Method and device for determining the absolute angle of rotation of an object that is rotating about an approximately horizontal rotational axis

US6681196B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Telmo Glaser · Regensburg, DE
• Florian Wolf · Ilmenau, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 17, 2002
• Grant date: Jan 20, 2004
• Expiry date: Jun 17, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2021/01327
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for determining an absolute rotational angle of an object that is rotating about an approximately horizontal rotational axis, includes steps of: determining a change in a rotational angle of the object occurring during a time interval; determining an acceleration component acting in a direction of a vertical axis of the object; determining a change, occurring during the time interval, in the acceleration component acting in the direction of the vertical axis of the object; and calculating the absolute rotational angle of the object from the change in the rotational angle and the change in the acceleration component acting in the direction of the vertical axis of the object. A device constructed to perform the method does not necessarily require expensive, high-stability acceleration sensors. Sensors of a simple design can be used instead.