Magnetic position sensor having a stepped magnet interface
US6731109B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 4, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D5/145
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A non-contacting magnetic position sensor that produces a magnetic field having improved linear characteristics over an extended sensing range. The magnetic position sensor includes a pair of magnets, a pair of pole pieces extending between the magnets and spaced apart to define an air gap, and a magnetic flux sensor operable to sense varying magnitudes of magnetic flux density along the length of the air gap. The pole piece segments form a stepped interface with each of the magnets and cooperate with the magnets to provide a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density that varies in a substantially linear manner along substantially the entire length of the air gap. The magnetic flux sensor is positioned within the magnetic field and is operable to sense a magnitude of the varying magnetic flux density along the air gap and to provide an output signal representative of a position of the magnetic flux sensor relative to the magnetic field.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.