An absolute position encoder for a measuring instrument, comprising a digital scale and a reader movable relative to the digital scale. The digital scale is arranged along a travel direction of the reader. The digital scale comprises at least one absolute position track having a sequence of discrete regions sharply separated from each other by separating regions. The reader comprises a first and a second series of detectors configured to sense the discrete regions and separating regions to detect at least one of a first and a second absolute position code. The sequence of discrete regions and the first and second series of detectors are disposed such that none of the detectors of at least one of said first and second series of detectors is aligned with a transition between a discrete region and a separating region at each possible position of the reader relative to the digital scale.

A position sensing mechanism provided by the invention comprises an encoding element as a sensing signal source, a reading element for sensing signals of the signal source, and a processing unit for receiving and analyzing sensing signals output by the reading element, the position sensing mechanism has a main technical feature lying in a magneto-resistive unit in the reading element for sensing signals of the signal source being a tunneling magneto-resistor (TMR), and two layers of magnetic moments of a reference layer and a free layer of the tunneling magneto-resistor being perpendicular to each other, and in the reference layer and the free layer with the magnetic moments being perpendicular to each other, the magnetic moment of one of the layers is parallel to a film surface, and the magnetic moment of the other layer is perpendicular to the film surface.

A position-measuring device includes a carrier body having a first and second measuring graduations and a reference mark. The first and second measuring graduations include graduation structures periodically arranged along first and second measurement directions, respectively, that are perpendicular to each other. The graduation structures of the first measuring graduation each extend parallel to a first direction and the reference mark extends in a second direction that forms an angle different from 0° with the first direction. First and second scanners are configured to scan the first and second measuring graduations and generate first and second scanning signals, respectively. A third scanner is configured to scan the reference mark and generate a reference pulse. The position-measuring device is configured such that a phase angle of the reference pulse is determined as a function of the first scanning signals and the reference pulse.

A versatile rotary encoder that reduces the processing required for a microcomputer. The rotary encoder is equipped with a mechanical angle-electric angle signal converter and a non-volatile memory. The mechanical angle-electric angle signal converter converts a mechanical angle output information, of a MR sensor unit, into an incremental signal for generating a DC motor drive signal, and converts output information of the MR sensor unit into an absolute signal for generating a DC motor drive signal. The non-volatile memory has signal conversion data as initial setting data for converting the output information of the MR sensor unit into the DC motor drive signal, which corresponds to the type of the DC motor to which the rotary encoder is mounted. The mechanical angle-electric angle signal converter converts the output information from the MR sensor unit into signals for generating the DC motor drive based on the signal conversion data.

A system for determining an absolute position of a device includes a high resolution track, a sensor and processing unit associated with the high resolution track, a reference track having a plurality of pole pairs arranged to define a plurality of single-track Gray code segments, and an array of Hall effect sensors associated with the reference track to output a reference signal to the sensor and processing unit indicative of the coarse absolute position of the device over the Gray code segments. A third track has at least one pole pair. At least one sensor associated with the third track outputs a signal used to determine a location within one of the plurality of Gray code segments. The sensor and processing unit combines the third track signal, the reference signal, and the position of the device over the high resolution track to determine an initial, fine absolute position.

A position sensing mechanism provided by the invention comprises an encoding element as a sensing signal source, a reading element for sensing signals of the signal source, and a processing unit for receiving and analyzing sensing signals output by the reading element, the position sensing mechanism has a main technical feature lying in a magneto-resistive unit in the reading element for sensing signals of the signal source being a tunneling magneto-resistor (TMR), and two layers of magnetic moments of a reference layer and a free layer of the tunneling magneto-resistor being perpendicular to each other, and in the reference layer and the free layer with the magnetic moments being perpendicular to each other, the magnetic moment of one of the layers is parallel to a film surface, and the magnetic moment of the other layer is perpendicular to the film surface.

A power tool includes an outer housing having a drive unit support portion and a handle portion, an inner housing positioned at least partially within the outer housing, and a drive unit positioned in the drive unit support portion, the drive unit including an output member. The power tool also includes a power screw mechanism with a nut fixed relative to the outer housing and a screw coupled for co-rotation with the output member and axially movable relative to the output member. The screw is in threaded engagement with the nut such that the screw moves axially in response to rotation of the screw relative to the nut. The power tool also includes a working assembly coupled to the inner housing for movement in response to axial movement of the screw.

The disclosure provides a position detection system and a method for detecting a movement of a machine. The position detection system comprises a first position sensor configured to detect a magnetic field that forms magnet pole pairs arranged in a row, magnet poles of different polarity being arranged next to one another in each case, a second position sensor configured to detect a magnetic field at an individual magnet arranged in a center of the magnet pole pairs and at a distance from each magnet pole; and an evaluation device configured to evaluate detection results of the first and second position sensors that have been detected based on a movement of an element of the machine relative to the first and second position sensors, the evaluation including identifying a fault based on the detection results of the first and second position sensors.

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.

A linear displacement measuring apparatus for determining an absolute position includes a linear rail composed of individual rail segments arranged after one another in the direction of a longitudinal axis. Each of the rail segments has a material measure which comprises at least one incremental track which extends along the longitudinal axis and has equidistantly arranged position markings. In addition to the incremental track, the material measure of one of the rail segments has an absolute track with position markings for coding a plurality of absolute positions. A scanning device can be moved along the rail segments and comprises a sensor arrangement for scanning the material measures with a first sensor, a second sensor and a third sensor. The first sensor and the second sensor are offset relative to one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis and are used to detect the position markings of the incremental track.