Parker-Hannifin Corporation
Pseudo zero power position indication

Abstract:

A method and device detect the position of a device utilizing electronic sensors in applications with negligible power resources. The method utilizes an indicator circuit for monitoring a position of a device, the indicator circuit including a position sensor configured to detect a position of the device, a first position indicator operatively coupled to the position sensor and configured to provide a position output corresponding to the position of the device based on the position of the device as detected by the position sensor, a first sense line for receiving a sense voltage from a second position indicator different from the first position indicator; and an energy harvesting device operatively coupled to the first sense line, the position sensor and the first position indicator. The energy harvesting device is configured to harvest electric energy from the sense voltage, wherein the position sensor and the first position indicator obtain electric power from the harvested electric energy.