US4423406A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-contact type potentiometer
Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
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Filing: 1982-03-02
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Granted: 1983-12-27
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Expires: 2002-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A non-contact type potentiometer comprises one pair of circular magnetic reluctance elements concentrically disposed and offset by 90 DEG from each other and a semicircular, rotary, permanent magnet member rotatably disposed and separated from said pair of elements. The two output voltages phase shifted by 90 DEG from each other and produced by the rotation of the rotary member include the regions in which the rotation angle and the output voltage are linearly proportional. By using the signals from these regions, this potentiometer enables the measurement of the rotation angle to be attained throughout the entire cycle of the rotation of the rotary shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Eiji Nakano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:42
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N50/00; H10N50/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A non-contact type potentiometer, comprising: a first magnetic reluctance element having first means for accepting the application of a standard voltage thereto, and second means for delivering an output voltage therefrom; a second magnetic reluctance element having first means for accepting the application of a standard voltage thereto, and second means for delivering an output voltage therefrom; said first and second magnetic reluctance elements being angularly offset with respect to each other by means of 90°; and permanent magnet means rotatably disposed relative to, yet separated from, said first and second magnetic reluctance elements for applying a magnetic field to said first and second magnetic reluctance elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A non-contact type potentiometer, comprising: a first magnetic reluctance element having first means for accepting the application of a standard voltage thereto, and second means for delivering an output voltage therefrom; a second magnetic reluctance element having first means for accepting the application of a standard voltage thereto, and second means for delivering an output voltage therefrom; said first and second magnetic reluctance elements being angularly offset with respect to each other by means of 90°; and permanent magnet means rotatably disposed relative to, yet separated from, said first and second magnetic reluctance elements for applying a magnetic field to said first and second magnetic reluctance elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A non-contact type potentiometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said first and second magnetic reluctance elements are annular in configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A non-contact type potentiometer as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said annular elements are concentrically disposed with respect to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The potentiometer according to claim 3, wherein the magnetic reluctance element disposed outside and the magnetic reluctance element disposed inside are adapted so that the area of the former element upon which the magnetic field is applied and that of the latter element upon which the magnetic field is applied become equal to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The potentiometer according to claim 1, wherein said first and second magnetic reluctance elements are one circular magnetic reluctance element and a magnetic reluctance element of the shape of a truncated quadrant disposed along one quarter of the circumference of said circular magnetic reluctance element and one edge of the element of the shape of a truncated quadrant is connected to one edge of said circular element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A non-contact type potentiometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said first and second magnetic reluctance elements are disposed in co-planar fashion with respect to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A non-contact type potentiometer as set forth in claim 6, wherein: said first and second magnetic reluctance elements have their upper surfaces disposed flush with each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A non-contact type potentiometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said permanent magnet means has a semi-circular configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A non-contact type potentiometer as set forth in claim 4, wherein: the radial width of said inner reluctance element is greater than the radial width of said outer reluctance element such that the areas of said reluctance elements are equal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A non-contact type potentiometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said permanent magnet means is rotatably disposed concentrically with respect to said reluctance elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A non-contact type potentiometer as set forth in claim 6, wherein: said permanent magnet means is disposed above said plane of said co-planar reluctance elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A non-contact type potentiometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said first and second reluctance elements are axially spaced from each other; and said permanent magnet means is interposed between said first and second reluctance elements.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A non-contact type potentiometer as set forth in claim 5, wherein: said truncated quadrant magnetic reluctance element is disposed exteriorly of said circular magnetic reluctance element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A non-contact type potentiometer as set forth in claim 5, wherein: said truncated quadrant magnetic reluctance element is disposed interiorly of said circular magnetic reluctance element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A non-contact type potentiometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said first and second means of each magnetic reluctance element comprise terminals angularly disposed 180° apart from each other.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
A non-contact type potentiometer as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: means connected to said second means of each magnetic reluctance element for calculating the amount of rotation as a function of said output voltage signals from said second means of each magnetic reluctance element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A non-contact type potentiometer as set forth in claim 16, wherein: said calculating means comprises arithmetic circuits.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
66 words
A non-contact type potentiometer as set forth in claim 16, wherein: said calculating means comprises means for processing those regions of said output voltage signals from said first and second magnetic reluctance elements wherein the rotation angle and said output voltage signals are linearly proportional whereby said potentiometer enables the measurement of the rotation angle to be attained throughout the entire cycle of rotation of 360°.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-12-26 | 1987-06-27 | 1987-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-12-26 | 1991-06-27 | 1991-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-12-26 | 1995-06-27 | 1995-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |