G01D5/2291

Voltage-current phase-based method for linear and rotary transformer systems, and associated systems and methods
11768088 · 2023-09-26 · ·

A representative phase-shift based method for using a transformer system to detect movement of an object, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative transformer system detects movement of an object and includes an excitation coil configured to receive an excitation coil input signal that results from an input sinusoidal signal. The transformer further includes first and second sensing coils, and a core configured to be operatively coupled to the object. The core moves relative to the first and second sensing coils when the object moves. First and second impedance loads are connected to the first and second sensing coils, respectively. The two impedance loads have different phase-shifting characteristics. A phase-shift sensing circuit determines a phase-shift between the excitation coil input signal and the input sinusoidal signal that is correlated with a position of the core relative to the first and second sensing coils.

VARIABLE DIFFERENTIAL TRANSFORMER FOR POSITION MONITORING

An electronic sensor includes a signal generator configured to output excitation signals and a variable differential transformer connected to the signal generator to receive excitation signals. Embodiments of the variable differential transformer may include a primary coil, a first secondary coil connected to the signal generator, a second secondary coil connected to the signal generator, and a core disposed at least partially in a magnetic field generated via the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil and the first excitation signal and the second excitation signal. A phase of an output signal of the primary coil may correspond to a position of the core.

Systems and methods for determining rotational position

A resolver system includes a rotatable primary winding, a secondary winding fixed relative to the primary winding, and an analog-to-digital converter electrically connected to the secondary winding. A control module is operatively connected to analog-to-digital converter and is responsive to instructions to apply an excitation voltage with an oscillating waveform to the primary winding, induce a secondary voltage using the secondary winding using the excitation voltage, and acquire a plurality of voltage measurements from the secondary winding separated by a time interval corresponding to π/3 of the excitation voltage oscillating waveform.

METHOD FOR DETERMINING ROTATIONAL POSITION OF A ROTATING CAMSHAFT ON A RECIPROCATING ENGINE USING A TARGET WITH A PATTERN OF TEETH AND A COLLECTION OF DETECTION ALGORITHMS

Identifying position of a first rotating shaft may comprise a first position detection system and a second position detection system. A controller may be coupled to a first sensor and a second sensor and may identify the position of the first shaft using the identified shaft position from either the first detection system or the second detection system, whichever is identified faster. The first shaft may have a first wheel disposed thereon with targets and one or more gaps disposed about the first wheel. A second shaft may have a second wheel disposed thereon with targets and one or more gaps disposed thereon. The second wheel is in a fixed relationship relative to the first wheel. The first detection system may use data simultaneously from the first sensor and the second sensor to eliminate targets to determine position. The second detection system uses data only from the first sensor.

Breaker auto-synchronizer

A breaker between two electrical circuits is provided that is closed when electrical properties in both of the electrical circuits are matching. Two check circuits are provided for comparing electrical properties of the two electrical circuits. Each of the check circuits sets a corresponding authorization to close the breaker. The breaker is only closed if both check circuits set an authorization to close the circuit.

DISPLACEMENT SENSOR HAVING A RETURN CORE IN A HOUSING CAVITY
20210356296 · 2021-11-18 ·

A displacement sensor for sensing a distance, including an excitation coil for exciting an electromagnetic alternating field, a receiver device for inductively receiving the electromagnetic alternating field and for outputting an output signal which is dependent on the received electromagnetic alternating field. The receiver device has a functional core which is surrounded by at least one receiving coil, and a return core. The return core is designed to shield the functional core from an external electromagnetic field, and the receiver device has a housing with a cavity in which the return core is arranged.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MEASURING BRAKE WEAR

A system for determining brake wear based on hydraulic fluid volume may comprise a brake actuator and a fluid supply line fluidly coupled to the brake actuator. The brake actuator may include a brake ram configured to translate in response to changes in fluid pressure in the brake actuator. A piston may be fluidly coupled between a first portion of the fluid supply line and a second portion of the fluid supply line. The piston may include a cylinder and a ram configured to translate within the cylinder. A first sensor may be operably coupled to the piston.

INDUCTION MACHINES
20210348950 · 2021-11-11 ·

The invention relates to a novel type of electric inductance arrangement for a series of applications in the field of distance measurement, sensor-based detection of objects, and construction of induction machines. The novelty consists in the type of inductance arrangement of the receiver or transmitter coil, said arrangement being designed in the form of a ladder rung arrangement, wherein the ladder spars short-circuit the rungs. The sum of all the short-circuit currents is an indicator of what is occurring in the surroundings of the arrangement. This could be changing magnetic fields caused by transmitter objects or additional ladder-rung systems acting as transmitters. Multiple such sensors and transmitters can be designed in the ladder-rung form, said sensors and transmitters being connected in parallel or in series according to the application under certain circumstances and if necessary assuming the excitation function by moving a conductor through which a direct current is flowing or by applying alternating currents. The aforementioned inductance arrangement results positively in that the coils can all have a completely crossover-free design and are therefore substantially simpler to technically implement for very different applications in electrical engineering. The applicability ranges from short-range distance measuring devices and long-range object location to light detection and efficient induction machines with large or also very small constructions.

SENSOR CIRCUIT DIAGNOSIS
20220003809 · 2022-01-06 ·

A method includes receiving data characterizing an output of a sensor coupled to an industrial equipment. The output can include a sum of a first secondary coil and a voltage of a second secondary coil. The first secondary coil can be included in a first circuit and the second secondary coil can be included in second circuit configured within the sensor. The method can also include determining an integrity state of a circuit configured within the sensor. The integrity state can be determined based on the received data. The integrity state can identify a state of operation of the circuit configured within the sensor. The method can further include providing the integrity state. Related systems, techniques, and non-transitory computer readable mediums are also described.

Linear actuator
11168716 · 2021-11-09 · ·

One object is to calculate the position of a rod of a linear actuator with a high precision. The linear actuator includes a rod capable of moving in an axial direction relative to a housing. The rod is moved by rotation of an output shaft of a motor. A position sensor for sensing the relative position of the rod relative to a preset reference position is provided in the housing. A rotation sensor for sensing the rotation angle of the output shaft of the motor is provided in the vicinity of the motor. The linear actuator includes a position calculating unit for calculating the position of the rod based on a position sensing value of the position sensor and a rotation angle sensing value of the rotation sensor.