Precision sensor for a hydraulic cylinder
US6234061A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 22, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D5/02
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sensor mountable within a hydraulic cylinder provides a precision signal indicative of the position of the piston utilizing a non-contacting electromechanical transducer. The sensor includes a flexible connector attached between the cylinder piston and a converting element for sensing the displacement of the cylinder piston. The converting element comprises a pick-up spool coupled to the other end of the connector and rotatable about an axis. The spool is under tension from a spring coupled to the spool. A lead screw engages threads on the interior of the spool, and translates along an axis when the spool rotates. A transducer is disposed to sense the position of the lead screw, and provides an output signal proportional to the motion or position of the movable element. The transducer may be an LVDT or other non-contacting transducer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.