Induced current absolute position transducer method using a

Abstract

A high-accuracy inductive absolute position transducer system has two members movable relative to each other and includes a code track transducer and may include a fine track transducer. The code track transducers includes a code track transmitter winding and at least one set of code track receiver windings. Each set of code track receiver windings includes n balanced pairs. Each balanced pair extends along the measuring axis and includes a positive polarity winding and a negative polarity winding. A code track has a plurality of flux modulator zones distributed along the measuring axis. Flux modulators are formed in at least some of the flux modulator zones. A signal generating and processing circuit is connected to the transmitter winding and each balanced pair. The code track transmitter winding and each balanced pair form an inductive coupling. The flux modulators modulate the inductive coupling between each balanced pair and the code track transmitter winding based on the relative position between the read head member and the scale member. The flux modulators are distributed along the measuring axis such that each pair of adjacent flux modulator zones forms one of a set of output states in an overlying balanced pair. The pairs of adjacent flux modulator zones form a series of code elements extending along the measuring axis such that each set of m adjacent code elements forms a unique codeword. Each unique codeword defines an absolute position of the read head member relative to the scale member to a first resolution.