Abstract: The authors ran 3 experiments to investigate how catchers deal with the horizontal component of the ball's trajectory in an interception task during locomotion. The experiments were built upon the finding that velocity adaptations are based upon changes in the horizontal angular position or velocity of the ball with respect to the observer (M. Lenoir, M. Janssens, E. Musch, E. Thiery, & J. Uyttenhove, 1999); a potential underlying information source for that strategy is described. In Experiment 1, actor (N = 10 participants) and ball approached each other along the legs of a V-shaped track. When the velocity and the initial angular bearing of the ball were varied, the observed behavior fitted with nulling the horizontal angular velocity of the ball: A positive or negative angular velocity was compensated by a velocity change. Evidence was obtained that those adaptations are modulated by a critical change in, rather than by a critical state of, the environment-actor system. In Experiment 2, the di...

Abstract: This paper proposes a new robust speed control to suppress vibration caused by angular transmission error of planetary gears. For this purpose, this paper first constructs a new numerical simulation model of angular transmission error of planetary gear, which is confirmed by experimental data from a robot arm. Next, in order to suppress the vibration caused by angular transmission error, we propose a robust speed control system based on disturbance observer and coprime factorization. Numerical simulation results show that the proposed system regulates the angular speed of motor satisfactorily, and it suppresses the vibration caused by angular transmission error.

Abstract: An angle sensor for sensing the absolute angular position of a rotatable body, such as a rotating shaft of an electric power steering system for an automobile, is disclosed.

Abstract: A contactless rotary shaft rotation sensor includes a two-pole annular magnet attached directly to the shaft, pairs of diametrically opposed magnetic field sensors, and electronic processing circuits to produce linear output signals proportional to shaft speed and position. The annular magnet has two diametrically opposed poles on its outside circumference and is magnetized with a magnetic iron pole piece temporarily placed through its inner diameter to magnetically shape the poles and provide an extremely linear flux variation over plus and minus sixty degrees from the neutral position between the poles. Positioning one pair of magnetic field sensors around the magnet enables provision of a voltage signal that is proportional to the angular position and/or speed of the shaft through 120 degrees of rotation. Placing three pairs of magnetic field sensors around the magnet with 120-degrees of spacing provides three linear sensor output segments, each with a useful range of 120-degrees of shaft rotation. The magnetic field sensors are also used to signal the limits of each sensor pair's range and in conjunction with commutation logic, provide a linear angular position signal, or via piecewise differentiation provide a contactless analog tachometer signal. The commutation and signal processing functions are implemented with electronic logic and analog circuits or with a microcomputer.

Abstract: Arrangement for measuring the angular position of an object, using planar magnetoresistive sensors (6, 9) through which an electric current flows and which are arranged in a magnetic field which is parallel to their respective planes, which magnetic field is generated by an arrangement of magnets (4, 14) rotatably journaled eccentrically on a shaft (11), the angular position of the shaft (11) corresponding to that of the object to be measured.

Abstract: A device and a method for measuring wrist motion is provided. The device allows for direct determination of wrist position in the radial/ulnar and flexion/extension planes, without needing calibration or determination of the center of rotation of the wrist. The goniometer forearm component is adapted to be releasably affixed to a forearm of a user. A hand component is also provided adapted to be releasably affixed to a hand of the user. The displacement measuring devices include cables adapted to be connected to the hand component. The displacement measuring devices are configured to ultimately measure angular displacement of the hand component relative to the forearm component.

Abstract: A hand wheel actuator having a stationary hub is provided by a housing supporting a first shaft via bearings such that it is rotatable about its own axis. The first shaft has an upper end configured for attaching a hand wheel. The actuator also includes a position sensor for detecting an angular displacement of the first shaft from a selected origin and producing a signal indicative of the angular displacement and an electric motor in operative communication with the first shaft for providing feedback to a driver. A steering post is maintained in a fixed position with respect to the housing for maintaining the hub in a fixed position centrally of the hand wheel, so that the hub faces the driver when the hand wheel is operated. The steering post extends along an axis of rotation of the hand wheel and through the first shaft, which is fixed to the hand wheel and rotates therewith.

Abstract: A fastening construction, in particular for a wing mirror unit of a motor vehicle, comprising a base part (1) which can be fixedly connected with a vehicle, and a rotation part (3) which is arranged to be coupled with the base part (1) and which in coupled condition constitutes central shaft for pivotally bearing-mounting a wing mirror unit. The base part (1) and the rotation part (3) are provided with at least one projection and groove pair (19, 20) cooperating as a bayonet catch, such that the rotation part (3) can be displaced towards the base part (1) and that when the projection and groove pair are in engagement, the rotation part (3) is pivotable about the geometric axis (2), and, after passing an intermediate angular position (13), through cooperation of the projection and groove pair (19, 20), the rotation part (3) is locked relative to the base part (1), axially along the geometric axis (2). The rotation part (3) and the base part (1) are further provided with blocking means (4, 6) which in a second angular position (5b) restrain the rotation part (3) from rotation relative to the base part (1) about the geometric axis.

Abstract: The rotary tilt exercise machine is a gravity-controlled device wherein the user, cradled in a body support unit, employs bodily balance and thrust to roll the body support unit, which is tiltably mounted on the ball joint of a housing drum. A pendular shaft is fixed to the base of the body support unit so that body support unit tilt produces angular displacement of the shaft within the housing. At its extension, the pendular shaft is weighted to provide ballast and centrifugal impetus to body support unit roll. Body support unit motion parameters are defined by either of two optional control devices, specified as a rotary wheel motion controller and as a crank arm motion controller. Auxiliary equipment includes a seat belt and grab bars mounted on the body support unit that stabilize the torso and enable body balance movements that work the back and abdominal muscles.

Abstract: Body rotation and orientation sensing mechanisms used by flying insects are introduced and their mathematical models are presented. The analysis and simulations of these models showed the feasibility of using such biologically inspired approaches to build biomimetic gyroscopes and angular position detectors. Further, an approximate rigid body model for the insect body dynamics is developed so that attitude stabilization techniques for a flying robotic insect can be tested to illustrate the utility of these novel sensor architectures. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first attempt in using output feedback from biomimetic devices such as ocelli and halters to achieve attitude stabilization.

Abstract: A method for establishing the angular position of the vehicle with the aid of at least one roll or rotation rate sensor, and which is checked in the course of a plausibility inspection, to check whether the integrated rotation rate signal is able to reproduce the actual angular position of the vehicle at all or whether it lies outside the angular range which may be considered for the actual angular position of the vehicle on the basis of the driving situation. In particular, the method for establishing the angular position of the vehicle relative to at least one rotational axis, particularly its longitudinal axis and/or its transverse axis, in which the rotation rate of the vehicle about the rotational axis is detected using at least one rotation rate sensor and the angular position, particularly the roll angle about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and/or the pitch angle about the transverse axis of the vehicle, is established by integration of the detected rotation rate, with the offset error of the rotation rate sensor being taken into consideration, in addition to the rotation rate, the transverse acceleration (that is, the acceleration of the vehicle transverse to the rotational axis) is detected, and is then checked, with reference to the dependence of the actual angular position of the vehicle on the transverse acceleration AQ, to determine whether the established angular position may correspond to the actual angular position of the vehicle.

Abstract: A variable reluctance rotational displacement sensor with: an annular sleeve; a coil coaxially aligned within the sleeve; a first ring in magnetic communication with the sleeve, coaxially aligned and configured to rotate relative to the sleeve. The first ring including a first plurality of axially directed teeth arranged about a circumference of the ring on a front portion thereof. The sensor also includes a second ring in magnetic communication with the first ring and the sleeve, the second ring coaxially aligned and configured to rotate relative to the first ring and the sleeve and including a second plurality of axially directed teeth configured substantially the same as the first plurality of axially directed teeth and oriented adjacent to the first plurality of axially directed teeth on a rear portion of the second ring. The coil generates a signal responsive to a differential displacement between the first and second rings.

Abstract: A table system with angular position control means is disclosed in which an object supported on a table can be moved accurately over a tiny angle in circular direction to any desired position. The table(2) is supported on a bed(1) for rotation through a crossed-roller bearing(15). Position control means(3) gets the table(2) to turn over a tiny angle through an arm plate (4) fastened to the table(2). A nut and screw set(10), when driven by a motor(8), causes a linear motion that is in line with a tangent of the table(2), and the linear motion is translated into a circular motion to turn the table(2) in any circular direction by virtue of a combination of a first linear motion guide unit(6) interposed between the bed(1) and a carriage(5) to control the linear motion in the tangential direction, a second bearing means(30) interposed between the carriage(5) and a turret means(25), and a second linear motion guide unit(7) to control a linear motion in the direction that looks towards the center of the table(2).

Abstract: A phase diversity wavefront correction system for use in a multiple aperture optical imaging system forms an in-focus image as a composite, focused image from the multiple apertures of the system and also forms an additional image which is deliberately made out of focus to a known extent. Taken together, the two images are processed to create one or more metrics, such as the power metric and sharpness metric. Neural networks are provided, each having an output corresponding to a parameter of an aperture of the imaging system, such as a piston position (axial displacement) or tip/tilt (angular displacement) of one telescope with respect to the others in the system. The neural networks each correspond to one parameter of a telescope or a combinations of parameters and are trained to identify a subset of elements within the metrics that, when input into the network, produce the best estimate of the piston or tip/tilt position relative to a reference telescope or an estimate of a combination of parameters, such as the average of a subset of telescopes. During active use of the system, metrics generated from the in-focus and out-of-focus images of the object scene and the trained neural networks are used to provide estimates of piston and/or tip/tilt positions which are in turn used to drive the pistons and/or tip/tilt controllers to correct for aberrant movement and keep the telescopes phased.

Abstract: An angular position adjusting device including a first member which holds an object having an axis of rotation, a second member which holds the first member rotatably about the axis of the object, and a rotating mechanism interposed between the first and second members and operable to rotate the first member relative to the second member about the axis of the object, and wherein one of the first and second members has an guiding surface formed to extend along an arc of a circle having a center at the axis of the object, the arc having a center angle smaller than 180°, and the other of the first and second members has a guided surface for sliding contact with the arcuate guiding surface, when the first member is rotated by the rotating mechanism relative to the second member, to adjust the angular position of the object about its axis.

Abstract: The feasibility of using a well-known twin ER clutch linear reversing mechanism as a robotic actuator is demonstrated. High speed of response, displacement and positional accuracy can be obtained bi-directionally. A validated mathematical model of the apparatus provides a basis for the control strategy. Positional accuracy is enhanced by an ER brake which works in sequence with the clutch excitation switches. The robot arm, in rotational displacement is tested over a large number of cycles, speeds, displacements and inertial loads and the quality of control compared to that of competitive conventional servo motors.

Abstract: The head lamps have a drive to displace the lamp (30) in a horizontal arc depending on the direction of the steering. Detectors (203,433) sense anomalies in the displacement of the lamp. If an anomaly is detected the optical axis of adjusted vertically (5) to an angular position lower than a reference angle.

Abstract: A temperature sensor is added to an existing inductive sensor (1) for detection of the angular position or path of a rotating component. The temperature sensor is for measuring the temperature of one or more components in the vicinity of the signaling sensor. An Independent claim is made for a sensor device with an inductive sensor for signaling the rotational velocity or position of a motor vehicle wheel. The sensor device also incorporates a temperature sensor with which the temperature of adjacent components, e.g. brake pads or disk can be measured.

Abstract: A reference variable having a linear relationship with the angular position of a master axis is set, and a correspondence between this reference variable and the displacement of a slave axis is stored in a data table One execution stage is specified by setting a starting reference variable and an ending reference variable from this data table A desired sequence is assigned to a plurality of execution stages thus specified The reference variable corresponding to the angular position of the master axis is determined, slave axis displacement data corresponding to the reference variable is read out, and the slave axis is positioned in accordance with the position of the master axis on the basis of this displacement data

Abstract: A device for providing angular displacement of an axis in a direction selected from the X or Y direction or rotational movement about the Z direction with respect to the axis. The device comprises a magnetic core element which produces a magnetic field and defines a Z axis. The core element is capable of displacement in the X and Y directions respectively, and also rotational movement about the Z axis. A coil device proximate the core element introduces a distortion force in the core element in at least one of the X and Y directions or about the Z axis as desired a mounting device suspends the core element with respect to the coil means to permit relative movement therebetween in response to the distortion force.

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an actuator having a compact structure and generating a high driving force without being affected by a disturbance, e.g. oscillation, or environmental conditions, e.g. temperature and humidity. SOLUTION: The piezoelectric actuator employs a small piezoelectric element generating a large force in which bending displacement is generated and a driven member is supported at a point where angular displacement is maximized or large displacement is attained by imparting a couple of forces to the support point of the driven member. A mechanism capable of directing the driven member to a desired direction is obtained by combining the driving mechanisms to be rotary-driven with respect to two axes intersecting each other. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Abstract: An angle measuring instrument having a device for determining a shaft angular position within one shaft rotation, and a device for determining a number of executed shaft rotations having a gear including at least one gear for converting the shaft rotary motion into rotary motion having a defined reduction ratio. The gear unit includes at least one gear wheel which rotates in a defined ratio to the shaft rotary motion. Devices are provided for generating sensor signals which are positionally dependent and are dependent upon the shaft rotations, in which the detecting device inductively scans reduced rotational movements of the shaft, and has alternating electrically conductive and electrically non-conductive graduation regions and a scanning device, movable relative to the graduation structure, including a device for generating a homogeneous electromagnetic field and a sensor device to scan the graduation structure and to transmit sensor signals which are dependent upon the shaft rotations.

Abstract: A motion platform for supporting a g-force sensitive load, the motion platform includes base, a top having a g-force sensitive load bearing portion and a support portion. A support member supports the top relative to the base with freedom of movement about at least one horizontal axis and a pair of positioning motor assemblies mounted to the base. A respective arm assembly extends between each of the positioning motor assemblies and the top, and a microcontroller is electrically connected to the positioning motor assemblies for controlling a rotational speed and a rotational direction of said positioning motor assemblies and thus angular displacement of said top of the motion platform. The g-force sensitive load bearing portion of the top is displaced from the support portion of the top at which the support member supports the top. The arm assembly is responsive to rotary motion of a respective one of said positioning motor assemblies and adapted to rotate 360 degrees about the respective positioning motor assembly to effect relative movement of the top about the at least one axis.

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a position and posture sensor of a movable body which precisely detects the reference point of the position and posture set at the movable body. SOLUTION: The sensor is provided with: a target unit 11 which has three targets not aligned on the same straight line and is mounted on a tool 30; a plurality of cameras 13 which images the target unit from a camera position where a absolute position is grasped in a robot coordinate system and creates an image data showing the image of the target unit; an image processing section 14 which finds the absolute posture of the reference point and the absolute of the tool set on the tool in the robot coordinate system based on the image data from the cameras; a gyro sensor 15 and an acceleration sensor 16 which are mounted on the tool and detect the relative angular displacement and relative slide displacement of the tool; and an operation section 18 which finds the position and posture of the reference point on the tool based on the relative slide displacement and relative angular displacement of the tool and the absolute position and absolute posture of the tool. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Abstract: Inverted pendulum control is a well-known and challenging problem, which is generally associated to attitude control of a rocket during take off. This system consists of one input generating the cart driving force, and two outputs (linear position of the cart and angular position of the rod). The objective of this experimental design is to swing up the pendulum rod using an appropriate open loop control. Once the angular position has reached a specified capture range a closed loop control law will stabilize the pendulum at its unstable equilibrium point while maintaining a specified linear set-point.

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a friction stir welding device by which the strength of the welded object subjected to welding and the welding strength of each welded member can be improved. SOLUTION: The device comprises a tool angular displacement driving means of allowing a tool holder to angular displacement driving around an angular displacement axis. The object 21 to be welded is sufficiently stirred by a welding tool 20, and, thereafter, the tool holder is separated from the object 21 in a state where the tool holder is subjected to angular displacement around an angular displacement axis. Thus, in the welded part of one member 21a, shape is made to differ between a transmission region 123 where force is transmitted and a non-transmission region 124 where force is not transmitted. In this way, the strength of the object 21 can be improved. Further, the welding tool 20 is swung in a state of being immersed in the object to be welded, so that a stirring region 21c can be increased, and the welding strength of the welded members can be improved. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Abstract: An angle measuring instrument having a device for determining a shaft angular position within one shaft rotation, and a device for determining a number of executed shaft rotations having a gear including at least one gear for converting the shaft rotary motion into rotary motion having a defined reduction ratio. The gear unit includes at least one gear wheel which rotates in a defined ratio to the shaft rotary motion. Devices are provided for generating sensor signals which are positionally dependent and are dependent upon the shaft rotations, in which the detecting device inductively scans reduced rotational movements of the shaft, and has alternating electrically conductive and electrically non-conductive graduation regions and a scanning device, movable relative to the graduation structure, including a device for generating a homogeneous electromagnetic field and a sensor device to scan the graduation structure and to transmit sensor signals which are dependent upon the shaft rotations.