Patent ID: 8378666
Filing Date: 2013-02-19
Classification: G01D

Abstract:
1. A multi-turn angular position sensor comprising: a main gear configured to couple to and rotate, in response to rotation of a rotation member, over a main gear rotation range; a first sensor gear engaged with the main gear and configured to experience more angular rotation than the main gear in response to rotation of the main gear; a second sensor gear engaged with the main gear and configured to experience more angular rotation than the main gear and less angular, rotation than the first sensor gear in response to rotation of the main gear; a first angular position sensor configured and disposed to sense rotation of the first sensor gear and to generate a first output signal indicative of rotation of the first sensor gear; a second angular position sensor configured and disposed to sense rotation of the second sensor gear and to generate a second output signal indicative of rotation of the second sensor gear; wherein the main gear and the first and second sensor gears are configured such that a difference in a number of 360 degree revolutions experienced by the first sensor gear and the second sensor gear will be one 360 degree revolution or less in response to the main gear rotating through an expected full main gear rotation range greater than 360 degrees; and a processor communicatively coupled to the first and second angular position sensors and configured to: