Inductive position sensors for sensing relative position (e.g., relative rotary position) between members are provided. In one example implementation, the inductive position sensor includes a transmit aerial having at least one transmit winding. The inductive position sensor can include a receive aerial having one or more receive windings. The inductive position sensor can include a coupling element operable to be disposed on the second member. The inductive position sensor can include processing circuitry configured to provide one or more signals indicative of the position of the first member relative to the second member based on current induced in the one or more receive windings resulting from an oscillating signal provided to the transmit winding. The inductive position sensor includes at least one electrostatic shield. The electrostatic shield can include a plurality of conductive traces arranged so that no current loops are formed in the electrostatic shield.

An inductive angle sensor for determining a rotational position of a rotor relative to a stator includes an exciter coil, at least one pickup coil arrangement having an m-fold symmetry and at least one conductive target having an m-fold symmetry. The exciter coil may excite the conductive target which, in turn, may induce an induced signal in the pickup coil arrangement. A signal analysis device may determine the rotational position of the rotor based on the induced signal. The inductive angle sensor may comprise a second pickup coil arrangement having an n-fold symmetry and a second conductive target having an n-fold symmetry. The exciter coil may excite the second conductive target which, in turn, may induce a second induced signal in the second pickup coil arrangement. The signal analysis device may determine the rotational position of the rotor based on the two induced signals according to a Vernier principle.

A method for pressurizing and depressurizing a shock absorber of an aircraft. More specifically, it relates to a method in which an aircraft weight and ambient temperature are used to calculate a required pressurization level of a shock absorber. As such, the shock absorber may be pressurized to the correct level without applying an iterative approach, greatly reducing initialization time.

A system for detecting rotational over travel includes: an angular position sensor comprising a rotor rotatable about an axis, the angular position sensor configured to output one or more electrical signals to indicate an angular position of the rotor about the axis and/or a number of turns completed by the rotor about the axis; and a device comprising a first operating mode and a second operating mode and configured to transition from the first operating mode to the second operating mode in response to the rotor rotating beyond at least one angular position threshold, wherein the transition from the first operating mode to the second operating mode is independent of the one or more electrical signals.

A caliper-arm-position sensor comprising a differential variable reluctance transducer (DVRT) and circuits to drive the DVRT with a substantially sinusoidal signal and to sample a signal at the DVRT once per drive-signal cycle at a predetermined position in the drive-signal cycle is disclosed.

In one example implementation, a rotary position sensor can include a first member and a second member, one of the first and second members having a transmit aerial and a receive aerial and the other of the first and second members having an intermediate coupling element. The receive aerial has at least one receive conductive winding arranged to form a first set of current loops and a second set of current loops. The intermediate coupling element comprises a conductive material arranged in a pattern. The pattern of the intermediate coupling element and the layout of the first and second set of current loops are mutually arranged such that any electromotive force induced in the first set of current loops by a background magnetic field is substantially balanced by an electromotive force induced in the second set of current loops by the background magnetic field.

Apparatuses, systems, and associated methods of assembly are described that provide for improved probed assemblies for use in sensors configured to convert between motion and electrical signals. An example probe assembly includes a probe rod defining a first end. In an operational configuration, the probe rod is at least partially received by a sensor device. The probe assembly further includes a probe head that receives the first end of the probe rod. The probe head mates with the first end so as to secure the probe rod therein. The first end of the probe rod is further welded to the probe head via a butt welding technique.

An apparatus for inductive linear-position sensing is disclosed. An apparatus may include a support structure and an electrically conductive material defining a continuous path for electrical current to flow between a first location and a second location. The continuous path may include: a first path portion defining a first spiraling path for the electrical current to flow in a clockwise direction around a first axis; a second path portion laterally spaced from the first path portion and defining a second spiraling path for the electrical current to flow in a counter-clockwise direction around a second axis; a first coupling portion coupling an inner portion of the first path portion to an inner portion of the second path portion; and a second coupling portion coupling an outer portion of the second path portion to an outer portion of the first path portion. Related systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Provided are embodiments for a method for variable differential transformer demodulation using a hybrid algorithm. The method can obtain a first feedback signal over a first half of a first cycle and a second feedback signal over a first half of a second cycle, and obtain a first calibration signal and a second calibration signal during a second half cycle of the first cycle. The method can also obtain an excitation signal over a second half of the second cycle, and determine a sensor position of the variable differential transformer based on the first feedback signal, the second feedback signal, and the excitation signal. Also provided are embodiments for a system for variable differential transformer demodulation using a hybrid algorithm.

Aspects of the disclosure provide a sensing apparatus including a sensing device, a memory, and processing circuitry. The sensing device includes resonators having respective resonant frequencies. The resonators include an array of inductive coils positioned on a surface of the apparatus. The sensing device can output a signal indicating changes of the resonant frequencies caused by presence of an object proximate to the surface. The memory stores reference signals corresponding to reference objects. Each reference signal indicates changes of the resonant frequencies caused by the respective reference object proximate to the surface. The processing circuitry can receive, from the sensing device, a particular signal indicating changes of the resonant frequencies caused by presence of a particular object proximate to the surface. The processing circuitry compares the particular signal with the stored reference signals of the reference objects to determine an identity of the particular object.