The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for detecting rotational speed, angular position and direction of rotation of rotating components, particularly to, rotating components with outer rotating surfaces.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicates otherwise.
ROTATING COMPONENT WITH AN OUTER ROTATING SURFACE – The term "rotating component with an outer rotating surface" hereinafter refers to a rotating component composed of concentric surfaces/rings, i.e., an outer surface/ring and an inner surface/ring which is installed in an application wherein the outer surface of the component is rotating and the inner surface/ring is stationary.
MAGNETIC ENCODER RING – A magnetic encoder ring is a device used to generate pulses in conjunction with the sensor unit. It has multiple magnetic poles embedded, which are used for detecting parameters such as rotational speed, direction of rotation and/or angular position of the rotating component onto which the encoder is fitted.
TRACK – The term ‘track’ hereinafter refers to a portion of the encoder ring on which a plurality of equidistant magnetic poles is configured.
AXIAL SURFACE – The term ‘axial surface’ hereinafter refers to a surface of the encoder ring which is perpendicular to the axis of the encoder ring and is generated by rotating the radius in 360 degrees. The surface vector of the axial surface is parallel to the axis of the encoder ring. The axial surface of the encoder ring which is facing the rotating component is termed as the ‘inner axial surface’ and the surface which is opposite to the defined inner axial surface of the encoder ring is termed as the ‘outer axial surface’.
RADIAL SURFACE – The term ‘radial surface’ hereinafter refers to a surface of the encoder ring which is generated by translating the outer circumference of the encoder ring along the axis of the encoder ring. The radial surface is perpendicular to each radius at the point of intersection of each of said radii with the radial surface. The surface vector of the radial surface is parallel to the radius of the encoder ring. The surface of encoder ring which is facing the outer periphery/ circumference surface of the rotating component is termed as the ‘inner radial surface’ and the surface opposite to the defined inner radial surface of the encoder ring is termed as the ‘outer radial surface’.
The above definitions are in addition to those expressed in the art.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Conventionally, a magnetic encoder ring is used for high accuracy rotational speed detection, direction of rotation detection, or for the angular position detection of a rotating component of a machine. A conventional magnetic encoder ring is made for the applications where the inner surface of the rotating component is rotating and the outer surface of the rotating component is stationary. Also, the conventional magnetic encoder ring can either have a single-track or multi-track of magnetic poles depending upon the rotational speed accuracy required, signal type, or quantity of signals required.
However, the currently available conventional magnetic encoder ring is difficult to mount/install on the rotating component with an outer rotating surface, due to its space limitation constraint. This is because, an additional mounting or assembly unit is required to assemble the current conventional design of the magnetic encoder ring onto the outer surface of the rotating component.
There is felt, therefore, the need of a special type of a sensing apparatus for the rotating component with an outer rotating surface that alleviates one or more above-mentioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a sensing apparatus for a rotating component with an outer rotating surface.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a sensing apparatus for a rotating component with an outer rotating surface, where the apparatus is a magnetic encoder ring.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a sensing apparatus for a rotating component with an outer rotating surface that can provide high accuracy rotational speed measurement.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a sensing apparatus for a rotating component with an outer rotating surface, where the apparatus comprises either a single-track and/or multi-track of magnetic poles as desired.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a sensing apparatus for a rotating component with an outer rotating surface where the apparatus is reliable in operation.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a sensing apparatus for a rotating component with an outer rotating surface where the apparatus can be used for high speed applications.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a sensing apparatus for a rotating component with an outer rotating surface where the apparatus can be either in the form of a ring shape or a disc shape or a combination of both.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a sensing apparatus for a rotating component with an outer rotating surface where the apparatus provides detection of angular position of the rotating component along with coexistence of different signal types with improved accuracy and precision.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a sensing apparatus for a rotating component with an outer rotating surface where the apparatus provides detection of rotation direction of the rotating component effectively.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a sensing apparatus for a rotating component with an outer rotating surface where the apparatus should be compact and utilizes the available space in an effective manner.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a sensing apparatus for a rotating component with an outer rotating surface where the apparatus does not require any extra fixture for fixing the proposed apparatus to the outer surface of the rotating component.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a sensing apparatus for the rotating component with an outer rotating surface. The apparatus comprises of a magnetic encoder ring, a sensor unit and a controller. The magnetic encoder ring comprises a first ring portion defined along an axial surface of the magnetic encoder ring, a second ring portion defined along the radial surface of the magnetic encoder ring, a plurality of magnetic poles configured on at least one of the first ring portion and the second ring portion. The plurality of magnetic poles is formed on inner surfaces of the first ring portion and the second ring portion. The sensor unit is provided in proximity to the encoder ring, wherein the sensor unit is connected to the stationary element and is configured to sense the magnetic fields of magnetic poles during motion of the outer surface of the rotating component and to generate a signal based on the captured magnetic field. The controller is configured to receive the signal from the sensor unit and process the signal.
Advantageously, the magnetic encoder ring is fitted on the outer rotating surface of the rotating component. While, the sensor unit is fitted on the stationary element which is an inner surface of the rotating component.
Typically, the shape of the magnetic encoder ring is selected from the group consisting of an annular ring shape or an annular disc shape.
In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a sensor unit consisting of magnetic sensors which are selected from a group consisting of a Hall-effect type sensor and/or magneto-resistive type sensor. The sensor unit preferably consists of two magnetic sensors to sense the respective axial or radial surfaces.
Preferably, the magnetic sensing surfaces of sensor unit is placed perpendicular to the respective plane of magnetic pole. Typically, one magnetic sensing surface of sensor unit is placed perpendicular to the inner axial surface. While another magnetic sensing surface of sensor unit is placed perpendicular to the inner radial surface.
In another embodiment, the encoder ring consists of a cylindrical core which is fixed either by force-fit or push-fit to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating component.
In a preferred embodiment, the signal corresponding to the magnetic field generated by each of the magnetic sensors of sensor unit is used by the controller for determining accurate process parameter values of the rotating component by using a method selected from the group consisting of taking the root mean square of the parameter values and/or averaging the parameter values obtained from radial and axial magnetic sensors which are placed inside the sensor unit.
In another embodiment, the amount of magnetic field sensed by the sensor unit can be altered by changing the number tracks of magnetic poles which may be either a single-track or multi-track or a combination thereof, based on the desired characteristics and accuracy.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A sensing apparatus for a rotating component with an outer rotating surface of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a conventional axial single-track magnetic encoder ring and a conventional axial multi-track magnetic encoder ring;
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a magnetic encoder ring with a single axial track of magnetic poles and a single radial track of magnetic poles in accordance with first embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a magnetic encoder ring with a single axial track of magnetic poles in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of magnetic encoder ring with a single radial track of magnetic poles in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a magnetic encoder ring with multiple radial tracks of magnetic poles in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a magnetic encoder ring with multiple axial tracks of magnetic poles in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of magnetic encoder ring with multiple axial tracks of magnetic poles and a single radial track of magnetic poles in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a magnetic encoder ring with a single axial track of magnetic poles and multiple radial tracks of magnetic poles in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a magnetic encoder ring with multiple axial tracks of magnetic poles and multiple radial tracks of magnetic poles in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 10 shows the block diagram of the proposed apparatus in accordance with ninth embodiment of the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND DRAWING
20 – Sensor unit
30’ – Conventional magnetic sensor
40a – Sensing surface facing axial track
40b – Sensing surface facing radial track
50 – Inner surface of rotating component
55 – Outer surface of rotating component
60 –Rotating component
70 – Single axial track
75– Multiple axial track
80 – Single radial track
80’ – Conventional single axial track of prior art
85 – Multiple radial track
85’– Conventional multiple axial track
90 – Core ring
100 – Apparatus
200 – Magnetic pole(s)
300 – Magnetic encoder ring of the present disclosure
300’ – Conventional magnetic encoder ring
400 – First ring portion (axial)
500 – Second ring portion (radial)
700 – Controller
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an”, and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including”, and “having”, are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being “mounted on”, “engaged to”, “connected to”, or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region or section from another component, region, or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner”, “outer”, “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a conventional magnetic encoder ring 300’ with single as well as multiple axial tracks 80’ & 85’ and the multiple axial track 85’ facing the conventional magnetic sensor 30’ located in the vicinity of the conventional magnetic encoder ring 300’ to capture the magnetic field of magnetic poles 200 of the rotating conventional magnetic encoder ring 300’. However, these conventional magnetic encoder rings 300’ require additional mounting components or fitments which is to be fitted in an outer surface of the rotating component which in turn takes up more space and thus makes it infeasible, to be incorporated in limited area or confined space of the rotating component 60.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
The present disclosure provides an apparatus 100 for detecting rotational speed, direction of rotation and angular position of various rotating components 60 along with coexistence of different signal types, amongst other applications. In addition, the magnetic encoder ring 300 of present disclosure is a new type of magnetic encoder ring 300, which is a combination of a radial magnetic encoder ring and an axial magnetic encoder ring, as disclosed herein. The novel magnetic encoder ring 300 of present disclosure is an integrated magnetic encoder ring that comprises inner radial and inner axial tracks of magnetic poles 200 whose density is based on the desired degree of accuracy and precision.
The first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to figure 2. The figure 2 shows a magnetic encoder ring 300 of the present disclosure with a single axial track 70 and a single radial track 80 which will be mounted onto the outer surface of the rotating component 60. The sensing surfaces of sensor unit 20 is positioned near the magnetic encoder ring 300 for capturing the magnetic field of the rotating magnetic encoder ring 300. The novel magnetic encoder ring 300 of the present disclosure is equipped with two active surfaces, i.e. an axial and a radial surface which is hereinafter called as first ring portion 400 and a second ring portion 500 of encoder ring respectively. The magnetic poles 200 are formed onto the inner side of the first ring portion 400 and the second ring portion 500 of respective encoder ring surfaces in order to create a magnetic encoder ring 300. The various embodiments of the magnetic encoder ring 300 are:
i. Magnetic encoder ring with a single axial track 70 (figure 3)
ii. Magnetic encoder ring with multiple axial tracks 75 (figure 6);
iii. Magnetic encoder ring with a single radial track 80 (figure 4);
iv. Magnetic encoder ring with multiple radial tracks 85 (figure 5);
v. Magnetic encoder ring with single axial track 70 and single radial track 80 (figure 2);
vi. Magnetic encoder ring with single radial track 80 and multiple axial tracks 75 (figure 7);
vii. Magnetic encoder ring with multiple radial tracks 85 and single axial track 70 (figure 8); and
viii. Magnetic encoder ring with multiple axial tracks 75 and multiple radial tracks 85 (figure 9).
The magnetic encoder ring 300 of the present disclosure comprises a multi-pole magnetic element having a plurality of opposite polarity of magnetic poles 200 and thus forming single tracks 70, 80 of magnetic poles 200. As shown in figure 2, the magnetic encoder ring 300 includes the integration of single tracks 70, 80 of magnetic poles 200. The magnetic encoder ring 300 with a single axial track 70 is disposed on an annular ring in the axial surface (as shown in figure 2) while the radial single-track 80 is disposed on a cylindrical ring in the radial surface (as shown in figure 2) of the core 90 in such a way that the single magnetic tracks 70, 80 are arranged mutually perpendicular to each other on a surface of the core 90.
The sensor unit 20 consist of at least two sensing surfaces, i.e., magnetic sensing surface facing axial track 40a and magnetic sensing surface facing radial track 40b which are also collectively called as magnetic sensing surfaces 40a and 40b in further discussion.
As shown in figure 2, the magnetic encoder ring 300 of the present disclosure consist of a cylindrical segment called as core 90, which is to be attached either by force-fit or push-fit to an outer peripheral surface 55 of a rotating component 60.
The radial and axial single-track of magnetic encoder ring 300 include, for example, a rubber, plastic, or a sintered element containing a magnetic strength therein, which are magnetized like a rubber magnet, a plastic magnet, or a sintered magnet, respectively. It should be noted that the annular magnetic body is limited only to inner surfaces of the first ring portion 400 and the second ring portion 500 respectively, as shown in figure 2.
The axial and radial single-tracks 70, 80 of the magnetic encoder ring 300 include a magnet containing ferrite, magnetic powder, ferrite of strontium ferrite, barium ferrite, rare earth magnetic powders of neodymium-iron-boron, samarium-cobalt, samarium-iron or the like which are molded by sintering (i.e., also called as ferrite sintered magnet), or a molded magnet containing a ferrite magnetic powder mixed with rubber or resin. The magnet material may include a rare earth magnet, but ferrite is more beneficial under normal operating conditions since ferrite is inexpensive and can be easily magnetized. In addition, when a magnetic powder based on a rare-earth element is used, since its oxidation resistance is lower than that based on ferrite, and therefore, to maintain stable magnetic properties over a long period of time, the surface of the encoder can be provided with a surface treatment layer of electrolytic nickel plating, electroless nickel plating, epoxy resin coating, silicone resin coating, or fluoro resin coating or the like. Furthermore, as a magnetic powder, considering the weather resistance, strontium ferrite or the like is most preferred, to further enhance the magnetic properties of ferrite, lanthanum, and cobalt or the like can be mixed, or part of the ferrite can be replaced with rare-earth magnetic powder neodymium-iron-boron, samarium-cobalt, samarium-iron or the like.
Further, in order to prevent generation of cracks in various environments such as temperature change or the like, a mixture constituting a major constituent by thermoplastic resin having a soft segment in a molecule, specifically, denatured polyamide resin constituting a block copolymer having a hard segment comprising polyamide of polyamide 12 or the like and a soft segment of polyether component and further mixed with at least one type of normal polyamide selected from the group of polyamide 12, polyamide 11, polyamide 612 in order to maintain a balance with tensile strength, heat resistance or the like.
In the embodiment under discussion, as shown in figure 2, each of the axial and radial single tracks 70, 80 of magnetic encoder ring 300 includes plurality of magnetized north poles N and south poles S and arranged alternately along a circumferential direction in such a way that the respective detected axial and radial surfaces of a first ring portion 400 and a second ring portion 500 thereof are spaced apart from the magnetic sensing surfaces 40a and 40b of the sensor unit 20 which detect magnetic signals of the respective magnetic encoder ring tracks. The magnetic sensing surfaces 40a and 40b of the sensor unit 20 are positioned in front of the respective axial and radial single-tracks 70, 80 of the magnetic encoder ring 300 in such a way that the magnetic sensing surfaces 40a and 40b of the sensor unit 20 are always perpendicular to the respective first ring portion 400 and the second ring portion 500 of the magnetic encoder ring 300 as shown in figure 10. The important advantage of such configuration is in determination of rotational speed with high accuracy, detection of direction of rotation and angular position measurement along with coexistence of different signal types.
Each of the axial and radial single-tracks 70, 80 of magnetic encoder ring 300 has a track width W and includes magnetic poles 200, each having a length L. The track width W refers to a track width as measured along the direction of arrangement of the tracks that is perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the encoder ring 300. The length L of the magnetic pole 200 refers to the length of each of the magnetic poles 200 of a magnetic pattern, as measured along the direction of rotation of the encoder ring 300.
According to the embodiment described above, the apparatus 100 includes an encoder ring 300 wherein the encoder ring 300 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface 55 and the sensor unit 20 is fixed to an inner ring/inner surface 50 which is a stationary ring of the rotating component 60.
In continuation to the above embodiment under discussion, the sensor unit 20 consists an encapsulation of magnetic sensor(s) whose quantity depends upon the number of tracks of magnetic poles 200 that needs to be detected simultaneously. The magnetic sensor(s) are selected from a group of sensors containing Hall Effect sensor. The magnetic sensor(s) will be placed in the axial and radial orientation in order to sense the magnetic field of first ring portion 400 and second ring portion 500 of the respective magnetic encoder ring 300, thereby creating two primary sides of the sensor unit 20 i.e. sensing surface facing axial track 40a and sensing surface facing radial track 40b.
The second embodiment through the ninth embodiment of the present invention will be hereinafter described. It should be noted that those features corresponding to the features already described with reference to the preceding embodiments will be given the same reference signs and will not be described. In the discussion of a given configuration where only certain features are described, the remaining undescribed features should be considered as the same as those already described with reference to the preceding embodiments. Also note that in addition to combinations of features described in detail with reference to a specific embodiment, the various embodiments themselves can be partially combined unless such combinations are inoperable.
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to figure 3. The figure 3 shows a magnetic encoder ring 300 with an axial single track 70 present on a first ring portion 400 with no magnetic track present on a second ring portion 500 which will be mounted onto the outer peripheral surface 55 of the rotating component 60. The magnetic field generated by the corresponding axial single-track 80 will be sensed by the respective magnetic sensing surface 40a of the sensor unit 20.
The third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to figure 4. The figure 4 shows a magnetic encoder ring 300 with a radial single-track 80 present on a second ring portion 500 while no magnetic track is present on a first ring portion 400. The magnetic encoder ring 300 will be mounted over the outer surface 55 of a rotating component 60. The magnetic field generated by the corresponding radial single-track 80 will be sensed by the respective magnetic sensing surface 40b of the sensor unit 20 which will be attached to the inner stationary ring surface 50 of the rotating component 60.
The fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to figure 5. The Figure 5 shows a magnetic encoder ring 300 with multiple radial tracks 85 present on a second ring portion 500 while no magnetic track is present on a first ring portion 400. The magnetic encoder ring 300 will be mounted onto the outer surface 55 of a rotating component 60. The magnetic field generated by the corresponding multiple radial tracks 85 will be sensed by the respective magnetic sensing surface 40b of the sensor unit 20 which will be attached to the inner stationary ring surface 50 of the rotating component 60.
The fifth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to figure 6. The figure 6 shows a magnetic encoder ring 300 with multiple axial tracks 75 present on a first ring portion 400 while no magnetic track is present on a second ring portion 500 which will be mounted onto the outer surface 55 of a rotating component 60. The magnetic field generated by the corresponding multiple axial tracks 75 will be sensed by the respective magnetic sensing surface 40a of the sensor unit 20 which is arranged perpendicular to said magnetic tracks and attached to the inner stationary ring surface 50 of the rotating component 60.
The sixth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to figure 7. The figure 7 shows a magnetic encoder ring 300 with multiple axial tracks 75 present on a first ring portion 400 and a radial single-track 80 present on a second ring portion 500 which will be mounted over the outer surface 55 of a rotating component 60. The magnetic field generated by the corresponding multiple axial tracks 75 and the single radial track 80 will be sensed by the respective magnetic sensing surfaces 40a and 40b of the sensor unit 20 respectively which are arranged perpendicular to the magnetic tracks and attached to the inner stationary ring surface 50 of the rotating component 60.
The seventh embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to figure 8. The figure 8 shows a magnetic encoder ring 300 with an axial single-track 70 present on a first ring portion 400 while multiple radial tracks 85 present on a second ring portion 500 which will be mounted onto the outer surface 55 of a rotating component 60. The magnetic field generated by the corresponding single axial track 70 and multiple radial tracks 85 will be sensed by the respective magnetic sensing surfaces 40a and 40b of the sensor unit 20 which are arranged perpendicular to said magnetic tracks and attached to the inner stationary ring/surface 50 of the rotating component 60.
The eighth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to figure 9. The figure 9 shows a magnetic encoder ring 300 with multiple axial tracks 75 present on a first ring portion 400 and also, multiple radial tracks 85 present on a second ring portion 500 which will be mounted onto the outer surface 55 of a rotating component 60. The magnetic field generated by the corresponding multiple axial tracks 75 and multiple radial tracks 85 will be sensed by the respective magnetic sensing surfaces 40a and 40b of the sensor unit 20 which are arranged perpendicular to the magnetic tracks and attached to the inner stationary ring/surface 50 of the rotating component 60.
An embodiment of the apparatus 100 of the present invention will now be described with reference to figure 10. Figure 10 shows an apparatus 100 which encloses the magnetic encoder ring 300 to a large extent. The magnetic encoder ring 300 comprises a first ring portion 400 and a second ring portion 500 in axial and radial directions respectively and is attached to the outer surface 55 of the rotating component 60 as shown in figure 10. The first ring portion 400 and the second ring portion 500 are composed of single or multiple tracks of magnetic poles 200, depending upon the required accuracy and required types of signal. The magnetic field generated by the track of magnetic poles 200 formed on the magnetic encoder ring 300 is sensed by the respective magnetic sensing surfaces 40a and 40b of the sensor unit 20 which is attached to the inner stationary ring 50. The sensor unit 20 processes the signal and transfers the processed signal to the controller 700 for further quantization and analysis as indicated by figure 10.
The number of magnetic poles 200 on each of the tracks on the first ring portion 400 and the second ring portion 500 may be the same or different depending on the application.
It is not necessary to modify the size of the magnetic encoder ring 300 to obtain a multi-track path. The simultaneous presence of radial and axial magnetic poles 200 on the magnetic encoder ring 300 makes the magnetic encoder ring 300 of the present disclosure more reliable. Any type of anomaly or damage in the magnetic track on one dimension, whether it be radial or axial, will be serviced by the magnetic track in another dimension. For example, if the magnetic poles 200 on the first ring portion 400 are damaged, the magnetic poles 200 on the second ring portion 500 will provide the necessary magnetic signals/pulses for reliable operation of the encoder ring 300.
Since the magnetic encoder ring 300 of the present disclosure is compact, the thickness of the sensor unit 20 used to capture the magnetic signals from the magnetic poles 200 of the rotating magnetic encoder ring 300 is also reduced in comparison with the ones used with existing multi-track encoders.
The mass of the magnetic encoder ring 300 is significantly less compared to the conventional multi-track magnetic encoder rings as plurality of tracks are present on the same encoder ring 300 simultaneously in different directions.
The magnetic field strength of the magnetic poles 200 depends on the sensitivity and characteristics of magnetic sensing surfaces 40a and 40b of the sensing unit 20, which is used to measure magnetic fields.
The radial and axial tracks of the magnetic encoder ring 300 are installed in a single unit, which makes them an integral part of the magnetic encoder ring 300, thereby consuming less space.
The magnetic encoder ring 300 may be modified to include radial multi-tracks (two or more radial tracks) and axial multi-tracks (two or more axial tracks) on the magnetic encoder ring 300. The modified magnetic encoder ring 300 can be used in applications where high accuracy is the primary requirement, and where enough space is available to accommodate it, since the quantity and/or size of the magnetic sensors of the sensor unit 20 increase with increasing tracks on the axial surface(s) and/or radial surface(s). A noise canceling unit (not illustrated) can be used to reduce electrical disturbances.
The magnetic encoder ring 300 described in the present description satisfies the condition of space limitation, by simultaneously providing tracks with magnetic poles 200 in the axial as well as in the radial direction of the ring 300. The presence of axial and radial magnetic tracks on the magnetic encoder ring 300 serves many purposes. The encoder ring 300 is suitable for use in confined spaces such as spacecraft, drones, safety devices, fast boats and portable devices. The magnetic encoder ring 300 of the present invention can be used in applications where high precision and accuracy is required. The apparatus 100 efficiently uses the available space.
The apparatus 100 offers great reliability due to the presence of plurality of tracks. Additionally, the apparatus 100 would meet industrial requirements for providing a variety of signals. The magnetic encoder ring 300 is capable of withstanding adverse environmental conditions and external magnetic fields as the magnetic poles 200 are disposed onto the inner radial and/or axial surface(s) of the magnetic encoder ring 300.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a sensing apparatus for a rotating component with an outer rotating surface, that:
• is accurate;
• is designed for rotating component with an outer rotating surface;
• does not require any extra fixtures for fitment onto the outer rotating surface/ring of the rotating component;
• does not add any extra mass or cost as compared to the conventional magnetic encoder rings;
• does not incur additional machinery cost as the same existing machines can be used to produce the current apparatus;
• has a magnetic encoder ring that remains safe from any kind of impact over the rotating component;
• is reliable in high-speed applications;
• is compact compared to the conventional multi-track encoders; and
• can withstand adverse environmental conditions.
• can withstand external magnetic fields.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A sensing apparatus (100) for a rotating component (60) with an outer rotating surface (55), wherein the apparatus (100) comprises:
• a magnetic encoder ring (300) which is fitted onto the outer surface (55) of the rotating component (60), said magnetic encoder ring (300) comprising:
i. a first ring portion (400) defined along an axial surface of said encoder ring (300);
ii. a second ring portion (500) defined along the radial surface of said encoder ring (300);
iii. a plurality of magnetic poles (200) configured on at least one of said first ring portion (400) and said second ring portion (500);
• a sensor unit (20) provided in proximity to said magnetic encoder ring (300), wherein said sensor unit (20) is connected to the stationary element and is configured to sense the magnetic fields of magnetic poles (200) during motion of the outer surface of the rotating component (60) and to generate a signal based on the captured magnetic field; and
• a controller (700) configured to receive said signal from said sensor unit (20) and to process said signal.
2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stationary element is the inner ring/surface (50) of the rotating component (60).
3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shape of said magnetic encoder ring (300) is selected from the group consisting of an annular ring shape or an annular disc shape.
4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor unit (20) comprises a first sensing surface (40a) facing the first ring portion (400) and a second sensing surface (40b) facing the second ring portion (500).
5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic sensor(s) of the said sensor unit (20) is selected from a group, consisting of a Hall-effect type sensor or magneto-resistive type sensor.
6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said magnetic encoder ring (300) consists of a cylindrical segment called as core (90) which is being attached either by force-fit or push-fit to the outer peripheral surface (55) of the rotating component (60).
7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor unit (20) comprises of atleast two sensing surfaces, i.e. the first magnetic sensing surface facing axial track (40a) and the second magnetic sensing surface facing radial track (40b) respectively.
8. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said sensing surfaces (40a, 40b) of sensor unit (20) are arranged perpendicular to the respective plane of magnetic poles (200).
9. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first sensing surface (40a) of the sensor unit (20) is arranged perpendicular to the inner axial surface.
10. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second sensing surface (40b) of the sensor unit (20) is arranged perpendicular to the inner radial surface.
11. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the signal corresponding to the magnetic field generated by said sensor unit (20) is used by the controller (700) for determining the accurate process parameter values of the rotating component (60) by using a method selected from the group consisting of taking the root mean square of the parameter values and averaging the parameter values obtained from radial and axial sensors.
12. A magnetic encoder ring (300) of a sensing apparatus (100) for an outer rotating surface (55) of the rotating component (60), wherein said encoder ring (300) comprises:
i. a first ring portion (400) defined along an axial surface of said encoder ring (300);
ii. a second ring portion (500) defined along the radial surface of said encoder ring (300);
iii. a plurality of magnetic poles (200) configured on at least one of said first ring portion (400) and said second ring portion (500), wherein the plurality of magnetic poles (200) are formed on inner surfaces of first ring portion (400) and second ring portion (500).
13. The encoder ring (300) as claimed in claim 12, wherein said encoder ring (300) is configured to be fitted on the outer rotating surface (55) of the rotating component (60).
14. The encoder ring (300) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the material of said encoder ring (300) is selected from the group of materials consisting of aluminum, steel, and composite material.
15. The encoder ring (300) as claimed in claim 12, wherein said encoder ring (300) element is having an annular shape such as a ring shape or a disc shape.
16. The encoder ring (300) as claimed in claim 12, wherein a single track of magnetic poles (200) is configured along the first ring portion (400) and no magnetic poles (200) are configured along the second ring portion (500).
17. The encoder ring (300) as claimed in claim 12, wherein a single track of magnetic poles (200) is configured along the second ring portion (500) and no magnetic poles (200) are configured along the first ring portion (400).
18. The encoder ring (300) as claimed in claim 12, wherein a plurality of tracks of the magnetic poles (200) is configured along said second ring portion (500) whereas no track of magnetic pole (200) is configured along said first ring portion (400).
19. The encoder ring (300) as claimed in claim 12, wherein a plurality of tracks of the magnetic poles (200) is configured along said first ring portion (400) whereas no track of magnetic pole (200) is configured along said second ring portion (500).
20. The encoder ring (300) as claimed in claim 12, wherein a plurality of tracks of the magnetic poles (200) is configured along said first ring portion (400) and a single-track of the magnetic poles (200) is configured along said second ring portion (500).
21. The encoder ring (300) as claimed in claim 12, wherein a plurality of tracks of the magnetic poles (200) is configured along said second ring portion (500) and a single-track of the magnetic poles (200) is configured along said first ring portion (400).
22. The encoder ring (300) as claimed in claim 12, wherein a plurality of tracks of the magnetic poles (200) is configured along both the first ring portion (400) and the second ring portion (500).

23. The encoder ring (300) as claimed in claim 12, wherein a single track of the magnetic poles (200) is configured along both the first ring portion (400) and the second ring portion (500).