Phase Angle Detection Patents (Class 73/862.326)
  • Patent number: 11567099
    Abstract: A device of or attached to a roller body determines a rotational frequency of the roller body (or other object) rotating about an axis of rotation includes an acceleration sensor that detects an acceleration signal of an acceleration in a first direction extending in a radial or tangential direction to the axis of rotation of the roller body; and an electronic processing unit and configured to low-pass and high-pass, particularly adaptively high-pass filter, the detected acceleration signal, perform a derivation, with respect to time, of the filtered signal, optimize the signal with a subsequent absolute-amount generation and with moving averaging, and ascertain a frequency of the filtered acceleration signal, which corresponds to the rotational frequency of the roller body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Minelik Gebru, Peter Bakucz
  • Patent number: 11111610
    Abstract: Methods for forming composite articles include providing a non-crimp fabric (NCF) comprising a plurality of fiber plies maintained in a layup by stitching, wherein the stitching exhibits a lower structural tolerance to heat and/or UV light relative to the fiber plies, selectively degrading the stitching in one or more areas using heat or UV light, draping the NCF on a contoured article, applying a polymer matrix material to the draped NCF, and curing the polymer matrix material to form a contoured composite article. The stitching can be degraded in regions of the NCF which, when draped on the contoured article, correspond to topological features of the contoured article. Degrading the stitching can comprise breaking the stitching. The fiber plies can comprise carbon fibers, glass fibers, and/or basalt fibers. The contoured article can be tooling and/or an automotive component. The NCF can be a bi-axial NCF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Venkateshwar R. Aitharaju, William R. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 10830616
    Abstract: A steering wheel angle sensor is described comprising a first part and a second part, wherein the first part and the second part are moveable relative to each other in rotational direction and the first part comprises at least one first signal generating means (1, 2) generating a sine signal (x2, x5) in response to an angular position of the second part and at least one second signal generating means (3, 4) generating a cosine signal (y2, y5) in response to the angular position of the second part. Such a steering wheel angle sensor should allow a simple fault detection. To this end fault detecting means (9) are provided, wherein the fault detecting means (9) form a sum of the square of the sine signal (x2, x5) and the square of the cosine signal (y2, y5) and generates a fault signal, if the sum is not within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Danfoss Power Solutions ApS
    Inventors: Ole Falck Sorensen, Jorgen Krusborg, Soren Winkler Rasmussen, Dennis Gregersen
  • Patent number: 10712173
    Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus for a rotational angle sensor that outputs two correlated signals, corresponding to a rotational angle, determines whether or not a failure has occurred in the rotational angle sensor based on whether or not a numerical value obtained from the two correlated signals is within a predetermined range. Then, in a case in which the diagnostic apparatus for the rotational angle sensor determines that the failure has occurred in the rotational angle sensor, the diagnostic apparatus cancels the determination that the failure has occurred in the rotational angle sensor, when the numerical value is within the predetermined range and the rotational angle obtained from the two correlated signals is an angle that cannot be recognized to be 0°, 90°, 180°, or 270°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Kiyomura
  • Patent number: 9631722
    Abstract: A transmission includes sensors positioned adjacent respective pairs of magnetized bands on a shaft of the transmission for detecting magnetic flux emanating from the bands in response to torque on the shaft. The transmission further includes an electronics interface assembly configured to respectively provide drive signals to the sensors and to receive from the sensors, in response to the drive signals, output signals indicative of the torque on the shaft as detected by the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Nimrod Kapas, Joseph F. Kucharski, Steven Adam Hermann, Christopher Gregory Garbacz, Yuji Fujii, Diana Yanakiev, Roberto Teran, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9605976
    Abstract: A multi-tier limit-angle protection device detects a rotation angle about a rotation axis of a driving apparatus to thereby control the operation of a driving motor of the driving apparatus. The multi-tier limit-angle protection device includes a first-axis potentiometer for generating a first-axis sensing signal, a first-axis limit-angle detecting module for generating a first-axis confirming signal, and a controller. The controller effectuates a first tier protection mechanism by determining whether a limit angle of the rotation axis is exceeded according to the first-axis sensing signal, effectuates a second tier protection mechanism by determining whether the first-axis potentiometer is operating well according to a first-axis confirming signal, and effectuates a third tier protection mechanism through its control over the driving motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL CHUNG SHAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ruh-Hua Wu, Chung-Tseng Chang
  • Patent number: 9500543
    Abstract: A torque angle sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a torque sensor unit and an angle sensor unit at a housing centrally arranged with a rotation shaft, the torque sensor unit including a stator installed inside the housing, a torque magnet rotatably installed at a center of the stator in conjunction with rotary operation of the rotation shaft, a collector installed at the housing to transmit a magnetic field of the torque magnet, a magnetic device module formed with an individually operating first magnetic device and a second magnetic device in one package to detect the magnetic field transmitted by the collector, and a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) mounted with the magnetic device module, wherein the PCB is arranged to a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotation shaft and installed at a distal end with the magnetic device module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Hwan Lee, Young Wuk Lee, Myung Chul Woo
  • Patent number: 9221517
    Abstract: A bicycle rear hub includes a hub spindle, a drive part, a hub shell, at least one first opposed part, at least one second opposed part and a driving force measuring part. The drive part is rotatably supported on the hub spindle, and configured to receive a driving-force-input member. The hub shell is rotatably supported on the hub spindle and operatively coupled to the drive part for rotation by the drive part on the hub spindle. The at least one first opposed part is coupled to the drive part. The at least one second opposed part is coupled to the hub shell and being disposed oppose to the first opposed part with a gap therebetween. The driving force measuring part includes at least one sensor arranged to measure at least one of the gap between the first and second opposed parts and a displacement of the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Kitamura
  • Patent number: 9114833
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for motor vehicle steering systems, having a torque sensor for magnetically determining a steering torque, and a rotational angle sensor for magnetically determining an absolute steering angle, precisely one carrier member being provided which has a magnetic coding for determining the steering torque and the absolute steering angle and which is shared by the torque sensor and the rotational angle sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Becker, Bernd Krueger
  • Patent number: 9090123
    Abstract: A bicycle rear hub includes a hub spindle, a drive part, a hub shell, at least one first opposed part, at least one second opposed part and a driving force measuring part. The drive part is rotatably supported on the hub spindle, and configured to receive a driving-force-input member. The hub shell is rotatably supported on the hub spindle and operatively coupled to the drive part for rotation by the drive part on the hub spindle. The at least one first opposed part is coupled to the drive part. The at least one second opposed part is coupled to the hub shell and is disposed oppose to the first opposed part. The driving force measuring part includes a pressure sensor provided for contacting the first and second opposed parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Kitamura
  • Patent number: 9063024
    Abstract: A bicycle rear hub includes a hub spindle, a drive part, a hub shell and a driving force measuring part. The drive part is rotatably supported on the hub spindle, and configured to receive a driving-force-input member. The hub shell is rotatably supported on the hub spindle and operatively coupled to the drive part for rotation by the drive part on the hub spindle. The driving force measuring part includes a magnetostrictive element disposed in a driving force transmission path between the drive part and the hub shell, and a detection coil disposed in opposition to the magnetostrictive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Kitamura
  • Patent number: 9046429
    Abstract: A torque sensor includes a first resolver that outputs a signal corresponding to a rotation angle of a first rotor fitted on an outer periphery of a first rotary shaft, and a second resolver that outputs a signal corresponding to a rotation angle of a second rotor fitted on an outer periphery of a second rotary shaft coupled to the first rotary shaft via a torsion bar. The torque sensor detects a torque exerted on the first rotary shaft or the second rotary shaft based on the signals output from the first resolver and the second resolver. A first junction between the first rotary shaft and the first rotor, and a second junction between the second rotary shaft and the second rotor are formed so as to have different shapes or different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshie Hibi, Osamu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8943879
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering torque and steering angle measurement apparatus, the present invention including a stator fixed to an output shaft, a magnet disposed at the inner part of the stator and being fixed to an input shaft, a torque sensor measuring a steering torque by sensing a magnetic field produced between the stator and the magnet, and a steering angle signal generation part measuring the steering angle by outputting an ON signal ordinary times and outputting an OFF signal at each preset rotation duration of the output shaft when the output shaft rotates, thereby reducing a component number, simplifying a manufacturing process and saving a cost price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Minchul Kang
  • Patent number: 8786275
    Abstract: A gear position sensor employs a sliding electrical connection between arcuate conductors and flexible wiper arms held on opposite surfaces that rotate relative to each other with the movement of a gear selector shaft. The traces may have multiple segments joined by resistors to provide flexible change in resistance value and resistance range for different applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Mario M Orrico
  • Patent number: 8779764
    Abstract: To provide a method which can define the direction and orientation of magnetization of a pinned layer while reducing the number of steps of forming a GMR film. The magnetization direction of the pinned layer is defined in a plurality of directions by forming a plurality of patterns having directivities. Further, when the magneto-resistive effect film is formed, a magnetic field is applied in a direction at an angle set between the angles of the plurality of patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Meguro, Hiroyuki Hoshiya, Keizou Katou, Yasunori Abe
  • Patent number: 8717010
    Abstract: Magnetic position sensors, systems and methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, a position sensing system includes a magnetic field source with a dipole moment in a direction along a z-axis; and a sensor module spaced apart from a center of the dipole moment a distance y0 along a y-axis and spaced apart a distance z0 from a center of the dipole moment along a z-axis, at least one of the magnetic field source or the sensor module configured to move relative to the other along a path in the y=y0 plane, the sensor module configured to determine a relative position of the magnetic field source to the sensor module with respect to the path from a ratio of a gradient dBz/dx to a gradient dBz/dy, where Bz is a magnetic field component associated with the permanent magnet, and where an x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis are at right angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Udo Ausserlechner, Armin Satz, Ferdinand Gastinger
  • Patent number: 8664943
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single component implementing highly precise pulse detection for rotational or liner position detecting apparatuses for jog dials and mechanical products. Focusing on the fact that the phase difference between the magnetic fields in circumferential and radial directions generated by a magnetized ring is precisely 90 degrees, a position detecting apparatus of the present invention includes two Hall elements placed at a distance; a protective film provided on magnetic sensitive portions of the two Hall elements to cover the magnetic sensitive portions; a thin-film magnetic plate placed on the protective film to cover the magnetic sensitive portions of the two Hall elements; and further a processing circuit calculating the sum and difference of the signals from the two Hall elements to generate signals having an accurate phase difference of 90 degrees. The position detecting apparatus can therefore detect the rotation direction and precise rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation
    Inventor: Ichiro Okada
  • Patent number: 8621940
    Abstract: Torque can be detected in a transmission by using at least one vibration sensor to detect at least one vibration signal which is associated with a tooth engagement frequency of intermeshing transmission toothings, and the phase shift of which is dependent on at least one tooth engagement duration of the intermeshing transmission toothings. The tooth engagement duration is torque-dependent as a result of toothing deformations. A torque acting on the transmission is determined from the phase shift of the detected vibration signal and/or of the at least one tooth engagement duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Arno Klein-Hitpass, Jan-Dirk Reimers
  • Patent number: 8618792
    Abstract: A rotation angle detection device includes: a detection portion that detects detection angle that univocally corresponds to rotation angle of a rotating body which is within a predetermined range, wherein the detection angle linearly increases from a minimum value to a maximum value as the rotation angle increases within a unit range, and the detection angle changes from the maximum value to the minimum value or from the minimum value to the maximum value at a boundary between unit ranges that are adjacent to each other; and a correction portion that corrects the detection angle so that the detection angle detected in the predetermined range has linear characteristics, if the boundary between the unit ranges is contained in the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Kojima, Masashi Mure, Hisashi Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8490649
    Abstract: Torque indicator markings incorporated with handwheel devices connected to actuators or valve assemblies provide visual indication of the amount of torque being applied to an actuator or valve assembly by the handwheel device. Tattletale torque indicators incorporated with a handwheel device further provide a persistent indication of the maximum amount of torque applied to an actuator or valve assembly connected to the handwheel device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventors: William T. Dolenti, Daniel J. Morris, William C. Hooss, Byron A. Fleury
  • Publication number: 20120022800
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for measuring and monitoring the torque exerted by a cyclist during pedaling of a human-powered vehicle, as for example a bicycle, including an electromagnetic emitter which is adapted to be fixed securely to a rear wheel hub, for generating and directing a beam of electromagnetic radiation towards a rim of the wheel, and a detector mounted on the wheel for detecting the movement of the beam when torque is applied to the wheel, the movement being indicative of an angular displacement of the hub with respect to the rim and directly proportional to the torque. Either alone or using optical elements, the beam is directed to travel at least a distance between the emitter and the rim before detection. The measurement can be used to provide a power output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: SMART PATENT LIMITED
    Inventor: Gennady Lubarsky
  • Patent number: 8024956
    Abstract: An angular position measurement system including a continuous angular position sensor configured to provide a first signal representative of a continuous angular position of a rotating shaft, an incremental angular position sensor configured to provide a second signal representative of incremental angular positions of the rotating shaft, and a controller configured to calibrate the first signal based on the second signal to provide a third signal representative of a calibrated continuous angular position of the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dirk Hammerschmidt, Patrick Leteinturier, Wolfgang Granig
  • Patent number: 8015886
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed to using surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors mounted on a disc coupling component in a powertrain to measure the torque generated by an automobile engine. The sensor may be positioned and oriented on the disc coupling component so that the phase velocities of SAWs propagating through active elements of the SAW sensors are aligned with principal strain components due to torque in the disc coupling component. The torque may be calculated by determining the difference between resonant frequencies of the active elements to suppress common-mode interference factors. In addition, SAW resonant frequencies may be communicated in a non-contacting manner by utilizing rotary and stationary couplers employing radio frequency (RF) signals. Moreover, SAW sensors may be activated and interrogated by employing targeted RF pulses having different carrier frequencies at or near respective resonant frequencies of each resonator in a SAW sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Transense Technologies PLC
    Inventors: Raymond David Lohr, Victor Alexandrovich Kallnin, John Peter Beckley, Arthur John Leigh, George Edward Andrew Bown, David Daniel George Vile
  • Publication number: 20110213571
    Abstract: A method for non-contact measurement of multiple shaft parameters is provided. The method includes magnetically encoding multiple sections of the shaft using pulsed currents. The method also includes sensing a magnetic field of the encoded sections of the shaft using multiple sensors arranged circumferentially about the shaft. Further, the method includes generating a spectrum of periodical variations based on sensed magnetic field of the encoded sections of the shaft during rotation and determining multiple parameters based on recurrences of patterns of the spectra.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christof Martin Sihler, Thomas Alois Zöls, James William Bray, Klaus Franz Otto Raum
  • Publication number: 20100282002
    Abstract: A measuring device, a method, and a shaft arrangement. The device enables and detects a robust and simultaneously precise measurement of torque, a torque variation and/or an equivalent variable. The device has a signal emitter that can be and/or is connected to the shaft in a rotationally fixed manner, a signal receiver to detect signals from the signal emitter and emit a measuring signal which has a constituent dependent on rotational speed, according to the detection of the signals of the signal emitter. The measuring device also has an evaluation device for determining the torque operating state of the shaft on the basis of, and/or, by evaluation of the measuring signal. The evaluation device carries out and/or completes the determination of the torque operating state by analyzing signal constituents of the measuring signal that have a limiting frequency which is higher than the current rotational frequency of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Tobias Hagemann, Christian Schaaf
  • Publication number: 20100224011
    Abstract: A torsion angle sensor for measuring the torsion angle of two shafts coupled with one another having two planetary gear sets coupled via a shared planet carrier, with the sun gear of each gear set being connected to one of the two shafts respectively; including an arrangement whereby when a torsion angle is created between the two shafts, a movable internal gear of one of the planetary gear sets is rotated corresponding to the torsion angle, with its outer surface driving a sensor gear, which is connected to a rotational position sensor, the output signal of which is proportional to the torsion angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: BOURNS, INC.
    Inventors: Valeri Klimenko, Michael Röser
  • Patent number: 7784364
    Abstract: An optical static and dynamic torque sensor provides a measurement of torque, torque angle, shaft speed or shaft direction by optically detecting the overlapped position of spatially arranged apertures on discs attached to input and output ends of a flexure as torque is applied to the flexure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventors: Robert J. Matzoll, Thomas T. Stapleton
  • Patent number: 7775129
    Abstract: A rotation angle sensor is provided with a shaft portion having a torsion bar, a rotation angle sensing portion for detecting rotation angle of the shaft portion, and a torque sensing portion for detecting angle of torsion of the torsion bar. The rotation angle sensing portion and the torque sensing portion improve their own detecting accuracies by using each other's detecting result, whereby the rotation angle sensor can detect rotation angle and angle of torsion of a multi-turn rotatable body with high accuracy and high resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Oike, Kiyotaka Uehira, Kiyotaka Sasanouchi
  • Patent number: 7752894
    Abstract: The method measures consistency with a rotating consistency meter. The method comprises chopping with the teeth of a chopper structure optical radiation transmitted by an optical source to an optical detector while the shafts of the rotating consistency meter rotate. In addition, a chopper reference of the chopper structure chops optical radiation to form at least one reference pulse independent of the swivel between the shafts. The duration of each reference pulse is measured when measuring consistency. The change in the reference pulse is defined by comparing the duration of the measured reference pulse with the duration of the predefined reference pulse. The durations of the measuring pulses are corrected according to the change in the duration of the reference pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Metso Automation Oy
    Inventors: Lauri Uusivirta, Juhani Kangas
  • Publication number: 20100064822
    Abstract: A device 10 for detecting torque transmitted by a shaft, comprising a torsion element 11, two encoders 29, 30 connected angularly to opposite ends of the flexible element in torsion, a sensor assembly, and an electronic circuit board 14 supporting the sensor assembly generating a signal representative of the torque exerted on the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Franck Debrailly, Sebastiano Calvetto
  • Publication number: 20090266178
    Abstract: An optical static and dynamic torque sensor provides a measurement of torque, torque angle, shaft speed or shaft direction by optically detecting the overlapped position of spatially arranged apertures on discs attached to input and output ends of a flexure as torque is applied to the flexure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Robert J. Matzoll, JR., Thomas T. Stapleton
  • Patent number: 7559260
    Abstract: Supply and interruption of power source to the first angle sensor 2 and the second angle sensor 4 are alternately performed, by comparing the signal Vo1 or Vo2 which is outputted from the first angle sensor 2 or the second angle sensor 4 and amplified by the first signal amplifier 3 or the second signal amplifier 5 with the signal Vo1 or the signal Vo2 in a state where the abnormality such as the short-circuit does not occur between the wires, so that the determination is made as to whether or not the abnormality such as the short-circuit is present between the wires. The calculating section 6 can quickly detect an abnormality such as the short-circuit simply by supplying the power source to the first angle sensor 2 or the second angle sensor 4. In consequence, the abnormality of the rotational angle detecting device 1 can be detected before the steering wheel connected to the vehicular steering shaft is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Niles Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Uno
  • Patent number: 7520184
    Abstract: An angular velocity sensor for precisely calculating an angular velocity by taking the mass balance of the transducer into account is provided. The sensor includes a tuning fork type transducer (23) having a pair of arm portions (22) at a shaft portion (21) and formed of a piezoelectric element, and a control circuit portion (24) that drives the transducer (23) and detects the angular velocity applied to the transducer (23). The control circuit portion (24) includes a correction circuit portion (35) that generates a correction signal to remove, as a noise component, a signal component of a sense signal (29) detected erroneously as if an angular velocity occurred when no angular velocity is occurring in the transducer (23), from signal components of the sense signal (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Uemura, Keisuke Kuroda, Masayoshi Murakami
  • Patent number: 7513169
    Abstract: A rotational position measuring device for measuring a rotational position of a rotating shaft includes generating means for generating a sine wave signal and a cosine wave signal according to the rotational position of the rotating shaft; successive calculating means for successively calculating a sum of each square of the sine wave signal and the cosine wave signal generated by the generating means; change calculating means for calculating a change in the sums calculated by the successive calculating means; determining means for determining whether or not the change calculated by the change calculating means exceeds a predetermined value; and means for outputting a rotational position signal or an angular signal of the rotating shaft based on the sine wave signal and the cosine wave signal; wherein an abnormality signal is outputted when the determining means determines that the calculated change exceeds the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuji Noritou
  • Patent number: 7448286
    Abstract: A magnetic clutch has a rotatable input part with first magnets and a rotatable output part with second magnets, the output part being magnetically coupled to the input part. At least one sensor measures a magnetic field or its temporal differentiation and is positioned to measure the magnetic field or its temporal differentiation resulting from the interference of the magnetic field of the first magnets of the input part with the magnetic field of the second magnets of the output part. The output of the sensor is processed by an evaluation unit operative to determine at least one working parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignees: Richter Chemie-Technik GmbH, Kerntech GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Fiedler, Bernd Hellmich, Normann Plass, Falk Bahm
  • Patent number: 7433758
    Abstract: A robot control apparatus capable of largely reducing a calculation amount to be capable of lowering a load of a CPU is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventor: Jun Hagihara
  • Patent number: 7415363
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the torque imposed on a rotatable shaft. The shaft has at least four paired probes, paired horizontal probes and paired vertical probes. The horizontal probes are positioned 90 degrees apart from the vertical probes. If the shaft moves horizontally, the time of arrival detected by the first horizontal probes will be later than a nominal value and the time of arrival for the second horizontal probes will be earlier than a nominal value with the same amount of error. Combining data from the first and second horizontal probes will then automatically cancel out any error from horizontal motion. Similarly, combining data from vertical probes will eliminate the error due to vertical movement. Because any radial movement is a combination of horizontal and vertical movements, the use of the probes removes errors due to movement in any direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Peter Ping-Liang Sue
  • Patent number: 7398701
    Abstract: A device is described for determining the torque which is applied to a turbine shaft (10), the determination device having at least one system for contactless measurement of the integral torsion of the turbine shaft (10) and a unit for contactless measurement of the restoring constant of the turbine shaft (10). Furthermore, a method is described for determining the torque which is applied to the low-pressure turbine shaft (10) of a turbine engine, which is distinguished in that, to determine the torque, the integral torsion of the turbine shaft is measured by a contactless method and the restoring constant of the turbine shaft is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Zielinski
  • Patent number: 7370540
    Abstract: Rotation angle sensor, in particular for an electrical steering system of an industrial truck, in which two magnetic field sensitive sensor elements are arranged on orthogonal axes and a permanent magnet is attached to a shaft extending through the axis intersection point and the output signals X, Y of the sensor elements are given to an evaluation unit, which determines from the two output signals X, Y the rotation angle value by means of a function saved in the evaluation unit, characterized in that for a plurality of predetermined values of one of the output signals X or Y associated ideal values calculated from the geometrical relationship of the sensors of the other output signal Y, X are saved in the evaluation unit, the measured values of the other output signal Y, X are compared with the ideal values and a warning or stop signal is created if the difference between the measured and ideal value reaches a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Robert Hammerl, Frank Manken, Christoph Weber
  • Patent number: 7360458
    Abstract: A method and a device for determining the torques on gear shafts. With the help of this method and the device in the case of a constant transmission ratio, the rotational speed of a first gear shaft (2, 19) and the rotational speed of a second gear shaft (3, 22) are measured cyclically. A first torque is present on the first gear shaft and a second torque is present at the second gear shaft. The second gear shaft is driven by the first gear shaft directly or indirectly, via gears (5, 6, 7, 8; 20, 21). A quotient is computed from these two rotational speeds, and stored so the current quotient can be compared with the quotient of the previous measuring cycle. In the case of a difference in the quotients of the current and the previous measurement, a change in the torque of the first gear shaft can be assumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Karl-Fritz Heinzelmann
  • Patent number: 7357041
    Abstract: Torque ripple of a motor due to a rotation detection device is reduced. A periodicity gain multiplier 51 multiplies the rotation angle ? of a detection target by a ripple periodic number m per rotation of the detection target. An adder 53 adds a phase adjusting value “?” from a phase adjustor 49 to the value “m?”. The value “sin(m?+?)”, which is calculated by a sine calculator 55, is multiplied by a predetermined gain G by an amplitude adjustor 57 and by the angular velocity ? of the detection target by a multiplier 59. A subtractor 61 subtracts the output of the multiplier 59 from the value “?” and outputs “?(1?G sin(m?+?))”. The output of the subtractor 61 and the output “m?+?” of the adder 53 are input to the phase adjustor 49 and amplitude adjustor 57. The phase adjustor 49 calculates the phase adjusting value “?” based on the summation of the derivative values of the outputs from the subtractor 61 sampled for each “?/2” of the output from the adder 53.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Toshiba Elevator Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mimpei Morishita
  • Patent number: 7340969
    Abstract: A rotation-detecting apparatus includes a rotation-detecting device for detecting a rotation of a rotor, a rotational speed-detecting device (3) for detecting a rotational speed of the rotor and a transfer signal-generating device for generating a digitized transfer signal on the basis of items of transferred information. Either a pulsed first output waveform synchronized with rotation of the rotor, or a pseudo output waveform having a period independent of the period of the rotation of the rotor and having a first property that is different from that of the first output waveform, is selected on the basis of the rotational speed of the rotor. A second property of the output waveform selected is changed on the basis of the transfer signal. The output waveform of which the second property has been changed on the basis of the transfer signal is emitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Hara, Kenichi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 7340345
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a circuit arrangement for evaluating phase signals for determining an angle or a path of a linearly or rotationally displaced component, whereby a number (N) of measured phase values (?), produced by scanning at least one phase sensor arrangement on the linearly or rotatably displaced component by means of an assigned sensor, are evaluated. According to the invention, once the measured phase values (?) have been transformed with a matrix (M1), a quality level (R) is determined by producing a vector (T) followed by the result of a quantization operation (V) regarding the vector (T). Once a transformation has been carried out with a further matrix (M4), a further vector (X) is produced from the difference (t) between the vector (T) and the result of the quantization operation (V), coefficients (Cj) and (Dj) being applied to the components (xj) of said other vector, and the quality level (R) is derived therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Axel Wenzler
  • Publication number: 20070251332
    Abstract: A rotational position measuring device for measuring a rotational position of a rotating shaft includes generating means for generating a sine wave signal and a cosine wave signal according to the rotational position of the rotating shaft; successive calculating means for successively calculating a sum of each square of the sine wave signal and the cosine wave signal generated by the generating means; change calculating means for calculating a change in the sums calculated by the successive calculating means; determining means for determining whether or not the change calculated by the change calculating means exceeds a predetermined value; and means for outputting a rotational position signal or an angular signal of the rotating shaft based on the sine wave signal and the cosine wave signal; wherein an abnormality signal is outputted when the determining means determines that the calculated change exceeds the predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventor: Yasuji Noritou
  • Publication number: 20070240521
    Abstract: A torque detecting apparatus for detecting rotational torque applied to a first and a second shafts which are coaxially connected to each other by a torsion bar, by using a relative angular displacement between a cylindrical magnet fixedly fitted onto the first shaft and integrally rotating with the first shaft and yoke rings surrounding an outer circumference of the first rotating member and integrally rotating with the second shaft. A facing portion is provided between the first and second shafts, and faces each other in the axial direction by a space smaller than a space between a lower end face of the first rotating member and the upper end face of the second shaft. Positioning in the axial direction of the cylindrical magnet and the yoke rings is carried out referring position where the space of the facing surface becomes zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Akio Osuka, Toshiharu Ishihara, Naoki Nakane
  • Patent number: 7263903
    Abstract: A method and a device for operating a vehicle allow a torque of the vehicle during operation of the vehicle to be measured. A torsional angle at at least one drive shaft of the vehicle is measured, and the torque transmitted via the at least one drive shaft is ascertained as a function of the measured torsional angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Meissner
  • Publication number: 20070186691
    Abstract: Torque ripple of a motor due to a rotation detection device is reduced. A periodicity gain multiplier 51 multiplies the rotation angle ? of a detection target by a ripple periodic number m per rotation of the detection target. An adder 53 adds a phase adjusting value “?” from a phase adjustor 49 to the value “m?”. The value “sin(m?+?)”, which is calculated by a sine calculator 55, is multiplied by a predetermined gain G by an amplitude adjustor 57 and by the angular velocity ? of the detection target by a multiplier 59. A subtractor 61 subtracts the output of the multiplier 59 from the value “?” and outputs “?(1?Gsin(m?+?))”. The output of the subtractor 61 and the output “m?+?” of the adder 53 are input to the phase adjustor 49 and amplitude adjustor 57. The phase adjustor 49 calculates the phase adjusting value “?” based on the summation of the derivative values of the outputs from the subtractor 61sampled for each “?/2” of the output from the adder 53.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventor: Mimpei Morishita
  • Publication number: 20070151373
    Abstract: An angular velocity sensor for precisely calculating an angular velocity by taking the mass balance of the transducer into account is provided. The sensor includes a tuning fork type transducer (23) having a pair of arm portions (22) at a shaft portion (21) and formed of a piezoelectric element, and a control circuit portion (24) that drives the transducer (23) and detects the angular velocity applied to the transducer (23). The control circuit portion (24) includes a correction circuit portion (35) that generates a correction signal to remove, as a noise component, a signal component of a sense signal (29) detected erroneously as if an angular velocity occurred when no angular velocity is occurring in the transducer (23), from signal components of the sense signal (29).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Takeshi Uemura, Keisuke Kuroda, Masayoshi Murakami
  • Patent number: 7216552
    Abstract: Vehicles equipped with air brake systems and onboard vehicle management computers are programmed to develop both a prognosis and diagnosis of problems in the supporting, compressed air supply system from monitoring compressed air supply tank pressure. Variance of measured pressure from established norms correlated with the frequency and duration of charging cycles as well as brake pedal position provides indication of the likely source of present and future problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Fogelstrom
  • Patent number: 7200515
    Abstract: A rotation angle sensor includes a first and a second detection gears rotatable with a steering shaft, a first detector configured to detect a rotation angle of the first detection gear, a second detector configured to detect a rotation angle of the second detection gear, a processor configured to calculate a rotation angle of the steering shaft based on the rotation angles detected by the first and second detectors and a discriminator configured to discriminate whether the rotational angle of the steering shaft, calculated by the processor, falls in an abnormal value, wherein a least common multiple between a cycle of the first detector and a cycle of the second detector is greater than a steering angle measurement range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Sakabe, Emi Takuma, Atsushi Ueno