Patent · US Expired

Position sensing for moveable mechanical systems and associated methods and apparatus

US7116100B1 · kind B1 · utility

1,035Cited by
3References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 21, 2005
Grant dateOct 3, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 21, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01D2205/28
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Position sensing of movable elements including but not limited to machine components is disclosed. Motion of a movable element can produce motion of a magnetic field, which can be detected by magnetic sensors. The motion and/or variations of a magnetic field and/or a magnetic flux may be produced by any combination of a motion of the sensors, associated magnets, or associated magnetic material. Magnetic sensors may be capable of measuring either rotary, or linear motion, or both. Such sensors can provide indication of an incremental position change, an absolute position, or both. Absolute position and high-resolution position sensing may be produced for measurement of either linear and/or angular motion. Suitable magnetic sensors include, but are not limited to, Hall effect devices and/or magneto-resistive elements, and may include multi-element magnetic sensors. Suitable signal conditioning and/or control means such as control electronics can be used to receive output signals from the sensors.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.