By configuring an encoder scale as an angled or inclined magnet or pair of oppositely arranged, adjacent magnets, a magnetic field sensor in a travel path of the scale can detect an absolute position of the scale for use in an industrial control system. Due to the angle or incline, when a first side of the scale is proximal to the sensor, the sensor can detect an angle of 180. As the scale moves to center with respect to the sensor, the sensor can detect an increasing angle to 0. Then, as a second side of the scale becomes proximal to the sensor, the sensor can detect an increasing angle to +180. The angle changes linearly with position. In one aspect, the pair of oppositely arranged magnets can be rotated with respect to the travel path to provide the angle. In another aspect, the pair of oppositely arranged magnets can be magnetized diagonally to provide the angle.

By configuring an encoder scale as an angled or inclined magnet or pair of oppositely arranged, adjacent magnets, a magnetic field sensor in a travel path of the scale can detect an absolute position of the scale for use in an industrial control system. Due to the angle or incline, when a first side of the scale is proximal to the sensor, the sensor can detect an angle of 180. As the scale moves to center with respect to the sensor, the sensor can detect an increasing angle to 0. Then, as a second side of the scale becomes proximal to the sensor, the sensor can detect an increasing angle to +180. The angle changes linearly with position. In one aspect, the pair of oppositely arranged magnets can be rotated with respect to the travel path to provide the angle. In another aspect, the pair of oppositely arranged magnets can be magnetized diagonally to provide the angle.

System for measuring the position of a mechanical member, which comprises an optical detection system and a positioning track arranged on two mechanical members of a mechanical device. The positioning track is provided with a succession of multiple sectors, each of which comprises a first delimitation section and a second delimitation section spaced from each other, and a first identification section and a second identification section which are provided with a different optical contrast with respect to the first delimitation section and to the second delimitation section. In each sector, the first identification section is delimited between the first delimitation section and the second delimitation section. In addition, the length of the identification sections of each sector is different from the length of the identification sections of each other sector of the succession, so as to unequivocally identify the corresponding sector.

By configuring an encoder scale as an angled or inclined magnet or pair of oppositely arranged, adjacent magnets, a magnetic field sensor in a travel path of the scale can detect an absolute position of the scale for use in an industrial control system. Due to the angle or incline, when a first side of the scale is proximal to the sensor, the sensor can detect an angle of 180. As the scale moves to center with respect to the sensor, the sensor can detect an increasing angle to 0. Then, as a second side of the scale becomes proximal to the sensor, the sensor can detect an increasing angle to +180. The angle changes linearly with position. In one aspect, the pair of oppositely arranged magnets can be rotated with respect to the travel path to provide the angle. In another aspect, the pair of oppositely arranged magnets can be magnetized diagonally to provide the angle.

An encoder includes: a disk having a pattern of slits arranged in one direction; a light emitting element for emitting light toward the pattern of the disk; multiple first light receiving elements for receiving the light emitted from the light emitting element, by way of the slits and outputting a signal according to the amount of the received light; and multiple second light receiving elements for receiving the light emitted from the light emitting element, by way of the slits, at a phase different from a phase at which the first light receiving elements receive the light, and outputting a signal according to an amount of the received light. In this configuration, a first region in which the multiple first light receiving elements are arranged and a second region in which the multiple second light receiving elements are arranged are provided so as to be separated from each other.

By configuring an encoder scale as an angled or inclined magnet or pair of oppositely arranged, adjacent magnets, a magnetic field sensor in a travel path of the scale can detect an absolute position of the scale for use in an industrial control system. Due to the angle or incline, when a first side of the scale is proximal to the sensor, the sensor can detect an angle of 180. As the scale moves to center with respect to the sensor, the sensor can detect an increasing angle to 0. Then, as a second side of the scale becomes proximal to the sensor, the sensor can detect an increasing angle to +180. The angle changes linearly with position. In one aspect, the pair of oppositely arranged magnets can be rotated with respect to the travel path to provide the angle. In another aspect, the pair of oppositely arranged magnets can be magnetized diagonally to provide the angle.

A lens barrel that is capable of detecting an absolute position of a movable part with high accuracy. A first guide guides the movable part with an optical lens. A first sensor unit includes a first scale and first detection unit. The first scale in the movable part has a pattern that makes a signal output from the first detection unit monotonically increase. The first detection unit outputs the signal that continuously varies according to the movement. A second sensor unit includes a second scale in the movable part that has a periodic repeated pattern and a second detection unit that outputs a periodic signal by reading the second scale. A controller detects a position of the movable part based on the signals output from the first and second detection units. The first sensor unit is arranged nearer to the first guide in comparison with the second sensor unit.

Methods and systems for the absolute high-resolution measurement of angle of rotation of a shaft, which allow for concurrent measuring of axial displacement and/or encoded identification information, are disclosed. Included is a method for measuring characteristics of a rotating shaft comprising obtaining optical signals by optically probing one or more patterns having a leading edge and a series of symbols disposed at one or more circumferences of the shaft; oversampling the optical signals; measuring time of arrival for the leading edges and determining therefrom an amount of time between arrival of two or more of the leading edges; interpolating and extrapolating the amount of time between arrival of the leading edges; and determining therefrom one or more of shaft twist, angle of rotation and/or axial loading, translation, or displacement. The methods include optically probing a pattern disposed around the circumference of a shaft that comprises a series of wedge-shaped symbols.

The photoelectric encoder 1 includes a scale 2, and a detection head 3 including a light emitting unit 4, an index 5, and a detection unit 6. The index 5 includes a first index portion 50 consisting of diffraction portions and non-diffraction portions alternately juxtaposed at a predetermined pitch along the longitudinal direction of the scale 2, and a second index portion 51 consisting of diffraction portions and non-diffraction portions alternately juxtaposed at twice the pitch of the first index portion 50. The scale 2 is configured to include a first pattern portion 20 consisting of diffraction portions and non-diffraction portions alternately juxtaposed at a predetermined pitch along the longitudinal direction of the scale 2, and a second pattern portion 21 consisting of diffraction portions and non-diffraction portions arranged in a checkered pattern.

Disclosed is an optical position encoder system for use with an electric motor that comprises at least one sinusoidal gradient having a dark to light pattern on at least one surface thereof and a control board affixed to the motor to at least in part control the motor's movement. The control board comprises a light source and at least two light sensors positioned on the control board. The light source and at least two light sensors are spaced apart from each other. The light source directs light onto the at least one sinusoidal gradient. The at least two light sensors receive reflected light from the at least one sinusoidal gradient and provide at least two output signals. At least one microprocessor connected to the motor receives the at least two output signals and uses those signals to determine at least in part the motor's movement, position, or a combination thereof.