General Vibration Corporation

Charles Alexander Simpkins, Jr

John S Houston

Gabe Graham

Rob Morris

Nathan J Delson

Joel A Murphy

Robert Morris

The disclosure relates to integrated modules for Synchronized Array of Vibration Actuators (FIG.A). The modules provide physical interface, power and communication interfaces. Each module may include vibration actuators (FIG.A) which can be precisely attached and aligned to the module housing, a microcontroller or other microprocessor, and one or more sensors for closed loop control of actuators (FIG.G). Interleaved pairs of ERMs having a center of mass in the same plane eliminate parasitic torque. A single module can produce a vibration force that rotates at a specific frequency and magnitude, which on its own could cancel out some types of periodic vibrations (FIG.B). Two modules paired together and counter-rotating with respect to each other can produce a directional vibration at a specific frequency and magnitude, which could prove even more useful for canceling out a vibration. Such modules are also employed to produce beating patterns (FIGS.-). Both amplitude and frequency of the beating force are variable.

Synchronized array of vibration actuators in an integrated module

One aspect of the technology involves a system for measuring the rotational position of a rotating shaft, including a field source configured to generate a measurable field, a sensor configured to measure the generated field, and a target that is configured to modify the generated field as measured by the sensor to have a shape with (a) at least one measurable feature for a zero reference point, and (b) a shape that varies throughout one or more angles such that a rotational position of the shaft is determined with a selected angular accuracy. There is also a device that receives a query for the rotational position of the shaft a device that responds to the query. Another aspect involves generating multi-frequency vibrations with a single linear resonant actuator (LRA). This LRA can exhibit a beat pattern in response to being driven by the sum of two different sinusoidal functions.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Charles Alexander Simpkins, Jr