US 10,293,481 B1 · Relative deflection detector

Abstract

In an embodiment, a relative deflection detector may include at least two structural arcs, and a predetermined number of means for measuring position capable of determining the relative deflection in a first component. The at least two structural arcs may be for example, comprised of a first and second structural arc whereby the first and second structural arcs are attached to the first component at respective first and second predetermined locations and whereby each arc is comprised of a respective sequence of indicators, such as, for example, codes inscribed on the outer circumference of each arc. The first and second structural arcs may be positioned in concentric and coplanar relationship with each other. The predetermined number of sensors may be comprised of a first and second optical encoder sensor each positioned in proximate and coplanar relationship with the first and second structural arcs so as to read the first sequence of codes, second sequence of codes, or both, and thereby detect positions of each structural arc (e.g., a first position corresponding to the first structural arc and a second position corresponding to the second structural arc). The first and second positions may be used to calculate and thereby determine a relative deflection of the first component.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A relative deflection detector capable of sensing a relative deflection in a first component, said relative deflection detector comprising:

at least two structural arcs each having a sequence of indicators wherein each structural arc is operably connected to said first component at a predetermined location;
and
at least two means for measuring positions each positioned in a proximate relationship with a predetermined one of said at least two structural arcs, wherein each of said at least two means for measuring positions is capable of detecting a position of at least one of said at least two structural arcs by reading at least one of said sequence of indicators,
wherein said position detected by each of said at least two means for measuring positions may be used to calculate at least one relative deflection of said first component,
wherein said at least two structural arcs correspond to a first predetermined number of structural arcs, and
wherein said at least two means for measuring positions correspond to a second predetermined number of means for measuring positions equal to said first predetermined number plus one.

3 more elements

A relative deflection detector capable of sensing a relative deflection in a first component, said relative deflection detector comprising:

at least two structural arcs each having a sequence of indicators wherein each structural arc is operably connected to said first component at a predetermined location and wherein said at least two structural arc are comprised of:
a first structural arc having a first sequence of indicators wherein said first structural arc is attached to said first component at a first predetermined location;
and
a second structural arc having a second sequence of indicators wherein said second structural arc is attached to said first component at a second predetermined location,
wherein said first and second structural arcs are positioned in concentric and coplanar relationship with each other;
and
at least two means for measuring positions each positioned in a proximate relationship with a predetermined one of said at least two structural arcs wherein each of said at least two means for measuring positions is capable of detecting a position of at least one of said at least two structural arcs by reading at least one of said sequence of indicators, wherein said at least two means for measuring positions are comprised of:
a first means for measuring position positioned in a first proximate relationship with said first or second structural arc wherein said first means for measuring position is capable of detecting a first position of said first structural arc by reading said first sequence of indicators;
and
a second means for measuring position positioned in a second proximate relationship with said first or second structural arc wherein said second means for measuring position is capable of detecting a second position of said second structural arc by reading said second sequence of indicators,
wherein said first position, second position, or both may be used to calculate said at least one relative deflection of said first component.

8 more elements

A relative deflection detector capable of sensing a relative deflection within a deflector in response to an applied force, said relative deflection detector comprising:

a split ring that, in operation, indicates a relative deflection of said deflector, said split ring comprising:
a first structural arc attached to said deflector at a first predetermined location and comprised of a first plurality of indicators capable of indicating a first position of said first structural arc;
a second structural arc positioned relative to said first structural arc in concentric and coplanar relationship thereto, attached to said deflector at a second predetermined location, and comprised of a second plurality of indicators capable of indicating a second position of said second structural arc, and
a reader that, in operation, reads said first and second plurality of indicators, said reader comprising:
a first means for measuring position positioned in coplanar relationship with said first and second structural arcs;
and
a second means for measuring position positioned in coplanar relationship with said first and second structural arcs,
wherein said first and second means for measuring positions are capable of detecting said first position of said first structural arc by reading said first plurality of indicators,
wherein said first and second means for measuring positions are also capable of detecting said second position of said second structural arc by reading said second plurality of indicators, and
wherein said first and second positions may be used to calculate a relative deflection of said deflector.

7 more elements

A series elastic actuator assembly operably connected to a load, comprising:

a motor;
a drive powered by said motor;
a first component operably connected to either said drive or said motor wherein said first component is capable of relative deflection within itself;
an interface operably connected between said first component and said load or between said drive and said load;
and
a relative deflection detector in proximate relation to said first component whereby said relative deflection detector is capable of determining said relative deflection of said first component, said relative deflection detector comprising:
a first structural arc having a first sequence of codes inscribed on a first outer circumference of said first structural arc wherein said first structural arc is attached to said first component at a first predetermined location;
a second structural arc having a second sequence of codes inscribed on a second outer circumference of said second structural arc wherein said second structural arc is attached to said first component at a second predetermined location, and wherein said first and second structural arcs are positioned in concentric and coplanar relationship with each other;
a first optical encoder sensor positioned in coplanar relationship with said first structural arc;
and
a second optical encoder sensor positioned in coplanar relationship with said second structural arc,
wherein said first and second optical encoder sensors are each capable of detecting a first position of said first structural arc by reading said first sequence of codes and a second position of said second structural arc by reading said second sequence of codes, and
wherein said first and second positions may be used to calculate a relative deflection of said first component.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Relative deflection detector

Life of this patent

Relative deflection detector

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18