Sense coil for inductive linear-position sensing, and related devices, systems, and methods

An apparatus comprising:

• a support structure;
• an electrically conductive material arranged at the support structure to define a continuous path for electrical current to flow between a first location and a second location, the continuous path comprising:
• a first path portion defining a first spiraling path of two or more spiraling loops 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 of two or more spiraling loops for the electrical current to flow in a counter-clockwise direction around a second axis;
• a first coupling portion extending over the two or more spiraling loops of the first path portion and the two or more spiraling loops of the second path portion for coupling an inner portion of the first path portion to an inner portion of the second path portion;
• a third path portion laterally spaced from the first path portion and the second path portion and defining a third spiraling path of two or more spiraling loops for the electrical current to flow in a clockwise direction around a third axis;
• a second coupling portion coupling an outer portion of the second path portion to an outer portion of the third path portion;
• a fourth path portion interleaved with the second path portion and defining a fourth spiraling path of two or more spiraling loops for the electrical current to flow in the counter-clockwise direction around the second axis;
• and
• a third coupling portion extending over the two or more spiraling loops of the third path portion and the two or more spiraling loops of the fourth path portion for coupling an inner portion of the third path portion to an inner portion of the fourth path portion.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a linear-position sensor comprising:
• a support structure;
• a first sense coil arranged at the support structure, the first sense coil defining two generally rectangular lobes;
• and
• a second sense coil arranged at the support structure, the second sense coil defining three generally rectangular lobes;
• and
• a target configured to move in a generally straight path over the two generally rectangular lobes of the first sense coil and the three generally rectangular lobes of the second sense coil, a portion of the target closest to the support structure having a semicircular profile.