초록 ▼

The process and system for locating the position and orientation of an implement in space wherein a varying magnetic field responsive component (14) such as a coil is positioned upon the implement. A magnetic field source (12) excitable from an a.c. source derives alternating flux fields which are m

The process and system for locating the position and orientation of an implement in space wherein a varying magnetic field responsive component (14) such as a coil is positioned upon the implement. A magnetic field source (12) excitable from an a.c. source derives alternating flux fields which are moved along or parallel to coordinate axes established at a reference plane. The coordinate position of the sensor is derived by determining the positions of minima and maxima flux linkage during magnetic field source movement.

대표청구항 ▼

The process for determining the location and orientation in space of a magnetic field responsive sensor having an output signal in the presence of a magnetic flux linkage comprising the steps of: defining a plane within which are established first and second intersecting reference axes for deriving

The process for determining the location and orientation in space of a magnetic field responsive sensor having an output signal in the presence of a magnetic flux linkage comprising the steps of: defining a plane within which are established first and second intersecting reference axes for deriving the position of said sensor with respect to said axes; providing a magnetic field source movable with respect to said plane to derive alternating magnetic flux fields; effectively moving said magnetic field source parallel to said first reference axis and determining, from said sensor output signal, locations representing a first null point of substantially no said flux linkage, those first and second locations on each side of said first null point representing maximum said flux linkage and the magnitudes of said sensor output signal values at said first and second locations; effectively moving said magnetic field source parallel to said second reference axis and determining, from said sensor output signal, locations representing a second null point of substantially no said flux linkage, those third and fourth locations on each side of said second null point representing maximum said flux linkage and the magnitudes of said sensor output signal values at said third and fourth locations; determining said sensor position geometrically most proximate said first axis as a function of said first null point location and the magnitude of the output difference between said sensor output signal values at said first and second locations; determining said sensor position geometrically most proximate said second axis as a function of said second null point location and the magnitude of the output difference between said sensor output signal values at said third and fourth locations; and determining the geometrically most proximate distance of said sensor from said plane as a function of the location of one of said null points, an adjacent location of maximum said flux linkage and a corresponding said difference between said magnitudes of said sensor output values associated with a given one of said first or second axes.