Patent classifications
G01D5/2291
Method and apparatus for a precision position sensor
A method and system to measure a parameter associated with a component, device, or system with a specified accuracy, including: providing one or more sensors operably disposed to detect the parameter; obtaining a coarse measurement of the parameter within a first range using the one or more sensors, wherein the first range includes minimum and maximum values for the parameter; obtaining a fine measurement of the parameter within a second range using the one or more sensors, wherein the second range is smaller than the first range and has a specified ratio to the first range that provides the specified accuracy; determining a current value of the parameter by combining the coarse and fine measurements; and providing the current value of the parameter to a communications interface, a storage device, a display, a control panel, a processor, a programmable logic controller, or an external device.
ROTARY VARIABLE DIFFERENTIAL TRANSFORMER
A rotary variable differential transformer for measuring angular displacement and method of manufacturing the same are provided herein. The rotary variable differential transformer includes a stator configured to house a primary coil configured to receive an alternating current, a first secondary coil electromagnetically coupled to the primary coil, and a second secondary coil electromagnetically coupled to the primary coil. The rotary variable differential transformer also includes a rotor positioned concentrically within the stator. The rotor is configured to receive a shaft and rotate with the shaft while the stator remains stationary. The primary coil is positioned at a first radial position within the stator spaced between about 90 to 150 degrees from each of the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil.
INDUCTIVE LINEAR DISPLACEMENT SENSOR
The disclosure relates to an inductive linear displacement sensor that includes a primary coil and two secondary coils inductively coupled to the primary coil. The linear displacement sensor has a calibration coil inductively coupled to the primary coil. The calibration coil is arranged such that a signal produced by the calibration coil has only one zero crossing at the center of the linear displacement sensor.
COMPOSITE CYLINDER
A composite cylinder for an actuator. The cylinder includes: a radially inner fibre-reinforced polymer layer defining a hollow bore; a radially outer fibre-reinforced polymer layer; a primary conductive coil, and a first and second secondary conductive coil wound between the radially inner fibre-reinforced polymer layer and the radially outer fibre-reinforced polymer layer. The first secondary conductive coil extends axially along at least a first region of the cylinder and the second secondary conductive coil extends axially along at least a second region of the cylinder, and wherein the primary conductive coil extends axially along at least a central region of the cylinder between the first region and the second region.
Turbine diagnostics
A turbine speed probe diagnostic system is provided. The turbine includes a speed probe and a speed reading circuit. A speed lead connects the speed probe and speed reading circuit together to transmit speed signals from the speed probe to the speed reading circuit. A speed probe diagnostic circuit is also provided for connection to the speed lead. An isolation switch is provided to isolate the speed probe diagnostic circuit during normal operation when the speed reading circuit is receiving speed signals from the speed probe. When no speed signals are being received, the isolation switch closes and the speed probe diagnostic circuit performs a test on the speed probe or speed lead.
Accuracy improvement in linear variable differential transformer based position measurements
System and methods for accuracy improvement of an LVDT are provided. Aspects include determining a first voltage from the first PGA and a second voltage from the second PGA, wherein the first voltage is determined from a PGA coupled to a first secondary winding, and wherein the second voltage is determined from a second PGA coupled to a second secondary winding, iteratively performing: analyzing the first voltage to determine a gain correction is needed for a first gain for the first PGA, the gain correction comprising change to the first gain, and analyzing the second voltage to determine a gain correction is needed for a second gain for the second PGA, the gain correction comprising change to the second gain, based on determining a gain correction is not needed for the first gain and the second gain, calculating a position based on the first voltage and the second voltage.
Valve position control
A control system is provided for a turbine valve. The turbine valve has a first coil and a second coil to control or sense movement of a mechanical valve positioner. Two valve positioners are provided with each valve positioner having two drive circuits to drive the first and second coils. Switches are provided such that only one drive circuit is connected to each coil at a time. The control system may also include a hydraulic pilot valve section and a main hydraulic valve section. Feedbacks are used to determine a pilot valve error and a main valve error which are combined to determine a turbine valve error. The turbine valve error is repeatedly determined to minimize the error.
Dual-mount for spring-loaded gear-driven resolvers
A resolver assembly for a ducted-rotor aircraft is configured to detect and measure rotation of a spindle of the aircraft. The resolver assembly includes first and second gear-driven resolvers. The first and second resolvers are coupled about a shared pivot axis and are independently pivotable about the pivot axis to maintain engagement of the first and second resolvers with the spindle of the aircraft. The resolver assembly is configured such that the first and second resolvers are biased toward the spindle. The input shafts of the first and second resolvers are spaced from the pivot axis through respective first and second distances that extend outward from the pivot axis along respective first and second radial directions. The first distance is equal to the second distance and the first radial direction is not coincident with the second radial direction.
Rotary variable differential transformer
A rotary variable differential transformer for measuring angular displacement and method of manufacturing the same are provided herein. The rotary variable differential transformer includes a stator configured to house a primary coil configured to receive an alternating current, a first secondary coil electromagnetically coupled to the primary coil, and a second secondary coil electromagnetically coupled to the primary coil. The rotary variable differential transformer also includes a rotor positioned concentrically within the stator. The rotor is configured to receive a shaft and rotate with the shaft while the stator remains stationary. The primary coil is positioned at a first radial position within the stator spaced between about 90 to 150 degrees from each of the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil.
VOLTAGE-CURRENT PHASE-BASED METHOD FOR LINEAR AND ROTARY TRANSFORMER SYSTEMS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS
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.