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.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 12, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 12, 1999
Lutz Axel May, Berkshire, GB;
Adrian Paul Brokaw, Burlington, MA (US);
Fast Technology AG, , DE;
Abstract
A circuit for sensing a magnetic field has at least one saturable coil (L ). The circuit includes switches (S , S ) controlled by a comparator ( ) to drive the coil (L ) to saturation by alternating polarities of current. In the absence of an external magnetic field the currents are balanced. An applied external magnetic field causes an unbalance in the coil (L ) in reaching saturation. An unbalance current is applied through a sensing resistor (R ) to an integrator ( ) to develop an output voltage (V ) as a measure of the applied magnetic field. The switches (S , S ) are implemented by transistor switches. Dual (FIG. ) and single (FIG. ) supply rail circuits are disclosed. The circuit finds particular application in torque transducers using magnetoelastic elements.