Rotational direction detecting
First Claim
1. A sensor for sensing a direction of rotation of a body, the sensor comprising:
- a first accelerometer arranged, in use, on the body, and having a first sensing direction;
a second accelerometer arranged, in use, on the body and having a second sensing direction, the two accelerometers arranged such that the first and second sensing directions are not parallel to one another and are not parallel to the axis of rotation of the body such that there is a phase difference due to gravitational effects between the outputs of the accelerometers when the body rotates in use; and
means for receiving the acceleration indicative output signals from the first and second accelerometers and for determining the phase relationship between the two signals to thereby determine the direction of rotation of the body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor for sensing a direction of rotation of a body. The sensor comprises a first accelerometer arranged, in use, on the body, and having a first sensing direction; and a second accelerometer arranged, in use, on the body and having a second sensing direction. The two accelerometers are arranged such that the first and second sensing directions are not parallel to one another and are not parallel to the axis of rotation of the body, such that there is a phase difference due to gravitational effects between the outputs of the accelerometers when the body rotates in use. Means receives the acceleration indicative output signals from the first and second accelerometers and determines the phase relationship between the two signals to thereby determine the direction of rotation of the body.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A sensor for sensing a direction of rotation of a body, the sensor comprising:
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a first accelerometer arranged, in use, on the body, and having a first sensing direction;
a second accelerometer arranged, in use, on the body and having a second sensing direction, the two accelerometers arranged such that the first and second sensing directions are not parallel to one another and are not parallel to the axis of rotation of the body such that there is a phase difference due to gravitational effects between the outputs of the accelerometers when the body rotates in use; and
means for receiving the acceleration indicative output signals from the first and second accelerometers and for determining the phase relationship between the two signals to thereby determine the direction of rotation of the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for sensing a direction of rotation of a body, the method comprising the steps of:
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placing a first accelerometer on the body, the accelerometer having a first sensing direction;
placing a second accelerometer, on the body, the accelerometer having a second sensing direction, the two accelerometers being placed such that the first and second sensing directions are not parallel to one another and are not parallel to the axis of rotation of the body, such that there is a phase difference due to gravitational effects between the outputs of the accelerometers when the body rotates in use;
receiving the acceleration indicative output signals from the first and second accelerometers; and
determining the phase relationship between the two signals to thereby determine the direction of rotation of the body.
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Specification