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:
Dec. 31, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 30, 1999
Thomas M. Baker, Peoria, IL (US);
Christopher M. Seyfert, Peoria, IL (US);
Michael D. Seyfert, Peoria, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc, Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for transmitting a signal corresponding to a rotation of a spherical body. The apparatus includes a housing having an aperture, and a substantially spherical body having a first portion disposed within the housing so as to have a portion of the body disposed within the aperture, the spherical body operable to rotate within the housing. A first and second permanent magnets are disposed within the spherical body, and are operable to emit a magnetic field. A first magnetic sensing device is disposed within the housing, the first magnetic sensing device being operable to detect the magnetic fields and to generate a first output signal as a function of the strength of the magnetic fields. The first output signal is transmitted via a first conductive path coupled with the sensor.