A positional variance based distance sensing apparatus has a physical marker that changes its position (either rotational or linear) in accordance to the distance of an object from the sensor. This positional change can be used to sense the distance using touch by humans. This positional variance can also be used to control triggers like switches, leavers, and steering based controllers.

A positional variance based distance sensing apparatus has a physical marker that changes its position (either rotational or linear) in accordance to the distance of an object from the sensor. This positional change can be used to sense the distance using touch by humans. This positional variance can also be used to control triggers like switches, leavers, and steering based controllers.

An apparatus that includes a first member pivotably connected to a second member that is pivotably connected to a third member. The second member pivots about a first axis with respect to the first member and the third member pivots about a second axis with respect to the second member. The apparatus includes a first encoder configured to determine a first angle of rotation between the first member and the second member and a second encoder configured to determine a second angle of rotation between the second member and the third member. The first and second axes may be transverse to each other. The apparatus may be connected to a rotary aircraft with an object connected to the third member via a cable. The encoders may communicate with a display and/or a processor to display the location and/or movement of the object with respect to the rotary aircraft.

A device menu controls connector for a process automation field device include a field device part and a removable knob assembly. The field device part includes one or more Hall effect sensors, and the knob assembly includes one or more magnets. When the knob assembly is attached to the field device part, the knob may be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise, or may be pushed or pulled. The interaction of the magnets and Hall effect sensors allow the field device to sense the rotation and the pushing and pulling of the knob. The programming of the field device allows the device menu controls connector to simulate <Up>, <Down>, <Right>, <Left>, <Enter>, and <Esc> key presses of a user interface. A field device having such a device menu controls connector is also disclosed.

A device menu controls connector for a process automation field device include a field device part and a removable knob assembly. The field device part includes one or more Hall effect sensors, and the knob assembly includes one or more magnets. When the knob assembly is attached to the field device part, the knob may be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise, or may be pushed or pulled. The interaction of the magnets and Hall effect sensors allow the field device to sense the rotation and the pushing and pulling of the knob. The programming of the field device allows the device menu controls connector to simulate <Up>, <Down>, <Right>, <Left>, <Enter>, and <Esc> key presses of a user interface. A field device having such a device menu controls connector is also disclosed.

Methods and apparatus disclosed herein implement or otherwise embody a technique that compensates for cyclic position errors in encoder-based position detection, wherein the cyclic position errors arise from the presence of harmonic components in the encoder signals relied upon for position determination. Using position-domain compensation for errors arising in the encoder domain offers computational simplicity and impressive compensation performance, even when compensating for a plurality of higher harmonics in the encoder signals, e.g., third harmonic, fifth harmonic, etc. Consequently, even high-precision position monitoring or control can use relatively inexpensive types of encoders known to output encoder signals having significant harmonic components.

Methods and apparatus disclosed herein implement or otherwise embody a technique that compensates for cyclic position errors in encoder-based position detection, wherein the cyclic position errors arise from the presence of harmonic components in the encoder signals relied upon for position determination. Using position-domain compensation for errors arising in the encoder domain offers computational simplicity and impressive compensation performance, even when compensating for a plurality of higher harmonics in the encoder signals, e.g., third harmonic, fifth harmonic, etc. Consequently, even high-precision position monitoring or control can use relatively inexpensive types of encoders known to output encoder signals having significant harmonic components.

A position-measuring device includes: a first subassembly having a measuring standard on which at least one coded track is provided, and a scanning unit, which is able to generate position signals that may be used to generate an absolute digital position value by scanning the at least one coded track in a measuring direction; a second subassembly having at least one peripheral unit adapted to execute a supplementary or an auxiliary functionality of the position-measuring device; and a plurality of electrical lines, which connect the first subassembly and the second subassembly to each other for the transmission of electrical signals. The position-measuring device is able to be operated in an initialization mode and in a standard operating mode. All components of the first subassembly required for the operation in the standard operating mode are components that are suitable for use in a radiation region of a machine. Furthermore, an initialization memory is provided in the first subassembly, which includes the data required for the operation in the standard operating mode and which is not suitable for use in a radiation region of a machine. In the initialization mode, the content of the initialization memory is transmittable to a memory unit situated outside the radiation region. Only the content of the memory unit is used for the operation in the standard operating mode.

A position-measuring device includes: a first subassembly having a measuring standard on which at least one coded track is provided, and a scanning unit, which is able to generate position signals that may be used to generate an absolute digital position value by scanning the at least one coded track in a measuring direction; a second subassembly having at least one peripheral unit adapted to execute a supplementary or an auxiliary functionality of the position-measuring device; and a plurality of electrical lines, which connect the first subassembly and the second subassembly to each other for the transmission of electrical signals. The position-measuring device is able to be operated in an initialization mode and in a standard operating mode. All components of the first subassembly required for the operation in the standard operating mode are components that are suitable for use in a radiation region of a machine. Furthermore, an initialization memory is provided in the first subassembly, which includes the data required for the operation in the standard operating mode and which is not suitable for use in a radiation region of a machine. In the initialization mode, the content of the initialization memory is transmittable to a memory unit situated outside the radiation region. Only the content of the memory unit is used for the operation in the standard operating mode.

A rotary encoder (1) comprising a housing (2), a shaft (3), a code disk (4) which is attached to the shaft (3), and a reading head (5) which is designed to detect the rotation of the code disk (4) are disclosed herein. The code disk (4) is affixed in the axial position thereof on an axial side by way of an abutment (6), and a resilient element (7, 17, 19) is arranged on the other axial side providing a clamping force for pressing the code disk (4) against the abutment (6). A method for assembling a rotary encoder is also disclosed herein.