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:
Oct. 09, 2007
Filed:
Apr. 18, 2006
Ashley Elwood Greer, Moline, IL (US);
James Edward Lenz, Fargo, ND (US);
Ashley Elwood Greer, Moline, IL (US);
James Edward Lenz, Fargo, ND (US);
Deere & Company, Moline, IL (US);
Abstract
A shaft comprises a hardened outer metallic layer having a first hardness level with a generally uniform radial depth. A first strip extends in a generally longitudinal direction in the outer metallic layer. The first strip has a second hardness level different from the first hardness level. A second strip in the outer metallic layer has the second hardness level. The first strip and the second strip are spaced apart from each other over at least a longitudinal region. A sensor senses an angular difference between a first magnetic field associated with the first strip and a second magnetic field associated with the second strip. A data processor references an established relationship between a position of the shaft and the angular difference between magnetic fields associated with the first strip and the second strip to detect a position of the shaft with respect to a reference point.