Rotary Patents (Class 324/207.25)
  • Patent number: 9322637
    Abstract: A measuring system is provided that includes a magnetic field sensor array, an evaluation circuit for evaluating measurement signals of the magnetic field sensor array, and a rotatable encoder that has a mass element to change a magnetic field vector in the magnetic field sensor array. The encoder has a spring element in which the mass element is attached to the spring element. The encoder has a linear guide, and the mass element is guided in a radial direction in the linear guide such that during a rotation of the encoder the mass element can be moved by centrifugal force and the centrifugal force works against the spring force of the spring element. The magnetic field sensor array is arranged toward the encoder to measure a change, caused by the movement of the mass element, in the magnetic field vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Micronas GmbH
    Inventor: Yan Bondar
  • Patent number: 9322670
    Abstract: A magnetism sensing element is provided to be rotatable relative to permanent magnets and outputs a magnetic force detection value, which corresponds to a perpendicular component of magnetic flux. A Hall IC calculates and outputs an output voltage, which corresponds to a relative rotational angle between the permanent magnets and the magnetism sensing element, based on the magnetic force detection value outputted by the magnetism sensing element. The Hall IC calculates the output voltage as V2=k×arcsin(V1/(VM+?))+Voffset, in which V1, V2, VM, k, ? and Voffset indicate the magnetic force detection value, the output voltage, a maximum value of the magnetic force detection value, a gain, a predetermined value and a predetermined offset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takehito Mizunuma, Tomoyuki Takiguchi, Takamitsu Kubota, Yoshiyuki Kono
  • Patent number: 9322635
    Abstract: Example apparatus for absolute position detection are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a housing and digit gears coupled to the housing to rotate about respective parallel axes. Each digit gear has a first portion including a first set of teeth disposed about an entire circumference of the first portion and a second portion including a second set of teeth disposed about only a portion of a circumference of the second portion. Each digit gear is to correspond to a respective digit in a code representing an absolute position of a shaft. A respective idler gear between each adjacent pair of the digit gears is to be intermeshed with the first set of teeth of one of the digit gears and the second set of teeth of the other one of the digit gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT, VALVE AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Doyle Robert Blume, Jr., Gerald W. Scalf
  • Patent number: 9322888
    Abstract: A position detection apparatus includes a magnetic generator, a magnetic detector, a storage, and a rotation angle calculator. The rotation angle calculator calculates a relative rotation angle of the magnetic generator with respect to the magnetic detector based on a voltage output from the magnetic detector and a relational expression of ?=sin?1((VH?c)/V0)?b. In the relational expression, the relative rotation angle is defined as ?, the voltage output from the magnetic detector is defined as VH, a true maximum value of the voltage output from the magnetic detector is defined as V0, a first true correction value is defined as b, and a second true correction value is defined as c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takamitsu Kubota, Akitoshi Mizutani, Yoshiyuki Kono
  • Patent number: 9297637
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for sensing a movable object which, in one embodiment, includes a housing defining an interior cavity. A rotor is retained in the cavity. The rotor defines a central bore and a magnet is mounted in an off-center pocket defined by the rotor. The rotor is coupled to the shaft of the movable object whose position is to be measured. A sensor is also retained in the cavity in a relationship at least partially overlying the magnet and adapted to sense at least the direction of the magnetic field generated by the magnet to generate an electrical signal indicative of the position of the movable object. In another embodiment, the rotor and sensor are mounted in separate interior housing cavities separated by an interior housing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: CTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin C. Wolschlager, Robert L. Newman, Kim D. Cook
  • Patent number: 9267817
    Abstract: A rotation angle detection device has a first yoke, an inside surface of which is formed of a first concave curved surface and a second concave curved surface, and a second yoke, an inside surface of which is formed of a third concave curved surface and a fourth concave curved surface. Each concave curved surface does not extend in a second direction but extends toward a first flat surface or a second flat surface in an inclined manner. The first flat surface and the second flat surface face each other sandwiching a Hall element therebetween and are parallel to each other. The magnetic flux, which leaks from the first yoke into an inside space and reaches the second yoke, flows in the second direction over a wider area around the Hall element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hitomi Honda, Akitoshi Mizutani, Yoshiyuki Kono
  • Patent number: 9244481
    Abstract: A vehicle pedal assembly with a rotatable pedal. A hysteresis assembly includes a friction device and plunger, and first and second springs that are all separate and decoupled from each other and the pedal. The first spring exerts a force against the friction plunger that forces the friction device into frictional contact with the housing to generate and transfer a resistance force to the pedal. The first spring also exerts a force against the pedal when a foot force is removed from the pedal to return the pedal to idle with and without the movement of the friction device and without the force of the second spring. The second spring exerts a force against the friction device when the foot force is removed to return the pedal to idle without the force of the first spring. Barriers block the entry of debris into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: CTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: William S. Stewart, Robert F. Oldenburg, Murray Kaijala
  • Patent number: 9240800
    Abstract: A system including an encoder, multiple sensing elements and control logic. The encoder has a pole pitch and is configured to rotate in a direction of rotation. The multiple sensing elements are situated along the direction of rotation and span at least half the length of the pole pitch. The control logic is configured to receive signals from the multiple sensing elements based on the encoder in a static position and obtain a switching point based on the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dirk Hammerschmidt, Udo Ausserlechner
  • Patent number: 9234771
    Abstract: A guide detection type rotary encoder has first through fourth transmission windings, first through fourth reception windings, and first through fourth flux coupling bodies. The first and second transmission windings, the first and second reception windings, and first and second flux coupling bodies each form first and second angle detection tracks which generate an N1 time and N2 time cyclic change at one rotation of the first rotor. The third and fourth transmission windings, the third and fourth reception windings, and third and fourth flux coupling bodies each form third and fourth angle detection tracks which generate an N3 time and N4 time cyclic change at one rotation of the second rotor. N1 and N2 are different, and N3 time and N4 are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9151771
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method provide an output signal indicative of a speed of rotation and a direction of rotation of a ferromagnetic object capable of rotating. A variety of signal formats of the output signal are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, LLC
    Inventors: Ravi Vig, P. Karl Scheller, Paul A. David
  • Patent number: 9127965
    Abstract: A gobo wheel with automatic detection system that automatically detects a rotational position of the gobo. The rotational position can be detected by a magnetic marking system. Each of the gobos can be randomly placed within the holder. The position of the gobos can be automatically determined during a start up routine for example, and then those positions can be stored and used for later determination of a position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: James Bornhorst
  • Patent number: 9126627
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (2) for controlling a position sensor (13) of a steering wheel (3) of a vehicle. Said device (2) includes a means (9) for generating a control signal for the acquisition periods of the position sensor (13) when the vehicle is stopped, the frequency of said signal increasing upon the detection of a variation in the position of said steering wheel (3). The invention can be used in the field of automobiles, and the position sensor can be associated with the rotor of the steering assist motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Michel Plaideau, Philippe Bettan
  • Patent number: 9122306
    Abstract: The invention provides an instrument control panel that is easily customized and reconfigured, and yet provides the familiar tactile sensation of physical knobs, sliders, and buttons. The instrument control panel comprises one or more interface components that are removably coupled to an interface display wherein the interface components communicate with one or more control components disposed behind the interface display. The present invention lends itself particularly well to an instrument panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: APPLIED MINDS, LLC
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, W. Daniel Hillis, Randall Adam Yates, Ira M. Lichtman, Clinton Blake Hope
  • Patent number: 9115483
    Abstract: A hydraulic excavator includes a base body portion, a movable portion, a hydraulic cylinder, a position sensor, a rotary encoder, and a control unit. The rotary encoder includes a light emitting unit, a light receiving unit, and a disk unit having a plurality of transmission portions. The control unit measures the stroke length of the hydraulic cylinder by correcting deviation of the stroke length, which is measured by the position sensor, based on the pulse signal output from the rotary encoder. In this way, there can be obtained a hydraulic excavator capable of precisely measuring a stroke length of a hydraulic cylinder driving a work implement, as well as a method for measuring the stroke of the hydraulic cylinder of the hydraulic excavator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Sakuda, Satoru Shintani, Masato Kageyama
  • Patent number: 9091566
    Abstract: A differential amplifier generates an offset correction signal based on a rotation detection signal from a rotation detector apparatus and an offset signal. A comparator compares the offset correction signal with a threshold voltage, and outputs a binarized signal representing the comparison result. An average value signal generator circuit generates an average value signal representing the average value of the offset correction signal. The offset signal generator circuit generates the offset signal so that the signal voltage of the average value signal has a voltage value between a threshold voltage and a threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Tsukamoto, Kazuyasu Nishikawa, Takashi Tokunaga, Hideki Shimauchi, Yoshinori Tatenuma, Yuji Kawano, Hiroshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9086301
    Abstract: A non-contact sensor system is provided that comprises a first sensor element and a rotary member disposed proximate the first sensor element without physically contacting the first sensor element. The rotary member may be configured to be rotated about an axis Y by a shaft configured to pass through the rotary member along the axis Y at a value X. The non-contact sensor system further comprises a second sensor element disposed on the rotary member proximate the first sensor element without physically contacting the first sensor element, and the first sensor element and the second sensor element may be operatively coupled to facilitate sensing the value X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Staffan Erickson, Eric Cahill, Harald Klode
  • Patent number: 9081408
    Abstract: Each of a cross sectional shape of a contacting portion of a stopper arm and a cross sectional shape of an outer peripheral surface of a pedal shaft is formed in a circular shape, wherein a curvature radius is equal to each other. Each of a cross sectional shape of a stopper surface of a supporting body and a cross sectional shape of an inner peripheral surface of a bearing portion is formed in a circular shape, wherein a curvature radius is equal to each other. A distance between a center of a first virtual circle formed by the contacting portion and a center axis of the pedal shaft is made to be equal to a distance between a center of a second virtual circle formed by the stopper surface and a center axis of the bearing portion. An angle of the stopper arm with respect to the supporting body is not changed, even when the center axis of the pedal shaft is displaced with respect to center axis of the bearing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Ooya, Masahiro Makino, Takehiro Saito
  • Patent number: 9080845
    Abstract: A coupled state versus a decoupled state of a part relative to a machine, in particular of a coordinate measuring device or a machine tool, is determined. The part to be coupled can be moved toward a contact region of the machine in an axial direction in order to establish the coupled state, and can be moved away from the contact region in the axial direction in order to establish the decoupled state. A magnetoresistive sensor is used to generate a sensor signal that depends on an axial position of the part and a further sensor signal that depends on a rotational position of the part relative to the machine. The sensor signals are evaluated and the result is used to determine whether the part is coupled to the contact region of the machine and/or whether the part is decoupled from the contact region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Engel
  • Patent number: 9075025
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for correcting errors in measurement of three-dimensional coordinates of a retroreflector by a coordinate measurement device is provided. The method includes measuring a plurality of first angles, a plurality of first and second displacements along an axis, sending a beam of light to the retroreflector target, measuring two angles and a distance to the retroreflector, and determining the three-dimensional coordinates of the retroreflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Robert E. Bridges
  • Patent number: 9077220
    Abstract: A pipeline turbine generator for generating electric power from fluid flowing in a pipeline, the pipeline associated with, and downstream of, a wellhead, and either the pipeline including a valve proximate a chemical injection pump for the pipeline or including secondary piping inserted into the fluid line between the wellhead and a downstream facility, the secondary piping in fluid communication with the turbine and creating a secondary fluid flow path for the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher L. Kyle, Billy E Pierce
  • Patent number: 9070058
    Abstract: A communication device includes: a communication unit that adjusts communication characteristics; a setting unit that sets adjustment values used in adjustment of the communication characteristics of the communication unit among parameters of the adjustable communication characteristics set for applications relating to communication on the basis of the parameters corresponding to the application which is a process target; and an adjustment control unit that controls the communication unit to adjust the communication characteristics on the basis of the adjustment values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: FELICA NETWORKS, INC.
    Inventor: Shogo Kawata
  • Patent number: 9057629
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for determining a magnetization direction of an indicator magnet with respect to the sensor assembly includes a first magnetic field sensor for detecting a first and a second magnetic field component with respect to a first and a second spatial direction, and a second magnetic field sensor for detecting a third and a fourth magnetic field component with respect to the second spatial direction, wherein the first and the second magnetic field sensor are spaced apart from one another. Further, the sensor assembly includes a processor that is implemented to combine the first and the second magnetic field component to obtain a first combination quantity, to combine the third and the fourth magnetic field component to obtain a second combination quantity, to determine a position of the indicator magnet and the magnetization direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Hohe, Josef Sauerer
  • Patent number: 9052029
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for controlling an actuator that controls opening and closing of an intake valve. The apparatus includes an input shaft connected to a motor and an output shaft rotatable in conjunction with the input shaft, a magnet unit including a first magnet and a second magnet provided on concentric circles, the first magnet provided such that different poles are alternately arranged at an angle of 90° and the second magnet provided such that different poles are alternately arranged at a predetermined angle, and a control unit, wherein a change in polarities of the first and second magnets are sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Daesung Electric Co., Ltd., Leehan Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Chul Baek, Min Yong Park, Ho Sung Kim, Jin Kyu Kim, Byeong Kook Han, Byoung Ook Son, Kyoung Won Kim
  • Patent number: 9041387
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to techniques for magnetic field angular position sensing. A device designed in accordance with this disclosure may include a magnetoresistive sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of a magnetic field, the signal having an angular range of 180 degrees, a first polarity sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a polarity of the magnetic field sensed from a first location, and a second polarity sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a polarity of the magnetic field sensed from a second location different from the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventors: Perry A. Holman, Jr., Jason Chilcote
  • Publication number: 20150137803
    Abstract: An integrated wheel speed measuring device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a hub which is installed inside a wheel bearing; a magnetic encoder which is installed by being inserted into a recessed portion that is provided in one surface of the hub; and a wheel cap which surrounds the one surface of the hub and the recessed portion, in which the magnetic encoder has a cylindrical shape, and is installed in the recessed portion in a longitudinal direction thereof
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Euisung LEE
  • Patent number: 9035647
    Abstract: An encoder is configured for detection of rotational movement of a rotatable shaft in relation to a part of a machine, and a method is provided for generating a reference signal by an encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: LEINE & LINDE AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Gustafsson, Lars Peter Johan Kjellqvist
  • Patent number: 9035666
    Abstract: A torsion angle and rotation angle measurement device includes an input rotation disk, an output rotation disk, at least two torsion measuring modules and a rotation measuring module. The output rotation disk is coaxially and rotatably connected with the input rotation disk. At least two torsion measuring modules are disposed between the input rotation disk and the output rotation disk. Each torsion measuring module includes a rotary variable resistor and a torsion measuring arm. The rotary variable resistor is disposed on the output rotation disk. The torsion measuring arm is pivotally connected with the rotary variable resistor at a first end thereof, and is slidably connected with the input rotation disk at an second opposite end. When the input rotation disk rotates relative to the output rotation disk, the rotary variable resistor measures an angle indicating the input rotation disk rotating relative to the output rotation disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Chieh Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 9035646
    Abstract: A portable terminal device is disclosed that includes a movable part having a display part; an arm part supporting the movable part so that the movable part is rotatable at least ±90° with reference to a rotation center position around a rotation center; and a position detection part detecting the position of the movable part relative to the arm part. The position detection part includes magnets, magnetic sensors detecting the magnetic fields thereof, and a calculation part determining the position of the movable part based on sensor outputs. The magnets are provided in one of the arm part and the movable part so as to be 90° apart from each other around the rotation center. The magnetic sensors are provided in the other one of the arm part and the movable part so as to oppose the corresponding magnets when the movable part is positioned at the rotation center position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Ryusuke Hirayama
  • Patent number: 9037434
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining axial clearance data between a rotor and a stator are disclosed. At least one radial clearance sensor is positioned on the stator and is configured to gather radial clearance data, i.e., measurements of a radial distance between the rotor and the stator taken at discrete time intervals. A computing device is operably connected with the at least one radial clearance sensor and is configured to use the radial clearance data to determine axial clearance data, i.e., an axial distance between the stator and the rotor. In one embodiment, the computing device uses, among other data points, an indication of a loss of signal from at least one radial clearance sensor to extrapolate the axial clearance data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Fred Thomas Willett, Jr., Emad Andarawis Andarawis
  • Publication number: 20150130452
    Abstract: A magnetic angle detector (10) includes a detected object (20a) including a plurality of concave and convex parts (21a) formed at a predetermined pitch on an outer peripheral surface, and a detection body (30a) disposed to face an outer peripheral surface of the detected object. The detection body is a polyhedron, and at least two magnetic detection units (34a and 34b) matching a different detected object are arranged on one plane of the polyhedron. The at least two magnetic detection units are arranged rotationally symmetrically around an arbitrary axis of the detection body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Akira Nishioka
  • Publication number: 20150130451
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a sensor circuit may include a first receiver circuit that may be configured to receive a first signal that is representative oil a first mutual inductance and form a first detection signal that is representative of the first mutual inductance, wherein the first variable mutual inductance varies in response to a position of a metal object. An embodiment may include a second receiver circuit configured to receive a second signal that is representative of a second mutual inductance and form a second detection signal that is representative of the second mutual inductance, wherein the second mutual inductance varies in response to the position of the metal object. In an embodiment, the sensor circuit may include a recognition circuit configured to assert a movement detected signal responsively to a first value of the first detection signal, configured to assert a movement direction signal responsively to a first value of the second detection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Jacques BERTIN
  • Publication number: 20150130448
    Abstract: A magnetic encoder structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a back plate; and a magnet rubber which has a ring shape, and is vulcanized and attached to a rear surface of the back plate, in which the magnet rubber has a plurality of protruding portions which protrudes from an adhesive surface that is attached to the back plate, and groove portions which are formed between the protruding portions, and the protruding portions and the groove portions are repetitively disposed in a rotation direction of the magnet rubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Chul Soon IM
  • Publication number: 20150130450
    Abstract: The present invention relates einen energy-self-sufficient multiturn rotary encoder for detecting a number of complete 360° revolutions of an encoder shaft, rotating about a rotational axis and to which an excitation magnet is mounted in a rotationally fixed manner for generating an external magnetic field, as well as for determining an absolute rotational angle indicating a fine-resolved position within one 360° revolution of the encoder shaft, wherein the multiturn rotary encoder for energy-self sufficiently detecting the number of the complete 360° revolutions of the encoder shaft several functional blocks comprises. Further, a corresponding method is taught.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Stephan Gehringer, Jurgen Palczynski, Viktor Steiner
  • Publication number: 20150130449
    Abstract: A rotational angle sensor for determining an angular position of a reference component with respect to an axial direction includes a magnet retaining component having a magnet. The magnet retaining component is connectable to the reference component via an interference-fit connection so as to rotate with the reference component while being axially displaceable relative to the reference component. The rotational angle sensor also includes a sensor attached to the reference component such that it can rotate with respect to the reference component, and the sensor is configured to detect a magnetic field generated by the magnet. Also included is a spring element configured to exert an axial force on the magnet retaining component so that an axial spacing between the sensor and the magnet assumes a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Hauke Hans
  • Patent number: 9030194
    Abstract: A scanning device for a position encoder is provided that comprises a plurality of sensor elements for generating a plurality of sensor signals. A summation unit is also provided for generating at least a first summation signal and a second summation signal that provide information on the relative alignment of the scanning device and an associated scale. The first summation signal is generated from a first subset of the plurality of sensor signals and the second summation signal is generated from a second subset of the plurality of sensor signals. The plurality of sensor elements are substantially evenly spaced apart from one another N and sensor elements are provided per period of an associated scale, wherein N is an integer value and a multiple of three and four. In this manner, the third harmonic contribution to the summation signals is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignees: RLS Merilna Tehnika D.O.O., Renishaw PLC
    Inventor: Gregor Dolsak
  • Publication number: 20150123651
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a position-indicating module including a position sensor consisting of a mobile element, able to be driven directly by an operator or by a mechanical or electromechanical drive element, and of a detection assembly delivering electrical information dependent on the position of the mobile assembly, as well as at least one illumination element including at least one light source, wherein the mobile assembly includes a zone able to allow through the light beam issuing from the illumination element and the illumination element is situated opposite the zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: MOVING MAGNET TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Stéphane Biwersi, Michael Delbaere
  • Patent number: 9024626
    Abstract: The detecting device comprises a rotation member with a magnet portion which generates a magnetic field having different polarities arranged alternately in a circumferential direction, a case having a bearing, an angle calculating device and an elastic member which biases the rotation member so that the rotation member is rotated, keeping a constant inclined angle relative to a central axis line of the bearing or a phase difference between a rotation phase of the rotation member and a rotation phase of the bearing rotating about the central axis line thereof with an inclined angle relative to the rotation member is kept constant regardless of the change of the rotation angle of the rotation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Wakana Kotani, Toshihito Nagai, Hisayoshi Okuya
  • Patent number: 9024625
    Abstract: A rotation angle detector includes: a magnet attached to a rotating shaft and magnetized in a certain direction orthogonal to an axis of the rotating shaft; and a non-rotary magneto-electric transducer placed to be opposed to an end surface of the magnet, and configured to detect a rotation angle of the rotating shaft in cooperation with the magnet through magneto-electric transduction. A concave curved surface is formed in the end surface of the magnet in order to make a magnetic flux of a magnetic field facing the end surface of the magnet closer to the magnet and flattened. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a rotation angle detector which is compact in size and has a stable accuracy for detecting the rotation angle, by making the curvature of the magnetic flux near the end surface of the magnet small and placing the magneto-electric transducer in that location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Akabane
  • Patent number: 9024627
    Abstract: A motor actuator includes a housing, and a plurality of output mechanisms accommodated in the housing. The housing includes a fastening unit that fastens a first case and a second case. Each of the plurality of output mechanisms includes a motor and a plurality of deceleration gears. The motor is supported by the housing. A final state deceleration gear is rotatably supported by the housing. The fastening unit is arranged in a first fastening unit formation range. The first fastening unit formation range is a range formed by connecting contours of a plurality of motors and contours of a plurality of final state deceleration gears, and is a range that surrounds the plurality of motors and the plurality of final stage deceleration gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroto Inoue, Tomonobu Hyodo
  • Patent number: 9024628
    Abstract: A steering system includes a steering shaft an electric motor that assists a steering component; a torque detection device that generates a first detection signal according to a steering torque; and a compensation sensor that generates a second detection signal according to a magnetic flux around the steering shaft and its surrounding structure. In the steering system, an output signal, in which an influence of the magnetic field around the steering shaft and its surrounding structure is reduced, is generated based on a signal correction computing equation based on information on correlation between the first detection signal and the second detection signal. Then, in the steering system, the electric motor is driven based on the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Masahide Nakamura, Masafumi Kajitani, Zijin Wu, Jianchao Jiang
  • Publication number: 20150117806
    Abstract: A magnetic encoder 1 including a support member 2 attached to a rotating body 12 and a magnet member 3 fixed to the support member 2, the support member 2 and the magnet 4 are not attached to each other using an adhesive but the support member 2 and the plastic magnet 4 are joined together by molding shrinkage or wrap-around form of the magnet 4, and the material for the magnet 4 is selected such that the value of the ratio ((?p??m)/?c) of a difference (?p??m) between flowing-direction linear expansion coefficient (?p) of the magnet 1 and linear expansion coefficient (?m) of the support member 2, to tensile breaking strain (?c) of the material for the magnet 4 is equal to or less than a value beginning at a threshold (Nth) based on a prescribed value of cycle member at thermal shock destructive test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: NAKANISHI METAL WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro ITO
  • Publication number: 20150115941
    Abstract: Rotation of a magnetized rotor is detected in a highly accurate manner without depending on a magnetic pole pitch of N and S poles of the magnetized rotor. To that end, a magnetic detection device includes a magnetoresistive element that is formed of a fixed layer made of a ferromagnetic material whose magnetization direction is fixed and a free layer made of a ferromagnetic material whose magnetization direction can be freely changed, with a non-magnetic middle layer sandwiched between the layers, and arranged therein maintaining a gap between the element and the outer circumferential surface of the magnetized rotor in which the N and S poles are alternately arranged along the outer circumference rotating around a rotation shaft, wherein the magnetoresistive element is arranged in such a way that a plane on which the fixed layer is formed is in a plane including the rotation shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideki SHIMAUCHI, Masahiro YOKOTANI, Takafumi HARA
  • Patent number: 9018942
    Abstract: A magnetically-based position sensor. The sensor includes a magnet assembly that moves along a path, a common collector, one or more magnetic sensing elements, a first variable collector, and a second variable collector. The one or more magnetic sensing elements are coupled to the common collector. The first and second variable collectors are coupled to one of the one or more magnetic sensors and are configured to collect a magnetic field. The first and second variable collectors are positioned to transmit some of the magnetic flux generated by the magnet assembly as the magnet assembly moves along the path. The first variable collector and the second variable collector have a geometry and orientation such that the flux collected by the first and second variable collectors varies as the magnet moves along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventor: James Gregory Stanley
  • Patent number: 9020774
    Abstract: An encoder system includes: a first single-rotation absolute encoder that outputs a first signal corresponding to an angular position of a first rotatable shaft; a power transmission device that transmits the power of the first shaft to a second rotatable shaft with a predetermined transmission ratio; a second single-rotation absolute encoder that outputs a second signal corresponding to an angular position of the second shaft; and a signal processing section that generates data related to the rotation count of the first shaft based on at least the first signal and the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kishida, Toru Morita, Yoshiji Takahashi, Kou Ohno, Takashi Nagase, Kenji Omata, Hirofumi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9018943
    Abstract: A rotary magnetic encoder assembly of noncontact or “contactless” construction having an internally disposed first exciter or sensor magnet magnetically coupled to an externally disposed second application or drive magnet attached to an encoder shaft that rotates the sensor magnet substantially in unison therewith during encoder shaft rotation. The sensor magnet is rotatively supported by a friction reducer that is a bearing arrangement that provides point bearing contact preventing stiction and reducing dynamic friction of the sensor magnet minimizing angle error and helping to prevent “Quiver.” In one embodiment, the friction reducer is a spherical ball bearing. In another embodiment, the friction reducer is a thrust bearing that includes a spindle carrying the sensor magnet. A magnetic anchor can be disposed between the sensor magnet and drive magnet to help keep the sensor magnet in point bearing contact during rotation further minimizing angle error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Joral LLC
    Inventor: Carl D. Schrubbe
  • Patent number: 9018945
    Abstract: A relative angle sensing device that senses a relative angle between two rotary shafts is provided with: a hard magnetic body that is provided to one rotary shaft out of the two rotary shafts; a soft magnetic body that is provided to the other rotary shaft out of the two rotary shafts to be arranged in a magnetic field formed by the hard magnetic body, and forms a magnetic circuit together with the hard magnetic body; and a sensing unit that senses a magnetic flux density of the magnetic circuit. The soft magnetic body has a circular ring portion that is formed into a disc having, at an inside thereof, a hole larger than an outer shape of the hard magnetic body, and a protrusion that protrudes from a section of the circular ring portion at a hard magnetic body side in a shaft direction of the one rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Muto
  • Patent number: 9018944
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement is operative to sense a relative kinematic state of a magnet (110) and a Hall-effect sensor (202) with respect to each other. The Hall-effect sensor has a Hall plate (204) and is accommodated in a surface-mount device. The magnet is configured for generating a magnetic field having an orientation primarily parallel to the Hall plate. The sensor arrangement comprises magnetic-field collecting means (206) for changing the orientation of the magnetic field to be primarily perpendicular to the Hall plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Hendrik Anne Mol
  • Patent number: 9013192
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device for detecting absolution positions, comprising a sensor unit (N, M) as a planar coil structure and a scale having alternating areas of variable reluctance or conductivity along the measuring line. The invention is characterized in that the measuring device has at least two divisions (T1, T2) for determining the absolute position within the measuring length, the at least two divisions being coded aperiodically and in a bitwise manner and extending parallel to each other and, for each bit formation, having opposite effects on a coil element (S2, S3, S4) as part of the entire sensor structure. Preferably, each coil element (S2, S3, S4), comprising its own emitter and receiver windings (E, R), is balanced in offset, and the entire sensor structure provides approximately equal signal amplitudes for each individual bit of the absolute value at any position of the coded scale by means of compensation windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: AMO Automatisierung Messtechnik Optik GmbH
    Inventors: Victor Vasiloiu, Heinz Eisschiel
  • Patent number: 9013179
    Abstract: A VR resolver 120 and an MR sensor 114 are mounted to a shaft 103. The VR resolver 120 and the MR sensor 114 are formed so as to have a shaft angle multiplier of not less than 2. The difference of the shaft angle multiplier between the VR resolver 120 and the MR sensor 114 is made to be 1. An absolute angle of the shaft 103 is calculated based on a difference between an angle calculated from an output of the VR resolver 120 and an angle calculated from an output of the MR sensor 114. Since the VR resolver 120 and the MR sensor 114 have a different failure mode, redundancy against failure is reliably obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Sakamoto, Wataru Nogamida
  • Patent number: 9015013
    Abstract: A position detection and simulation platform includes software configurable logic and programmable inputs and outputs to support software configuration only changes for use with a variety of position feedback devices including synchros, resolvers, linear variable differential transformers, and rotary variable differential transformers. Power to the software configurable outputs is dynamically controlled so that the power supply voltage presented to the outputs satisfies a minimum threshold above the amplitude of the output signal. Dynamic control is based on at least one of a digital representation of a signal to be output, an analog version of the signal to be output, or the signal being output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: United Electronic Industries, Inc
    Inventors: Olexiy Ivchenko, Denys Kraplin