Abstract: A smart angular position sensor includes electronic circuitry for automatically compensating for errors in the output signal of the sensor. The electronic circuitry includes an electronic memory for storing predetermined compensation values used to compensate the output signal of the sensor. The predetermined compensation values are determined by comparing the output signal of the sensor with ideal values at predetermined angular positions. The deviation of the actual values relative to the ideal values is used in determining the compensation values. The compensation values are stored in the electronic memory and are used to automatically compensate the output signal of the sensor.

Abstract: A proximity sensor which includes a bar magnet having opposing North and South poles and two magnetic responsive sensors disposed on a lateral face of the magnet between the opposing North and South poles and a pair of corresponding flux concentrators, configured such that the magnetic responsive sensors are sandwiched between the magnet and the flux concentrators along a lateral face of the magnet between opposing pole faces forming a dual-element sensor assembly. In one embodiment the dual-element sensor assembly is adapted to be utilized with a two-channel ferrous target, a target wheel having ferrous targets that are axially separated to correspond to the two-channel sensor assembly. In this embodiment the sensors are configured such that the longitudinal axis of the sensor is generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the ferrous target wheel.

Abstract: An angular position sensor for sensing the angular position of a pivotally mounted device includes a magnetically sensitive device, such as a Hall effect IC, and a plurality of flux concentrators, rigidly disposed relative to the Hall effect IC, forming an assembly. The assembly is disposed in a housing a fixed distance from a rotatably mounted standard magnet defining a fixed air gap therebetween. The magnet is disposed in rotatably mounted magnet holder which also acts as a drive arm that is adapted to be mechanically coupled to a pivotally mounted device. The configuration of the flux concentrators assembled to the magnetically sensitive device cause the output of the Hall effect IC to be generally linear. In order to avoid problems associated with electrically adjustable angular position sensors, the angular position sensor in accordance with the present invention is adjusted mechanically. In particular, a flux concentrator, preferably having a halo shape, is disposed adjacent the magnet.

Abstract: An angular position sensor for sensing the angular position of a pivotally mounted device includes a magnetically sensitive device, such as a Hall effect IC, and a plurality of flux concentrators, rigidly disposed relative to the Hall effect IC, forming an assembly. The assembly is disposed in a housing a fixed distance from a rotatably mounted standard magnet defining a fixed air gap therebetween. The magnet is disposed in rotatably mounted magnet holder which also acts as a drive arm that is adapted to be mechanically coupled to a pivotally mounted device. The configuration of the flux concentrators assembled to the magnetically sensitive device cause the output of the Hall effect IC to be generally linear. In order to avoid problems associated with electrically adjustable angular position sensors, the angular position sensor in accordance with the present invention is adjusted mechanically. In particular, a flux concentrator, preferably having a halo shape, is disposed adjacent the magnet.

Abstract: A ferrous object sensor assembly is capable of sensing the presence or absence of an object of high magnetic permeability, such as a tooth or notch on a rotatably mounted ferrous wheel at zero speed and immediately upon power-up and, thus, may also be used as a proximity sensor. The ferrous object sensor assembly is comprised of a permanent magnet and a magnetic flux responsive sensor having a sensing plane which produces an electrical output signal which varies as a function of the change in magnetic flux density. The ferrous body sensor assembly does not rely upon pole face magnetism as some known conventional sensors but, rather, relies upon a the radial component of magnetic flux density emanating from a lateral surface of the magnet, intermediate opposing pole faces. Since the ferrous object sensor assembly does not rely on pole face magnetism, its electrical output signal is relatively stable over a relatively wide temperature range.