Relative position measurement
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A feedback sensor system, the feedback sensor system comprising:
- a shaft assembly rotatable about an axial direction;
a first ring coupled to or formed integrally with the shaft assembly, the first ring including a surface having one or more first ring features;
a second ring rotatable about the axial direction and enclosed within the shaft assembly, the second ring including a surface having one or more second ring features; and
a sensor spaced from the shaft assembly and the first ring and positioned on an opposite side of the shaft assembly than the second ring, the sensor directed at the surface of the first ring and the surface of the second ring for sensing a parameter influenced by the one or more first ring features and the one or more second ring features to determine a position of the first ring relative to the second ring;
wherein the surface of the first ring is a continuous surface along a circumferential direction, and wherein the surface of the second ring is also a continuous surface along the circumferential direction; and
wherein at least one of the surface of the first ring and the shaft assembly is positioned between the sensor and the surface of the second ring and substantially completely obstructs the surface of the second ring from a direct line of sight view of the sensor throughout the entire operation.
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Abstract
A feedback sensor system is provided. The feedback sensor system includes a first ring rotatable about an axial direction and a second ring also rotatable about the axial direction. The first ring includes one or more first ring features and the second ring includes one or more second ring features. The feedback sensor system also includes a sensor directed at the surface of the first ring for sensing a parameter influenced by the one or more first ring features and the one or more second ring features. The sensor may determine a position of the first ring relative to the second ring by sensing the parameter.
76 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A feedback sensor system, the feedback sensor system comprising:
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a shaft assembly rotatable about an axial direction; a first ring coupled to or formed integrally with the shaft assembly, the first ring including a surface having one or more first ring features; a second ring rotatable about the axial direction and enclosed within the shaft assembly, the second ring including a surface having one or more second ring features; and a sensor spaced from the shaft assembly and the first ring and positioned on an opposite side of the shaft assembly than the second ring, the sensor directed at the surface of the first ring and the surface of the second ring for sensing a parameter influenced by the one or more first ring features and the one or more second ring features to determine a position of the first ring relative to the second ring; wherein the surface of the first ring is a continuous surface along a circumferential direction, and wherein the surface of the second ring is also a continuous surface along the circumferential direction; and wherein at least one of the surface of the first ring and the shaft assembly is positioned between the sensor and the surface of the second ring and substantially completely obstructs the surface of the second ring from a direct line of sight view of the sensor throughout the entire operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A gas turbine engine defining an axial direction and a circumferential direction, the gas turbine engine comprising:
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a turbine section mechanically coupled to a compressor section through a shaft; a fan driven by the shaft, the fan including a plurality of fan blades; an actuation member in mechanical communication with the plurality of fan blades for changing a pitch of the plurality of fan blades; and a feedback sensor system including a first ring coupled to or formed integrally with the shaft, the first ring including a surface having one or more first ring features; a second ring rotatable with the actuation member of the gas turbine engine and enclosed within the shaft, the second ring including a surface having one or more second ring features; and a sensor spaced from the shaft and the first ring and positioned on an opposite side of the shaft than the second ring, the sensor being directed at the surface of the first ring and the surface of the second ring for sensing a parameter influenced by the one or more first ring features and the one or more second ring features to determine a position of the first ring relative to the second ring; wherein the surface of the first ring is a continuous surface along the circumferential direction, and wherein the surface of the second ring is also a continuous surface along the circumferential direction; and wherein at least one of the surface of the first ring and the shaft assembly is positioned between the sensor and the surface of the second ring and substantially obstructs the surface of the second ring from a direct line of sight view of the sensor throughout the entire operation. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification