Integrated encoder and resolver

Abstract

The present disclosure provides position detector for an electric machine. The detector uses one or more proximity sensors, such as eddy current sensors, to detect features on the rotor of an electric machine. The detectable feature may be a spiral groove, which has a unique position at any given point around the circumference of the rotor. As the rotor is typically steel, the proximity sensors produce different output values depending on the degree to which they are aligned with the groove. As such, given that the groove has a unique position at any given location, the output of the proximity sensors is also unique for any given position. This enables the position of the rotor with respect to the sensors to be determined.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.