A Novel Multifunctional Angular Position Sensor with Magnetic Fluid

Abstract

A sphere-shape angular position sensor for measurement inclination angle and inclined direction simultaneously based on multifunctional sensing approach is proposed, which is characterized in the following respects, such as the measurement of two angles, a full-range measurement, and has a compact and single structure. Three coils wound on the surface of a plastic ball with half sphere compose three inductances as the outputs of sensor. Magnetic fluid is selected as the inertial element attributed to its liquidity and electromagnetism character. We herein discuss the working principle of the sensor, its detailed configuration and its geometrical analysis. A prototype is built, the measuring results of which examines the feasibility of proposed method. Two angular parameters are successfully evaluated by using 2-D cubic spline interpolation.