Rotational sensors including ionic liquids and methods of making and using the same
AssigneeArizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
InventorsHongyu Yu, Mengbing Liang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Sensors for measuring rotation about an axis are disclosed, along with methods of making and using the same. The sensors can utilize ionic liquids and electrodes that provide a unique electrical signal at each angle of rotation about an axis. The sensors can include a solid structure with a channel that circumnavigates the axis, electrodes disposed within the channel, and an ionic liquid positioned within the channel.
Claims20
A sensor for measuring rotation about an axis, the sensor comprising:
- a solid structure comprising a channel that circumnavigates the axis;
- a first anode and a first cathode disposed within the channel;
- an ionic liquid positioned within the channel, the ionic liquid contacting the first anode and the first cathode when the sensor is positioned such that the axis is at an angle of between 1° and 179° relative to a gravitational axis representing the force of gravity;
- and
- a controller coupled to the first anode and the first cathode, the controller configured to apply a first non-zero voltage between the first anode and the first cathode, the controller configured to communicate a rotation sense signal corresponding to a rotation about the axis, wherein the first anode and the first cathode are configured to provide a unique rotation sense signal value at each angle of rotation about the axis.
A method of measuring rotation of an object about an axis using a sensor, the sensor comprising a solid structure comprising a channel that circumnavigates the axis, the sensor comprising a first anode and a first cathode disposed within the channel, the sensor comprising an ionic liquid positioned within the channel, the ionic liquid contacting the first anode and the first cathode when the sensor is positioned such that the axis is at an angle of between 1° and 179° relative to a gravitational axis representing the force of gravity, the sensor comprising a controller coupled to the first anode and the first cathode, the controller configured to apply a first non-zero voltage between the first anode and the first cathode, the controller configured to communicate a rotation sense signal corresponding to a rotation about the axis, wherein the first anode and the first cathode are configured to provide a unique rotation sense signal value at each angle of rotation about the axis, the method comprising:
- affixing the sensor to the object such that the angle is between 1° and 179° relative to the gravitational axis;
- and
- measuring the rotation sense signal.
A method of making a sensor, the method comprising:
- forming a solid structure comprising a channel that circumnavigates an axis;
- positioning a first anode and a first cathode within the channel;
- and
- introducing an ionic liquid to the channel, the ionic liquid contacting the first anode and the first cathode when the sensor is positioned such that the axis is at an angle of between 1° and 179° relative to a gravitational axis representing the force of gravity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.