Patents by Inventor Joseph Nichols

Joseph Nichols has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12332089
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor package comprising a magnetic multi-turn sensor die and a magnetic single turn sensor die, in which both sensor dies are packaged on the same lead frame. A method of manufacturing the magnetic sensor package is also provided. A magnetic sensor system comprising a rotating magnet and the magnetic sensor package, where the sensor package is arranged so that both sensor dies sit within a homogenous magnetic field, thereby ensuring that the output signal of each sensor is not corrupted by any stray fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Aude Richard, Michael Mueller-Aulmann, Peter James Tonge, Monsoon Dutt, Jan Kubik, John O'Dowd, Enda Joseph Nicholl, Stephen O'Brien, Jochen Schmitt, Robert Guyol, Christian Nau, Colin P. Giles, Brian O'Mara, Wenmei Wang
  • Publication number: 20250044125
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to multi-turn magnetic sensing systems and methods with rollover counting. In response to a multi-turn magnetic sensor reaching a maximum value, the multi-turn magnetic sensor can be reset and an index value can be updated. A decoder can determine a turn count based on the index value and the state of the multi-turn magnetic sensor. The turn count can have a magnitude greater than a number of turns of the multi-turn magnetic sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: Enda Joseph Nicholl, Dara Lorcan O'Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20250044124
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to multi-turn magnetic sensing systems and related methods. A system can include a first multi-turn magnetic sensor and a second multi-turn magnetic sensor, in which domain walls propagate in an opposite direction in the second multi-turn magnetic sensor relative to the first multi-turn magnetic sensor in response to a magnetic field. A decoder can output a turn count that is based on states of the first and second multi-turn sensors. The first and second multi-turn sensors can have a reset state that corresponds to the turn count having a value between minimum and maximum values of a counting range relative to the reset state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: Enda Joseph Nicholl, Dara Lorcan O'Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20240060796
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor package comprising a magnetic multi-turn sensor die and a magnetic single turn sensor die, in which both sensor dies are packaged on the same lead frame. A method of manufacturing the magnetic sensor package is also provided. A magnetic sensor system comprising a rotating magnet and the magnetic sensor package, where the sensor package is arranged so that both sensor dies sit within a homogenous magnetic field, thereby ensuring that the output signal of each sensor is not corrupted by any stray fields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Aude Richard, Michael Mueller-Aulmann, Peter James Tonge, Monsoon Dutt, Jan Kubik, John O'Dowd, Enda Joseph Nicholl, Stephen O'Brien, Jochen Schmitt, Robert Guyol, Christian Nau, Colin P. Giles, Brian O'Mara, Wenmei Wang
  • Patent number: 11761793
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor package comprising a magnetic multi-turn sensor die and a magnetic single turn sensor die, in which both sensor dies are packaged on the same lead frame. A method of manufacturing the magnetic sensor package is also provided. A magnetic sensor system comprising a rotating magnet and the magnetic sensor package, where the sensor package is arranged so that both sensor dies sit within a homogenous magnetic field, thereby ensuring that the output signal of each sensor is not corrupted by any stray fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Aude Richard, Michael Mueller-Aulmann, Peter James Tonge, Monsoon Dutt, Jan Kubik, John O'Dowd, Enda Joseph Nicholl, Stephen O'Brien, Jochen Schmitt, Robert Guyol, Christian Nau, Colin P. Giles, Brian O'Mara, Wenmei Wang
  • Patent number: 11637482
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a magnetic sensor system for monitoring the position of the rotor relative to the stator for use in electronic motor commutation. The system uses two magnetic sensors with a back bias magnet, the magnetic sensors being configured to detect changes in the magnetic field direction caused by the magnetic field interacting with two moveable targets that are being rotated by the motor shaft. The unique phase shift between the signals measured at each sensor can thus be used to determine the relative position between the stator and the rotor. In this respect, the system makes use of the Nonius or Vernier principle to measure rotational displacement, however, the scale of the encoder is defined by the number of motor pole pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Jochen Schmitt, Enda Joseph Nicholl
  • Patent number: 11614341
    Abstract: A system includes a magnetic sensor that can store a magnetic state associated with a number of accumulated turns of a magnetic target. The magnetic sensor may work in conjunction with a magnetic target. The magnetic target may produce a magnetic field that, at some positions, drops below a magnetic window of the magnetic sensor. The magnetic target may produce a magnetic field that is within the magnetic window when needed to update the magnetic state of the sensor to keep track of the accumulated turns of the magnetic target. The magnetic sensor may be initialized with one or more domain walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Jochen Schmitt, Enda Joseph Nicholl
  • Patent number: 11596392
    Abstract: An orthopedic distraction device is provided. The orthopedic distraction device includes a first upper paddle for engaging a first bone of a joint, a lower paddle for engaging a second bone of the joint and a displacement mechanism. The displacement mechanism includes a drive assembly operable to move the upper paddle relative to the lower paddle. The lower paddle is releasably connected to the displacement mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: OMNIlife science, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Plaskos, Christian Joly, Frederic Leger, Martin Joseph Nichols
  • Patent number: 11460323
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor package is disclosed. The package includes a substrate that has a front side and a back side opposite the front side. The substrate can comprise a lead frame. The package also includes a first magnetic field sensor die that is electrically and mechanically mounted on the front side of the substrate. The package also includes a second magnetic field sensor die that is electrically and mechanically mounted on the front side of the substrate. The package further includes a magnet that is disposed on the back side of the substrate. The magnet can provide a bias field for the first magnetic field sensor die and the second magnetic field sensor die. The package can also include a molding material that is disposed about the lead frame, the first magnetic field sensor die, the second magnetic field sensor die, and the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: ANALOG DEVICES INTERNATIONAL UNLIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: Jochen Schmitt, Michael J. Cusack, Enda Joseph Nicholl, Brian O'Mara
  • Publication number: 20220252427
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor package is disclosed. The package includes a substrate that has a front side and a back side opposite the front side. The substrate can comprise a lead frame. The package also includes a first magnetic field sensor die that is electrically and mechanically mounted on the front side of the substrate. The package also includes a second magnetic field sensor die that is electrically and mechanically mounted on the front side of the substrate. The package further includes a magnet that is disposed on the back side of the substrate. The magnet can provide a bias field for the first magnetic field sensor die and the second magnetic field sensor die. The package can also include a molding material that is disposed about the lead frame, the first magnetic field sensor die, the second magnetic field sensor die, and the magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Jochen Schmitt, Michael J. Cusack, Enda Joseph Nicholl, Brian O'Mara
  • Patent number: 11369358
    Abstract: An orthopedic distraction device is provided. The orthopedic distraction device includes a first upper paddle for engaging a first bone of a joint, a lower paddle for engaging a second bone of the joint and a displacement mechanism. The displacement mechanism includes a drive assembly operable to move the upper paddle relative to the lower paddle. The lower paddle is releasably connected to the displacement mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: OMNIlife science, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Plaskos, Christian Joly, Frederic Leger, Martin Joseph Nichols
  • Publication number: 20220175359
    Abstract: An orthopedic distraction device is provided. The orthopedic distraction device includes a first upper paddle for engaging a first bone of a joint, a lower paddle for engaging a second bone of the joint and a displacement mechanism. The displacement mechanism includes a drive assembly operable to move the upper paddle relative to the lower paddle. The lower paddle is releasably connected to the displacement mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: OMNIlife science, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Plaskos, Christian Joly, Frederic Leger, Martin Joseph Nichols
  • Publication number: 20220115932
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a magnetic sensor system for monitoring the position of the rotor relative to the stator for use in electronic motor commutation. The system uses two magnetic sensors with a back bias magnet, the magnetic sensors being configured to detect changes in the magnetic field direction caused by the magnetic field interacting with two moveable targets that are being rotated by the motor shaft. The unique phase shift between the signals measured at each sensor can thus be used to determine the relative position between the stator and the rotor. In this respect, the system makes use of the Nonius or Vernier principle to measure rotational displacement, however, the scale of the encoder is defined by the number of motor pole pairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Jochen Schmitt, Enda Joseph Nicholl
  • Patent number: 11248971
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a magnetic sensor system for measuring any desired combination of measuring torque, rotation angle, and turn count of a shaft. The shaft may include two portions connected by a torsion element. The system can measure rotation angle using a magnetic target coupled to the shaft that produces a magnetic field that varies as a function of rotation angle. The system can measure torque applied to the shaft by measuring the difference in rotation angles between the two portions of the shaft and factoring in a torsion coefficient. The system can track a turn count of the shaft using a multi-turn sensor. The magnetic sensor system may be part of an electric power assisted steering (EPAS) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: ANALOG DEVICES INTERNATIONAL UNLIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: Enda Joseph Nicholl, Jochen Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20210372818
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor package comprising a magnetic multi-turn sensor die and a magnetic single turn sensor die, in which both sensor dies are packaged on the same lead frame. A method of manufacturing the magnetic sensor package is also provided. A magnetic sensor system comprising a rotating magnet and the magnetic sensor package, where the sensor package is arranged so that both sensor dies sit within a homogenous magnetic field, thereby ensuring that the output signal of each sensor is not corrupted by any stray fields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Aude Richard, Michael Mueller-Aulmann, Peter James Tonge, Monsoon Dutt, Jan Kubik, John O'Dowd, Enda Joseph Nicholl, Stephen O'Brien, Jochen Schmitt, Robert Guyol, Christian Nau, Colin P. Giles, Brian O'Mara, Wenmei Wang
  • Patent number: 11051798
    Abstract: An orthopedic distraction device is provided. The orthopedic distraction device includes a first upper paddle for engaging a first bone of a joint, a lower paddle for engaging a second bone of the joint and a displacement mechanism. The displacement mechanism includes a drive assembly operable to move the upper paddle relative to the lower paddle. The lower paddle is releasably connected to the displacement mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: OMNIlife science, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Plaskos, Christian Joly, Frederic Leger, Martin Joseph Nichols
  • Patent number: 10849609
    Abstract: An orthopedic distraction device is provides. The orthopedic distraction device includes a first upper paddle for engaging a first bone of a joint, a lower paddle for engaging a second bone of the joint and a displacement mechanism. The displacement mechanism includes a drive assembly operable to move the upper paddle relative to the lower paddle. The lower paddle is releasably connected to the displacement mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: OMNIlife science, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Plaskos, Christian Joly, Frederic Leger, Martin Joseph Nichols
  • Patent number: 10830571
    Abstract: Techniques for sensing position using a magnetic field direction sensor are provided. In an example, a system can include a magnet, a first magnetic field direction sensor, positioned between the magnet and a magnetic feature of a first structure, the sensor configured to move with the magnet and to measure a direction of a magnetic field produced by the magnet relative to a first axis (x). In certain examples, the magnetic feature is configured change position with respect to the magnetic sensor along the first axis (x) as a relative position between the magnet and the magnetic feature changes with respect to a second axis (y).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Jochen Schmitt, Enda Joseph Nicholl
  • Publication number: 20190383643
    Abstract: A system includes a magnetic sensor that can store a magnetic state associated with a number of accumulated turns of a magnetic target. The magnetic sensor may work in conjunction with a magnetic target. The magnetic target may produce a magnetic field that, at some positions, drops below a magnetic window of the magnetic sensor. The magnetic target may produce a magnetic field that is within the magnetic window when needed to update the magnetic state of the sensor to keep track of the accumulated turns of the magnetic target. The magnetic sensor may be initialized with one or more domain walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Jochen Schmitt, Enda Joseph Nicholl
  • Publication number: 20190242764
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a magnetic sensor system for measuring any desired combination of measuring torque, rotation angle, and turn count of a shaft. The shaft may include two portions connected by a torsion element. The system can measure rotation angle using a magnetic target coupled to the shaft that produces a magnetic field that varies as a function of rotation angle. The system can measure torque applied to the shaft by measuring the difference in rotation angles between the two portions of the shaft and factoring in a torsion coefficient. The system can track a turn count of the shaft using a multi-turn sensor. The magnetic sensor system may be part of an electric power assisted steering (EPAS) system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Enda Joseph Nicholl, Jochen Schmitt