High resolution non-contacting multi-turn position sensor
First Claim
1. A device, comprising:
- a shaft having a longitudinal axis;
a carrier coupled to the shaft such that a range of rotation of the shaft results in a range of linear motion of the carrier along the longitudinal axis;
a magnet having a magnetization axis and disposed on the carrier such that the rotation of the shaft causes the magnet to move with the carrier along the longitudinal axis, the magnet oriented such that the magnetization axis is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and
a magnetic sensor disposed relative to the magnet and configured to sense a first flux density along the magnetization axis and a second flux density along a direction perpendicular to the magnetization axis resulting from the magnet and generate an output signal representative of a rotational position of the shaft within the range of rotation based on the sensed first flux density and the second flux density.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are systems and methods for effectively sensing rotational position of an object. In certain embodiments, a rotational position sensor can include a shaft configured to couple with the rotating object. The shaft can be configured to couple with a magnet carrier such that rotation of the shaft yields translational motion of the carrier. A magnet mounted to the carrier also moves longitudinally with respect to the axis of the shaft, and relative to a magnetic field sensor configured to detect the magnet'"'"'s longitudinal position. The detected longitudinal position can be in a range corresponding to a rotational range of the shaft, where the rotational range can be greater than one turn. In certain embodiments, the rotational position sensor can include a programmable capability to facilitate ease and flexibility in calibration and use in a wide range of applications.
45 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device, comprising:
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a shaft having a longitudinal axis; a carrier coupled to the shaft such that a range of rotation of the shaft results in a range of linear motion of the carrier along the longitudinal axis; a magnet having a magnetization axis and disposed on the carrier such that the rotation of the shaft causes the magnet to move with the carrier along the longitudinal axis, the magnet oriented such that the magnetization axis is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and a magnetic sensor disposed relative to the magnet and configured to sense a first flux density along the magnetization axis and a second flux density along a direction perpendicular to the magnetization axis resulting from the magnet and generate an output signal representative of a rotational position of the shaft within the range of rotation based on the sensed first flux density and the second flux density. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification