POSITION DISCRIMINATOR FOR MOVABLE MEMBER AND ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC TYPE SERVO SYSTEM

摘要

An electrohydraulic servo system which includes a linear actuator having a cylinder and a piston variably positioned therewithin, a servo valve responsive to valve control signals for coupling the actuator to a source of hydraulic fluid, and control electronics responsive to piston position for generating the valve control signals. A coaxial transmission line is formed within the linear actuator to include a center conductor coaxial with the actuator and an outer conductor. A bead of ferrite or other suitable magnetically permeable material is coupled to the piston and surrounds the center conductor of the transmission line for altering impedance characteristics of the transmission line as a function of position of the piston within the cylinder. Position sensing electronics include an oscillator coupled to the transmission line for launching electromagnetic radiation, and a phase detector responsive to radiation reflected from the transmission line for determining position of the piston within the actuator cylinder.