Ing. Jiří Maier

This paper presents a novel structure for linear position sensors with external armature. The coils are designed to have a nonoverlapping structure to increase the coils’ design optimization flexibility. The 3D finite element method is utilized for design optimization to extend the linearity range of the position sensor. The excitation and pickup coils are segmented to facilitate and improve the winding process. The number of turns in each pickup coil is optimized using the 3D finite element method to minimize the nonlinearity error and enhance the linearity range of the position sensor. The simulation results are compared with experiments to validate the optimization process of the position sensor.

This paper presents a magnetic design-optimized model of a linear variable differential transformer sensor with short coils and long armatures. The sensor has one excitation coil and two antiserially connected pickup coils located between two parallel armatures’ plates. A developed 3D analytical method and the finite element method are used for magnetic analysis and design optimization of a linear variable differential transformer sensor. The structure of the armatures is optimized to enhance the linearity range of the linear variable differential transformer sensor. The rectangular shape of the armature has been changed to a trapezoidal shape to decrease the nonlinearity error and extend the linearity range. The measured nonlinearity error is as low as 1.0% for the ±90 mm movement range.