Abstract: An angle-measurement device comprising a carrier element with at least two tracers. At least one tracer is configured as an annular surface, and at least one tracer is configured as a cylindrical surface. Each tracer has essentially coinciding periodic patterns that are electromagnetically or optically detectable by at least one sensor, and one tracer has a number N of patterns and the other tracer has a number N+1 of patterns. In another embodiment, one tracer is disposed on one face and the other tracer is disposed on another face of an annular carrier element.

Abstract: A system for detecting the position of a component drivable by a control element drive, the system comprising: a position sensor housed in a position regulator housing, a movable motion representative to be driven by an actuating motion of the component, via which motion representative of a position motion of the component is transferred into the position regulator housing to the position sensor, which sensor detects the position of the component via the position of the motion representative wherein a drive for transferring and/or redirecting the actuating motion of the component to the motion representative transmits actuating motion forces from the component to the motion representative without contact.

Abstract: Operates steering angular velocity in first steering angular velocity calculating unit and second steering angular velocity calculating unit, by using steering angle signal from steering angle generating unit, and outputs steering angular velocity by switching them with reference to a certain threshold value of steering angular velocity.

Abstract: A rotation angle detector includes a rotor, first and second detecting elements which rotate according to a rotation of the rotor, first and second detecting units for detecting rotations of the first and second detecting elements, respectively, and a control unit for detecting a rotation angle of the rotor based on a first signal when a difference between the first and second signals output from the first and second detecting units ranges within a predetermined range.

Abstract: In an assembly method for a disk recording apparatus, a spindle motor is driven to rotate disks and with the disk recording apparatus supported by a linear guide mechanism for movement with one degree of freedom of translation in a direction substantially in parallel to surfaces of the disks. A measuring mechanism is used to measure vibration in the direction of the one degree of freedom of translation caused by the rotation of a rotating part of the disk recording apparatus. An angular position detecting mechanism is used to detect the angular position of each disk at which vibration of a maximum amplitude is generated. The eccentricity and the direction of eccentricity of the rotating part are analyzed in accordance with the measured vibration and the detected angular position, and the base and the rotating part are moved relatively to correct the eccentricity in accordance with the result of the analysis.

Abstract: An angle of rotation sensor includes a rotary shaft coupled to a permanent magnet. A magnet-sensitive sensor element generates a sinusoidal output signal and a cosinusoidal output signal (Vx, Vy) as a function of the relative angle of rotation (a) between magnet and sensor element. Evaluation electronics generate from the output signals a signal corresponding to the angle of rotation. When the shaft rotates about its axis it moves linearly parallel to its axis along a guide track, and changes the distance between the magnet and sensor. From the sensor signals, a signal (B(z)) is determined, which corresponds to the magnitude of the field strength dependent on the distance. From this signal, a gross signal is determined, from which the number (n) of rotations can be determined. From the sinusoidal and cosinusoidal sensor signals, a fine signal is determined, which is added to the number of rotations multiplied by 360°.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device by means of which the location and position of an object may be determined in relation to another object by electromagnetic signals. In the arrangement in accordance with the invention there are two objects to the one of which there are attached signal sources, i.e. transmitters that generate electromagnetic signals, and the other object contains one or more receivers for measuring the transmitter signals. Usually the object containing transmitters is the one whose location or position is of interest and which is the object of the measurement. For example, in MEG measurements the object associated with the transmitters is the head of a human being on whose surface the transmitters are placed. By means of the arrangement in accordance with the invention is possible to find out the location and position of the head, in which case the location of the signals generated by the brain may be found out and utilized when examining the brain activity.

Abstract: A source table showing a standard relation between a detection object and a detection distance is stored in a memory (4). A CPU (3) receives inputs regarding distances to three measurement points from an input portion (5) and recognizes an amplitude voltage corresponding to the input, as a measured value at the measurement point. Furthermore, the CPU (3) extracts a range which corresponds to a difference between the farthest distance and the shortest distance, in which a ratio between voltages corresponding to measurement points closely resembles a ratio between the actually measured values, from the source table as a usage range, and creates a conversion table by correcting voltages in this extracted range.

Abstract: A transmitter assembly includes a sandwich made up of a three axis transmitter, driven by a transmitter driver, mounted on a permeable attenuator with a spacer interposed between the transmitter and the attenuator. The attenuator is mounted on top of a conductive plate. A compensation coil is provided and driven by a compensation coil driver that energizes the compensation coil to optimize compensation for magnetic field edge effects. A number of individual compensation coils may be arranged about the periphery of the conductive plate or permeable attenuator. The individual compensation coils in the modification may be activated in tandem or individually to compensate for non-uniform magnetic edge fields caused by he non-symmetrical configuration of, for example, three transmitter coils or, for example, a square permeable attenuator rather than a circular permeable attenuator.

Abstract: A current target angle stored in a target angle register is subtracted from the immediately preceding target angle stored in a register by a subtracting device. As a result, the length (amount) and direction between the immediately preceding target angle to the current angle are generated. With the generated length and direction, a model acceleration generating circuit generates model acceleration data. With a count value of a current velocity detecting counter and a velocity data sequence that is output from a model velocity generating circuit, velocity error data is generated. With a count value of a current position detecting counter and a position data sequence that is output from a model position generating circuit, position error data is generated. The model acceleration data, the velocity error data, and the position error data are added by an adding device. The added result is supplied to a driver. The driver outputs a current that drives a pan motor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for locating the position, preferably in three dimensions, of a sensor by generating magnetic fields which are detected at the sensor. The magnetic fields are generated from a plurality of locations and, in one embodiment of the invention, enable both the orientation and location of a single coil sensor to be determined. The present invention thus finds application in many areas where the use of prior art sensors comprising two or more mutually perpendicular coils is inappropriate.

Abstract: A strategy to control and diagnose the operation of an electric motor using a sensorless control system augmented by feedback from a position and speed sensor is disclosed. The strategy can improve the robustness of operation and diagnose potential faults in electric motors. The present invention includes a method for diagnosing operation of an electric motor and a method and system for controlling an electric motor. In the diagnostic method, a sensorless system and a sensor based system are checked against each other to determine if either of the systems is faulted. In the control method, the sensor based control system is used when the motor speed is below a predetermined threshold and the sensorless system is used when the motor speed is above the predetermined threshold. The position sensor can be a low resolution position sensor, an engine crankshaft sensor, an engine camshaft sensor, or a transmission sensor.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of the rotor (5) of an electric machine in the radial direction (X, Y) and in the axial direction (Z) applies a cogged ring (2), through which the shaft (5a) of the rotor (5) is placed. The shaft (5a) is provided with an auxiliary ring (6) placed substantially at the cogged ring (2). The cogged ring is provided with at least three sets of cogs, wherein the cogs of the first set (3a1, 3a2 . . . , 3a8) are used to measure the movement of the shaft (5a) in the radial direction (X, Y), the cogs of the second (3b1, 3b2, 3b3, 3b4) and third (3c1, 3c2, 3c3, 3c4) sets are used to measure the movement of the shaft (5a) in the axial direction (Z), and that the cogs of the second (3b1, 3b2, 3b3, 3b4) and third (3c1, 3c2, 3c3, 3c4) sets are placed, in the axial direction (Z), at least partly in a different location in relation to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for determining the position of a shift rail 12 which is employed within a vehicle having a transmission 14. Apparatus 10 includes an offset lever or member 18, and a pair of proximity sensors 30, 32 which detect the distance between the sensors 30, 32 and the respective surfaces 21, 23 of member 18, and which selectively generate signals corresponding to the measured distances. A controller 38 receives the generated signals and utilizes the signals to determine the linear and angular position of shift rail 12.

Abstract: The method of determining the stopped angular position of a rotor comprises the following steps:

Abstract: A target device is carried by or mounted on a first part movable relative to a second part. The second part has a sensing device including an array of sensors providing outputs responsive to the magnet field of the target device. A processing device receives the outputs of the sensors and calculates relative positions of the two parts based on the outputs.

Abstract: A system for collecting and analyzing shipment parameter data, e.g., temperature, vibration, acceleration, shock, humidity, barometric pressure, pH, transit time, container position, etc., affecting predicted statistical variables of articles is provided. Examples of the predicted statistical variables may include article life expectancy, warranty costs, service and/or maintenance schedules, etc. The system is made up of a plurality of data collection subsystems for respectively collecting shipment parameter data encountered by respective articles being shipped, and a data analysis subsystem coupled to receive the collected shipment data for adjusting the respective predicted statistical variables of the articles.

Abstract: A method for separating electrical runout from mechanical runout includes positioning at least one position probe against a rotating part, positioning at least one proximity probe adjacent the rotating part, and calculating an electrical runout based on measurements obtained from the position probe and the proximity probe.

Abstract: A three dimensional positional device which may be used with a computer to enable, for example, a cursor to be moved in three dimensions. The device includes a movable portion (64) and a stationary portion (61). Movement of the movable portion (64) is translated into the movement of three Hall effect devices (69, 77, 81) in three orthogonal directions, relative to three magnetic systems (67, 72, 82). The movable portion (64) may be moved in a plane and pivoted relative to the stationary portion (61).

Abstract: The present invention is a two-dimensional magnetic sensor, comprising two miniaturized MI elements and an integrated circuit, which boasts a wide magnetic field measurability range, low power consumption, and an extremely small size, which is suitable for use as an electronic compass in, for instance, mobile devices like mobile phones.

Abstract: Method for determining the position or the orientation of an object using a magnetic field and corresponding device.

Abstract: A magnetic-based sensor is disclosed which can detect a linear and rotary position of a shaft whose movement is to be measured. Such sensor can operate to yield linear displacement as well as rotation. A position magnet is mounted on the shaft for measuring linear motion. A spirally wound magnet is mounted on the shaft to detect rotational motion. Both of such motions are detected by a single magnetic-based sensor.

Abstract: The invention comprises a fixed platform (1) and a displaceable platform (2) that are coupled by six tension springs (3) and an elastic spacer member (6). The spacer member forms with each platform, for instance, a ball-and-socket joint, such that the platforms can be displaced in a total of five to six degrees of freedom in respect to each other. The displacement is detected by measurements at the tension springs (3) or at the spacing member (6). This is preferably done by measuring the inductivity of the tension springs (3), thereby making it possible to easily determine the relative position of the platforms.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting the magnetic field created by a magnetic target. An arrangement of multiple magnetic field sensing elements and circuit elements configured to select and/or interpolate between the sensing elements to give enhanced performance and to compensate for external mechanical factors. The circuit arrangement is integrated on a single silicon chip to form an integrated circuit sensing device in one embodiment.

Abstract: An analog angle encoder is provided having a resistor track and a wiper contact associated with the resistor track, a conductor track concentric with the resistor track, wherein one end of the resistor track is connected to ground and the other end is connected to an alternating voltage.

Abstract: Multifunctional encoder apparatus comprises: a housing including a cavity and an opening extending from the cavity to the top of the housing: a knob shaft including an upper portion disposed through the housing opening, and a lower portion disposed in the cavity and including a permanent magnet magnetized with at least one set of North-South magnetic poles, the knob shaft and its permanent magnet being axially and rotatably movable in the housing cavity; a plurality of magnetic field sensors disposed within the housing cavity in proximity to the permanent magnet and distributed angularly thereabout to sense the magnetic field strength of the permanent magnet based on the orientation of the permanent magnet with respect to the sensors, each sensor for generating a signal representative of the magnitude of the magnetic field strength sensed thereby; and a processor for processing the sensor signals to independently resolve axial and rotational movement of the knob shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for a magnetic field positioning system use a fundamentally different, and advantageous, signal structure and multiple access method, known as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). This signal architecture, when combined with processing methods, leads to advantages over the existing technologies, especially when applied to a system with a large number of magnetic field generators (beacons). Beacons at known positions generate coded magnetic fields, and a magnetic sensor measures a sum field and decomposes it into component fields to determine the sensor position and orientation. The apparatus and methods can have a large ‘building-sized’ coverage area. The system allows for numerous beacons to be distributed throughout an area at a number of different locations. A method to estimate position and attitude, with no prior knowledge, uses dipole fields produced by these beacons in different locations.

Abstract: A position detector is provided for detecting the relative movement of first and second members which are mounted for relative movement along a measuring path. One of the members comprises a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field and the other member comprises first and second conductors which are inductively coupled to said magnetic field generator. The arrangement of the first and second conductors and the magnetic field generator is such that output signals are generated in a first and second receive circuits whose position varies with the relative movement between the two members. In addition to carrying information relating to the relative position between the two members, the signals induced in the receive circuits also comprise information defining the relative orientation of the two movable members, and by suitable processing of the received signals the relative orientation of the two members can also be determined.

Abstract: A shift mechanism for motor vehicle transmissions having a selector lever (14) supported in bearings in a housing (10) that can be pivoted about a transverse axle (24) in longitudinal direction and about a longitudinal axle (50) in the transverse direction. At the selector lever (14) or at components (26, 82) moving with the selector lever (14) on the one hand and on components (96, 100) fixed to the housing on the other hand, position indicating elements (128, 130) or sensors (102-114, 120-126) are arranged in such a way that the sensors (102-114, 120-126) respond upon the approach to position indicating elements (128, 130) and transmit signals to a transmission control arrangement corresponding to the pivoted position of the selector lever (14).

Abstract: A magnetic field position and orientation measurement system contains, confines and re-directs the magnetic field from one or more transmitters such that the fields are attenuated in areas outside of the operating volume in areas where metallic objects are commonly found. An attenuator made of a highly permeable material such as ferrite or mumetal may be placed on top of a conductive plate. The permeable attenuator may be as thin as 0.001 inches. On top of the permeable attenuator, a transmitter system is placed including at least three transmitters. In one embodiment, the transmitter consists of a PC board carrying the transmitter. The transmitter system, the permeable attenuator and the conductive plate, where used, may only be from 1/2 inch to 5/8 of an inch in thickness combined. The permeable attenuator may have a flat, planar configuration. Alternatively, it may be made to resemble, in cross-section, a cake pan having a flat central region with uplifted peripheral edges.

Abstract: A magnet is provided on a detection member that moves on a straight line. A Hall element serving as a magneto-electric element is provided on a fixed member that opposes the magnet. A surface of the magnet that opposes the Hall element is formed into a radius or trapezoidal shape. With this arrangement, linear outputs can be obtained at any rotational angles even when a rotator rotates a plurality of times.

Abstract: A two-dimensional absolute position sensor comprises at least one magnetic slit thin plate provided to an end-effector which is attached to the end of a robot arm and moves in a plane, and having slits extending in the X and Y directions, magnetic sensor heads having magnetic sensors for position measurement in the X and Y directions opposed to the magnetic slit thin plate through a gap therebetween and bias magnets for applying magnetic fields to the magnetic sensors, and a signal processing circuit for outputting an absolute position signal generated from signals outputted from the magnetic sensors. Therefore, a small-sized, light-weighted two-dimensional absolute position sensor with an excellent environment-resistance used for readily measuring the two-dimensional absolute position of the end-effector of a robot in a non-contact manner can be provided.

Abstract: A target device is carried by or mounted on a first part movable relative to a second part. The second part has a sensing device including an array of sensors providing outputs responsive to the magnet field of the target device. A processing device receives the outputs of the sensors and calculates relative positions of the two parts based on the outputs.

Abstract: An LVDT assembly measures movement of a linkage. The LVDT assembly includes multiple LVDT units mounted in parallel to an LVDT input member for concurrent operation. The LVDT assembly also includes a rotary head that has a threaded portion that is secured to the linkage by rotating the head and engaging mating threads on the linkage and on the rotary head. A conventional ball bearing assembly is provided between the rotary head and the stationary input member. A metallic ball is between the rotary head and the input member. A set screw engages the ball. Tightening the set screw stresses transmits a force from the set screw, the ball and the input member to stress the ball bearing. The stress substantially eliminates backlash between the rotary head and the LVDT input member.

Abstract: A travel sensor for detecting an absolute value of a travel of a mechanical component or a travel change, the travel sensor has a rotatable circular sensor element having a circumference, a detector, and a mechanical device arranged so that a longitudinal motion of the mechanical component is convertable with the mechanical device into a rotary motion of the sensor element, the mechanical device being formed as a Bowden cable which is acted upon by the longitudinal motion of the mechanical component to be detected and is retained on the circumference of the circular sensor element so as to be wound up onto and wound from the circular sensor element, the sensor element carrying a dipole permanent magnet whose field lines as a function of its rotary position intersect the detector in different directions, so that in operation an unambiguous angle signal is present at an output of the detector.

Abstract: The invention comprises a fixed platform (1) and a displaceable platform (2) that are coupled by six tension springs (3) and an elastic spacing element (6), which forms with each platform, for instance, a ball-and-socket joint, so that the platforms can be displaced in a total of five to six degrees of freedom with respect to each other. Displacement is detected by measuring at the tension springs (3) or at the spacing element (6). This is preferably done by measuring the inductivity of the tension springs (3), thereby making it possible to easily determine the relative position of the platforms.

Abstract: A curved surface signal pick-up device comprises a rotary disk and graphite brushes. The rotary disk has grid ring on the side thereof. The grid ring have a common portion and transferring portions spaced with equal or unequal distances, each of the transferring portions are arranged alternatively so that the common portion and transferring portions on the rotary disk are arranged on the same radius. Graphite brushes made by dividing an single located element, one end of the graphite brushes are connected on a circuit board for transferring the receiving different signals, while another end of the graphite brushes are contacted with the common portion and the transferring portions of the grid ring.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling two objects relatively moveable with respect to each other. A plurality of receivers are provided for detecting a distinctive microwave signal from each of the objects and measuring the phase thereof with respect to a reference signal. The measured phase signal is used to determine a distance between each of the objects and each of the plurality of receivers. Control signals produced in response to the relative distances are used to control the position of the two objects.

Abstract: A magnetic field position and orientation measurement system contains, confines and re-directs the magnetic field from one or more transmitters such that the fields are attenuated in areas outside of the operating volume in areas where metallic objects are commonly found. A thin barrier made of a highly permeable material such as ferrite or mumetal is placed on top of a conductive plate. The thickness of the permeable layer is from 0.01 inches to 0.25 inches while the conductive plate, preferably made of an aluminum alloy, may preferably be from {fraction (3/16)} of an inch to ¼ inch in thickness. On top of the permeable barrier, a rhombic three axis transmitter is placed. In the preferred embodiment, the transmitter consists of a PC board carrying the transmitter. PC boards having thicknesses varying from 0.03125-0.125 inches may be employed.

Abstract: A dual-axes position sensor 10 having an outer housing 12, an actuator 40, a linear Hall effect sensor assembly 20 for detecting position changes along a first (y) axis, and a linear Hall effect sensor assembly 30 for detecting position changes along a second (x) axis is disclosed. The housing 12 is preferably made out of a non-magnetic material such as plastic. Actuator 40 is rod shaped and coupled to a movable device or shaft (not shown) that is to have its position sensed. The linear Hall effect sensor assembly 20 is unattachably positioned to set on lip 52 of the housing 12, and includes a magnetically conducting pole piece 26, a magnet assembly 24 comprising an upper magnet 21 and a lower magnet 23 that are separated by an air gap 25. Magnet assembly 24 and pole piece 26 are positioned around a Hall sensor device support 14 in a“U” shaped configuration or form. Hall sensor device support 14 is fixedly attached to housing 12 via attachment area 54.