Linkage of position sensor
US6018241A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 17, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 17, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B7/30
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An extremely reliable and effective position sensor is provided at low cost for determining the relative position of a mechanical linkage with respect to a reference point. The position sensor includes a rotor or bracket which is mechanically coupled to the linkage and contains at least two magnets on opposite walls adjacent a channel opening. The opposing magnets are formed with first and second sloped or ramped sections which produce produce variable magnetic fields as determined by the geometric profile of the magnets. One or more detectors are positioned in the air gap between the opposing magnets. As the linkage is moved, the rotor or bracket moves with respect to the detector causing a change in the strength of the magnetic field detected by the detector whereby the detector determines the position of the movable linkage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.