Characteristics analysis and parameters optimization for the grating eddy current displacement sensor

The grating eddy current displacement sensor (GECDS) for distance or position measurement used in watertight electronic calipers was described. The sensor relies on repetitive variation of inductance against displacement caused by the change of coupling areas between moving coils and static reflectors. The investigations focused on setting up and utilizing a computer model of the 3D eddy current fields and geometry to analyze causes of the production of measurement blind areas, and to investigate effects of the sensor parameters, such as axial gap between coils and reflectors, reflector length and reflector width on characteristics of the sensor. Simulation results indicated that the sensor has the smallest nonlinearity error of 0.15%, which agrees well with the experimental results.