Magnetek Controls

Patriot Sensors & Controls, Inc.

Arthur Dumais

Richard D Koski

William C Kosco

The present application discloses a magnetostrictive linear displacement detector with an axial coil torsional strain transducer. The displacement detector includes a magnetostrictive wire, a return wire and a magnet disposed for displacement along the magnetostrictive wire. A torsional strain sensor at the head end generates an electrical indication of the torsional strain within the magnetostrictive wire induced by passage of an electrical excitation by the position of the magnet. The torsional strain sensor includes two serially connected coils wound in opposite directions. The total length is short compared with the rate of electrical propagation within the magnetostrictive wire and long compared with the rate of torsional strain propagation within the magnetostrictive wire. The induced current within the two coils from electrical excitation of the magnetostrictive wire substantially cancel out because generally the whole sensor is excited simultaneously. The torsional magnetic disturbance accompanying the propagating strain, which is of a much narrower extent, generally induces current in only one of the two sections at a time. This transducer is advantageous because the response in not critically dependant on location.

Magnetostrictive linear position detector with axial coil torsional

A magnetostrictive linear displacement detector includes a dual pole magnet assembly. The displacement detector includes a magnetostrictive wire, a return wire and a magnet disposed for displacement along the magnetostrictive wire. A torsional strain sensor at the head end generates an electrical indication of the torsional strain within the magnetostrictive wire induced by passage of an electrical excitation by the position of the magnet. The magnet of this invention is a cylindrical magnetic bipole. The magnet includes two toroidal magnet sections. The first toroidal magnet section has radially disposed magnetic poles with the South pole directed inwardly and the North pole directed outwardly. The second toroidal magnet is a similar radial magnet except that it has its North pole directly inwardly and its South pole directly outwardly. The magnet assembly has a length preferably no more than one half inch. This length should be short in relation to the total length of the measurement range. This dual pole magnet assembly may also be used in a reciprocal system by producing a torsional strain at the head end and detecting an electrical response when the torsional strain passes the dual pole magnet assembly.

Magnetostrictive linear position detector and a dual pole position

A magnetostrictive linear displacement detector with increased position resolution includes a magnetostrictive wire anchored at opposite head and foot ends with a reflection termination at the foot end and a damping termination at the head end. A return wire is connected to the foot end of the magnetostrictive wire. The magnetostrictive wire is electrically excited at its head end. A variable position to be detected is represented by a magnet disposed for displacement along the magnetostrictive wire. A torsional motion sensor at the head end generates an electrical indication of the torsional motion within the magnetostrictive wire induced by passage of the electrical excitation by the position of the magnet. The displacement is determined from the interval of time between the detection of the torsional motion traveling directly from the magnet and the detection of the torsional motion reflected from the reflection termination. The reflection termination preferably consists of a brass cylindrical torus having a hole through which said magnetostrictive wire is passed and attached via a set screw. In an alternative embodiment the magnetostrictive wire is torsionally excited and the responses are detected electrically.

Magnetostrictive linear position detector with reflection termination

A liquid level detector of the type in which a magnetostrictive wire extends through the liquid level measurement range and is captured in a tensioned vertical orientation within a stainless steel tube. Liquid level is measured as a function of the time required for a torsional disturbance imparted the wire near the top to travel along the wire to a magnet which is contained within a liquid level float which slides up and down along the tube. The torsional disturbances imparted to the wire by means of a piezoelectric crystal to which the wire is easily clamped. Accuracy is enhanced by measuring liquid level as a function of the elapsed time between an actuation signal and the first zero crossing of the voltage which is induced as the torsional strain passes through the area of influence of the sliding magnet.

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Rochester, MI, United States of America

Arthur Dumais