Magnetic Rod Position Sensing with Multi-Sensor Averaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems that use magnetic rods to sense the position of a linearly moving object in fuel regulating valves face issues with falsely reported movement due to angular changes, which can be detrimental in systems requiring precise position tracking.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves attaching a magnetic rod to the movable object and positioning multiple contactless sensors, such as Hall effect sensors, equidistantly around the magnetic rod. These sensors translate sensed magnetic flux into corresponding signals, which are then summed and averaged electronically to reduce positional errors caused by rotational movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single contactless sensor is used to sense position of the movable object, then the system structure is simple, but the position measurement precision deteriorates due to falsely reported movement caused by angular changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sensing function into multiple independent contactless sensors (at least two sensors) positioned at different angular locations around the magnetic rod. Each sensor independently measures magnetic flux, and their signals are processed separately before being combined to calculate position, thereby eliminating the impact of angular changes on measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the output signals from multiple contactless sensors through electronic circuitry that sums and averages the signals. This merging of multiple measurement channels creates a composite position signal that is immune to angular variations, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and precise measurement
2Measurement precision
If mechanical anti-rotation mechanisms are added to prevent rotational movement, then the position measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases and frictional losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical anti-rotation mechanisms with an electronic solution using multiple contactless sensors and signal processing circuitry. Instead of mechanically constraining rotation, the system electronically compensates for angular changes by averaging sensor outputs, thereby maintaining measurement precision without adding mechanical complexity or frictional losses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electronic signal processing circuitry as an intermediary between the magnetic field and the position calculation. This intermediary processes the raw sensor signals by summing and averaging them, effectively mediating the effect of angular changes and providing accurate position data without mechanical intervention
3Measurement precision
If mechanical anti-rotation mechanisms are added to prevent rotational movement, then the position measurement precision improves, but the loss of energy increases due to added friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical anti-rotation mechanisms entirely, replacing them with a field-based sensing approach using multiple contactless sensors. This substitution removes the source of frictional energy loss while maintaining measurement precision through electronic signal processing, directly resolving the contradiction between precision and energy efficiency
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 significantly reduces the error percentage in reported position changes due to angular movement, allowing for more accurate position tracking without the need for mechanical anti-rotation mechanisms, thus maintaining low frictional losses.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic field is used in conjunction with the magnetic rod to create lines of flux that a contactless sensor can use to infer the position
Implementation Method 2
Contactless sensors, e.g., Hall effect sensors, are then positioned substantially equidistant to each other on a radius around the magnetic rod attached to the movable object
Data Source
AI summary
A method of reducing error caused by rotational movement during position sensing in a system comprising a magnetic rod attached to a movable object, two or more linear position sensors positioned substantially equidistant to each other on a radius around the magnetic rod attached to the movable object, and electronics is disclosed. The method includes measuring magnetized lines of flux being radiated from the magnetic rod attached to the movable object, the linear position sensors translating respective sensed lines of flux into corresponding voltage and using the electronics to sum the corresponding signals i.e., voltages, and determine the average of the corresponding signals, i.e., voltages.