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:
Jul. 09, 2002
Filed:
Mar. 02, 2000
John F. Scarzello, Columbia, MD (US);
John J. Holmes, Columbia, MD (US);
Edward C. O'Keefe, Columbia, MD (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
A magnetic field sensor based on fluxgate magnetometric principles includes a magnetic core having a highly elongated oblong configuration and accordingly defining a closed magnetic flux path. The core includes flexible amorphous magnetic material. A drive winding is wound about each of two linear sections of the core. The two drive winding-wound linear core sections are closely coupled in parallel adjacent disposition. A sense winding is wound about the drive winding-wound core, thereby forming a narrow unitary strip-like sensor construction which, depending on the embodiment, can be practically any length. Typically, a very long sensor is situated huggingly or abuttingly with respect to a great expanse of a ferromagnetic material surface. The sensor is capable of generating a detectable signal which is representative of the “integration” of magnetic field components over the length of the core. The invention's integrative function minimizes measurement skewing or distortion attributable to anomalous characteristics of the ferromagnetic material being sensed. The invention's “integrative” sensor admits of systematic association with any number and diverse kinds of “point” sensors, in furtherance of more complete data acquisition.