The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Feb. 05, 2002

Filed:

Mar. 05, 1999
Applicant:
Inventors:

John J. Holmes, Columbia, MD (US);

John F. Scarzello, Columbia, MD (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01R 3/302 ; G01R 3/3032 ; G01R 3/304 ; G01R 3/309 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G01R 3/302 ; G01R 3/3032 ; G01R 3/304 ; G01R 3/309 ;
Abstract

The invention uniquely avails of Fourier analytical principles for determining the distribution of a magnetic field in a one-dimensional (linear), two-dimensional (planar) or three-dimensional (spatial) region of interest. According to many embodiments, integrating sensor apparatus having an associated length is inventively implemented so as to measure the magnetic field amplitude value for each of two or more different points. Alternating current is applied at at least one high frequency whereby, for each such frequency, the associated wavelength corresponds to some multiple of the sensor's length. Coiled around the sensor is/are one or more solenoids which is/are configured so as to establish a standing wave along the sensor's length. Inventive adaptation of the sensor's integrating function basically entails regarding a Fourier-type harmonic bias function as being consequential of the standing wave. A Fourier coefficient is thus inventively found for each selected multiple of the sensor's length. The invention is especially advantageous because a single inventive sensor is capable of measuring a magnetic field distribution of virtually unlimited expanse, the extensiveness of which would conventionally require a multiplicity of arrayed sensors.


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