Parker-hannifin Corporation

Parker-hannifan Plc

William R Schley

Sandra L Harper

Eric B Chapman

William L Hassler, Jr

Michael E Nolan

Curtis Edgar Stevens

Dan Thanh Nguyen

Lawrence P Flesch

A system and method for measuring the position of at least one field producing element (e.g., a magnet) without a direct electrical or physical connection between the field producing element and one or more sensors. In one embodiment, the output from an array of sensors (e.g., Hall Effect sensors) is curve fit using an algorithm having a characteristic bell curve (e.g., curve fit tracking algorithm, center of gravity algorithm, etc.) to determine at least one of an absolute or relative position associated with the field producing element and/or a property associated with the field producing element (e.g., magnetic flux). Another embodiment is directed to detecting errors in one or more of the sensors and excluding the output of the faulty sensors in determining the position associated with the field producing element.

Through-wall position sensor

A fiber optic signal collection system and method for position sensing or sensing other parameters indicated by light distinctive patterns. The system is particularly suitable for use in aircraft flight control. The system includes a set of fiber optic fibers with first and second ends. The first ends are disposed adjacent a light distinctive pattern indicating a particular pattern such as a relative position. A portion of the second ends are positioned adjacent a light source and a portion of the second ends are disposed adjacent a light sensing electrical device such that light from the light source can be conveyed through the fibers, reflected from the light distinctive pattern, and conveyed through the fibers to the light sensing electrical device in order to detect the pattern in the electrical device. By this means the parameter indicated by the light distinctive pattern can be detected, and the right indication of which can be remotely conveyed through the fiber optic fibers to a conveniently located light sensing electrical device. Multiple parameters can be sensed with a single light sensing electrical device by alternate routing of light from different light distinctive patterns indicating different parameters to the light sensing electrical device.

Method and device for continuous pattern sensing using fiber optics

A fiber optic signal collection system and method for position sensing or sensing other parameters indicated by light distinctive patterns. The system is particularly suitable for use in aircraft flight control. The system includes a set of fiber optic fibers with first and second ends. The first ends are disposed adjacent a light distinctive pattern indicating a particular pattern such as a relative position. A portion of the second ends are positioned adjacent a light source and a portion of the second ends are disposed adjacent a light sensing electrical device such that light from the light source can be conveyed through the fibers, reflected from the light distinctive pattern, and conveyed through the fibers to the light sensing electrical device in order to detect the pattern in the electrical device. By this means the parameter indicated by the light distinctive pattern can be detected, and the light indication of which can be remotely conveyed through the fiber optic fibers to a conveniently located light sensing electrical device. Multiple parameters can be sensed with a single light sensing electrical device by alternate routing of light from different light distinctive patterns indicating different parameters to the light sensing electrical device.

Growing community of inventors

Mission Viejo, CA, United States of America

William R Schley