Near-zero revolutions per minute (RPM) sensing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10175065-B2
Application number	US-201615013671-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 2, 2016
Priority date	Feb 2, 2016
Publication date	Jan 8, 2019
Grant date	Jan 8, 2019

Abstract

A rotor assembly for deployment within a momentum control device that enables near-zero revolutions per minute (RPM) sensing, and method for making same, are provided. The provided rotor assembly utilizes a magnet coupled to the rotor shaft and a stationary sensor element to detect magnetic flux from the magnet and derive reliable near zero RPM therefrom.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A rotor assembly for deployment within a momentum control device, the rotor assembly comprising:
a rotor;
a rotor shaft coupled to the rotor;
a first sensor assembly coupled to the rotor shaft, providing (i) a first rotor shaft rotational position (RSRP) data, and (ii) an associated frequency of rotation;
a magnet coupled to the rotor shaft;
a second sensor assembly coupled to the rotor shaft and configured to sense magnetic flux output of the magnet and provide a second RSRP data therefrom; and
a controller coupled to the first source of RSRP data and the second source of RSRP data and configured to (i) receive the first RSRP data and the second RSRP data, and (ii) generate final RSRP data therefrom; and
wherein the second sensor assembly comprises:
a sensor element; and
a stationary housing partially surrounding the magnet, the housing enclosed on a first side and open on a second side, and wherein the sensor element is disposed within the housing on an inner surface of the first side.

2. The rotor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the stationary housing extends, on the second side, uniformly toward the rotating mass a first predetermined length, thereby confining a closed magnetic flux loop generated by the magnet.

3. The rotor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the stationary housing extends, on the second side, uniformly toward the rotor a second predetermined length that is less than the first predetermined length, and the rotor assembly further comprising:
a circular disc coaxially coupled to the rotor shaft on a rotor side of the magnet, the circular disc having an integral outer lip of a uniform predetermined height that extends toward the housing of the sensor assembly; and
wherein (i) a diameter of the outer lip and a diameter of the housing are substantially equal, (ii) the outer lip and housing are separated by a first gap distance, and (iii) the housing, circular disc, and outer lip cooperate to confine a closed magnetic flux loop generated by the magnet.

4. The rotor assembly of claim 2 , wherein the sensor element uniquely identifies an angular position associated with the rotor shaft.

5. The rotor assembly of claim 4 , wherein the sensor element is a Magneto Resistive sensor.

6. The rotor assembly of claim 3 , wherein the sensor element uniquely identifies an angular position associated with the rotor shaft.

7. The rotor assembly of claim 6 , wherein the sensor element is a Magneto Resistive sensor.

8. The rotor assembly of claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to generate final RSRP data comprising only second sensor assembly RSRP data below a predetermined lower frequency threshold of the first RSRP data source.

9. The rotor assembly of claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to generate final RSRP data comprising only first sensor assembly RSRP data above a predetermined upper frequency threshold of the first RSRP data source.

10. The rotor assembly of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to blend first RSRP data and second RSRP data when the first RSRP frequency is between the predetermined upper frequency threshold and the predetermined lower frequency threshold.

11. The rotor assembly of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to blend RSRP data using a Kalman filter.

12. The rotor assembly of claim 5 , wherein generating final RSRP data comprises providing only second sensor assembly RSRP data.

13. The rotor assembly of claim 8 , wherein generating final RSRP data further comprises (i) blending first RSRP data with second RSRP data at the predetermined lower frequency threshold and (ii) providing first RSRP data above the predetermined frequency threshold.

14. A rotor assembly for deployment within a momentum control device, the rotor assembly comprising:
a controller coupled to a first sensor assembly and configured to receive first rotor shaft rotational position (RSRP) data and associated frequency therefrom; and
a sensor assembly coupled to the controller and comprising a sensor element that is disposed a predetermined distance from a magnet, the sensor element configured to sense magnetic flux output of the magnet and derive a second RSRP data therefrom, the sensor element configured to uniquely identify an angular position associated with a rotor shaft; and
wherein the controller is configured to receive second RSRP data and generate final RSRP data based on first RSRP data and second RSRP data;

wherein the final RSRP data comprises:
the second RSRP data when a the RSRP of the first sensor assembly has an associated frequency that is below a predetermined frequency threshold,
the first RSRP data when the RSRP of the first sensor assembly has an associated frequency that is above the predetermined frequency threshold, and,
first RSRP data blended with second RSRP data when the RSRP of the first sensor assembly has an associated frequency that is equal to the predetermined frequency threshold.

15. The rotor assembly of claim 14 , wherein the sensor assembly further comprises a stationary housing partially surrounding the magnet, the housing enclosed on a first side and open on a second side, and wherein the sensor element is disposed within the housing on an inner surface of the first side, and wherein the housing extends uniformly toward the rotor a first predetermined length, thereby confining a closed magnetic flux loop generated by the magnet.

Assignees

• Honeywell Int Inc

Inventors

• Kreider Thom

Classifications

• B60L2200/00

  Type of vehicles · CPC title

• G01B7/30

  for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes · CPC title

• B64G1/286

  using control momentum gyroscopes (CMGs) · CPC title

• G01B2210/00

  Aspects not specifically covered by any group under G01B, e.g. of wheel alignment, caliper-like sensors · CPC title

• G01P3/489

  Digital circuits therefor · CPC title