Inductive position sensor

US8947074B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Robert C. Youngquist · Cocoa, US
• Stephen M. Simmons · Titusville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 14, 2013
• Grant date: Feb 3, 2015
• Expiry date: Aug 1, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01D5/2006
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An inductive position sensor uses three independent inductors inductively coupled by a common medium such as air. First and second inductors are separated by a fixed distance with the first inductor's axial core and second inductor's axial core maintained parallel to one another. A third inductor is disposed between the first and second inductors with the third inductor's axial core being maintained parallel to those of the first and second inductors. The combination of the first and second inductors are configured for relative movement with the third inductor's axial core remaining parallel to those of the first and second inductors as distance changes from the third inductor to each of the first inductor and second inductor. An oscillating current can be supplied to at least one of the three inductors, while voltage induced in at least one of the three inductors not supplied with the oscillating current is measured.