Patent ID: 8421446
Filing Date: 2013-04-16
Classification: G01D

Abstract:
1. A system for detecting the position of a rotor of a machine, the system comprising an encoder structure attached to the rotor and moveable together with the rotor, and a stationary sensor assembly positioned opposite to the encoder structure and providing at least one sensor signal, from which the position may be determined, wherein the sensor assembly comprises a planar-shaped first inductive component and is configured to generate a magnetic field and detect the generated magnetic field, the generated magnetic field being affected by the encoder structure, and the encoder structure is configured to cause a position dependent change of inductance of the inductive component, wherein a core-free portion of said first inductive coil component has a width extending along a direction of motion of said encoder structure and a length extending perpendicular to said width, wherein said width is less than said length and wherein said length is greater than a maximum width of an encoder on said encoder structure, and wherein the encoder structure comprises an electrically conductive material having a width periodically changing with respect to an angular position.