Low-cost modular inductive position sensor and method of manufacturing it
AssigneeIngersoll-Rand Company
InventorsLauri Juhani Salmia, Petri J. Mäki-Ontto, Esa H.M. Vikman
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Abstract
A position sensor includes a plurality of E-shaped ferromagnetic cores arranged to define a circular opening therethrough to receive a shaft. Each E-shaped ferromagnetic core has a plurality of teeth, wherein adjacent E-shaped ferromagnetic cores of the arranged plurality of E-shaped ferromagnetic cores have an overlapping tooth. The position sensor further includes a frame surrounding the arranged plurality of E-shaped ferromagnetic cores, with the E-shaped ferromagnetic cores coupled to the frame.
Claims20
A position sensor comprising:
- a plurality of E-shaped ferromagnetic cores arranged to define a circular opening therethrough to receive a shaft, each E-shaped ferromagnetic core having a plurality of teeth, wherein adjacent E-shaped ferromagnetic cores of the arranged plurality of E-shaped ferromagnetic cores have an overlapping tooth;
- and
- a frame surrounding the arranged plurality of E-shaped ferromagnetic cores, the E-shaped ferromagnetic cores coupled to the frame.
A rotating device comprising:
- a plurality of E-shaped ferromagnetic cores arranged to define a circular opening therethrough to receive a shaft, each E-shaped ferromagnetic core having a plurality of teeth including a stator tooth, the plurality of E-shaped ferromagnetic cores stacked to define offset sensing elements;
- a plurality of wound coil bobbins having electromagnetic coils and positioned around each stator tooth;
- a frame surrounding the arranged plurality of E-shaped ferromagnetic cores, the E-shaped ferromagnetic cores coupled to the frame;
- a shaft positioned within the circular opening of the plurality of E-shaped ferromagnetic cores;
- a power source configured to supply power to the electromagnetic coils;
- and
- a control circuit coupled to the electromagnetic coils, the control circuit configured to receive position signals from the electromagnetic coils and control the power supplied to the electromagnetic coils to cause rotation of the shaft.
A method for manufacturing an inductive type position sensor, the method comprising:
- arranging a plurality of E-shaped ferromagnetic cores in an offset stacked arrangement and defining a circular opening therethrough to receive a shaft, each E-shaped ferromagnetic core having a plurality of teeth, wherein adjacent E-shaped ferromagnetic cores of the arranged plurality of E-shaped ferromagnetic cores have an overlapping tooth;
- coupling the plurality of E-shaped ferromagnetic cores to a frame;
- and
- configuring the E-shaped ferromagnetic cores to provide measurement signals used to control rotation of the shaft when inserted within the circular opening of the plurality of E-shaped ferromagnetic cores.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.