Abstract: A method is provided for sensing proximity of a target. The method includes sensing inductance associated with a magnetic field, wherein the inductance is affected by the target when the target is proximate the magnetic field. The method further includes providing the sensed inductance for processing. The processing includes determining an inductance value from at least the sensed inductance and estimating a parameter of a gap between a location of sensing the inductance and the target as a function of the inductance value and application of a nonlinear model of a relationship between the gap and inductance.

Abstract: A method includes providing a jig including a predetermined center and a magnetron installed on the jig; rotating the magnetron and obtaining a measured first magnetic flux density at the predetermined center of the jig; defining a first area of the magnetron based on the measured first magnetic flux density; rotating the magnetron and measuring a plurality of second magnetic flux densities within the first area of the magnetron; deriving a measured second magnetic flux density among the plurality of second magnetic flux densities; comparing the measured second magnetic flux density with a predetermined threshold; and performing an operation based on the comparison.

Abstract: An electromagnetic gradiometer that includes multiple torsionally operated MEMS-based magnetic and/or electric field sensors with control electronics configured to provide magnetic and/or electric field gradient measurements. In one example a magnetic gradiometer includes a first torsionally operated MEMS magnetic sensor having a capacitive read-out configured to provide a first measurement of a received magnetic field, a second torsionally operated MEMS magnetic sensor coupled to the first torsionally operated MEMS magnetic sensor and having the capacitive read-out configured to provide a second measurement of the received magnetic field, and control electronics coupled to the first and second torsionally operated MEMS magnetic sensors and configured to determine a magnetic field gradient of the received magnetic field based the first and second measurements from the first and second torsionally operated MEMS electromagnetic sensors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining angular position in rotating machines. A repeating sequence of segments are arranged in a track disposed at a diameter around a shaft of a rotor that rotates about an axis. A sensor is positioned to face the track and is fixed relative to the stator. The track and the sensor face to each other, which may be in directions that are parallel to the axis. The sensor generates an output that is decoupled from the diameter of the track and is related to the repeating sequence of segments.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an inductive position sensor assembly is provided. The inductive sensor assembly includes a sensor and a coupler element. The sensor includes a transmitter coil having an inner diameter and an outer diameter and a receiver coil positioned within the outer diameter of the transmitter coil. The coupler element has a geometric continuous curve shape. The coupler element is positioned within the outer diameter of the transmitter coil such that a maximum diameter of the geometric continuous curve shape is the outer diameter of the transmitter coil. When the coupler element is moved, the geometric continuous curve shape of the coupler element modify an inductive coupling between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to xMR sensors, including giant magnetoresistive (GMR), tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) or anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR), and the configuration of xMR strips within xMR sensors. In an embodiment, an xMR strip includes a plurality of differently sized and/or differently oriented serially connected portions. In another embodiment, an xMR strip includes a varying width or other characteristic. Such configurations can address discontinuities associated with conventional xMR sensors and improve xMR sensor performance.

Abstract: A device includes an analog main signal path and a digital control circuit. The digital control circuit determines and provides a digital control signal to the analog main signal path to reduce a gain error of the analog main signal path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hall electromotive force signal detection circuit and a current sensor thereof each of which is able to achieve excellent wide-band characteristics and fast response as well as high accuracy. A difference calculation circuit samples a component synchronous with a chopper clock generated by a chopper clock generation circuit, out of an output voltage signal of a signal amplifier circuit, at a timing obtained from the chopper clock, so as to detect the component. An integrating circuit integrates an output from the difference calculation circuit in the time domain. An output voltage signal from the integrating circuit is fed back to a signal amplifier circuit via a third transconductance element.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various antenna assemblies, each antenna coil being disposed about a tool body section in an antenna pathway. The antenna pathway passes through alternating grooves and lands. In each embodiment, at least one of the grooves is disposed in the tool body section at a non-axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the tool body section. In an embodiment, the antenna coil is an axial coil or a tilted coil. Additional grooves oriented at axial direction may be disposed on the tool body section. Each of the antenna assemblies disclosed may be employed in an electromagnetic logging tool for providing directional measurements while drilling.

Abstract: A whisker sensor includes an upper circuit board, a lower circuit board, a flexible whisker, and a magnet. The magnet is fixed to the flexible whisker through a central through hole, and the location of the magnet changes with the swinging of the whisker; the upper and lower circuit boards are identical in shape and size, and are connected through an upright column. A circular hole is formed at the center of the upper circuit board, four Hall sensors are symmetrically distributed on the edge of the circular hole, and the displacement of the whisker in X and Y directions can be obtained by detecting the change in magnetic field generated by the change in location of the magnet; a contact sensor is mounted on the lower circuit board, and is connected to the whisker through a connecting piece, to detect displacement of the whisker in the Z direction.

Abstract: A movement sensor comprises a multi-pole ring magnet, a semiconductor substrate, a first magnetic sensor formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a second magnetic sensor formed on the semiconductor substrate. The first magnetic sensor is configured to produce a first output signal in response to movement of the multi-pole ring magnet, and a centroid of the first and second magnetic sensors are separate and radially aligned on the semiconductor substrate relative to the multi-pole ring magnet. The second magnetic sensor is arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to the first magnetic sensor and is configured to produce a second output signal in response to the movement of the multi-pole ring magnet. The predetermined angle is between 0° and 90° exclusive and is configured to produce a difference in phase between the first and second output signals in response to the movement of the multi-pole ring magnet.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes at least one coil responsive to an AC coil drive signal; at least one magnetic field sensing element responsive to a sensing element drive signal and configured to detect a directly coupled magnetic field generated by the at least one coil and to generate a magnetic field signal in response to the directly coupled magnetic field; a processor responsive to the magnetic field signal to compute a sensitivity value associated with detection of the directly coupled magnetic field and substantially independent of a reflected magnetic field reflected by a conductive target disposed proximate to the at least one magnetic field sensing element; and an output signal generator configured to generate an output signal of the magnetic field sensor indicative of the reflected magnetic field.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for trimming a magnetic field sensor having a first magnetic field sensing element. The trimming includes the use of a curve for normalized sensitivity of the first magnetic field sensing element derived from a first curve corresponding to current through a coil in a first direction at a first time. This produces a field affecting the first magnetic field sensing element versus an external field. The trimming further includes a second curve corresponding to current through the coil in a second direction opposite to the first direction at a second time to produce a field affecting the first magnetic field sensing element versus an external field.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method can include receiving, by an angle sensor, a first periodic angle signal indicative of an angle of a first magnetic field associated with a first track of a target; receiving, by the angle sensor, a second periodic angle signal indicative of an angle of a second magnetic field associated with a second track of the target; generating an uncorrected absolute angle signal indicative of an absolute angle of the target based on the first and second periodic angle signals; determining an estimated error associated with the uncorrected absolute angle signal based on the first periodic angle signal and the second periodic signal; subtracting the estimated error from the uncorrected absolute angle to generate a corrected absolute angle signal; and providing the corrected absolute angle signal as output of the angle sensor.

Abstract: A screening system for a magnetic rotary-encoder sensor system in an environment of a machine including a magnetic noise field, wherein the rotary-encoder sensor system comprises a magnetic sensor, a pole wheel, and preferably a pole-wheel carrier, wherein the pole wheel comprises in a circumferential direction a plurality of permanent magnets of alternating magnetic polarity generating a useful field, wherein the pole-wheel carrier is configured to be mounted in a rotationally-fixed manner to a rotating machine shaft extending axially, rotational speed and/or angular position of which is to be determined by means of the rotary-encoder sensor system, wherein the magnetic sensor is positioned, in a mounted state of the rotary-encoder sensor system relative to the machine shaft, in a rotational plane of the pole wheel, which can affect the noise field, and directly opposite to the pole wheel, wherein the screening system comprises at least one magnetically conducting, preferably machine-fixed, deflection elemen

Abstract: Embodiments relate to xMR sensors, including giant magnetoresistive (GMR), tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) or anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR), and the configuration of xMR strips within xMR sensors. In an embodiment, an xMR strip includes a plurality of differently sized and/or differently oriented serially connected portions. In another embodiment, an xMR strip includes a varying width or other characteristic. Such configurations can address discontinuities associated with conventional xMR sensors and improve xMR sensor performance.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a phase-locked loop to receive a measured magnetic field signal formed from sensing element output signals of a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements in response to a magnetic field. The phase-locked loop is configured to generate an angle signal having a value indicative of the angle of the magnetic field. Associated methods are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide sensing of quadrants, angles, or distance using magnetoresistive elements. A quadrant or angle sensor can have magnetoresistive elements split into multiple angles to generate an output with reduced harmonics. A distance sensor can have magnetoresistive elements split and spaced apart to generate an output with reduced harmonics. A biasing conductor can alternatingly carry different amounts of current (different in at least one of magnitude or direction) for DC offset compensation or cancellation.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor comprises a substrate and two comb-shaped soft ferromagnetic flux concentrators with an interdigitated structure formed on the substrate. The concentrators comprise N and N?1 rectangular comb teeth and corresponding comb seats wherein N is an integer greater than 1. Gaps are formed between the comb teeth of one concentrator and the comb seat of the other concentrator in an X direction. Adjacent comb teeth in a +Y direction form 2m?1 odd space gaps and 2m even space gaps. Here, m is an integer greater than zero and less than N. Push and pull magnetoresistive sensing element strings are located respectively in the odd space gaps and the even space gaps, and are electrically interconnected into a push-pull bridge. The magnetization alignment directions of the ferromagnetic pinned layer of the magnetic sensing element strings are Y direction.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a phase-locked loop to receive a measured magnetic field signal formed from sensing element output signals of a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements in response to a magnetic field. The phase-locked loop is configured to generate an angle signal having a value indicative of the angle of the magnetic field. Associated methods are also described.