Rotation Sensor Assemblies and Methods of Use

Abstract

A rotation sensor assembly comprising a first portion and a protection member is disclosed. The first portion is configured to be attached to a cap of an excavator wherein the protection member is configured to be attached to a boom of the excavator. The first portion comprises an L-shaped angle bracket attached to a base bracket having a foot portion. The first portion comprises a magnetic sensor portion and the protection member comprises a magnetic sensor mounting member. The rotation sensor assembly is arranged and configured to detect the angular position and/or angular motion of the sensor portion relative to the sensor mounting member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rotation sensor assembly comprising:
 a first portion and a fixation member, the first portion comprises an angle bracket attached to a base bracket having a foot portion;   wherein a plurality of slots is provided in an upper portion of the base bracket, each slot being configured to receive a portion of a bolt extending through the slot for detachably attaching the base bracket to a first part of the angle bracket,   wherein the rotation sensor assembly is arranged and configured to detect the angular position and/or angular motion of a sensor portion relative to a sensor base,   wherein the angle bracket comprises one or more slots each configured to receive a bolt extending through one of the slots of the base bracket and one of the slot(s) of the angle bracket,   wherein the first portion comprises a magnetic sensor base,   wherein a magnetic sensor portion is attached to the fixation member, and   wherein the sensor base is attached to the angle bracket.   
     
     
         2 . The rotation sensor assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a protection member comprising a protection top member, wherein the fixation member is a protection bottom member that is detachably attached to the protection top member. 
     
     
         3 . The rotation sensor assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the slots of the base bracket extend perpendicular to the one or more slots of the angle bracket. 
     
     
         4 . The rotation sensor assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the protection top member comprises an angled portion that is integrated to form a one-piece body having a V-shaped or L-shaped profile. 
     
     
         5 . The rotation sensor assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the protection member comprises a detachably attached reinforcement member extending between the protection top member and the protection bottom member. 
     
     
         6 . The rotation sensor assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the reinforcement member is U-shaped and has two parallel flange portions extending between a planar portion that is attached to the angled portion. 
     
     
         7 . The rotation sensor assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the protection member comprises a detachably attached reinforcement member extending between the protection top member and the protection bottom member. 
     
     
         8 . The rotation sensor assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion comprises a top bracket that is detachably attached to a second part of the angle bracket. 
     
     
         9 . The rotation sensor assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the top bracket is detachably attached to the second part of the angle bracket by bolts extending through the slots of the top bracket, wherein the slots provided in an upper portion of the base bracket and the one or more slots provided in the angle bracket are arranged such that the angle bracket can be rotated relative to the base bracket. 
     
     
         10 . The rotation sensor assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion comprises a top bracket that is detachably attached to the angle bracket. 
     
     
         11 . The rotation sensor assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the sensor base is attached to the top bracket. 
     
     
         12 . The rotation sensor assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor mounting member is provided with a threaded rod or bolt protruding from a bottom surface of the sensor mounting member. 
     
     
         13 . An excavator comprising a rotation sensor assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 a) the first portion is attached to a cap of the excavator and the fixation member is attached to the boom of the excavator; or   b) the first portion is attached to the boom of the excavator and the fixation member is attached to the cap of the excavator.   
     
     
         14 . A method for mounting the rotation sensor assembly of  claim 1  on an excavator, the method comprising:
 a) attaching the first portion to a cap of the excavator and the fixation member to the boom of the excavator; or 
 b) attaching the first portion to the boom of the excavator and the fixation member to the cap of the excavator.