Abstract: In a resolver for determining the relative angular position between two subassemblies, each subassembly includes a winding, the winding being situated inside a housing made up of two housing shells. The housing shells have tabs which are oriented with an axial directional component and joined in interlocking manner with axial overlap at a mutual offset in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: The device to measure the absolute rotation angle of a rotating shaft includes a rotating disc, fixed to the shaft. A group of permanent magnets of different sizes and polarities is disposed on a circular track. Further, a group of Hall sensors, fixed to a static part of the device, are disposed on a circular path, in proximity of the rotating disc magnets tracks, and generate electric signals proportional to the strength of the magnetic field produced by the magnets in proximity. The signs of these electric signals are used to calculate a code characteristic of a low resolution absolute angular position. Two analog signals are associated to the obtained code, according to a predefined table. The associated analog signal having the closest value to zero is used as an entry to a pre-recorded table containing the correspondent angular position of the shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a monitoring device for a rotary encoder electronically connectable to the monitoring device. A pulse generating unit generates a comparison pulse signal by extracting a portion corresponding to a specific phase range from a first pulse included in a first pulse signal output from the rotary encoder. The rotary encoder detects rotation of a rotating body and outputs the first pulse signal and a second pulse signal, the first pulse signal and the second pulse signal having a phase difference from each other. A determining unit determines an abnormality of the rotary encoder, based on a state of a pulse of the comparison pulse signal at a specific timing of a second pulse included in the second pulse signal.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein include systems with a variable reluctance sensor (VRS) interface and methods of their operation that may reduce the probability of erroneous transitions in a resulting generated detect signal. As such, the VRS interface can improve the accuracy of position and/or motion determinations, and thus can improve the performance of a wide variety of devices that use variable reluctance sensors. In one embodiment the VRS interface uses a comparator with hysteresis to generate a trailing edge signal. In another embodiment the VRS interface uses bias voltages to reduce the probability of erroneous transitions in a trailing edge signal. In either case the VRS interface can prevent erroneous transitions in the detect signal and thus may improve the performance and accuracy of the system.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein can provide a variable reluctance sensor (VRS) interface that may reduce the probability of erroneous transitions in a resulting generated detect signal. As such, the VRS interface can improve the accuracy of position and/or motion determinations, and thus can improve the performance of a wide variety of devices that use variable reluctance sensors. To facilitate this, the VRS interface includes a pre-processing circuit configured to modify a VRS signal to prevent the modified VRS signal from dropping below a threshold value and generating erroneous transitions in the detect signal pulse between leading and lagging edges of a tooth. In one embodiment the pre-processing circuit comprises a peak and hold circuit. In another embodiment the pre-processing circuit comprises a resistor-capacitor circuit. In either case the pre-processing circuit can prevent erroneous transitions in the detect signal and thus may improve the performance and accuracy of the system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotation angle detecting device wherein a filling member applied in a second housing section which houses an electromagnetic conversion element is prevented from entering a first housing section which houses a magnet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring method in which two variables of angle-dependent, amplitude-modulated carrier frequency signals are emitted on orthogonal windings (12a, 12b) of the rotational angle sensor and an evaluation is carried out by an input amplifier (V2, 11) which emits an output signal that is essentially zero when the signals of the variables are generated according to functional usage. Alternately, an interference signal is generated at one-second intervals in both windings (12a, 12b) of the rotational angle sensor, the result of which is being evaluated and monitored by means of an input amplifier (V2, 11). An interference display signal is generated at the output of the input amplifier (V2, 11), said interference display signal being not equal to zero if no error or interruption is present in the system and equal to zero if an error or interruption is present in the system.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a magnetic field sensor comprising a squat soft-magnetic body disposed on a surface of a substrate comprising a magnetic sensor array having a plurality of spatially diverse magnetic sensor elements disposed in a predetermined configuration. In the presence of an external magnetic field the squat soft-magnetic body becomes magnetized to generate a reactionary magnetic field. The plurality of magnetic sensor elements are respectively configured to measure a magnetic field value of a superposition of the external magnetic field and the reactionary magnetic field along a first axis (e.g., a z-axis), resulting in a plurality of spatially diverse measurements of the magnetic field component along the first axis. The plurality of spatially diverse measurements may be used to compute magnetic field components of the external magnetic field along a plurality of axes (e.g., x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis).

Abstract: A magnetic encoder has a high resolution track including a plurality of North/South pole pairs defining a plurality of pole junctions, and a reference track including a North/South pole pair defining a North/South pole junction aligned with a first pole junction of the high resolution track, and a South/North pole junction aligned with a second pole junction of the high resolution track. Only a single pole junction of the high resolution track is positioned between the first and second pole junctions of the high resolution track.

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.

Abstract: A temperature measurement apparatus for estimating a temperature profile in a process container, includes a radiation temperature measurement unit configured to measure the temperature of plural temperature measurement areas at a surface of the rotating table in a radius direction of the rotating table by scanning the surface of the rotating table in the radius direction; an operation control unit that controls to start heating of the process container by a heater while keeping the rotating table immobilized, and controls to repeat a scanning operation, in which the radiation temperature measurement unit scans the surface of the rotating table in the radius direction to obtain the temperature of the plural temperature measurement areas while the rotating table is rotated in a circumferential direction of the rotating table, after a predetermined period has passed from starting the heating of the process container.

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.

Abstract: A revolution counter including sensors, which generate position values that define an angular position of a shaft, and a determination unit that receives the position values and generates decision signals therefrom, wherein the decision signals determine counting sectors. The revolution counter includes a counting control unit that receives the counting sectors, and operates the revolution counter in a first mode or a second mode of operation. The counting control unit switches over to the second mode, if after a length of time no change in one of the counting sectors takes place, and switches over to the first mode if a change in one of the counting sectors does take place. The determination unit determines an uncertainty range between each pairing of the counting sectors. The counting control unit does not take the uncertainty ranges into account for the switchover from the second mode to the first mode.

Abstract: A variable reluctance resolver includes a rotor that rotates about a rotational axis, a plurality of detection coils that detect rotation of the rotor, and a magnetic member that magnetically connects adjacent ones of the detection coils to each other. The magnetic member includes a pair of body portions around which the detection coils are wound, and a connection portion that connects the pair of body portions to each other. Both the body portions and the connection portion have a thin flat shape. The body portions are flat so that a direction of extension of the flat shape is along a rotational axis direction, and the magnetic member has a U shape as viewed from the rotational axis direction.

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 he 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-con act 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.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement (2) for determining a rotational angle of a shaft (4) which has at least one locking ring (12) arranged on the shaft (4), wherein a radius of an outer face (40) of the at least one locking ring (12) changes with a period of n?/360°, and wherein the sensor arrangement (2) has at least one first fixedly installed magnetic sensor (32) which is assigned to the at least one locking ring (12) and, during a rotation of the shaft (4), senses a magnetic field which is influenced by the at least one locking ring (12), wherein n is an integer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes circuits, a field line configured to generate a magnetic field based on an input, a sensing module configured to determine a parameter of each circuit, and a magnetic field direction determination module configured to determine an angular orientation of the apparatus relative to an external magnetic field based on the parameter. Each circuit includes multiple magnetic tunnel junctions. Each magnetic tunnel junction includes a storage layer having a storage magnetization direction and a sense layer having a sense magnetization direction configured based on the magnetic field. Each magnetic tunnel junction is configured such that the sense magnetization direction and a resistance of the magnetic tunnel junction vary based on the external magnetic field. The parameter varies based on the resistances of the multiple magnetic tunnel junctions. The magnetic field direction determination module is implemented in at least one of a memory or a processing device.

Abstract: A rolling bearing sensor, especially a rotational speed sensor, having a housing and a signal pick-up which is arranged in the housing in a manner secured against rotation and is arranged, with the housing, in a stationary receptacle in a stationary part of a rolling bearing or in a stationary component adjoining a rolling bearing, for example, an axle journal, where the housing has an outer design via which the rolling bearing sensor in the receptacle is secured against rotation in a form-fitting manner. The sensor may have a groove which runs in the axial direction and interacts with a screw or a projection. Alternatively, a securing element which predefines a defined angular position may be pushed onto the sensor.

Abstract: Provided is a device for measuring a bending angle of a constant velocity joint of a drive shaft, the device including an outer race provided at a drive shaft and having an opening part formed at one end thereof, a permanent magnet mounted in the opening part of the outer race, and a sensor provided on an outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft and interlocking with the permanent magnet to measure a bending angle between the drive shaft and the outer race. Therefore, a size and a direction of the bending angle between the drive shaft and the outer race may be measured, thereby making it possible to improve marketability and stability of a vehicle.

Abstract: A rotational angle detection device may include a sensor wiring member and a motor wiring member. Each of the sensor wiring member and the motor wiring member includes a terminal body section and a connector section that are formed separately from each other and are electrically connected to each other via a connection structure.

Abstract: The device to measure the absolute rotation angle of a rotating shaft includes a rotating disc, fixed to the shaft. A group of permanent magnets of different sizes and polarities is disposed on a circular track. Further, a group of Hall sensors, fixed to a static part of the device, are disposed on a circular path, in proximity of the rotating disc magnets tracks, and generate electric signals proportional to the strength of the magnetic field produced by the magnets in proximity. The signs of these electric signals are used to calculate a code characteristic of a low resolution absolute angular position. Two analog signals are associated to the obtained code, according to a pre-defined table. The associated analog signal having the closest value to zero is used as an entry to a pre-recorded table containing the correspondent angular position of the shaft.

Abstract: A sensor device is described for the contactless acquisition of a rotatable object, in particular for acquiring a rotational speed of a compressor wheel of a turbocharger. The sensor device includes a sensor housing. The sensor device also includes at least one magnetic-field generator for generating a magnetic field at the location of the rotatable object, and at least one magnetic-field sensor for detecting a magnetic field generated by eddy currents of the rotatable object. The sensor device furthermore includes at least one connection element, the connection element being set up to connect the sensor device to a device that includes the rotatable object, especially a turbocharger, so that the magnetic-field generator and the magnetic-field sensor are at least partially disposed together in a sensor section of the sensor housing, and the sensor housing is at least regionally set apart from the device that includes the rotatable object.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to xMR sensors, in particular AMR and/or TMR angle sensors with an angle range of 360 degrees. In embodiments, AMR angle sensors with a range of 360 degrees combine conventional, highly accurate AMR angle structures with structures in which an AMR layer is continuously magnetically biased by an exchange bias coupling effect. The equivalent bias field is lower than the external rotating magnetic field and is applied continuously to separate sensor structures. Thus, in contrast with conventional solutions, no temporary, auxiliary magnetic field need be generated, and embodiments are suitable for magnetic fields up to about 100 mT or more. Additional embodiments relate to combined TMR and AMR structures. In such embodiments, a TMR stack with a free layer functioning as an AMR structure is used. With a single such stack, contacted in different modes, a high-precision angle sensor with 360 degrees of uniqueness can be realized.

Abstract: Outputs from first and second magnetic detection units are applied to first to fourth output circuits, each being a differential amplifier, and therefore detection outputs S1 and S2 approximating a sine wave reversed in positive/negative polarity with each other and detection outputs S3 and S4 approximating a cosine wave reversed in positive/negative polarity with each other can be obtained. These detection outputs S1 to S4 are applied to a switching circuit, so that a partial detection output can be obtained at intervals of 90 degrees from the detection outputs S1 and S4. In a bias adding circuit, a bias voltage is applied to each partial detection output, so that the partial detection outputs become consecutive outputs to thereby obtain an angle detection output approximating a linear function.

Abstract: A position detector apparatus includes a detector part, wiring, a resin part, a resin body, a terminal, and a lead frame. The resin part has a thickness at a wiring side portion of the detector part that is greater than a thickness on a side opposite to the wiring side portion. Therefore, when injection-molding the resin part, due to a thickness change of the resin part, the detector part is pressed against a metal mold and a position of the detecting part is fixed. Further, the resin body has a thick-resin portion and a thin-resin portion. The thickness of the thin-resin portion allows a predetermined amount of dislocation of the detector part. Therefore, if the detector part is exposed, water is prevented from intruding the lead frame and the terminal.

Abstract: A circuit to detect a movement of an object provides a threshold selection module or a peak identifier module that uses one or more threshold signals identified prior to a present cycle of magnetic field signal in order to establish a threshold signal used for a present cycle of the magnetic field signal. A method associated with the circuit is also described. The circuit and method can be tailored to store values associated with a least common multiple of a set of possible quantities of detectable features on target objects.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a magnetic position sensor in at least two directions, the sensor including at least one magnetized element and a probe including at least two magneto-sensitive elements located substantially on the same point and each measuring one of the components of the magnetic field generated by the magnetized element, the magnetized element being movable relative to the magneto-sensitive elements. The probe includes at least one processing circuit capable of carrying out angle and module calculations on the basis of algebraic combinations of the components of the magnetic field and providing at least two independent signals representing the position of the movable element along, respectively, one and the other of the two directions.

Abstract: A variable reluctance sensor system for processing a variable reluctance sensor signal including an arming comparator and an arming circuit. The arming comparator compares the variable reluctance sensor signal with an arming threshold which decreases proportional to 1/t from a predetermined maximum level and asserts an armed signal when the variable reluctance sensor signal reaches the arming threshold. The arming threshold may be decreased based on a scaling factor multiplied by 1/t to ensure detection of each pulse of the variable reluctance sensor signal. The arming threshold may decrease to a predetermined minimum level sufficiently low to intersect the variable reluctance sensor signal and sufficiently high relative to an expected noise level. The arming threshold is reset in response to a timing event, such as zero crossing of the variable reluctance sensor signal.

Abstract: A measurement system includes a rotating member configured to transfer mechanical energy to a point of use. The member has at a surface thereof one or more circumferentially oriented bands of magnetizable material. Each band has a magnetic pattern comprised of a plurality of transitions magnetically recorded in the magnetizable material of that band. A magnetic-field sensor is disposed sufficiently near each band of magnetizable material to sense a magnetic pattern recorded in that band as the member rotates. Each magnetic-field sensor generates signals in response to the magnetic pattern sensed by that magnetic-field sensor. Processing electronics is in communication with each magnetic-field sensor to receive the signals generated by that magnetic-field sensor while the member rotates and to dynamically compute from the signals a measurement associated with a performance of the rotating member.

Abstract: A adjustable Hall effect sensor system having a sensor positioning component is described. In one embodiment, the Hall effect sensor system is an independently adjustable sensor system, having a plurality of Hall effect sensor, wherein one Hall effect sensor may be displaced and adjusted without effecting the location of another Hall effect sensor. A sensor positioning component comprising a paddle coupled to a main body portion by a more narrow neck is described. A cam may be configured on a paddle and provide for fine tuning the position of a Hall effect sensor. In one embodiment the main body and extensions are comprised essentially of a circuit board.

Abstract: An encoder includes a first rotator connectable to a rotating shaft and including a first pattern, and a first detection unit positioned at a non-rotatory member and configured to detect the first pattern. The encoder also includes a second rotator connectable to an output shaft that is rotatable around a predetermined axis and is configured to output rotation caused by the rotating shaft. The encoder also includes a second detection unit positioned at the non-rotatory member and configured to detect the second pattern, and a reference unit configured to position the first detection unit and the second detection unit by a common position reference.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic rotation-angle detector that includes a disk-shaped magnet that is magnetized so as to change magnetic poles n times per rotation (where n is an integer equal to or larger than 1); a magnetic-body slit plate that is rotated together with the magnet, where a part having a high magnetic flux permeability and a part having a low magnetic flux permeability are alternately and repeatedly arranged thereon so as to change the magnetic flux permeability m times per rotation (where m is an integer equal to or larger than 2 and m>n); a magnetic sensor that detects magnetism from the magnet when the magnet has passed by through the magnetic-body slit plate; and a calculation unit that obtains the rotation angle of the magnet from the output from the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: An angle sensor for sensing angular position of a rotatable shaft includes a drive gear, a measuring gear, and a sensor housing. The drive gear is connected to the shaft. The measuring gear is driven by the drive gear. The angular position of the shaft can be determined from an angular position of the measuring gear. The sensor housing has a bearing for the drive gear. The drive gear and the measuring gear are rotationally mounted about respective axes of rotation in the sensor housing with the drive gear being inside the bearing. The drive gear is forcibly pressed into a radial position inside the bearing by at least one spring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a contactless magnetic sensor for detecting a linear or angular position, comprising a moveable ferromagnetic element (1) the position of which is detected, and a stator assembly (2) itself, comprising two ferromagnetic parts (3, 4), defining with the moveable ferromagnetic element (1) two respective air gaps (7, 8), a permanent magnet (5) and a magneto-sensitive element (6) subjected to a magnetic field that depends on the position of the moveable ferromagnetic element (1) and designed to deliver a measurement signal that depends on the magnetic field to which it is subjected. According to the invention, the two ferromagnetic parts (3, 4) define therebetween a third air gap (9), the permanent magnet (5) being rigidly connected only to the first ferromagnetic part (3) and the magneto-sensitive element (6) being placed in the third air gap (9).

Abstract: A pump comprising an electrical motor drive (2) and a pump engine (3), the pump engine having a stator portion (32) and an axially and rotatably movable rotor portion (30) mounted in the stator portion. The electrical motor drive comprises a rotor (6) with a permanent magnet (20), a stator (4) with a magnetic circuit (10) and one or more coils, and a position sensor (8) comprising at least one magnetic field detector (24a, 24b) positioned in the proximity of the rotor permanent magnet and configured to detect both rotational and axial movement of the rotor.

Abstract: A rotational angle sensor and a method for manufacturing the same, and a throttle control device with a rotational angle sensor, which may lower the cost, are provided. The rotational angle sensor includes each sensor IC for detecting a rotational angle of a rotor based on a magnetic field generated between a pair of magnets respectively disposed across the rotational axis of the rotor; each main terminal connected with each connection terminal of each sensor IC; and a holder member for holding each sensor IC and connection portions of each main terminal on each sensor side. A sensor assembly is constructed to form the sensor ICs the main terminals and the holder member into an assembly. A potting material is potted into the holder member.

Abstract: A magnet held in a magnet holder is constrained against radial or axial instability, or against both, by a shape on either component in contact with complementary shape on the other component, the shaped components generally defining a tab-and-slot arrangement. The magnet component may be a bonded magnet and in one embodiment may be formed in place by injection molding. The magnet also will exhibit improved magnet properties when magnetized to have lines of polarity matching a path defined by the bulk of the magnetic material as governed by the location of tabs on the magnet. The invention is useful in magnet-sensor assemblies found in industrial applications and in automotive applications such as power steering systems.

Abstract: A hand-held check fixture to indicate excessive play in a pitch change link ball joint is provided. The check fixture can include a first member for attachment to a first portion of the pitch change link, a second member for attachment to a second portion of the pitch change link, and a gage to indicate movement of the first member relative to the second member. The gage is adapted to indicate the clearance between a pitch change link ball bearing and a pitch change link knuckle in the axial direction and/or in the radial direction. The check fixture can assist in evaluating the flightworthiness of each pitch change link on a rotor assembly with relative ease and without requiring the complete removal of each pitch change link from the rotor assembly.

Abstract: Upon detecting a peak value from output signals of one of either a first or a second magnetic sensor, an rotation angle computation device identifies, on basis of an amplitude compensation table corresponding to the one magnetic sensor for which the peak value was detected, a pole number of a magnetic pole sensed by the magnetic sensor. Then, based on the identified pole number and a magnetic pole identification table, a pole number of a magnetic pole sensed by the other magnetic sensor is identified. The pole numbers of the magnetic poles sensed by the respective magnetic sensors are thus identified, and the rotation angle computation device compensates the output signals of the respective magnetic sensors using amplitude compensation gains corresponding to the sensed magnetic poles (magnetic pole pair).

Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a substrate, and a pattern forming region on the substrate, the pattern forming region having a substantially quadrangle shape. The pattern forming region includes a magnetic detection element pattern that includes a plurality of linear parts arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined inclination angle to two sides of the quadrangle shape, and a plurality of turning parts configured to alternately connect both end portions in a longitudinal direction of adjacent linear parts of the plurality of linear parts. The magnetic detection element pattern further includes a first pattern, and a second pattern with a resistance change ratio less than the first pattern. An area of the magnetic detection element pattern is less than an area of the pattern forming region in a plane view.

Abstract: An induction sensor generates speed data based on a frequency of the change in magnetic flux within the sensor and powers sensor circuitry by recharging a power source using at least a portion of the electrical voltage induced by the change in magnetic flux. In this manner, the induction sensor may generate its own power to sense and transmit data. To optimize the recharging power available from the induced electrical voltage, the sensor may also include a variable load. This variable load may be automatically controlled by the sensor based on the induced voltage and/or current. The induction sensor may also wirelessly transmit generated data. In addition, the sensor may, after shutting down, automatically power up in response to the change in magnetic flux exceeding a start-up threshold.

Abstract: A structure for mounting a resolver in a housing, in which it is not necessary to use various different plates for forming the stator and accuracy of concentricity of the rotor and the stator is prevented from decreasing by a simple structure, are provided. The structure for mounting a resolver in a housing has a rotor and a stator arranged the outside of the rotor, in which the stator is mounted at an opening of the housing by clamps, projections are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the stator, protruding portions are formed on the clamps, and the stator is pressed to the housing by the clamps in a state in which the protruding portions are engaged with the concavities of the stator.

Abstract: Disclosed is the selecting of the optimum characteristics of a magnetic device producing a sinusoidal signal for determination of angular position in a rotary machine. The device includes a multi-polar magnetic ring which is mobile in rotation around an axis, and creates a variable magnetic field according to an angle of rotation. In close proximity to the magnetic ring, a magnetic sensor is placed in this magnetic field, and generates the sinusoidal signal. The air gap between the sensor and ring is constituted by spacing the sensor by a distance E from the magnetic ring on a radial plane. Optimum performance is achieved when a first ratio e/E of a thickness e of the multi-polar magnetic ring in a direction which is radial relative to the air gap E is between 0.4 and 2.3. A second ratio h/e of a height h of the ring, in a direction which is axial relative to the thickness e, is between 1.5 and 8.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a magnetic angle sensor module having first magnetic polewheel comprising a first number of poles and a second magnetic polewheel comprising a second number of poles greater than the first number. First and second magneto-resistive sensors are located around the first polewheel at a first angular position and a second angular position, respectively. The first and second magneto-resistive sensors collectively generate sensor signals corresponding to a measured angle of the first polewheel, while the third magneto-resistive sensor generates a third sensor signal corresponding to a measured angle of the second polewheel. A signal processor receives the first and third sensor signals and operates an algorithm that determines a position within a signal curve of the second polewheel from the first sensor signal and that determines an enhanced angle from the position within the signal curve and the third sensor signal.

Abstract: An electrical machine includes an angular position transducer for identifying a first rotation angle of a rotor; a stator winding for generating a magnetic field; a voltage measuring instrument for sensing a pole wheel voltage at the ends of the stator winding upon a rotation of the rotor; and an identification circuit for identifying a second rotation angle from the pole wheel voltage and for identifying an angle difference between the first and the second rotation angle.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly configured to determine an orientation angle of a stepper motor actuated pointer of the assembly. The assembly includes a pointer, a stepper motor, a magnet, and a sensor. The pointer is movable about an axis to point to indicia on a display surface of the assembly. The stepper motor is coupled to the pointer via a reduction gear arrangement. The magnet is fixedly coupled to the pointer such that a magnetic field direction generated by the magnet corresponds to an angle of the pointer. The sensor is configured to determine the magnetic field direction of the magnet and output a signal indicative of the angle of the pointer.

Abstract: A variable reluctance angle sensor includes a stator, a rotor, and a computation section. The stator includes a core member having teeth, which are arranged in a circumferential direction, and excitation coils, which are respectively wound about the teeth such that magnetic poles of the teeth have different polarities alternately in the circumferential direction. An input voltage is supplied to the excitation coils. The rotor radially faces the teeth of the stator. The rotor has a shape such that gap permeance with respect to the stator changes in a sinusoidal fashion in accordance with the rotational angle of the rotor. The computation section obtains output voltages of two or more phases having different phases based on the voltages of the excitation coils, and detects the rotational angle of the rotor based on the output voltages.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor having a transmitter coil excited by a high frequency signal source. A first and second receiver coil, each having at least two oppositely wound loops, are rotatably positioned electrically 90 degrees relative to each other. The receiver coils are positioned so as to be inductively coupled with the transmitter coil while a coupler constructed of an electrically conductive material is rotatably positioned over and inductively coupled with the first and second receiver coils. The outputs from the first and second receiver coils are coupled through a high pass filter and a low pass filter, respectively, thus creating a 90° phase shift in the resultant signals. These signals are summed together and coupled as an input signal to a PWM circuit together with a signal from the transmitter coil.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for effectively sensing rotational position of an object. In certain embodiments, a rotational position sensor can include a shaft configured to couple with the rotating object. The shaft can be configured to couple with a magnet carrier such that rotation of the shaft yields translational motion of the carrier. A magnet mounted to the carrier also moves longitudinally with respect to the axis of the shaft, and relative to a magnetic field sensor configured to detect the magnet's longitudinal position. The detected longitudinal position can be in a range corresponding to a rotational range of the shaft, where the rotational range can be greater than one turn. In certain embodiments, the rotational position sensor can include a programmable capability to facilitate ease and flexibility in calibration and use in a wide range of applications.