias Kopf
  • Patent number: 11733067
    Abstract: An electronic sensor includes a signal generator configured to output excitation signals and a variable differential transformer connected to the signal generator to receive excitation signals. Embodiments of the variable differential transformer may include a primary coil, a first secondary coil connected to the signal generator, a second secondary coil connected to the signal generator, and a core disposed at least partially in a magnetic field generated via the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil and the first excitation signal and the second excitation signal. A phase of an output signal of the primary coil may correspond to a position of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Yuriy O. Khayznikov, Galen Chui, Hai Nguyen, Bhuvan Govindasamy
  • Patent number: 11719763
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a field-sensor device comprising a reference field sensor providing a reference sensor signal in response to a field, a calibrated field sensor providing a calibrated sensor signal in response to the field, a reference circuit connected to the reference field sensor and adapted to receive a reference signal, and an adjustable circuit connected to the calibrated field sensor and adapted to receive a calibrated signal. When the adjustable circuit is adjusted with the calibrated signal, said calibrated signal being different from the reference signal, the calibrated field sensor provides a calibrated sensor signal substantially equal to the reference sensor signal. The field sensor device is arranged to be exposed, when in a calibration mode, to a uniform calibration field and, when in operational mode, to an operational field being a field gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES SA
    Inventors: Gael Close, Arnaud Laville, Stefan Rigert, Samuel Huber Lindenberger
  • Patent number: 11692975
    Abstract: Embodiments include an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) system. The EMAT system includes a plurality of magnets and a conductor set. The plurality of magnets has a like pole arrangement and wherein each magnet is in close proximity to one another. The conductor set includes electrically conductive elements. A portion of the conductor set is positioned proximate to the plurality of magnets. The plurality of magnets and the conductor set are positioned proximate to a test object. The EMAT system is configured to perform at least one of generating and receiving an elastic wave. Embodiments also include a method of elastic wave measurement for nondestructive testing and evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: itRobotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Wright Maxfield, Zhiyong Wang, Anouar Jamoussi, Mansoor Shah
  • Patent number: 11626233
    Abstract: There are provided a chip electronic component and a board having the same. The chip electronic component includes: a substrate; a first internal coil part disposed on one surface of the substrate; a second internal coil part disposed on the other surface of the substrate opposing one surface thereof; a via penetrating through the substrate to connect the first and second internal coil parts to each other; and first and second via pads disposed on one surface and the other surface of the substrate, respectively, to cover the via, wherein the first and second via pads are extended in a direction toward portions of the first and second internal coil parts adjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dong Jin Jeong
  • Patent number: 11614331
    Abstract: Magneto-electric quasistatic (MEQS) field may be used to track positions of persons and/or objects inside metallic environments. A magneto-electric quasistatic field generator may generate a magneto-electric quasistatic field inside a metallic environment. A magneto-electric quasistatic field detector inside the metallic environment may detect the magneto-electric quasistatic field and generate output signals conveying characteristics of the magneto-electric quasistatic field. The relative position of the magneto-electric quasistatic field detector with respect to the magneto-electric quasistatic field generator may be determined based on the output signals. The position of the magneto-electric quasistatic field detector/generator and/or the position of a person/object carrying the magneto-electric quasistatic field detector/generator may be tracked using the relative position of the magneto-electric quasistatic field detector with respect to the magneto-electric quasistatic field generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Robert Kwan Meng Seah, Hailing An, Darmindra Arumugam
  • Patent number: 11525661
    Abstract: A position detection apparatus includes a magnetic unit and a sensor. The magnetic unit includes a magnetic member and a retainer. The magnetic member includes a magnet and a first magnetic yoke. The magnet extends in an axial direction and has a cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction, and a first maximum outer diameter in a radial direction orthogonal to the axial direction. The cross-section has a substantially constant area in the axial direction. The first magnetic yoke is disposed adjacent to the magnet in the axial direction and has a second maximum outer diameter in the radial direction. The second maximum outer diameter is greater than the first maximum outer diameter. The retainer extends in the axial direction and retains the magnetic member. The sensor detects a magnetic field that changes in association with a movement of the magnetic unit along the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hirano, Teiichiro Oka, Seiji Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 11519711
    Abstract: A rotor apparatus includes: a rotor configured to rotate around a rotational axis; an angular position identification layer disposed to surround the rotational axis and configured to rotate according to rotation of the rotor, and having a width varying with angular positions of the rotor; and an angular range identification layer disposed to surround the rotational axis and configured to rotate according to the rotation of the rotor, and configured such that a plurality of portions of the angular range identification layer respectively corresponding to a plurality of different angular position ranges of the rotor have different overall widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Chul Gong, Joo Yul Ko, Bon Young Koo
  • Patent number: 11488296
    Abstract: A mine safety apparatus, and related method, that records movement data of a scene, visual images of the scene and correlates the movement data with the visual images. The apparatus comprises: a slope monitoring device that records location data in the scene and tracks the location data over time to identify movement and produce visual movement overlays; an image capture device that records a plurality of visual images of the scene from a location; and a processor that stitches the visual images into a panoramic image of the entire scene and for selected Points of Interest in the scene accurately determines a coordinate so that the visual movement overlays are correctly correlated with the Points of Interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: GROUNDPROBE PTY LTD
    Inventors: Benny Chen, Lachlan Campbell
  • Patent number: 11387034
    Abstract: An asymmetric spiral inductor fabricated in a semiconductor structure includes a spiral coil, a metal segment, and a connection structure. The spiral coil is substantially disposed in a first metal layer and includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal is disposed at an outermost turn of the spiral coil, and the second terminal is disposed at an innermost turn of the spiral coil. The metal segment is disposed in a second metal layer different from the first metal layer and has a third terminal and a fourth terminal. The connection structure connects the second terminal and the third terminal. The first terminal and the fourth terminal form the two terminals of the asymmetric spiral inductor. The spiral coil is a polygon with N sides (N>4). A portion of the metal segment has a shape substantially identical to a portion of the contour of the polygon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hsiao-Tsung Yen, Yuh-Sheng Jean, Ta-Hsun Yeh
  • Patent number: 11326905
    Abstract: A system and method for implementing a technique for dynamically switching between or mixing position and orientation determinations in a hybrid tracking system using both electromagnetic and non-electromagnetic tracking, and having a transmitter coil array for generating a magnetic field, a receiver circuit for sensing the magnetic field, and at least one non-magnetic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: ALKEN Inc.
    Inventors: Henry E. Himberg, Allan G. Rodgers, Jr., Robert F. Higgins
  • Patent number: 11313428
    Abstract: A stroke sensor system includes a conductor, a coil which moves relative to the conductor and is fitted to one end side of the conductor; and a ferromagnetic body which is arranged on an end position side of the coil. A position of an end portion on one end side of the conductor in a state where a fitting ratio between the conductor and the coil is maximized is defined as the end position. The ferromagnetic body is located on an opposite side to the conductor with the coil interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Masato Tokuhara, Kota Suzuki, Yosuke Fujikawa, Naoya Kuroiwa, Yosuke Murakami
  • Patent number: 11234577
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a sump that defines a transition fill level where the cross sectional area of the sump increases. A pressure sensor is operably coupled to the sump for monitoring sump pressure and wash fluid level. A controller calibrates the pressure sensor by monitoring a sump pressure and determining when the wash fluid has reached the transition fill level. A measured transition pressure is taken at this point and compared to a target transition pressure that is known based on the sump geometry. A slope correction factor is calculated based on the measured transition pressure and the target transition pressure to obtain improved pressure readings and wash fluid level measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Christopher Brandon Ross
  • Patent number: 11169000
    Abstract: A multi-turn measurement system includes a plurality of gears, a plurality of pinions engaging the plurality of gears, a plurality of magnets each disposed on one of the plurality of gears, and a plurality of magnetic field sensors. Rotation of the pinions about a center axis drives rotation of the plurality of gears. The magnets each have a magnetic field that changes based on an angular position of the one of the plurality of gears. The magnetic field sensors are each positioned to sense the magnetic field of one of the plurality of magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignees: MEASUREMENT SPECIALTIES, INC., TE CONNECTIVITY SENSORS GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: James Bishop, Armin Meisenberg, Scott Yankie
  • Patent number: 10921159
    Abstract: A system may include a first resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor, a second resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor, and a measurement circuit communicatively coupled to the first resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor and the second resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor and configured to measure first phase information associated with the first resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor, measure second phase information associated with the second resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor, and based on the first phase information and the second phase information, determine a displacement of a mechanical member relative to the first resistive-inductive-capacitive sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Tejasvi Das, Zhong You, Siddharth Maru, Eric J. King, Johann G. Gaboriau, Luke Lapointe, Matthew Beardsworth
  • Patent number: 10921155
    Abstract: An apparatus can include a first planar inductive sensor including two oscillator coils and two sensing coils. The apparatus can also include a second planar inductive sensor independent of the first sensor and also including a pair of oscillator and sensing coils. The apparatus can further include a high frequency alternating current carrier generator configured to inject high frequency alternating current carrier signals into the oscillator coils. The carrier signal for the oscillator coil of the first planar inductive sensor is 180 degrees out of phase with a 2nd oscillator coil of the same planar inductive sensor, and wound in an opposite geometric direction, and the oscillator coils of the other inductive sensor can also be wound similarly The two sensing coils of the first planar inductive sensor can be 90 degrees out of phase with each another, and the sensing coils of the other inductive sensor can also be wound similarly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventors: Ganesh Shaga, Bala Sundaram Nauduri
  • Patent number: 10876861
    Abstract: An inductive detector is provided for measuring the relative position of bodies along a measurement path comprising: an inductive target arranged along the measurement path; a laminar antenna arranged facing a portion of the target; an electronics circuit arranged along the measurement path; wherein, the inductance of at least one winding in the antenna varies continuously in proportion to the relative position of target and antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: ZETTLEX (UK) LIMITED
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Howard, Darran Kreit
  • Patent number: 10859403
    Abstract: A position detecting apparatus has: a first bridge circuit configured to output a SIN signal depending on a movement of a magnet that is movable in a magnetization direction, a second bridge circuit configured to output a COS signal. An area-identifying element having a magnetic-field direction-detecting sensor is configured to determine whether the magnet is in an area defined on one side from a center of a bridge circuit in a moving direction of the magnet, or in an area defined on the other side from the center of the bridge circuit in the moving direction of the magnet. An ATAN2 signal having a main area signal and a shift area signal is computed on the basis of the sin signal and the cos signal, and a position of the magnet is computed on the basis of a signal of the magnetic direction-detecting sensor and the ATAN2 signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Koganei Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10816318
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor arrangement, comprising: a magnet assembly and a magnetic sensor; the magnet assembly forming a magnetic field having at least two magnetic field components with different angular periodicities at the location of the magnetic sensor and the magnetic sensor including means for sensing the different magnetic field components to produce at least a first and a second sensor element signal; and a computing element for receiving the at least first and second sensor element signals and combining them to produce a unique angular position of the magnet relative to the sensor. A method of determining a unique angular position is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Melexis Technologies SA
    Inventors: Peter Vandersteegen, Jean-Claude Depoorter, Samuel Huber Lindenberger
  • Patent number: 10724876
    Abstract: A linear-displacement sensor includes a base element arranged with a sensor coil and an excitation coil in such a manner that an AC voltage is induced in the sensor coil upon application of an AC voltage to the excitation coil. An at least partly electrically conductive sliding element is configured to be shifted relative to the base element in a direction along the measurement path. The sliding element has a variable geometry along the measurement path to inductively couple partial turns of the sensor coil with the excitation coil. A correction coil is arranged above a geometry of the sliding element so that an inductive coupling of the correction coil and hence an amplitude of an AC voltage induced in the correction coil is dependent on a lateral offset of the sliding element in relation to the base element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Herrmann, Fabian Utermoehlen, Andreas Merz, Stefan Leidich
  • Patent number: 10705159
    Abstract: An integrated fluxgate device has a magnetic core disposed over a semiconductor substrate. A first winding is disposed in a first metallization level above and a second metallization level below the magnetic core, and is configured to generate a first magnetic field in the magnetic core. A second winding is disposed in the first and second metallization levels and is configured to generate a second magnetic field in the magnetic core. A third winding is disposed in the first and second metallization levels and is configured to sense a magnetic field in the magnetic core that is the net of the first and second magnetic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Erika Lynn Mazotti, Dok Won Lee, William David French, Byron J R Shulver, Thomas Dyer Bonifield, Ricky Alan Jackson, Neil Gibson
  • Patent number: 10598777
    Abstract: A proximity sensor for measuring the distance from a target contains a microwave oscillator providing a transmission wave output signal emitted toward the target as a free space transmission wave which is reflected by an electrically conductive target surface as a free space reflection wave received by the proximity sensor as a reflection wave. The distance is determined from the transmission wave and the reflection wave. The transmission wave is guided in a waveguide transmission path as a waveguide transmission wave. The transmission wave is coupled into the waveguide with a wave mode leading to the detachment of the waveguide transmission wave at the waveguide front end aperture into the free space transmission wave and to the propagation of the free space transmission wave to the target. At least one reception path is electromagnetically decoupled from the transmission path and guides the reflection wave as a waveguide reflection wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Balluff GmbH
    Inventors: Mark Eberspaecher, Sorin Fericean
  • Patent number: 10578584
    Abstract: A calibration device for a non-destructive inspection/measurement system is provided, including an excitation coil; a detection coil; and a computer that applies a sinusoidal signal or a combined signal including multiple sinusoids having mutually different frequencies to the excitation coil in order to excite a pipe body, and that detects changes in the output voltage of the detection coil. The calibration device calibrates the detection results in the computer by entering, as variables in simultaneous equations, the amplitudes and phase differences of the output voltage of the detection coil at multiple calibration points of known thickness on the pipe body. The calibration device performs calibrations by using multiple different calibration conditions at each of the calibration points, and entering, into the simultaneous equations, the amplitudes and phase differences of the output voltage of the detection coil for each of the calibration conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: DAINICHI Machine and Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuma Takakura, Gijun Idei, Masao Kaizuka
  • Patent number: 10532832
    Abstract: A magnetic levitation reaction sphere includes a spherical-housing-shaped rotor and three groups of stators. Each group includes two stators using the sphere center of the rotor as a symcenter. Axes of the three groups are mutually orthogonal. Each stator comprises a stator core and a coil array. An air gap is reserved between an inner surface of each stator core and the outer surface of the rotor. Through grooves are radially formed in the stator cores. The coil arrays are disc-type motor stator windings. Two effective sides of each coil in each coil array are respectively placed in two through grooves of the corresponding stator core. The magnetic levitation reaction sphere has low cost; levitation and rotation driving are integrated; the magnetic levitation reaction sphere has a simple and compact structure, a small size and a low mass, and relates to inherent stable levitation; and the levitation control is simple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignees: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY, BEIJING U-PRECISION TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming Zhang, Yu Zhu, Anlin Chen, Kaiming Yang, Rong Cheng, Feng Liu, Jinchun Hu, Chuxiong Hu, Dengfeng Xu, Haihua Mu
  • Patent number: 10528101
    Abstract: A heat control method and device are provided. In the method, a distance or distances between one or more regions of a terminal and a predetermined detection object may be detected (S102); heat insulation processing may be performed in a first region of the terminal, where the first region may be a region of which the distance to the predetermined detection object is smaller than a first predetermined threshold; and/or, heat dissipation processing may be performed in a second region of the terminal, where the second region may be a region of which the distance to the predetermined detection object is larger than a second predetermined threshold (S104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: XI'AN ZHONGXING NEW SOFTWARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Biao Yuan
  • Patent number: 10520629
    Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicle detection and assessments of loop deterioration rely on changes in inductance of a loop sensor. The conductive element of the loop sensor is modeled using one or more inductances and one or more resistances. Sets of stimuli at different frequencies are provided to the loop sensor, and the resulting responses form the basis for vehicle detection and for an assessment whether the loop sensor has deteriorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: David O'Gwynn, Shane Robert Petcavich
  • Patent number: 10469078
    Abstract: To ensure omnidirectional visibility of a proximity sensor with high luminance using a single light emitting element. A proximity sensor (1) includes a substrate (14) on which a control unit (20) is formed and in which a normal direction of the substrate is perpendicular to an axial direction of a coil section (13), a light emitting element (15) which emits light in the axial direction on the substrate, a light diffusion section (16a) which diffuses emitted light in a direction other than the axial direction, and a light guide section (16b) which guides diffused light to a display section (21) on a side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Ryota Hasegawa, Takaaki Sanda
  • Patent number: 10440544
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern motion sensor modules able to monitor movement. A motion sensor module can be detachably connected to an electronic device to which the motion sensor module transfers motion data. In some embodiments, the motion sensor module is connected to an electronic device associated with an individual. In other embodiments, the motion sensor module is embedded within an article of clothing worn by the individual (e.g., a shirt, swimsuit, or shoe). The motion sensor module includes at least one inertial measurement unit (IMU) that generates motion data indicative of the motion of the motion sensor module as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Jason Sean Gagne-Keats
  • Patent number: 10439609
    Abstract: A touch switch includes a touch input section, a metal piece provided to the touch input section at a surface thereof, and at least two induction-type proximity sensors so provided as to face the metal piece. The induction-type proximity sensors are arranged in parallel to each other and each have an LC oscillation circuit that output signals that changes in accordance with the distance to the metal piece. A duplicated touch switch that requires no stroke and achieves switch duplication is thus provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kurobe, Hiroyuki Suwa
  • Patent number: 10347384
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for detecting and/or repositioning annulus spacers used to maintain the position of a pressure tube within a calandria tube of a nuclear reactor. The method comprises the steps of: vibrationally isolating a section of the pressure tube; vibrating the wall of said pressure tube within said isolated section; detecting vibration of the wall at a minimum of two axial positions within said isolated sections; and detecting the reduction in vibration level of the wall at one or more of said axial positions in comparison to the remaining axial positions. The apparatus comprises a tool head to be inserted into the pressure tube, the tool head comprising a first end and a second and a clamping block m each of said ends. The clamping blocks are used to vibrationally isolate a section of the pressure tube located between said ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED
    Inventors: James M. King, Bruce A. W. Smith, Paul Feenstra
  • Patent number: 10337889
    Abstract: A device for inductive position determination comprises a coil, a positional element, a scanning device for determining an inductance of the coil and an evaluation device for determining a position of the positional element in relation to the coil, based on the inductance determined. In certain embodiments, the positional element comprises a ferromagnetic and electrically insulated material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ajoy Palit, Joachim Degen
  • Patent number: 10332365
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to haptic actuators, and suitably haptic actuators based on repulsion and attraction between a coil and a magnet. Such haptic actuators are useful in structural materials, such as elements of wearables or accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vahid Khoshkava, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez
  • Patent number: 10288699
    Abstract: A resonant impedance sensing system includes a class D negative impedance stage implemented with a Class D comparator, and a loop control stage implemented with an output comparator clocked by the class D comparator, establishing a negative impedance control loop that includes the resonator as a loop filter. The negative impedance stage includes a multi-level current source (such as a current DAC) interfaced to the resonator through an H-bridge controlled by the class D comparator. Class D switching synchronizes resonator oscillation voltage (input to the class D comparator) with resonator current drive (from the multi-level current source), driving the resonator with a negative impedance that balances resonator impedance to maintain sustained oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: George P. Reitsma
  • Patent number: 10186905
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating a three phase primary winding structure of a system for inductive power transfer, wherein the primary winding structure includes a first phase line, a second phase line and a third phase line, wherein in a standard operational mode a first phase input voltage, a second phase input voltage and a third phase input voltage are controlled such that a predetermined phase shift between all three phase input voltages is provided, wherein in a modified operational mode the first phase input voltage, the second phase input voltage and the third phase input voltage are controlled such that the set of phase shift values includes at most two non-zero values and all non-zero phase shift values are equal. Furthermore, the invention relates to a primary unit of a system for inductive power transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Bombardier Primove GmbH
    Inventors: Konrad Woronowicz, Robert Czainski, Dominik Anders, Alireza Safaee
  • Patent number: 10060762
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor element for an inductive sensor used for a displacement or distance measurement by means of a magnetic field that varies according to the distance from the measurement object but that remains temporally constant. In said sensor, thin ferromagnetic material is integrated into a substrate. The invention also relates to a sensor comprising said sensor element and to a method for producing the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: MICRO-EPSILON Messtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Pfaffinger, Werner Groemmer, Karl Wisspeintner, Guenter Schallmoser, Thomas Wisspeintner
  • Patent number: 10050490
    Abstract: An insulated bearing assembly for coupling a shaft with an outer member includes an inner race disposed upon the shaft and an outer race disposed about the inner race and having an outer circumferential surface and axial ends. An annular insulator is formed of an electrically insulative and thermally conductive material and is coupled with either the outer race or the inner race such that the insulator is generally disposed between the outer race and the outer member or between the inner race and the shaft. A polymeric member has an annular portion(s) disposed against one of the two axial ends of the coupled outer race or inner race and an axial portion(s) extending from the annular portion and coupled with the insulator member so as to retain the insulator member coupled with the outer race or the inner race when the bearing assembly is separate from the outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Mathieu Hubert, Igor Dorrestijn, Karl Pries
  • Patent number: 10036655
    Abstract: A linear travel measurement apparatus is configured for a compression travel of an electrically conductive spring. A spring unit includes the linear travel measurement apparatus and a spring. The spring has an electrical contact at each of its ends and is electrically connected to a measurement circuit by corresponding electrical lines as measurement inductance. The measurement circuit detects a change in the measurement inductance, the change caused by the compression travel, and evaluates said change in order to ascertain the spring travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Fabian Utermoehlen, Stefan Leidich
  • Patent number: 10024993
    Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicle detection and assessments of loop deterioration rely on changes in inductance of a loop sensor. The conductive element of the loop sensor is modeled using one or more inductances and one or more resistances. Sets of stimuli at different frequencies are provided to the loop sensor, and the resulting responses form the basis for vehicle detection and for an assessment whether the loop sensor has deteriorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: HM Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: David O'Gwynn, Shane Robert Petcavich
  • Patent number: 9979237
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission system is presented. The wireless power circuit includes an adaptive transmitter coupled to a transmit coil; a receive coil in interaction with the transmit coil, the receive coil being thin and having an inner diameter large enough to accommodate sensors of a wearable device; and a receive circuit receiving power from the receive coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Mehmet K. Nalbant
  • Patent number: 9952063
    Abstract: A contactless electromagnetic sensor device for determining displacements of a rotor (120) is disclosed. Two sensing coils (612, 614) interact with surfaces of the rotor. A bridge circuit is formed by the sensing coils and by two secondary windings (212, 213) of an input transformer (210). The primary winding of the input transformer receives an excitation signal. An output signal is obtained at an output tap formed by a common node between the sensing coils (612, 614) and a common node between the secondary windings of the input transformer. In this manner excitation and detection are separated. If cables are used for connecting the bridge circuit to signal processing circuitry, the input and output impedances of the bridge circuit can be matched to the characteristic impedance of the cables. An output transformer can be connected to the output tap. The roles of the input and output transformers can be interchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: MECOS AG
    Inventors: Stephan Germann, Philipp Buhler
  • Patent number: 9863915
    Abstract: A bending detection apparatus for a flexible device includes a plurality of antennas disposed to be bent together with a flexible device; and a bending detection unit for detecting bending of the flexible device based on inductances of the plurality of antennas or information corresponding to the inductances, a bending detection method for a flexible device, and a flexible device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Heeseo Hwang, HaZoong Kim, SungWan Hong
  • Patent number: 9772202
    Abstract: An electronic absolute position encoder includes a scale extending along a measuring axis direction (MA) and including a signal modulating scale pattern defining a corresponding absolute range R along MA, a detector including sensing elements arranged along MA and configured to provide detector signals which respond to the signal modulating scale pattern, and a signal processing configuration that determines an absolute position of the detector along the scale based on the detector signals. The signal modulating scale pattern includes a coarse periodic pattern component as a function of position along the scale having a spatial wavelength ?C, wherein n*?C=R and n is an integer, and a fine periodic pattern component as a function of position along the scale having a spatial wavelength ?F, wherein (mn+1)*?F=R and m is an integer that is at least two. The wavelengths ?C and ?C may be widely separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Ted Staton Cook
  • Patent number: 9739671
    Abstract: A pressing force sensor that includes a sensor element configured with a piezoelectric film, a lead terminal for connection to an external circuit, a wiring conductor which connects pressing force detection electrodes and the lead terminal, and a flexible printed circuit board which withstands solder reflow temperatures. The flexible printed circuit board has the pressing force detection electrodes formed on a first principal surface thereof, and is folded via a folding line while the first principal surface faces inward. The sensor element is deflected by a pressing force applied to a second principal surface which faces outward and is in a first area of the flexible printed circuit board which is on one side with respect to the folding line, and a signal corresponding to the pressing force is thus taken out from the pressing force detection electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Araki, Hideki Kawamura, Jun Endo
  • Patent number: 9728283
    Abstract: A cam is immersed in water at an elevated temperature and/or pressure. A reciprocating cam follower also immersed in the water contacts a surface of the cam. The cam follower includes a permanent magnet. An electrically conductive coil is magnetically coupled with the permanent magnet such that movement of the cam follower induces an electrical signal in the electrically conductive coil. A sealed housing also immersed in the water contains the electrically conductive coil and seals it from contact with the water. Leads of the coil are electrically accessible from outside the sealed housing and from outside the water. Alternatively, the cam includes magnetic inserts, the cam follower is replaced by a sensor arm of magnetic material, and the sensor arm and/or the inserts are magnetized whereby rotation of the rotary element causes time modulation of the magnetic coupling and induces coil voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: BWXT NUCLEAR OPERATIONS GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Brett T. Goodyear, Christopher D. Dodd
  • Patent number: 9706958
    Abstract: According to the embodiments described herein, a method for characterizing in vivo operation of a dental prosthetic can include providing subject position data and prosthetic position data. The method may further include transforming the subject position data into a reference three-dimensional coordinate system. The reference three-dimensional coordinate system can be ordered according to a coordinate index. The coordinate index can be based at least in part upon a subject position index of the subject position data. The method may further include comparing, automatically with one or more processors, the prosthetic position data and the reference three-dimensional coordinate system according to a comparison order to characterize the dental prosthetic. The comparison order can be based at least in part upon a prosthetic position index of the prosthetic position data and the coordinate index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
    Inventors: Phyllis D. Hoke, Julie Myers Grender, Jill Renee Underwood, Gregory John Carr, Malgorzata Klukowska
  • Patent number: 9696184
    Abstract: To eliminate measurement errors, such as “offset voltages” in sensors of the inductive type by modifying the architecture of the assembly of elements used for signal processing, the architecture of the apparatuses processing the signal from the secondary windings is modified as follows: the amplifiers of this sensor are placed between the low-pass filters and the output terminals of the sensor, the voltages from the two secondary windings pass into an RC filter including a resistor and a capacitor, the voltage from each of the secondary windings passes into two multiplexers, one of which allows only the positive half-cycle to pass through, the other being wired so as to allow only the negative half-cycle to pass through, and the unused outputs of these multiplexers are connected to the common point between the secondary windings, low-pass filters are placed between each of the multiplexers and the amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Xavier Hourne
  • Patent number: 9683869
    Abstract: An electronic absolute position encoder comprises a scale, a detector and a signal processing configuration. The scale comprises a signal modulating scale pattern including a first periodic pattern component having a spatial wavelength ?1, and a second periodic pattern component having a spatial wavelength ?2. The detector comprises a set of first wavelength sensing elements comprising a first filtering subset of first wavelength sensing elements and a second filtering subset of first wavelength sensing elements including complementary pairs of sensing elements spaced apart by an integer number times 180 degrees of the spatial wavelength ?2. The detector comprises a set of second wavelength sensing elements comprises a first filtering subset of second wavelength sensing elements and a second filtering subset of second wavelength sensing elements including complementary pairs of sensing elements spaced apart by an integer number times 180 degrees of the spatial wavelength ?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel John Kapner
  • Patent number: 9651402
    Abstract: An encoder scale for an electromagnetic induction linear encoder includes a substrate, an electroconductive layer exhibiting electroconductivity and provided to one surface of the substrate, and an electric conductor provided on the electroconductive layer. The electroconductive layer is wider than the electric conductor in a plan view of the substrate and is grounded. The electroconductive layer is formed on the entire one surface of the substrate except a guide surface, and glass is exposed on the guide surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yukinari Nozawa
  • Patent number: 9631948
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for performing the method for the error-free conversion of the counting values of a segment counter including Wiegand sensors and the position values of a fine position sensor into a total position value using the last magnetization direction of the Wiegand wire of a segment counter as part of the information for an absolute synchronization of counting and position values. The method further includes detecting a magnetization direction of the Wiegand wire on the basis of a combination of the magnetization direction, the last stored counting value of the segment counter, and information of the fine position sensor about the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Walter Mehnert, Thomas Theil