Patent ID: 6190264
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: G01L,Y10T

Abstract:
A rotational sensor assembly, comprising:a first resistive element;a first rotating member having an electrical contact on a bottom side and a second resistive element on a top side, said electrical contact slidingly contacting said first resistive element;a second rotating member rotating about said first rotating member, said second rotating member having an electrical contact on a bottom side, said electrical contact of said second rotating member slidingly contacting said second resistive element; anda coupling attached to said second rotating member, said coupling comprising:an inner member fixedly connected to a first shaft having a first longitudinal axis;an outer member;first rails connecting said inner member to said outer member, said first rails allowing said inner member and said first shaft to be readily displaced relative to said outer member only in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said first rails;a base member disposed outside said outer member, said base member fixedly attached to said second rotating member;second rails connecting said outer member to said base member, said second rails aligned perpendicular to said first rails, said second rails allowing said outer member to be readily displaced relative to said base member only in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said second rails; anda second shaft having a second longitudinal axis, said first longitudinal axis being different from said second longitudinal axis, and said second shaft being fixedly attached to said first rotating member;wherein a rotational position of said second shaft is determined by measuring an output voltage which is dependent on said first resistive element; andwherein a rotational position of said first shaft relative to said first resistive element being determined by measuring an output voltage which is dependent on said second resistive element.