SENSOR ASSEMBLY

摘要

A sensor assembly having a pair of sensors and a pair of sensor targets. Each of the sensors is an eddy current sensor that defines X, Y and Z axes that are orthogonal to one another such that the X-axes are aligned to a movement axis along which a structure is to be moved. The sensor targets are coupled to one another for common movement and are formed of an electrically conductive material that is configured to interact with a respective one of the eddy current sensors to cause the sensors to produce sensor signals that each vary in a distinct manner with movement of the targets parallel to the movement axis. The targets are configured such that their coordinated movement in a direction parallel to the Z-axes as they are moved along the movement axis has no effect on the determined location of the structure. A method is also provided.

主权项

1. A sensor assembly for determining a location of a structure that is translated along a movement axis, the sensor assembly comprising:
a sensor mount; a first sensor coupled to the sensor mount, the first sensor being an eddy current sensor having a first X-axis, a first Y-axis and a first Z-axis that are orthogonal to one another, the first X-axis being disposed parallel to the movement axis, the first sensor comprising a first coil that is wound helically around the first Z-axis; a second sensor coupled to the sensor mount, the second sensor being an eddy current sensor having a second X-axis, a second Y-axis, and a second Z-axis that are orthogonal to one another, the second X-axis being parallel to the first X-axis, the second Z-axis being parallel to the first Z-axis, the second sensor comprising a second coil that is wound helically around the second Z-axis; a first target that is adapted to be coupled to the structure for movement therewith, the first target being formed of an electrically conductive material and being configured to interact with the first sensor to produce a first sensor signal that has a first magnitude that varies proportionally with movement of the first target along the first X-axis; a second target that is adapted to be coupled to the structure for movement therewith, the second target being formed of an electrically conductive material and being configured to interact with the second sensor to produce a second sensor signal that has a second magnitude that varies proportionally with movement of the second target along the second X-axis; and wherein the first and second targets are configured so that coordinated movement of the first and second targets within predefined limits in a direction parallel to the first and second Z-axes as the structure is moved along the movement axis is detectable from the first and second sensor signals.