Aircraft Position Sensor Using Unique Magnetic Signatures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional position sensors for detecting the skew of adjustable aerodynamic surfaces in aircraft struggle with precision due to the need to space magnets equidistantly, which limits their ability to distinguish adjacent magnetic fields and requires tracking the direction of movement, increasing complexity and reducing precision.
Innovation Solution
The use of position sensors with magnetic field sources that generate unique magnetic signatures, allowing for precise detection of positional characteristics without needing to track previous detections or direction of movement, by having multiple adjacent magnetic field sources that do not overlap, enabling precise detection of the position of a part based on the latest magnetic field signature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional position sensors use equidistantly spaced magnets to detect position, then the sensor structure is simple, but the measurement precision is limited due to inability to distinguish adjacent magnetic fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making each magnetic field source unique rather than uniform. Each of the multiple magnetic field sources generates a distinct magnetic signature (different field strength, polarity pattern, or spatial distribution), allowing the sensor to identify individual sources and determine position with high precision without requiring complex mechanical structures or equidistant spacing.
2Measurement precision
If conventional sensors require tracking direction of movement to determine position, then the sensor system is simpler, but the measurement precision is reduced due to inability to detect position from single detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple magnetic field sources that create distinct magnetic signatures as 'copies' of the position information. Instead of tracking movement direction over time, the sensor can determine absolute position from a single detection by identifying which unique magnetic signature is present. Each magnetic field source acts as a spatial marker with a recognizable signature, enabling direct position determination without historical tracking.
3Measurement precision
If multiple adjacent magnetic field sources are used to improve position detection precision, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to need to manage multiple field sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the magnetic field generation function into multiple independent magnetic field sources, each responsible for a specific spatial zone or position range. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high measurement precision by comparing which segment's magnetic signature is detected, while the modular nature of segmented sources actually simplifies the overall system architecture compared to attempting to create a single complex magnetic field pattern.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for precise detection of positional characteristics, such as skew, orientation, and angular motion, without relying on historical data or direction tracking, enhancing the accuracy and simplicity of position sensing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first magnetic field source (145A) of a plurality of magnetic field sources (145A-145O) generates a first magnetic field (146A) of a plurality of magnetic fields (146A-146O) with a magnetic signature that is different than a magnetic signature of a second magnetic field
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for determining a position of a first part relative to a second part. The first part is movable relative to the second part. The apparatus comprises a magnetic position indicator and a magnetic field sensor. The magnetic position indicator is non-movably fixed to the first part and comprises a plurality of magnetic field sources positioned along a length of the magnetic position indicator. Each magnetic field source of the plurality of magnetic field sources generates a magnetic field having a unique magnetic signature. The magnetic field sensor is non-movably fixed to the second part and configured to detect the unique magnetic signatures of the magnetic fields generated by the plurality of magnetic field sources of the magnetic position indicator.