Position-sensing potentiometer arrangement

US4656457A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• WABCO Westinghouse Steuerungstechnik GmbH & Co. · DE

Inventors

• Walter Brausfeld · Hannover, DE
• Helmut Gottling · Altwarmbüchen, DE
• Rudolf Moller · Gehrden, DE
• Peter Muller · Munich, DE
• Gerhard Scharnowski · Gehrden, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 3, 1985
• Grant date: Apr 7, 1987
• Expiry date: Oct 3, 2005

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01C10/38
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A position-sensing potentiometer arrangement for sensing the position of a movable piston and piston rod configuration within a linear actuator includes a first support member extending longitudinally within an open-ended recess formed in the rod and a sliding contact mounted thereon. A tubular support is mounted to a stationary closed end of the linear actuator and extends into the recess to surround a portion of the first support member and a center support member which is also mounted on the closed end of the a actuator. A longitudinally-extending resistance element and a parallel conductor element are mounted on and supported by the center support member. As the first support member moves through the tubular support, the sliding contacts couple the resistance element to the conductor element to provide a resistance value variable as a function of the position of the piston rod. In the event of movement of the piston rod, other than longitudinal movement, the resistance element is isolated by the tubular support against contact by the piston rod.