Linear and rotational inductive position sensor
First Claim
1. An apparatus for providing a signal related to a position of a part, the apparatus including:
- an exciter coil, the exciter coil generating magnetic flux when the exciter coil is energized by a source of electrical energy;
a receiver coil, disposed proximate to the exciter coil, the receiver coil generating a receiver signal when the exciter coil is energized due to an inductive coupling between the receiver coil and the exciter coil,the receiver coil having a plurality of sections, the inductive coupling tending to induce opposed voltages in at least two of the sections,the inductive coupling being modified by movement of the part so that the receiver signal is related to the position of the part; and
a reference coil, the reference coil providing a reference signal when the exciter coil is energized due to inductive coupling between the reference coil and the exciter coil,the reference signal being substantially independent of the position of the part.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for providing a signal related to a position of a part comprises an exciter coil, and a receiver coil disposed proximate to the exciter coil. The exciter coil generates magnetic flux when the exciter coil is energized by a source of electrical energy, such as an alternating current source. The receiver coil generates a receiver signal when the exciter coil is energized, due to an inductive coupling between the receiver coil and the exciter coil. The receiver coil has a plurality of sections, the inductive coupling tending to induce opposed voltages in at least two of the sections. Embodiments of the present invention include linear sensors, rotational sensors, and novel configurations for improved ratiometric sensing.
103 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing a signal related to a position of a part, the apparatus including:
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an exciter coil, the exciter coil generating magnetic flux when the exciter coil is energized by a source of electrical energy; a receiver coil, disposed proximate to the exciter coil, the receiver coil generating a receiver signal when the exciter coil is energized due to an inductive coupling between the receiver coil and the exciter coil, the receiver coil having a plurality of sections, the inductive coupling tending to induce opposed voltages in at least two of the sections, the inductive coupling being modified by movement of the part so that the receiver signal is related to the position of the part; and a reference coil, the reference coil providing a reference signal when the exciter coil is energized due to inductive coupling between the reference coil and the exciter coil, the reference signal being substantially independent of the position of the part. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for providing a signal related to a position of a part, the apparatus including:
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an exciter coil, the exciter coil generating magnetic flux when the exciter coil is energized by a source of electrical energy; a receiver coil, disposed proximate to the exciter coil, the receiver coil generating a receiver signal when the exciter coil is energized due to an inductive coupling between the receiver coil and the exciter coil, the receiver coil having a plurality of sections, the inductive coupling tending to induce opposed voltages in at least two of the sections; a coupler element mechanically coupled to the part, the coupler element modifying the inductive coupling between the exciter coil and the receiver coil so that the receiver signal is related to the part position; a reference coil, the reference coil providing a reference signal when the exciter coil is energized due to inductive coupling between the reference coil and the exciter coil, the reference signal being substantially independent of the position of the part; and an electronic circuit receiving the reference signal and the receiver signal, the electronic circuit providing the signal correlated with the position of the part. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification