Inductance coil sensor
AssigneeSensor Technologies, Inc.
InventorDavid Fiori, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An inductance coil sensor in which a rotating spoiler (46) alters the inductance of a stationary coil (1230/1432) having two parts (12a, 12b; 30a, 30b/14a, 14b; 32a, 32b) disposed on opposite sides of the spoiler. Changes in inductance of the stationary coil are sensed to develop an indication of the rotary movement of the spoiler which, in turn, represents changes in the parameter being monitored. By locating one part of the stationary coil above the spoiler and one part below the spoiler, compensation is provided for undesired movements of the spoiler along its rotation axis.
Claims22
An inductance coil sensor comprising:
- a first insulating board;
- first and second planar metal coils attached to said first insulating board and not connected in series;
- a second insulating board disposed parallel to said first insulating board;
- third and fourth planar metal coils attached to said second insulating board and not connected in series, and third planar metal coil identical to and aligned with said first planar metal coil and said fourth planar metal coil identical to and aligned with said second planar metal coil;
- means for connecting said first and said third planar metal coils in series to form a first inductance coil and for connecting said second and said fourth planar metal coils in series to form a second inductance coil;
- a planar metal member disposed parallel to and between said first and said second insulating boards and rotatable in its plane about an axis perpendicular to its plane, said planar metal member having an edge defined by a first straight-line segment which extends across said first and said third planar metal coils and a second straight-line segment which extends across said second and said fourth planar metal coils;
- and means for rotating said planar metal member in its plane and about said axis into and out of the vicinity of said planar metal coils in accordance with changes in a parameter being monitored to change the inductances of said first and said second inductance coils.
Sensor apparatus comprising:
- a first insulating board;
- first and second planar metal coils attached to said first insulating board and not connected in series;
- a second insulating board disposed parallel to said first insulating board;
- third and fourth planar metal coils attached to said second insulating board and not connected in series, said third planar metal coil identical to and aligned with said first planar metal coil and said fourth planar metal coil identical to and aligned with said second planar metal coil;
- means for connecting said first and said third planar metal coils in series to form a first inductance coil and for connecting said second and said fourth planar metal coils in series to form a second inductance coil;
- a planar metal member disposed parallel to and between said first and said second insulating boards and rotatable in its plane about an axis perpendicular to its plane, said planar metal member having an edge defined by a first straight-line segment which extends across said first and said third planar metal coils and a second straight-line segment which extends across said second and said fourth planar metal coils;
- means for rotating said planar metal member in its plane and about said axis into and out of the vicinity of said planar metal coils in accordance with changes in a parameter being monitored to change the inductances of said first and said second inductance coils;
- and circuit means responsive to changes in the inductances of said first and said second inductance coils for developing indications of changes in the parameter being monitored.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.