Abstract: A rail breakage detection device includes a first core part provided to a first cable connecting an electrical neutral point of an impedance bond that electrically connects a first rail and a second rail to the first rail, a second core part provided to a second cable connecting the electrical neutral point of the impedance bond to the second rail, a first coil wound around the first core part to generate a first electromotive force in accordance with a current variation occurring in the first cable, a second coil connected electrically to the first coil and wound around the second core part to generate a second electromotive force in accordance with a current variation occurring in the second cable, and a CPU to determine that the first or second rail is broken based on an electromotive force that is a sum of the first and second electromotive forces.

Abstract: A magnetic field detection apparatus includes a magnetoresistive effect element and a conductor. The magnetoresistive effect element includes a magnetoresistive effect film extending in a first axis direction and including a first end part, a second end part, and an intermediate part between the first and second end parts. The conductor includes a first part and a second part that each extend in a second axis direction inclined with respect to the first axis direction. The conductor is configured to be supplied with a current and thereby configured to generate an induction magnetic field to be applied to the magnetoresistive effect film in a third axis direction orthogonal to the second axis direction. The first part and the second part respectively overlap the first end part and the second end part in a fourth axis direction orthogonal to both of the second axis direction and the third axis direction.

Abstract: A magnetic field detection apparatus includes a magnetoresistive effect element and a helical coil. The magnetoresistive effect element includes a magnetoresistive effect film extending in a first axis direction. The helical coil includes a parallel connection including first and second parts extending in a second axis direction inclined with respect to the first axis direction. The first and second parts are adjacent to each other in a third axis direction and coupled to each other in parallel. The helical coil is wound around the magnetoresistive effect element while extending along the third axis direction. The magnetoresistive effect film overlaps the first and second parts in a fourth axis direction orthogonal to the second and third axis directions. The helical coil is configured to be supplied with a current and thereby configured to generate an induction magnetic field to be applied to the magnetoresistive effect film in the third axis direction.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes at least one MR element and a coil. The coil includes at least one conductor portion. The at least one conductor portion is each located at a position such that a partial magnetic field generated by the conductor portion is applied to one of the at least one MR element, the one corresponding to the conductor portion, and extends along an imaginary curve curving to protrude in a direction away from the corresponding MR element.

Abstract: A rail state monitoring apparatus (1) includes: first and second transmission antennas (101, 102) to transmit first and second electric signals to rails (5, 6), respectively; first reception antenna (201) to receive a surface wave (21) of the first electric signal propagated through rail (5) and guided wave (32) of the second electric signal propagated through loop coil (10); second reception antenna (202) to receive surface wave (22) of the second electric signal propagated through rail (6) and guided wave (31) of the first electric signal propagated through loop coil (10); and a processor. The processor obtains received powers of the respective electric signals received by first and second reception antennas (201, 202), determines a rail state from “good”, “rail broken”, “rail crack”, or “rail surface anomaly” based on the received powers, and outputs the rail state as rail state information.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor generates a detection signal that varies according to the strength of a target magnetic field at a detection position in a reference plane. The magnetic sensor includes a magnetoresistive element. The magnetoresistive element includes a magnetization pinned layer having a magnetization in a first direction, and a free layer having a magnetization whose direction is variable according to the direction of an acting magnetic field, the acting magnetic field being a composite magnetic field of all magnetic fields acting on the free layer. The free layer has uniaxial magnetic anisotropy such that an easy axis of magnetization is oriented in a direction parallel to a second direction. In the reference plane, both of two directions orthogonal to the second direction are different from the direction of the target magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor generates a detection signal that varies according to the strength of a target magnetic field at a detection position in a reference plane. The magnetic sensor includes a magnetoresistive element. The magnetoresistive element includes a magnetization pinned layer having a magnetization in a first direction, and a free layer having a magnetization whose direction is variable according to the direction of an acting magnetic field, the acting magnetic field being a composite magnetic field of all magnetic fields acting on the free layer. The free layer has uniaxial magnetic anisotropy such that an easy axis of magnetization is oriented in a direction parallel to a second direction. In the reference plane, both of two directions orthogonal to the second direction are different from the direction of the target magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a magnetic field conversion unit, a magnetic field detection unit, and a magnetic film. The magnetic field conversion unit includes a yoke that receives an input magnetic field and generates an output magnetic field. The input magnetic field contains an input magnetic field component in a direction parallel to Z direction. The output magnetic field contains an output magnetic field component in a direction parallel to X direction. The magnetic field detection unit includes a magnetic detection element that receives the output magnetic field and generates a detection value corresponding to the output magnetic field component. The magnetic film absorbs part of magnetic flux resulting from a noise magnetic field, which is a magnetic field in a direction to which the magnetic detection element has sensitivity and which is other than the output magnetic field component.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive effect element includes a magnetization free layer, an intermediate layer, and a magnetization pinned layer. The magnetization free layer extends along a first plane. The intermediate layer extends along the first plane, and is stacked on the magnetization free layer. The magnetization pinned layer extends along the first plane, and is provided on side opposite to the magnetization free layer with the intermediate layer being interposed therebetween. Here, the magnetization free layer includes an end surface that has a maximum inclination angle of 42° or less relative to the first plane.

Abstract: A magnetic field detection device includes a magnetism detection element, a modulator, and a demodulator. The magnetism detection element has a sensitivity axis along a first direction. The modulator is configured to impart a spin torque to the magnetism detection element. The spin torque has a rotational force and oscillates at a first frequency. The rotational force is exerted on a plane including the first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The demodulator is configured to demodulate an output signal received from the magnetism detection element and to detect an intensity of a measurement target magnetic field exerted on the magnetism detection element on the basis of an amplitude of the output signal. The output signal has the first frequency.

Abstract: A magnet flux absorber of the present invention has a soft magnetic layer having a first surface and a second surface that is a back surface of the first surface, as well as and at least one magnetically pinning portion that faces a part of the first surface of the soft magnetic layer or a part of the second surface of the soft magnetic layer. A region of the soft magnetic layer that faces the magnetically pinning portion is magnetized by the magnetically pinning portion in a direction that is different from a direction in which at least a part of remaining region of the soft magnetic layer is magnetized.

Abstract: A rotating electric machine apparatus including: a rotating electric machine (REM) including a rotor and a stator; an inverter device including an inverter circuit (IC) for driving the REM and an inverter control unit (ICU) for controlling the IC; a detector, in which a first antenna is connected to a resonance circuitry, which is mounted to the REM and has a resonance characteristic that changes depending on a change in a physical quantity; and a detection processor receiving a response radio wave indicating a detection result of the change in the physical quantity from the first antenna while transmitting a transmission radio wave at a set carrier frequency from a second antenna, and comparing the detection result and the set value, to thereby obtain an abnormal state in the REM. The ICU controls output of the IC in accordance with an abnormal state signal from the detection processor.

Abstract: A temperature detection device includes: a detection processing unit configured to transmit a transmission radio wave, simultaneously receive a response radio wave corresponding to the transmission radio wave, and detect whether a temperature of an object to be measured is normal or abnormal based on the response radio wave; and a temperature sensing unit configured to receive the transmission radio wave and transmit the response radio wave responding to the transmission radio wave. The detection processing unit calculates, from the response radio wave received via a second antenna, an amplitude, a phase, or a quadrature phase amplitude of the response radio wave and compares the temperature of the object to be measured to a temperature determined in advance based on a result of the calculation.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive effect element includes a magnetization free layer, an intermediate layer, and a magnetization pinned layer. The magnetization free layer extends along a first plane. The intermediate layer extends along the first plane, and is stacked on the magnetization free layer. The magnetization pinned layer extends along the first plane, and is provided on side opposite to the magnetization free layer with the intermediate layer being interposed therebetween. Here, the magnetization free layer includes an end surface that has a maximum inclination angle of 42° or less relative to the first plane.

Abstract: A magnetic field detection device includes a magnetic field detection element, a modulator, and a demodulator. The magnetic field detection element has a sensitivity axis in a first direction. The modulator is configured to apply, to the magnetic field detection element, a stress oscillating at a first frequency and including a component in a second direction, the second direction being orthogonal to the first direction. The demodulator is configured to demodulate an output signal having the first frequency and outputted from the magnetic field detection element, and detect, on a basis of an amplitude of the output signal, an intensity of a measurement magnetic field to be received by the magnetic field detection element.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device includes an MR element and a bias magnetic field generation unit. The MR element includes a free layer shaped to be long in one direction. The bias magnetic field generation unit includes a ferromagnetic layer for generating a bias magnetic field. The ferromagnetic layer includes two main portions, a first side portion, and a second side portion arranged to surround the perimeter of the free layer. In any cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the free layer, a shortest distance between the first side portion and the free layer and a shortest distance between the second side portion and the free layer are 35 nm or less.

Abstract: A rail state monitoring apparatus (1) includes: first and second transmission antennas (101, 102) to transmit first and second electric signals to rails (5, 6), respectively; first reception antenna (201) to receive a surface wave (21) of the first electric signal propagated through rail (5) and guided wave (32) of the second electric signal propagated through loop coil (10); second reception antenna (202) to receive surface wave (22) of the second electric signal propagated through rail (6) and guided wave (31) of the first electric signal propagated through loop coil (10); and a processor. The processor obtains received powers of the respective electric signals received by first and second reception antennas (201, 202), determines a rail state from “good”, “rail broken”, “rail crack”, or “rail surface anomaly” based on the received powers, and outputs the rail state as rail state information.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive device includes an MR element and a bias magnetic field generation unit. The MR element includes a free layer shaped to be long in one direction. The bias magnetic field generation unit includes a ferromagnetic layer for generating a bias magnetic field. The ferromagnetic layer includes two main portions, a first side portion, and a second side portion arranged to surround the perimeter of the free layer. In any cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the free layer, a shortest distance between the first side portion and the free layer and a shortest distance between the second side portion and the free layer are 35 nm or less.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor generates a detection signal that varies according to the strength of a target magnetic field at a detection position in a reference plane. The magnetic sensor includes a magnetoresistive element. The magnetoresistive element includes a magnetization pinned layer having a magnetization in a first direction, and a free layer having a magnetization whose direction is variable according to the direction of an acting magnetic field, the acting magnetic field being a composite magnetic field of all magnetic fields acting on the free layer. The free layer has uniaxial magnetic anisotropy such that an easy axis of magnetization is oriented in a direction parallel to a second direction. In the reference plane, both of two directions orthogonal to the second direction are different from the direction of the target magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a magnetic field conversion unit and a magnetic field detection unit. The magnetic field conversion unit receives an input magnetic field containing an input magnetic field component in a direction parallel to Z direction, and generates an output magnetic field containing an output magnetic field component in a direction parallel to X direction. The magnetic field detection unit receives the output magmetic field and generates an output signal corresponding to the input magnetic field component. The magnetic field detection unit includes first and second magnetic detection elements. When misalignment occurs between the magnetic field conversion unit and the magnetic field detection unit, one of the strength of a portion of the output magnetic field component that the first magnetic detection element receives and the strength of a portion of the output magnetic field component that the second magnetic detection element receives increases while the other decreases.