US3728565A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for sensing the direction and speed of a shaft
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1971-07-21
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Granted: 1973-04-17
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Expires: 1991-07-21
Abstract
Abstract A device for sensing the direction of rotation and the speed of a shaft includes a two-phase AC generator having a rotor attachable to the shaft and rotatable therewith and first and second spaced apart stator windings. The first and second stator windings are adapted to have first and second sinusoidal voltages established thereacross respectively, in response to rotation of the rotor with the shaft. The first sinusoidal voltage is adapted to lead the second sinusoidal voltage when the shaft rotates in a first direction and the second sinusoidal voltage is adapted to lead the first sinusoidal voltage when the shaft rotates in a direction opposite the first direction. A logic circuitry is provided for determining which of the first and second sinusoidal voltages is leading the other of the first and second sinusoidal voltages to thereby determine the direction of rotation of the shaft. The magnitude of the first and second sinusoidal voltages is dependent upon the speed of rotation of the shaft and means are provided for sensing the magnitude of one of the sinusoidal voltages to provide an output signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Callaghan G O
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P13/00; G01P13/02; G01P13/04; G01P13/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
Apparatus for sensing the direction of rotation of a shaft comprising a two-phase AC generator having a rotor attachable to the shaft and rotatable therewith, a first stator winding and a second stator winding spaced from said first stator winding, said first stator winding adapted to have a first sinusoidal voltage established thereacross in response to rotation of said rotor with the shaft and said second stator winding adapted to have a second sinusoidal voltage established thereacross in response to rotation of said rotor with the shaft, said first sinusoidal voltage established across said first stator winding leading said second sinusoidal voltage established across said second stator winding when the shaft rotates in a first direction, said second sinusoidal voltage established across said second stator winding leading said first sinusoidal voltage established across said first stator winding when the shaft rotates in a second direction opposite said first direction, means for comparing said first and second sinusoidal voltages to produce a first series of distinct logic conditions when said shaft rotates in one direction and a second series of distinct logic conditions when such shaft rotates in the opposite direction, and direction sensing means for determining the progression of the series produced by said comparing means to determine the direction of rotation of said shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
Apparatus for sensing the direction of rotation of a shaft comprising a two-phase AC generator having a rotor attachable to the shaft and rotatable therewith, a first stator winding and a second stator winding spaced from said first stator winding, said first stator winding adapted to have a first sinusoidal voltage established thereacross in response to rotation of said rotor with the shaft and said second stator winding adapted to have a second sinusoidal voltage established thereacross in response to rotation of said rotor with the shaft, said first sinusoidal voltage established across said first stator winding leading said second sinusoidal voltage established across said second stator winding when the shaft rotates in a first direction, said second sinusoidal voltage established across said second stator winding leading said first sinusoidal voltage established across said first stator winding when the shaft rotates in a second direction opposite said first direction, means for comparing said first and second sinusoidal voltages to produce a first series of distinct logic conditions when said shaft rotates in one direction and a second series of distinct logic conditions when such shaft rotates in the opposite direction, and direction sensing means for determining the progression of the series produced by said comparing means to determine the direction of rotation of said shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus for sensing the rotation of a shaft as defined in claim 1 wherein the magnitude of at least said first sinusoidal voltage is a function of the rotational speed of the shaft and means for sensing the magnitude of at least said first sinusoidal voltage to determine the rotational speed of the shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus for sensing the rotation of a shaft as defined in claim 1 wherein said comparing means includes first comparator means for converting said first sinusoidal voltage to a first digital output signal and second comparator means for converting said second sinusoidal voltage to a second digital output signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for sensing the rotation of a shaft as defined in claim 3 wherein said direction sensing means is connected to the outputs of said first and second comparator means for determining which of said first and second digital output signals leads the other of said first and second digital output signals and establishing a direction sensing output signal the polarity of which is indicative of the direction of rotation of the shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus for sensing the rotation of a shaft as defined in claim 3 wherein the combination of said first and second digital output signals have at least first, second and third unique states which form said series, the progression of said states in the series being indicative of the direction of rotation of the shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for sensing the rotation of a shaft as defined in claim 5 wherein said direction sensing means includes a first flip-flop for sensing said first and second states, said first flip-flop having a set state when actuated by one of said first and second states and A reset state when actuated by the other of said first and second states and means for sensing the state of said first flip-flop upon the occurrence of said third state for determining which of said first and second states next preceded said third state to thereby determine the progression of states and the direction of rotation of the shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
Apparatus for sensing the rotation of a shaft as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for sensing the state of said first flip-flop at said third state establishes a direction sensing output signal having a first polarity when said first state precedes said second state in said progression of states and the shaft is rotating in said first direction and establishes a direction sensing output signal having a second polarity opposite said first polarity when said second state precedes said first state in said progression of states and the shaft is rotating in said second direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus for sensing the rotation of a shaft as defined in claim 6 wherein the magnitude of said first sinusoidal voltage is proportional to the rotational speed of the shaft and further including means for sensing the magnitude of said first sinusoidal voltage to determine the speed of rotation of said shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for sensing the rotation of a shaft as defined in claim 8 wherein said means for sensing the magnitude of said first sinusoidal voltage establishes an output signal the magnitude of which is a function of the rotational speed of the shaft and said means for sensing the state of said first flip-flop is operable to change the polarity of said output signal of said means for sensing the magnitude of said first sinusoidal voltage as a function of the direction of rotation of the shaft to enable said output signal to have a magnitude indicative of the rotational speed of the shaft and a polarity indicative of the direction of rotation of the shaft.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
149 words
A device for sensing the rotational direction of a rotatable member comprising an AC generator having a rotor which is coupled to the rotatable member and two stator windings which are displaced between 0 and 180 electrical degrees, said AC generator adapted to generate a pair of voltage signals when said member is rotating, said voltages appearing across the stator windings and being displaced relative to each other in phase an amount equal to the electrical displacement of said windings, sensing means for sensing the relative position of the voltage signals, said sensing means being adapted to generate a series of distinct digital output signals the progression of which is indicative of the relative position of said voltage signals, means responsive to the progression of said series of digital output signals to provide a signal having a polarity which is a function of the rotational direction of said member.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
149 words
A device for sensing the rotational direction of a rotatable member comprising an AC generator having a rotor which is coupled to the rotatable member and two stator windings which are displaced between 0 and 180 electrical degrees, said AC generator adapted to generate a pair of voltage signals when said member is rotating, said voltages appearing across the stator windings and being displaced relative to each other in phase an amount equal to the electrical displacement of said windings, sensing means for sensing the relative position of the voltage signals, said sensing means being adapted to generate a series of distinct digital output signals the progression of which is indicative of the relative position of said voltage signals, means responsive to the progression of said series of digital output signals to provide a signal having a polarity which is a function of the rotational direction of said member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device in claim 10 wherein the voltages generated by said AC generator are substantially sinusoidal and have an amplitude which is a function of the rotational velocity of said member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device in claim 11 wherein said sensing means includes means for converting said sinusoidal voltages to pulses having a frequency equal to the frequency of said sinusoidal voltages and a substantially constant amplitude.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device in claim 10 wherein said means responsive to said series digital output signals includes an operational amplifier which provides an output signal having an amplitude which is a function of the velocity of the rotating member and a polarity which is a function of the rotational direction of said member.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
191 words
A device for sensing the rotational direction of a rotatable member comprising an AC generator having a rotor which is coupled to the rotatable member and two stator windings which are displaced between 0 and 180 electrical degrees said generator adapted to generate a pair of voltage signals which are substantially sinusoidal and have a magnitude which is a function of the rotational speed of said member, one of said voLtage signals appearing across each of said windings and being displaced relative to each other in phase an amount equal to the electrical displacement of said windings, means for converting said sinusoidal signals to pulses of substantially constant amplitude having a frequency equal to the frequency of the sinusoidal signals, sensing means for sensing the relative position of the pulses and generating a first and second series of distinct output signals indicative of the relative position of said pulses and, means responsive to said series of output signals to provide a signal having a polarity which is a function of the rotational direction of said member and having an amplitude which is a function of the rotational velocity of said member.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
191 words
A device for sensing the rotational direction of a rotatable member comprising an AC generator having a rotor which is coupled to the rotatable member and two stator windings which are displaced between 0 and 180 electrical degrees said generator adapted to generate a pair of voltage signals which are substantially sinusoidal and have a magnitude which is a function of the rotational speed of said member, one of said voLtage signals appearing across each of said windings and being displaced relative to each other in phase an amount equal to the electrical displacement of said windings, means for converting said sinusoidal signals to pulses of substantially constant amplitude having a frequency equal to the frequency of the sinusoidal signals, sensing means for sensing the relative position of the pulses and generating a first and second series of distinct output signals indicative of the relative position of said pulses and, means responsive to said series of output signals to provide a signal having a polarity which is a function of the rotational direction of said member and having an amplitude which is a function of the rotational velocity of said member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device in claim 14 wherein said means for converting said sinusoidal signals comprises a comparator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device in claim 14 wherein said sensing means comprises a logic circuit which includes a plurality of NAND gates arranged in a predetermined manner to provide a digital signal indicative of whether the first or second series of output signals is applied thereto.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device in claim 14 wherein said means responsive to said digital signals includes an operational amplifier having positive and negative input terminals and wherein the absolute gain of the positive input terminal is greater than the absolute gain of the negative input terminal.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
211 words
A device for sensing the rotational direction of a rotatable member comprising an AC generator having a rotor which is coupled to the rotatable member and two stator windings which are displaced between 0 and 180 electrical degrees, said generator adapted to generate a pair of voltage signals which are substantially sinusoidal and have a magnitude which is a function of the rotational speed of said member, one of said voltage signals appearing across each of said windings and being displaced in phase relative to each other an amount equal to the electrical displacement of said windings, means comprising a comparator for converting said sinusoidal signals to pulses of substantially constant amplitude and having a frequency equal to the frequency of the sinusoidal signals, sensing means comprising a logic circuit which includes a plurality of NAND gates arranged in a predetermined manner, said sensing means adapted to sense the relative position of said pulses and to provide a series of distinct digital signals indicative of said positions, and means responsive to said series of digital signals and adapted to provide a signal having a polarity which is a function of the rotational direction of said member and having an amplitude which is a function of the rotational velocity of said member.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
211 words
A device for sensing the rotational direction of a rotatable member comprising an AC generator having a rotor which is coupled to the rotatable member and two stator windings which are displaced between 0 and 180 electrical degrees, said generator adapted to generate a pair of voltage signals which are substantially sinusoidal and have a magnitude which is a function of the rotational speed of said member, one of said voltage signals appearing across each of said windings and being displaced in phase relative to each other an amount equal to the electrical displacement of said windings, means comprising a comparator for converting said sinusoidal signals to pulses of substantially constant amplitude and having a frequency equal to the frequency of the sinusoidal signals, sensing means comprising a logic circuit which includes a plurality of NAND gates arranged in a predetermined manner, said sensing means adapted to sense the relative position of said pulses and to provide a series of distinct digital signals indicative of said positions, and means responsive to said series of digital signals and adapted to provide a signal having a polarity which is a function of the rotational direction of said member and having an amplitude which is a function of the rotational velocity of said member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device in claim 18 wherein said means responsive to said digital signals includes an operational amplifier having positive and negative input terminals and wherein the absolute gain of the positive input terminal is at least twice the absolute gain of the negative input terminal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-16 | 1976-10-16 | 1977-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-16 | 1980-10-16 | 1981-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-16 | 1984-10-16 | 1985-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |