Synchro-Resolver Demodulation Without Scott-T Transformers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Synchro-demodulators using Scott-T transformers are bulky and heavy, making them unsuitable for applications requiring compact designs.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for transformerless demodulation of synchro-resolvers that utilize differential signals from three-phase secondary windings to determine shaft angle, employing analog-to-digital converters and processors to calculate sine and cosine values from these signals, eliminating the need for bulky transformers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a Scott-T transformer is used to convert three-phase output signals into two quadrature phase sinusoidal signals, then the shaft angle can be determined accurately, but the synchro-demodulator becomes bulky and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshaft angle determination accuracyVSAvoidsynchro-demodulator weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the Scott-T transformer from the synchro-demodulator circuitry. Instead of using the transformer to convert three-phase signals to quadrature signals, the invention directly processes the three-phase secondary winding outputs through analog-to-digital converters and digital signal processing to determine shaft angle, removing the bulky transformer component entirely

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electromagnetic transformation mechanism (Scott-T transformer) with a digital processing system. The three-phase signals are converted to digital form and processed algorithmically to compute shaft angle, substituting physical electromagnetic components with computational methods that have negligible weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If a Scott-T transformer is used to convert three-phase output signals into two quadrature phase sinusoidal signals, then the shaft angle can be determined accurately, but the synchro-demodulator volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshaft angle determination accuracyVSAvoidsynchro-demodulator volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the Scott-T transformer from the synchro-demodulator circuitry. Instead of using the transformer to convert three-phase signals to quadrature signals, the invention directly processes the three-phase secondary winding outputs through analog-to-digital converters and digital signal processing to determine shaft angle, removing the bulky transformer component entirely

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electromagnetic transformation mechanism (Scott-T transformer) with a digital processing system. The three-phase signals are converted to digital form and processed algorithmically to compute shaft angle, substituting physical electromagnetic components with computational methods that have negligible volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables compact and efficient determination of shaft angle without the use of bulky transformers, improving system compactness and reducing weight.

Implementation Method 1

The primary winding is excited by an alternating current, which electromagnetically induces voltages in each of the three wye-configured secondary windings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4700334A1Transformerless demodulation of synchro-resolver
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP
  • EP4700334A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4700334A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4700334A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a transformer-less way of demodulating signals generated by a synchro-resolver so as to determine a shaft angle of the synchro-resolver (22). A first differential output voltage between a first pair of the wye-configured secondary windings is used to generate a first output. A second differential output voltage between a second pair of the wye-configured secondary windings, different from the first pair, is used to generate a second output. The first and second outputs are combined to form a signal quadrature to the first output. The first output and the signal quadrature thereto are used to determine the shaft angle.