Abstract: A proximity sensor 717 comprising a combination of an arbitrarily selected one of a plurality of types of detection end modules 707, a plurality of types of output circuit modules 709 and a plurality of types of outer shell cases 711. The detection end module 707 includes an integrated arrangement having a detection coil assembly (705, 701, 702) with the detection characteristic self-completed by a mask conductor 700 for reducing the conductor detection sensitivity in a specific peripheral area where the outer shell case is assumed to exist, and a detection circuit assembly (703) with the coil of the detection coil assembly as a resonance circuit element. The characteristics of the proximity sensor are completely adjusted before shipment. As a result, the adjustment of the characteristics which otherwise might be required each time is eliminated even in the case of the combination with an outer shell case of a different material.

Abstract: The invention discloses a sensor for 360-degree magnetic field angle measurement. It comprises multiple GMR (or MTJ) stripes with identical geometries except for their orientations. These are used as the building blocks for a pair of Wheatstone bridges that signal the direction of magnetization of their environment. The design greatly enhances sensitivity within GMR stripes and does not require an additional Hall sensor in order to cover the full 360 degree measurement range.

Abstract: The process margin for the manufacture of devices formed from multi-element MTJ or GMR devices has been widened by providing a method and structure to reset the magnetization directions of all pinned layers simultaneously so that their directions of magnetization become evenly distributed. This has the effect of minimizing non-linearity and hysteresis in these devices during their subsequent operation.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a new rotational position sensor, compound rotational position sensor and motor operated power steering device capable of detecting the rotational position of a rotation detection shaft of which a steering shaft is representative. According to a compound rotational position sensor of the present invention, the number of times a steering shaft has rotated from a reference position is identified by a rotational position sensor and the angle of rotation for one turn of the steering shaft is identified by an encoder. Furthermore, the current angle of rotation of the steering shaft may be specified as an absolute angle of rotation from the reference position based on these two pieces of rotational position information. Furthermore, since a magnetic circuit that is closed by the steering shaft and the base part is formed, the efficiency of the electromagnetic induction is improved, and the electric power consumed can be controlled.

Abstract: A in situ probe for the measurement of the geoelectrical properties of a geological formation. The probe serves as the interface between a standard acquisition system and the earth. The probe is customizable in its length and the type of electrodes used to make contact with the geologic formation. The probe is permanently installed for long term measurements, it contains closely spaced electrodes enabling a high vertical or depth resolution of measurements. The electrode type is customizable either stainless steel or non-polarizing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the rotor position of a stationary or slowly rotating synchronous machine by evaluating electrical test pulses that are obtained by applying voltage pulses to the individual phase windings of the stator, wherein changes in the inductance of the phase windings which are caused by saturation of the stator iron depending on the rotor position, are determined in opposite directions or current by calculating differences in the amount of current of two test pulses, and angle values being predetermined by the number of the phase windings are associated with the differences in the amount of current.

Abstract: The object of the invention relates to an encoder for a position sensor, including at least one junction (J) between one so-called small pole (P) and one so-called large pole (G), having an angular width larger than the angular width of the small pole, the small pole (P) and the large pole (G) corresponding to each junction (J) having polarities of opposite signs, characterized in that, for each junction (J), the large pole (G) of a given sign consists: of at least one small stabilizing pole (ps) of the same sign placed adjacent to the small pole (P) of opposite sign and having an angular width substantially identical with that of said first pole, one the one hand and of at least one complementary pole (pc) of the same sign as the stabilizing pole (ps), the complementary pole (pc) and/or the small stabilizing pole (ps) having a gradual magnetization profile adapted for stabilizing the passing through zero gauss of the radial component of the magnetic induction, on the other hand.

Abstract: Logging-while-drilling apparatus and methodologies for measuring streaming potential in an earth formation are provided. The apparatus and methodologies can be utilized to find information relevant to the drilling operations. In particular, since the streaming potential measurement relates directly to fluid flow, the streaming potential measurements can be used to track flow of fluids in the formation. In turn, this information may be used to find information relevant to the drilling operations, such as under-balanced drilling conditions, abnormal formation pressures, open fractures, the permeability of the formation, and formation pressure.

Abstract: A sensor component used to measure a magnetic field strength is disclosed. In one embodiment, the sensor component contains a plurality of leads and a sensor semiconductor chip, which measures the magnetic field strength. The sensor semiconductor chip has pads on its active upper side. These pads are connected electrically to the leads. The sensor component also contains a magnet, which is attached to the leads. The sensor semiconductor chip is arranged on an upper side of the magnet. The sensor component also has a first mold compound which shares a common boundary with the sensor semiconductor chip and surrounds the sensor semiconductor chip, the magnet and parts of the lead.

Abstract: An azimuthally sensitive logging while drilling tool is disclosed. The tool may be suitable, for example, to measure azimuthal variations of electrical properties of a subterranean formation. The tool includes at least one transmitter disposed to transmit electromagnetic energy and a longitudinally spaced receiver array. The receiver array includes a plurality of discrete magnetic field sensors deployed about a circumference of the tool body. In one exemplary embodiment, the tool includes six or more magnetic field sensors selected from either giant magnetoresistive sensors or anisotropic magnetoresistive sensors.

Abstract: A method for testing a reliable connection of an antenna includes a coil (L) or something similar connected to a reference potential on one side and to the output of an amplifier on the other side, a first capacitor (C2) arranged in a parallel position to the coil (1) and a second capacitor (C3) arranged between the terminal of the coil (1) and the reference potential. The method consists in emitting a signal by the amplifier, carrying out a first voltage measurement on the antenna terminal during a transient state, and in carrying out the second voltage measurement on the same antenna terminal in a steady-state condition. The method can be used for vehicle LF antennas.

Abstract: A magnetic field detector having a reference magnetoresistive element and a magnetic field detecting magnetoresistive element. The reference magnetoresistive element and the magnetic field detecting magnetoresistive element each has a stack structure including an antiferromagnetic layer, a fixed layer of a ferromagnetic material with the direction of magnetization fixed by the antiferromagnetic layer, a nonmagnetic layer, and a free layer of a ferromagnetic material with the direction of magnetization adapted to be changed by an external magnetic field. The reference magnetoresistive element is such that the direction of magnetization of the fixed layer and the direction of magnetization of the free layer in the nonmagnetic field are parallel or antiparallel to each other, and the magnetic field detecting magnetoresistive element is such that the direction of magnetization of the fixed layer and the direction of magnetization of the free layer in the nonmagnetic field are different from each other.

Abstract: A rotation detection device includes a cover member having an opening end, and a sensor body member which has a mounting portion protruding from a mounting-portion protrusion surface and a joint portion positioned around the mounting-portion protrusion surface. The opening end of the cover member is joined to the joint portion of the sensor body member in such a manner that a magnet is housed in the cover member and the mounting-portion protrusion surface is covered by the cover member. A magnetism detection unit is fixedly mounted to the mounting portion and arranged in the magnet. One of the joining surface of the opening end of the cover member and the joining surface of the sensor body member has at least one of a flange-shaped portion and a bent portion. The other of the joining surfaces has a shape corresponding to that of the one thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to locate and mark the surface position of an underground utility while maneuvering along the path of the utility. The apparatus uses an underground utility detector that responds to the location of an underground utility to continually position a carriage proximate vertical of the utility. Marker systems are aligned with the carriage and apply either a unique paint symbol on pavement or a spike in the ground. The apparatus is configured to use an underground utility detector or positioning equipment that generate positional signals. The apparatus may be configured to mark utility positions at predetermined intervals and mark utility offset positions. The apparatus may be attached to a vehicle, towed by a vehicle, motorized or propelled by a person.

Abstract: A system and method to detect angular rotation, linear displacement and/or surface deformations is presented. The method is based on the ability of a linear polarized light to interact with magnetic materials and to change its polarization angle due to Faraday effect. A basic structure of the system consists of a magneto-optic (MO) film with a two-domain structure and a single domain wall which are generated by gradient magnetic field produced by opposite polarity permanent magnets placed near the film. An AC magnetic field applied perpendicular to the MO film surface causes the magnetic domain wall in the MO film to oscillate at the same frequency. This leads to a detected output AC modulated signal. By measuring the temporal changes in this signal, information on angular rotation, linear displacement and/or surface deformation can be obtained.

Abstract: Two coil forming elements (12, 14) formed of conductor layers and a contact means (19), which is formed in an interlayer dielectric film (13) interposed between the conductor layers and brings the upper and lower coil forming elements into contact with each other through a via hole form a stacked coil (10). One end of the stacked coil is connected to an upper grounding layer (27) of a strip line (20), and the other end of the stacked coil is connected to a strip conductor (23) of the strip line. The number of turns of the stacked coil is larger than 1. A magnetic flux penetrating through the stacked coil increases to be able to induce a relatively large electromotive force. Thus, a high spatial resolution can be obtained easily.

Abstract: An angle-measurement device comprising at least one first tracer and one second tracer wherein the tracers are disposed on a common backing and are divided from one another by a separation groove.

Abstract: What is described is a magnetoresistive sensor for operation with a magnetized encoder, which is equipped with a zone with magnetic north and south poles arranged alternately along a direction of motion, comprising a Wheatstone bridge configuration with a first bridge arm between a first supply terminal and a first signal output terminal of the Wheatstone bridge configuration, a second bridge arm between the first supply terminal and a second signal output terminal of the Wheatstone bridge configuration, a third bridge arm between a second supply terminal and the first signal output terminal of the Wheatstone bridge configuration, and a fourth bridge arm between the second supply terminal and the second signal output terminal of the Wheatstone bridge configuration, wherein each of the bridge arms comprises an ohmic resistance element with a resistance-value dependence on the magnetic field strength of a magnetic field influencing the ohmic resistance element in accordance with a defined characteristic.

Abstract: An eddy current flaw detection sensor is provided which can detect a circumferential crack occurring at the deformed portion or peripheral portion thereof of a heat transfer tube with a high degree of sensitivity. Two excitation coils 1a, 1b cause eddy current B to flow in the axial direction of a tubular test object 31. A detection coil 2 disposed between the excitation coils 1a, 1b detects bypass eddy current D which flows in the circumferential direction of the test object 31 while bypassing a circumferential crack E. For this purpose, the coil axes of the excitation coils 1a, 1b are directed to the radial direction of the cylindrical protection member 3 and the coil axis of the detection coil 2 is directed to the axial direction of the protection member 3.

Abstract: A method for surface estimation of reservoir properties, wherein location of and average earth resistivities above, below, and horizontally adjacent to the subsurface geologic formation are first determined using geological and geophysical data in the vicinity of the subsurface geologic formation. Then dimensions and probing frequency for an electromagnetic source are determined to substantially maximize transmitted vertical and horizontal electric currents at the subsurface geologic formation, using the location and the average earth resistivities. Next, the electromagnetic source is activated at or near surface, approximately centered above the subsurface geologic formation and a plurality of components of electromagnetic response is measured with a receiver array. Geometrical and electrical parameter constraints are determined, using the geological and geophysical data.