Provided is an encoder apparatus capable of reducing frequency of maintenance of a battery. An encoder apparatus includes: a position detection system including a detector that detects position information on a mover; an electric signal generator that generates an electric signal in response to movement of the mover; and a battery that supplies at least a part of power consumed by the position detection system in accordance with the electric signal generated by the electric signal generator.

An exemplary encoder assembly includes a substrate, a first encoder, and a second encoder. The substrate has two or more position sensors, each position sensor being configured for detecting a rotary position of a shaft or other rotating element of a machine. The first encoder includes at least one first position sensor of the two or more position sensors. The at least one first position sensor is disposed on the substrate for off-axis alignment with the shaft or other rotating element of the machine. The second encoder includes a second position sensor of the two or more position sensors, the second position sensor being disposed on the substrate for on-axis or off-axis alignment with the shaft or other rotating element of the machine. Each position sensor is configured to detect different or common signal types, and a signal type of the second position sensor excludes optical signals.

A sensor element for storing rotation or position information includes a substrate and a domain wall conductor arranged on the substrate. A course of the domain wall conductor is of a closed circumferential, continuous configuration without crossings. The domain wall conductor comprises a first region having a positive curvature and a second region having a negative curvature.

A sensor element for storing rotation or position information includes a substrate and a domain wall conductor arranged on the substrate. A course of the domain wall conductor is of a closed circumferential, continuous configuration without crossings. The domain wall conductor comprises a first region having a positive curvature and a second region having a negative curvature.

Provided is an encoder apparatus that is free from battery maintenance or has low frequency of battery maintenance. The encoder apparatus includes: a position detection system including: a scale; a light emitter that irradiates the scale with light; a light detector that changes a relative position thereof with the scale in response to movement of a mover; and a detector that detects position information on the mover based on a detection result of the light detector. The encoder apparatus also includes an electric signal generator that generates an electric signal in response to the movement of the mover; and a light emission adjuster that adjusts emission of light from the light emitter based on the electric signal.

Provided is an encoder apparatus that is free from battery maintenance or has low frequency of battery maintenance. The encoder apparatus includes: a position detection system including: a scale; a light emitter that irradiates the scale with light; a light detector that changes a relative position thereof with the scale in response to movement of a mover; and a detector that detects position information on the mover based on a detection result of the light detector. The encoder apparatus also includes an electric signal generator that generates an electric signal in response to the movement of the mover; and a light emission adjuster that adjusts emission of light from the light emitter based on the electric signal.

An encoder for detecting angular position of a rotor in a motor includes a modular hub, configured to be connected to the rotor, and sensing electronics mounted within an end bell of the motor. The modular hub provides a universal mounting configuration for connecting different configurations of the encoder to the motor. The modular hub includes a mounting portion and sensor face on which different elements for sensing may be mounted. The elements may include polarizing tape to reflect polarized light, magnets generating a magnetic field, or ferrous teeth configured to interact with a magnetic field. The sensing electronics include sensing devices corresponding to the elements mounted on the sensor face. The sensing devices may be a paired light emitter/receiver, magnetic sensors, or a paired magnetic field generator/sensor. The sensing electronics convert the sensed signals to uniform feedback data for the motor controller regardless of the encoder configuration.

An exemplary encoder assembly includes a substrate, a first encoder, and a second encoder. The substrate has two or more position sensors, each position sensor being configured for detecting a rotary position of a shaft or other rotating element of a machine. The first encoder includes at least one first position sensor of the two or more position sensors. The at least one first position sensor is disposed on the substrate for off-axis alignment with the shaft or other rotating element of the machine. The second encoder includes a second position sensor of the two or more position sensors, the second position sensor being disposed on the substrate for on-axis or off-axis alignment with the shaft or other rotating element of the machine. Each position sensor is configured to detect different or common signal types, and a signal type of the second position sensor excludes optical signals.

A hybrid position sensor for determining the position of a hybrid target includes a main transducer for obtaining a first signal indicative for a position of the hybrid target within a first range and with a first resolution using a first or second technology; a support transducer for obtaining a second signal indicative for the position of the hybrid target within a second range and with a second resolution using the second technology if the main transducer is using the first technology and vice versa, wherein the first range is smaller than the second and the first resolution is higher than the second, and wherein the first technology is magnet based and the second technology is an inductive technology; a combiner for combining the obtained first signal and second signal to determine the position of the hybrid target.

An example of a sensor for determining a direction of a magnetic field comprises at least one magnetoresistive sensor element for determining the direction of the magnetic field, and at least one further sensor element of another type which is suitable for determining the direction of the magnetic field.