Linear Position Transducer With Wireless Read Head
First Claim
1. A linear position transducer comprising:
- a scale;
a control head; and
a wirelessly-powered read head disposed proximate to the scale, the read head configured to sense movement between the scale and the read head and to wirelessly communicate position data to the control head.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A linear position transducer reliably and wirelessly tracks rapid motion. The transducer includes a scale, a control head, and a wirelessly-powered read head disposed proximate to the scale. The read head is configured to sense movement between the scale and the read head and to wirelessly communicate position data to the control head. The control head can include a wireless data receiver to receive position data from the read head, an output data driver to communicate with an external device, and a microcontroller to coordinate a data transfer between the wireless data receiver and the output data driver. In addition, the read head can include a wireless data transmitter to transmit position data to the control head, a linear position sensor to sense position along the scale, and a microcontroller to calculate a position measurement from the scale. The microcontroller in the read head can also coordinate a data transfer between the wireless data transmitter and the control head. To provide a complete wireless solution, the linear position transducer also includes a power system to wirelessly transfer energy from the control head to the read head.
126 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A linear position transducer comprising:
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a scale; a control head; and a wirelessly-powered read head disposed proximate to the scale, the read head configured to sense movement between the scale and the read head and to wirelessly communicate position data to the control head. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for generating a linear position measurement, comprising:
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wirelessly powering a read head to measure position along a scale; and wirelessly transmitting position data from the read head to a control head. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A wireless read head for use in a linear position transducer, comprising:
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means for sensing a change in relative position between the read head and a scale and producing a position signal; means for transmitting the position signal; and means for wirelessly receiving energy from a remote source and for using the energy to power the sensing means and the transmitting means. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification