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:
Sep. 26, 2006
Filed:
Jun. 16, 2004
Robert E. Bicking, Freeport, IL (US);
Robert E. Bicking, Freeport, IL (US);
Honeywell International Inc., Morristown, NJ (US);
Abstract
A proximity sensor that is capable of producing a relatively larger output signal than past proximity sensors, and in some cases, an output signal that is relatively independent of the speed at which a target passes the sensor. In one illustrative embodiment, the proximity sensor includes a first magnetoresistive resistor and a second magnetoresistive resistor connected in a bridge configuration. The first magnetoresistive resistor is spaced from the second magnetoresistive resistor along the path of a moving ferrous target. A bias magnet source is positioned behind the proximity sensor, and the ferrous target passes in front of the proximity sensor. The ferrous target alters the direction of the bias magnetic field in the vicinity of the first and second magnetoresistive resistors as the ferrous target passes by the proximity sensor. Flux concentrators are positioned proximate to each of the first and second magnetoresistive resistors. The flux concentrators may help redirect or shunt the magnetic field component produced by the bias magnet source that is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the target through the first and second magnetoresistive resistors in a direction that is parallel to the direction of motion of the target.