Inductive position sensor

US9170086B1 · 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: Jan 8, 2014
• Grant date: Oct 27, 2015
• Expiry date: Jan 26, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01D5/2086
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An inductive position sensor uses three parallel inductors, each of which has an axial core that is an independent magnetic structure. A first support couples first and second inductors and separate them by a fixed distance. A second support coupled to a third inductor disposed between the first and second inductors. The first support and second support are configured for relative movement as distance changes from the third inductor to each of the first and second inductors. An oscillating current is supplied to the first and second inductors. A device measures a phase component of a source voltage generating the oscillating current and a phase component of voltage induced in the third inductor when the oscillating current is supplied to the first and second inductors such that the phase component of the voltage induced overlaps the phase component of the source voltage.