Wabash Technologies, Inc.

Optek Technology, Inc.

Robert Herman Luetzow

Kenneth A Brown

Gary W Johnson

Jeff Tola

Steeve D Tran

David Anthony Ventroni

Jeremias R Porras

Kenneth Charles Mumper

A magnetic rotational position sensor comprising a magnetic circuit including a loop pole piece and a magnet, and a magnetic flux sensor adapted to sense varying magnitudes of magnetic flux density associated with the magnetic circuit. The loop pole piece has a peripheral outer wall defining an inner air gap, with the outer wall including an inwardly projecting portion extending into the air gap. The magnet is positioned within the air gap generally opposite the inwardly projecting portion of the loop pole piece. The magnet and the loop pole piece cooperate to generate a magnetic field within the air gap. The magnetic circuit is rotatable about a rotational axis to correspondingly rotate the magnetic field about the rotational axis. The magnetic flux sensor is disposed within the magnetic field to sense a different magnitude of magnetic flux density in response to rotation of the magnetic field about the rotational axis.

Magnetic rotational position sensor

A magnetic position sensor including a pair of magnets of opposite polarity which are spaced apart to define an air gap extending along an axis, and a pair of shaped pole pieces at least partially disposed within the air gap and positioned adjacent respective ones of the magnets. The pole pieces are formed of a composite material comprising a non-magnetic material and a magnetizable material. The pole pieces cooperate with the magnets to generate a magnetic field that is substantially symmetrical relative to the axis and which has a magnetic flux density that linearly varies along the axis. A magnetic flux sensor is positioned within the magnetic field to sense varying magnitudes of magnetic flux density along the axis through a sensing plane oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis. The magnetic flux sensor generates an output signal uniquely representative of a sensed magnitude of the magnetic flux density.

Magnetic position sensor having shaped pole pieces at least partially formed of a non-magnetic material for producing a magnetic field having varying magnetic flux density along an axis

A magnetic incremental motion detection system ( ) for outputting a plurality of voltage and/or current signals in digital form wherein the voltage and/or current signals are a collective representation of any incremental rotational, linear, or pivotal movement of an object. A target ( ) of the system ( ) is adjoined to an object to synchronously move with the object. A plurality of indications ( ) are adjoined to the target ( ), and uniformly and serially disposed along an area ( ) of a surface ( ) of the target ( ). The system further comprises one or more magnetic sensors ( ) spatially positioned from the area of the surface to define air gap areas therebetween. Each of the magnetic sensors ( ) are operable to output an analog signal in response to a synchronous movement of the target with the object, and one of two digital circuits ( ) output a digital signal in response to the analog signal. The circuitry includes means for compensating for offset in the output signals of the magnetic sensors.

Magnetic sensing device with offset compensation

A magnetic sensor is provided which includes a pair of magnets and a pair of shaped pole pieces positioned adjacent respective ones of the magnets and spaced apart to define an air gap therebetween. The magnets and the shaped pole pieces cooperate to provide a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density that varies along a length of the air gap. A magnetic flux sensor is positioned within the magnetic field to sense varying magnitudes of magnetic flux density along the length of the air gap and to generate an output signal representative of a position of the magnetic flux sensor relative to the magnetic field. In one embodiment, the air gap defines a varying width to provide varying magnitudes of magnetic flux density along the length. In another embodiment, the shaped pole pieces include portions of varying thickness to provide varying magnitudes of magnetic flux density along the length.

Magnetic position sensor having shaped pole pieces to provide a magnetic field having a varying magnetic flux density field strength

Magnetic position sensor having shaped pole pieces for improved output linearity

A magnetic rotational position sensor senses each rotational position of a control shaft about a first rotational axis over a definable range of rotation of the control shaft. The magnetic rotational position sensor includes a magnetic circuit, a magnetic flux sensor, a drive circuit, and an output signal amplifier. The magnetic circuit encloses an equally balanced magnetic field, and is adjoined to the control shaft to synchronously rotate the magnetic field about a second rotational axis. The magnetic flux sensor is disposed within the magnetic field to sense each rotational position of the control shaft as the control shaft is rotated about the first rotational axis over the definable range of rotation. The drive circuit is operable to generate a constant current drive signal and a constant voltage drive signal. In response to a generated constant current drive signal and a generated constant voltage drive signal, the magnetic flux sensor generates two voltage sensing signals representative of a sensing of each rotational position of the control shaft about the first rotational axis over the definable range of rotation. In response to a generation of the voltage sensing signals, the output signal amplifier is operable to generate a voltage output signal that is also representative of a sensing of each rotational position of the control shaft about the first rotational axis over the definable range of rotation. The generated voltage output signal can be processed by a microprocessor based system to control all rotational movements of the control shaft about the first rotational axis.

A magnetic rotational position sensor for sensing each rotational position of a control shaft about a first axis over a definable range of rotation. The position sensor generally includes a magnetic circuit and a pair of magnetic flux sensors. The magnetic circuit is comprised of a ring pole piece defining an air gap area and a magnet disposed within the air gap area. The ring pole piece and the magnet cooperate to produce a magnetic field within the air gap area. The magnetic circuit is adjoined to the control shaft to synchronously rotate the magnetic field about a second axis. The pair of magnetic flux sensors are disposed within the magnetic field to sense each rotational position of the control shaft as the control shaft is rotated about the first axis over the definable range of rotation.

Magnetic rotational position sensor having dual magnetic flux sensor capabilities

A magnetic incremental motion detection system for outputting a plurality of voltage and/or current signals in digital form wherein the voltage and/or current signals are a collective representation of any incremental rotational, linear, or pivotal movement of an object. A target of the system is adjoined to an object to synchronously move with the object. A plurality of indications are adjoined to the target, and uniformly and serially disposed along an area of a surface of the target. The system further comprises one or more magnetic sensing devices spatially positioned from the area of the surface to define air gap areas therebetween. Each of the magnetic sensing devices are operable to output a digital signal in response to a synchronous movement of the target with the object. The outputted digital signals have the same duty cycle, and are consistently out of phase with each other by the same degree.

Magnetic incremental motion detection system and method

A magnetic rotational position sensor for sensing the rotational position of a control shaft about a first axis over a definable range of rotation is disclosed. The magnetic rotational position sensor includes a magnetic circuit formed by a peripherally interrupted outer pole piece defining an air gap and a magnet disposed within the air gap to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic circuit is adjoined to the control shaft to synchronously rotate the magnetic field about a second axis. A magnetic flux sensor is disposed within the magnetic field to sense the rotational position of the control shaft as the control shaft is rotated about the first axis over the definable range of rotation.

Magnetic rotational position sensor having a peripherally interrupted outer pole piece

A magnetic incremental motion detection system for outputting a plurality of voltage and/or current signals in analog or digital form wherein the voltage and/or current signals are a collective representation of any incremental rotational, linear, or pivotal movement of an object. A target of the system is adjoined to an object to synchronously move with the object. A plurality of indications are adjoined to the target, and uniformly and serially disposed along an area of a surface of the target. The system further comprises one or more magnetic sensors spatially positioned from the area of the surface to define air gap areas therebetween. Each of the magnetic sensors are operable to output at least one analog signal in response to a synchronous movement of the target with the object. The outputted analog signals have the same duty cycle, and are consistently out of phase with each other by the same degree.

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Lytle, CA, United States of America

Robert Herman Luetzow