IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,677,913
Granted Patent B2
US 9,677,913 · App. 14/697,836 · Granted Jun 13, 2017

Inductive displacement sensor

Inventors: Shiju Wang (Irvine, CA); Timothy R. Jackson (Yorba Linda, CA)
Assignee: MICROSEMI CORPORATION
G01D5/20G01D5/202G01D5/2291
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,677,913
App. No.
14/697,836
Granted
Jun 13, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Inductive displacement sensors and methods of using them may be useful in a variety of contexts. For example, systems for precisely measuring linear or angular motion may use inductive displacement sensors to measure changes in position. An apparatus, such as a sensor, can include a primary inductor. The apparatus can also include a first secondary inductor that is field-coupled to the primary inductor. The apparatus can further include a second secondary inductor that is field-coupled to the primary inductor. The first secondary inductor and the second secondary inductor can be configured as coordinated inductors to detect motion of a coupler. The coordinated inductors can be configured to provide a reference signal and a measurement signal, wherein the reference signal has a constant amplitude across a range of motion of the coupler.

Claims (37)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a primary inductor;

a first secondary inductor that is field-coupled to the primary inductor; and

a second secondary inductor that is field-coupled to the primary inductor;

wherein the first secondary inductor and the second secondary inductor are configured as coordinated inductors to detect motion of a coupler;

wherein the coordinated inductors are configured to provide a reference signal and a measurement signal, wherein the reference signal has a constant amplitude across a range of motion of the coupler;

wherein the first secondary inductor and the second secondary inductor are divided into segments with the range of motion, wherein the range of motion comprises a plurality of segments; and

a phase detector configured to identify a current segment out of the plurality of segments, wherein the current segment corresponds to a position of the coupler.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reference signal is configured to be a maximum signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the coupler is configured to field-couple the primary inductor with the first secondary inductor and the second secondary inductor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the measurement signal varies linearly with respect to motion of the coupler.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the measurement signal varies non-linearly with respect to motion of the coupler.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a comparator configured to compare a first signal from the first secondary inductor and a second signal from the second secondary inductor, wherein the comparator is configured to determine which secondary inductor signal represents the reference signal and which secondary inductor signal represents the measurement signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first secondary inductor and the second secondary inductor are printed on a circuit board.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the coordinated inductors are configured to alternate between providing the reference signal and providing the measurement signal.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the coupler is of a predetermined width, and wherein the one of the first secondary inductor and the second secondary inductor providing the reference signal are arranged with an area that changes along the direction of travel of the coupler in a periodic repeated manner, the period of which is equal to the predetermined width.

10. A method, comprising:

energizing a primary inductor;

providing a reference signal from at least one of a plurality of secondary inductors, wherein the plurality of secondary inductors are field coupled to the primary inductor and wherein a pair of secondary inductors from the plurality of secondary inductors is configured as coordinated inductors;

providing a measurement signal from at least one other one of the plurality of secondary inductors, wherein the measurement signal is configured to reflect motion of a coupler and wherein the reference signal has a constant amplitude across a range of motion of the coupler, wherein the first second inductor and the second secondary inductor are divided into segments with the range of motion, wherein the range of motion comprises a plurality of segments;

determining motion of the coupler based on a variation of the measurement signal; and

identify, with a phase detector, a current segment out of the plurality of segments, wherein the current segment corresponds to a position of the coupler.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the reference signal is provided as a maximum signal.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the measurement signal varies linearly with respect to motion of the coupler.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the measurement signal varies non-linearly with respect to motion of the coupler.

14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

comparing, with a comparator, a first signal from the first secondary inductor and a second signal from the second secondary inductor; and

outputting, from the comparator, a signal indicative of which secondary inductor signal represents the reference signal and which secondary inductor signal represents the measurement signal.

15. A system, comprising:

a sensor comprising a primary inductor, a first secondary inductor that is field-coupled to the primary inductor, and a second secondary inductor that is field-coupled to the primary inductor, wherein the first secondary inductor and the second secondary inductor are configured as coordinated inductors to detect motion of a coupler, wherein the coordinated inductors are configured to provide a reference signal and a measurement signal, and wherein the reference signal has a constant amplitude across a range of motion of the coupler, wherein the first second inductor and the second secondary inductor are divided into segments with the range of motion, wherein the range of motion comprises a plurality of segments, the sensor further comprising a phase detector configured to identify a current segment out of the plurality of segments, wherein the current segment corresponds to a position of the coupler; and

an output configured to provide a representation of the motion detected by the sensor.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the measurement signal varies linearly with respect to motion of the coupler.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the measurement signal varies non-linearly with respect to motion of the coupler.

18. The system of claim 15 , further comprising:

a comparator configured to compare a first signal from the first secondary inductor and a second signal from the second secondary inductor, wherein the comparator is configured to determine which secondary inductor signal represents the reference signal and which secondary inductor signal represents the measurement signal.

19. The system of claim 15 , wherein the coupler is of a predetermined width, and wherein the one of the first secondary inductor and the second secondary inductor providing the reference signal are arranged with an area that changes along the direction of travel of the coupler in a periodic repeated manner, the period of which is equal to the predetermined width.

Assignments (15)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 14, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 060894/0437 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 11, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059363/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059863/0400 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059358/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 25, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059333/0222 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 4, 2021
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 057935/0474 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 055671/0612 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2020
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 053468/0705 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2020
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 053466/0011 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2020
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 053311/0305 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 18, 2018
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047103/0206 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 25, 2018
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 046426/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2018
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI SEMICONDUCTOR (U.S.), INC.; MICROSEMI FREQUENCY AND TIME CORPORATION; MICROSEMI COMMUNICATIONS, INC.; MICROSEMI SOC CORP.; MICROSEMI CORP. - POWER PRODUCTS GROUP; MICROSEMI CORP. - RF INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS
Reel/Frame 046251/0391 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 3, 2016
From: MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI SEMICONDUCTOR (U.S.) INC. (F/K/A LEGERITY, INC., ZARLINK SEMICONDUCTOR (V.N.) INC., CENTELLAX, INC., AND ZARLINK SEMICONDUCTOR (U.S.) INC.); MICROSEMI FREQUENCY AND TIME CORPORATION (F/K/A SYMMETRICON, INC.); MICROSEMI COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (F/K/A VITESSE SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION); MICROSEMI SOC CORP. (F/K/A ACTEL CORPORATION); MICROSEMI CORP. - POWER PRODUCTS GROUP (F/K/A ADVANCED POWER TECHNOLOGY INC.); MICROSEMI CORP. - RF INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS (F/K/A AML COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037691/0697 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2015
From: WANG, SHIJU; JACKSON, TIMOTHY R.
To: MICROSEMI CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 035510/0933 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61985372 · Apr 28, 2014
Related Publication 20150308860A1 · Oct 29, 2015