Abstract: A magnet's N and S polarity can be alternately assembled within a MR sensor housing to determine the type of sensor that is assembled. In an MR sensor package including a housing having a sensing face and adapted for containing a sensing transducer and magnet, it can be determined if the MR sensor package is to be an X-type or Y-type sensor by testing the MR sensor package prior to labeling, shipping and/or use to determine its type by measuring the magnetic field emanating from the sensing face using a magnetic gauss probe. During assembly, the magnets N or S polarity is positioned to face the sensing face of the sensor to indicate the sensor type.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor, system and method include a magnet located proximate to a target comprising a plurality of teeth and a plurality of slots formed therebetween. An integrated circuit is located on a side of the magnet wherein the integrated circuit comprises a plurality of magnetoresistive bridge components. The integrated circuit and the magnet are configured into a sensor package, such that the magnetoresistive bridge components enable the detection of a target tooth when one half of the plurality of magnetoresistive bridge components come into proximity with an edge of a tooth before that of another half of the magnetoresistive bridge components as the tooth and an associated slot thereof pass by the sensor package.

Abstract: Methods and systems for magnetostatic modeling of a magnetic object is disclosed. A varying surface charge density is established at a surface of a magnetic object modeled by a magnetostatic model. Thereafter, a varying magnetic charge is generally distributed throughout a volume of the magnetic object to thereby accurately and efficiently model the magnetic object across a wide range of magnetic curves utilizing the magnetostatic model. The magnetic curves can be configured to generally comprise at least one non-linear magnetic curve and/or least one linear magnetic curve. Such magnetic curves may also comprise at least one magnetic curve in a magnetized direction and/or non-magnetized direction. Such magnetic curves are generally referred to as “BH curves”.

Abstract: A magnet's N and S polarity can be alternately assembled within a MR sensor housing to determine the type of sensor that is assembled. In an MR sensor package including a housing having a sensing face and adapted for containing a sensing transducer and magnet, it can be determined if the MR sensor package is to be an X-type or Y-type sensor by testing the MR sensor package prior to labeling, shipping and/or use to determine its type by measuring the magnetic field emanating from the sensing face using a magnetic gauss probe. During assembly, the magnets N or S polarity is positioned to face the sensing face of the sensor to indicate the sensor type.

Abstract: A device, system and method for adaptively tracking amplitude boundary values of a real time sensor output signal. In accordance with the method of the present invention, an amplitude boundary value, which may be a peak or min amplitude value, representing the current amplitude boundary of the sensor output signal is stored within a digital counter. A two-tap DAC is utilized to convert the digitally stored amplitude boundary value into a reference signal level corresponding in amplitude to the amplitude boundary value. The DAC also converts the amplitude boundary value into an offset reference signal level corresponding in amplitude to the amplitude boundary value offset by a specified multiple of the DAC resolution. The reference signal level and offset reference signal are compared with the real time sensor signal and the digitally stored amplitude boundary value is adjusted in accordance with which reference signal level exceeds the real time sensor signal.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a magnet located proximate to a target comprising a plurality of teeth and a plurality of slots formed therebetween. An integrated circuit is generally located on one side of the magnet wherein the integrated circuit comprises a plurality of asymmetrically arranged magnetoresistive bridge components, wherein the integrated circuit and the magnet are configured into a sensor package, such that the plurality of asymmetrically arranged magnetoresistive bridge components enables a detection of at least one tooth among the plurality of target teeth.

Abstract: A magnetic linear displacement sensor. In accordance with one embodiment, the displacement sensor includes a Hall transducer element having a sensor plate surface and at least one magnet having a lengthwise dimension along which said Hall element detects a magnetic field component orthogonal to the sensor plate surface during displacement sensing. The magnet includes first and second pole faces disposed on opposite lengthwise sides thereof and a polarization axis aligned orthogonally with respect to the lengthwise dimension. The first pole face opposes the Hall, element and is characterized as having a non-planar surface contoured to generate a substantially linear orthogonal magnetic field component sensed by said Hall element during linear displacement sensing.

Abstract: A switch apparatus, system and method are disclosed herein, including one or more magnetic sensing elements that follow a travel path thereof, and a plurality of permanent magnets located in a mirrored configuration about the travel path. Such a configuration permits a magnetic field variation associated with the permanent magnets and the magnetic sensing element to be reduced with respect to the magnetic sensing element and the permanent magnets position tolerances, thereby generating a reduced magnetic field variation thereof which improves switching accuracy. A signal processing module can also be provided, which includes a signal conditioning circuit associated with a microprocessor.

Abstract: Magnetic sensor methods and systems for decreasing variations in switching angles thereof are disclosed. An angled face magnet can be angularly positioned adjacent one or more sensing elements of a magnetic sensor thereof. The angled face magnet can be configured to include a recessed portion into which the one or more of the sensing elements can be positioned. When the teeth of a target pass by the angled face magnet, it produces a magnetic signal, which is steeper in switching regions. The angle face magnet can thus alter a magnetic signal thereof, thereby decreasing variations in switching angles associated the magnetic sensors relative to a sensor target.

Abstract: Methods and systems for magnetostatic modeling of a magnetic object is disclosed. A varying surface charge density is established at a surface of a magnetic object modeled by a magnetostatic model. Thereafter, a varying magnetic charge is generally distributed throughout a volume of the magnetic object to thereby accurately and efficiently model the magnetic object across a wide range of magnetic curves utilizing the magnetostatic model. The magnetic curves can be configured to generally comprise at least one non-linear magnetic curve and/or least one linear magnetic curve. Such magnetic curves may also comprise at least one magnetic curve in a magnetized direction and/or non-magnetized direction. Such magnetic curves are generally referred to as “BH curves”.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating a magnetic sensor having at least one magnet and at least one sensing element incorporated therein is disclosed. A magnetization direction of a magnet is altered in at least one axis until a sensing element is balanced. The magnet can be calibrated separately from the electronic components associated with the magnetic sensor to thereby achieve an improved calibration over temperature variations associated with the magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor can be configured to include one or more magnets and one or more sensing elements. Such magnets may be calibrated according to the methods and systems disclosed herein, in association with such sensing elements. Each magnet may be calibrated separately from the electronics associated with the magnetic sensor. The magnetization direction of the magnet may be altered in one or more axis until the sensing element is balanced. The magnetic sensor may, for example, comprise a gear tooth sensor or a wheelspeed sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor is provided which utilizes a molded magnet with a channel formed therein. A magnetically sensitive component, such as a Hall effect element, is attached to a substrate or printed circuit board. The printed circuit board, or substrate, is provided with an opening through its thickness that is shaped to accept a post with a certain amount of clearance therebetween. This allows the printed circuit board to be moved relative to the magnet during calibration procedures and then rigidly attached in a position relative to the magnet by soldering the post to the substrate or printed circuit board. This places the magnetically sensitive component at a desirable location relative to the magnet and within the channel formed in the magnet. The post can be molded into the magnet or formed as an integral portion of the magnet.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor is provided with a permanent magnet that has a beveled surface at one end of the magnet. The beveled surface intersects a first pole face at a preselected angle. The permanent magnet is associated with a magnetically sensitive component that comprises first and second magnetoresistive elements. Both of the magnetoresistive elements comprise two magnetoresistors. The four magnetoresistors are connected in electrical communication with each other to form a Wheatstone bridge that provides an output signal representative of the magnetic field strength in the sensing plane of the magnetically sensitive component. The beveled magnet provides a magnetic field which relates to a magnetically sensitive component in such a way that the position of a magnetic null in the sensing plane is advantageously affected.