Angle sensor
First Claim
1. A two-axis angle sensor comprisinga first bubble chamber containing two fluids of different characteristics such that a bubble is formed in the chamber;
- a first bubble detector for generating a signal indicative of the orientation of the first bubble chamber with respect to a first detector axis by sensing the position of the bubble in the first bubble chamber;
a second bubble chamber containing two fluids of different characteristics such that a bubble is formed in the chamber;
a second bubble detector for generating a signal indicative of the orientation of the second bubble chamber with respect to a second detector axis by sensing the position of the bubble in the second bubble chamber; and
a processor for calculating the angle of the sensor with respect to first and second measurement axes by combining the signals from the first and second bubble detectors in accordance with a predetermined algorithm, wherein the measurement axes are angularly offset from the detector axes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A two-axis angle sensor comprising a pair of bubble chambers (3,4) and associated bubble detectors (5,6). A processor (42) calculates the angle of the sensor by combining the signals from the first and second bubble detectors in accordance with a predetermined algorithm. A radiation source (1) illuminates a bubble (8) with radiation whereby the radiation is refracted by the bubble. A radiation detector (5,6) is positioned to detect the refracted radiation from the bubble and generate a signal indicative of the angle of the bubble chamber. An angle sensor is used to calibrate a vibrating structure gyroscope (70). A flywheel (91) is provided to generate a gyroscopic resistance to operator input. A method of manufacturing a bubble angle sensor is disclosed, the method employing a lid (61) with an internal recess (65).
21 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A two-axis angle sensor comprising
a first bubble chamber containing two fluids of different characteristics such that a bubble is formed in the chamber; -
a first bubble detector for generating a signal indicative of the orientation of the first bubble chamber with respect to a first detector axis by sensing the position of the bubble in the first bubble chamber;
a second bubble chamber containing two fluids of different characteristics such that a bubble is formed in the chamber;
a second bubble detector for generating a signal indicative of the orientation of the second bubble chamber with respect to a second detector axis by sensing the position of the bubble in the second bubble chamber; and
a processor for calculating the angle of the sensor with respect to first and second measurement axes by combining the signals from the first and second bubble detectors in accordance with a predetermined algorithm, wherein the measurement axes are angularly offset from the detector axes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 25)
summing a pair of values derived from the bubble detector signals to calculate the angle of the sensor with respect to the first measurement axis; and
subtracting a pair of values derived from the bubble detector signals to calculate the angle of the sensor with respect to the second measurement axis.
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3. A sensor according to claim 1 wherein the detector axes are arranged substantially at right angles to each other.
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4. A sensor according to claim 3 wherein the detector axes are arranged substantially at 45 degrees to the measurement axes.
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5. A sensor according to claim 1 further comprising a sensor housing for housing the bubble chambers and bubble detectors, wherein the sensor housing is aligned with the measurement axes.
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6. A sensor according to claim 1 wherein the or each bubble chamber is shaped such that the bubble only engages an upper surface of the chamber.
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7. A sensor according to claim 1 wherein the or each bubble chamber is substantially D-shaped.
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8. An angle sensor according to claim 1 comprising
a flywheel which provides a gyroscopic force to oppose tilting of the sensor. -
9. A sensor according to claim 8 wherein the flywheel is rotated by an electric motor.
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10. A user input device comprising a sensor according to claim 1.
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25. An angle sensor according to claim 6 comprising
a vibrating structure gyroscope (VSG) for generating a VSG signal indicative of the orientation of the sensor; - and
a processor for calibrating the VSG signal from the calibration signal in accordance with a predetermined calibration algorithm.
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11. An angle sensor comprising
a bubble chamber containing two fluids of different characteristics such that a bubble is formed in the chamber; -
a radiation source for illuminating the bubble with radiation whereby the radiation is refracted by the bubble; and
a radiation detector positioned to detect radiation refracted by the bubble and generate a signal indicative of the angle of the bubble chamber. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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26. An angle sensor comprising:
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a bubble chamber containing a liquid and a gas bubble; and
a bubble detector for generating a signal indicative of the orientation of the bubble chamber by sensing the position of the gas bubble in the bubble chamber, wherein the bubble chamber has one or more internal recesses having a total volume substantially equal to the volume of the gas bubble.
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27. A method of angle detection, the method comprising:
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(1) providing an angle sensor comprising first and second bubble chambers each containing two fluids of different characteristics such that a bubble is formed in each chamber;
(2) generating a first signal indicative of the orientation of the first bubble chamber with respect to a first detector axis by sensing the position of the bubble in the first bubble chamber;
(3) generating a second signal indicative of the orientation of the second bubble chamber with respect to a second detector axis by sensing the position of the bubble in the second bubble chamber; and
(4) calculating the angle of the sensor with respect to first and second measurement axes by combining the first and second signals in accordance with a predetermined algorithm wherein the detector axes are angularly offset from the measurement axes.
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28. A method of angle detection, the method comprising
providing a bubble chamber containing two fluids of different characteristics such that a bubble is formed in the chamber; -
illuminating the bubble with radiation whereby the radiation is refracted by the bubble; and
detecting radiation refracted by the bubble to generate a signal indicative of the angle of the bubble chamber.
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29. A method of manufacturing an angle sensor, the method comprising:
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providing a container with an open end;
substantially filling the container with liquid;
providing a lid with one or more internal recesses;
closing the liquid filled container with the lid to form an enclosed bubble chamber, wherein on closing the container a gas bubble becomes trapped in the or each internal recess; and
arranging a bubble detector to generate a signal indicative of the orientation of the bubble chamber by sensing the position of the gas bubble in the bubble chamber.
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Specification