Honeywell International Inc.

Michael L Freeman

Hong Wan

Edgar Robert Mallison

Ryan W Rieger

Charles H Von Beck

A smart switch has a magnetic operator, at least one magnetic sensor located to sense movement of the magnetic operator, and a processor that processes an output of the magnetic sensor so as to detect right and left over travel ranges and a normal operating range of the magnetic operator. The magnetic sensor may be a magnetoresistive sensor.

Magnetoresistive smart switch

Systems and methods for determining linear position are disclosed. An example system includes a magnet with first and second magnetic poles. The first and second magnetic poles define an axis of the magnet. The system also includes a magnetoresistive sensor comprising a magnetoresistive sensor structure. The magnetoresistive sensor structure defines a plane that, in the system, is oriented out-of-plane with the axis of the magnet. In operation, the magnet travels, with respect to the magnetoresistive sensor, along a substantially linear path of travel that is substantially parallel to the plane defined by the sensor structure, such that the sensor operates in a saturation mode when the magnet is located along a given portion of the path of travel. When operating in the saturation mode, the magnetoresistive sensor produces an electrical signal that corresponds with a linear position of the magnet along the given portion of the path of travel.

Method and system for linear positioning

An improved torque sensing arrangement includes a magnetoelastic ring on a rotatable shaft, along with two or more magnetic field sensors. The ring has at least two magnetic bands magnetized in opposite directions to produce at least two magnetic fields. Alternatively, the rotatable shaft could be magnetized into bands, eliminating the need for a magnetoelastic ring. The magnetic field sensors are positioned next to, but not contacting, the bands, and can be used to measure the field strength, which can be converted to torque. The sensors are preferably positioned to either side of the peak axial magnetic field strength areas of the bands, one offset from the center of one band in a first direction and the other offset from the center of the other band in a second direction opposite the first direction, thereby limiting the average change in the reading when the fields move under the shaft.

Growing community of inventors

Saint Paul, MN, United States of America

Michael L Freeman