Abstract: Accelerometer with Hall effect sensor. The accelerometer may have a rounded magnetic assembly with rounded flux concentrator, such as a C-shape or horseshoe. Opposing ends of the concentrator may each have a magnet and form a gap having a highly-concentrated, non-linear magnetic field. Opposing ends of the concentrator may have a reduced width, such as cone-shaped. A Hall sensor may be located within or near the gap. The sensor or magnet may be moveably supported by a spring. The sensor may move perpendicularly relative to a direction of the magnetic field lines. A second magnet may be included, for example adjacent the gap, to provide a second set of magnetic field lines with shallower gradient for lower sensitivity. Movement of the sensor within the two magnetic fields may provide multiple wide-ranging sensitivities, such as “X” V/g as well as X/500 mV/g or X/5,000 mV/g.

Abstract: An electrical interconnection comprises a first magnetic conductor and a second magnetic conductor. The second magnetic conductor is magnetically attracted to the first magnetic conductor to establish an electrical conductive path between the first and second magnetic conductors.

Abstract: An electrical interconnection comprises a first magnetic conductor and a second magnetic conductor. The second magnetic conductor is magnetically attracted to the first magnetic conductor to establish an electrical conductive path between the first and second magnetic conductors.

Abstract: A directional vibration measurement system as described herein includes a magnetic element coupled to a vibrating component, at least two magnetic induction sensors configured to generate sensor signals in response to movement of the magnetic element, and a controller/processor coupled to the sensors for obtaining and processing the sensor signals. The sensors are positioned such that the direction of vibration can be resolved by analyzing and processing the sensor signals. In one example embodiment, the phase relationship between the sensor signals is analyzed to determine the extent of vibration in a first direction and the extent of vibration in a second direction. In another example embodiment, the directional vibration measurement system generates sum and difference signals based upon the sensor signals, and the sum and difference signals are analyzed to determine the extent of vibration in a first direction and the extent of vibration in a second direction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for measuring multiple operating parameters of a rotating shaft with a sensor. One embodiment of the apparatus comprises a sensor in close proximity to a matched pair of thumbnail depressions on the surface of a rotating shaft body. The thumbnail depressions enable the sensor to detect axial displacement and rotational speed of the shaft in addition to detecting radial displacement of the shaft body. Signal processing circuitry analyzes the sensor output data and computes separate values for the axial displacement, speed and radial displacement parameters. Additional filtering and signal processing techniques can be used to ascertain peak axial displacement, to reduce noise, and to compute other parameters, such as acceleration and power spectral density.

Abstract: A hybrid speed and or proximity sensor may include a variable reluctance sensor with an added excitation circuit. Similarly, a hybrid speed and or proximity sensor may include a variable inductance proximity sensor having a magnet and a magnetically permeable pole piece added in the sensor. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A hybrid speed and or proximity sensor may include a variable reluctance sensor with an added excitation circuit. Similarly, a hybrid speed and or proximity sensor may include a variable inductance proximity sensor having a magnet and a magnetically permeable pole piece added in the sensor. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.