Actuator assembly including magnetic sensor system for vibrationless position feedback
First Claim
1. An actuator assembly for moving a device, the actuator assembly comprising:
- a stator component;
a mover component that moves relative to the stator component along a mover axis, the mover component being coupled to the device so that the device moves relative to the stator component as the mover component is moved relative to the stator component along the mover axis;
a measurement system that monitors movement of the mover component relative to the stator component, the measurement system including (i) a magnet assembly that is coupled to and moves with the mover component, the magnet assembly producing a consistent magnetic field that moves relative to the stator component as the mover component moves relative to the stator component; and
(ii) a plurality of spaced apart sensors that are fixed in position relative to the stator component, the sensors being positioned along a path of the mover component such that at least two of the sensors are positioned within an active region of the magnetic field at all times as the mover component moves relative to the stator component along the mover axis, the sensors being configured to sense changes in the magnetic field produced by the magnet assembly as the mover component moves along the mover axis; and
wherein each sensor is a transducer that generates a sensor signal that varies its output voltage in response to the changing magnetic field from the magnet assembly as the mover component is moved relative to the sensors;
an actuator that moves the mover component and the magnet assembly relative to the stator component while the magnet assembly is being used for monitoring movement of the mover component relative to the stator component; and
a signal processor that receives the sensor signals and estimates a position of the mover component along the mover axis at a given point in time based at least in part on the sensor signals from the at least two of the sensors that are positioned within the active region of the magnetic field at the given point in time.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
An actuator assembly (16) for moving a device (22) includes a stator component (30), a mover component (32), a measurement system (18), and a signal processor (20). The measurement system (18) includes (i) a magnet assembly (244) that is coupled to and moves with the mover component (32); and (ii) a plurality of spaced apart sensors (246A). The magnet assembly (244) produces a magnetic field (244B) that moves relative to the stator component (30) as the mover component (32) moves along a mover axis (32C). Each sensor (246A) is a transducer that generates a sensor signal that varies its output voltage in response to the changing magnetic field (244B) from the magnet assembly (244) as the mover component (32) is moved relative to the sensors (246A). The signal processor (20) receives the sensor signals and estimates a position of the mover component (32) along the mover axis (32C) based at least in part on the sensor signals.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An actuator assembly for moving a device, the actuator assembly comprising:
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a stator component; a mover component that moves relative to the stator component along a mover axis, the mover component being coupled to the device so that the device moves relative to the stator component as the mover component is moved relative to the stator component along the mover axis; a measurement system that monitors movement of the mover component relative to the stator component, the measurement system including (i) a magnet assembly that is coupled to and moves with the mover component, the magnet assembly producing a consistent magnetic field that moves relative to the stator component as the mover component moves relative to the stator component; and
(ii) a plurality of spaced apart sensors that are fixed in position relative to the stator component, the sensors being positioned along a path of the mover component such that at least two of the sensors are positioned within an active region of the magnetic field at all times as the mover component moves relative to the stator component along the mover axis, the sensors being configured to sense changes in the magnetic field produced by the magnet assembly as the mover component moves along the mover axis; and
wherein each sensor is a transducer that generates a sensor signal that varies its output voltage in response to the changing magnetic field from the magnet assembly as the mover component is moved relative to the sensors;an actuator that moves the mover component and the magnet assembly relative to the stator component while the magnet assembly is being used for monitoring movement of the mover component relative to the stator component; and a signal processor that receives the sensor signals and estimates a position of the mover component along the mover axis at a given point in time based at least in part on the sensor signals from the at least two of the sensors that are positioned within the active region of the magnetic field at the given point in time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for moving a device, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a stator component; coupling a mover component to the device; moving the mover component relative to the stator component along a mover axis with an actuator so that the device moves relative to the stator component as the mover component is moved relative to the stator component along the mover axis; coupling a magnet assembly to the mover component, the magnet assembly producing a consistent magnetic field that moves relative to the stator component as the mover component moves relative to the stator component; positioning a plurality of spaced apart sensors in a fixed position relative to the stator component, the sensors being positioned along a path of the mover component such that at least two of the sensors are positioned within an active region of the magnetic field at all times as the mover component moves relative to the stator component along the mover axis, the sensors being configured to sense changes in the magnetic field produced by the magnet assembly as the mover component moves along the mover axis, each sensor being a transducer that generates a sensor signal that varies its output voltage in response to the changing magnetic field from the magnet assembly as the mover component is moved relative to the sensors; receiving the sensor signals with a signal processor; and estimating a position of the mover component along the mover axis at a given point in time with the signal processor based at least in part on the sensor signals from the at least two of the sensors that are positioned within the active region of the magnetic field at the given point in time; and wherein the actuator moves the mover component and the magnet assembly relative to the stator component while the magnet assembly is being used for monitoring movement of the mover component relative to the stator component. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification