Non-contact sensor system and method for displacement determination

• US 8,988,069 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2012
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Goodrich Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Erickson, Staffan, Cahill, Eric, Klode, Harald
• Primary Examiner(s): LEDYNH, BOT L
• Application Number:
  US13/471,215
• Publication Number:
  US 20120222475A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,044 Days
• Field of Search: 702/151, 324/207.25
• US Class Current: 324/207.25
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/2013 by a movable ferromagnetic element, e.g. a core G01D5/2033 takes precedence

Abstract

A non-contact sensor system is provided that comprises a first sensor element and a rotary member disposed proximate the first sensor element without physically contacting the first sensor element. The rotary member may be configured to he rotated about an axis Y by a shaft configured to pass through the rotary member along the axis Y at a value X. The non-con act sensor system further comprises a second sensor element disposed on the rotary member proximate the first sensor element without physically contacting the first sensor element, and the first sensor element and the second sensor element may be operatively coupled to facilitate sensing the value X.

Claims

1. A control unit for a non-contact sensor system, comprising:

a signal generator configured to produce a current in a first sensor element, wherein the first sensor element is operatively coupled to a second sensor element without physically contacting the second sensor element; and

a calculator configured to determine a value X in response to a determination of a value Z associated with a rotary member disposed proximate the first sensor element, wherein the rotary member is configured to be rotated about an axis Y by a shaft configured to pass through the rotary member along the axis Y at the value X, wherein the value Z is associated with the rotation of the rotary member about the axis Y,

wherein the value Z includes a rotational distance of the second sensor element about the axis Y, and wherein the value X includes a linear distance traveled by a wear pin associated with a brake wear sensor.