Absolute encoder employing concatenated, multi-bit, interpolated sub-encoders
US7253395B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 2004 |
| Grant date | Aug 7, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 15, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D5/2458
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An absolute encoder employs multiple sub-encoders of different resolutions and a linking algorithm for combining the sub-encoder outputs to form an accurate, high-resolution position estimate. The sub-encoders can utilize edge modulation of a main grating track, sloped patterns of successively higher periods, and other types of scale patterns. The sub-encoders can also use a variety of detector types suitable for the patterns being used. In one linking approach, pairs of tracks are linked together successively by applying a phase shift to the coarser track and then combining it with the finer track such that the transitions of the coarse track estimates become aligned with those of the finer track, whereupon the values can be combined to form a linked position estimate. In another approach, beat tracks are calculated from physical tracks of similar period, and the beat tracks are used as the coarser tracks in the linking process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.