Enhanced methods for sensing positions of an actuator moving longitudinally
First Claim
1. A system to detect a position of an actuator, comprising:
- a magnetic source coupled to the actuator radiating a field;
least two sensors to generate a response based on angles of the field; and
an analyzer receptive to the response to produce an enhanced position of the magnetic source to compensate for an error caused by a misalignment of the at least two sensors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are discussed that detect the position of an actuator. One aspect of the present invention includes a system to detect a position of an actuator. The system includes a magnetic source coupled to the actuator radiating a field, at least two sensors to generate a response based on angles of the field, and an analyzer receptive to the response to produce an enhanced position of the magnetic source. Such analysis occurs in the presence of undesired effects arising from misalignment of the at least two sensors. Another aspect of the present invention includes a method for detecting a position of an actuator. The method includes interpolating a response of at least two sensors to form a quantity. The quantity is indicative of a position of a magnetic source coupled to the actuator. The method further includes adjusting the quantity by selecting one of two compensation techniques. One compensation technique is based on maximum slopes of the response curve. Another compensation technique is based on minimum separation of a cubic fit of the response curve.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system to detect a position of an actuator, comprising:
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a magnetic source coupled to the actuator radiating a field;
least two sensors to generate a response based on angles of the field; and
an analyzer receptive to the response to produce an enhanced position of the magnetic source to compensate for an error caused by a misalignment of the at least two sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
a valve, wherein the actuator is to move longitudinally to control the valve.
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7. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic source moves to a new position when the actuator moves to the new position.
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8. The system of claim 1, wherein the misalignment comprises a skew misalignment.
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9. The system of claim 1, wherein the misalignment comprises a run-out misalignment.
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10. The system of claim 1, wherein the response comprises data points.
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11. A system comprising:
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a moveable actuator;
a magnet coupled to the moveable actuator, wherein the magnet radiates a field;
a plurality of sensors to generate a response based on incident angles of the field; and
an analyzer receptive to the response to produce an enhanced position of the magnet to compensate for an error caused by a misalignment of at least one of the plurality of sensors. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification