Mechanically adjustable linear-output angular position sensor
US5497081A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 28, 1993 |
| Grant date | Mar 5, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D3/0365
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An angular position sensor for sensing the angular position of a pivotally mounted device includes a magnetically sensitive device, such as a Hall effect IC, and a plurality of flux concentrators, rigidly disposed relative to the Hall effect IC, forming an assembly. The assembly is disposed in a housing a fixed distance from a rotatably mounted standard magnet defining a fixed air gap therebetween. The magnet is disposed in rotatably mounted magnet holder which also acts as a drive arm that is adapted to be mechanically coupled to a pivotally mounted device. The configuration of the flux concentrators assembled to the magnetically sensitive device cause the output of the Hall effect IC to be generally linear. In order to avoid problems associated with electrically adjustable angular position sensors, the angular position sensor in accordance with the present invention is adjusted mechanically. In particular, a flux concentrator, preferably having a halo shape, is disposed adjacent the magnet. The sensor is calibrated by varying the distance between the halo-shaped flux concentrator and the magnet. In one embodiment of the invention, the halo-shaped flux concentrator is formed to pr…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.