Abstract: A rotor (17, 31, 55, 71, 91, 101, 121, 131, 141, 201, 401) of a motor (13, 51) is provided with a rotation shaft (21, 59, 410) and a plurality of magnets (15, 53, 75, 105, 210A, 210B, 411) on a circular periphery. Plates (25, 25A, 25B, 25C, 33, 63, 77, 107, 220, 300, 430) made of magnetic materials are provided so that each of which is magnetized by leakage flux of a corresponding magnet (15, 53, 75, 105, 210A, 210B, 401). The plates (25, 25A, 25B, 25C, 33, 63, 77, 107, 220, 300, 430) are disposed along a circular path such that a maximum flux density is formed at both peripheral ends. A magnetic sensor (27) outputs a signal in response to the variation of a flux density on the circular path.

Abstract: A precision permanent position magnet assembly for use with a magnetostrictive linear displacement transducer having a magnetostrictive waveguide to provide an enhanced return signal is disclosed. The North-South axes of the magnet assembly are perpendicular to the waveguide center line axis and preferably includes three bar-type permanent magnets in a side by side alternating polarity configuration spaced apart with the pole spacing being one-half the wavelength of the return signal imposed on the waveguide. Three sets of such magnets may be radially disposed at 120 degree increments in a non-magnetic carrier.

Abstract: A magnetic object tracking algorithm, that may be implemented as an apparatus or a method, that permits kinematic tracking of magnetized objects, or targets, using magnetic field strength measurements derived from one or more vector magnetometers. The magnetic object tracking algorithm effectively tracks a maneuvering magnetic dipole target using an extended Kalman filter directly observing (processing) real magnetic field strength data.

Abstract: An electric-current sensing device comprises an input ultrasonic transducer assembly, an output ultrasonic transducer assembly and an ultrasonic fiber between the two assembly. The input ultrasonic transducer assembly consists of an input piezoelectric vibrator, a driving electrode, an input ground electrode and an input vibrating plate. The output ultrasonic transducer assembly consists of an output piezoelectric vibrator, a detecting electrode, an output ground electrode and an output vibrating plate. When an input electric signal is applied to the input piezoelectric vibrator through the driving electrode and the input ground electrode, the input piezoelectric vibrator is acoustically vibrated. An acoustic vibration in the input piezoelectric vibrator is transmitted to the output piezoelectric vibrator, and detected between the detecting electrode and the output ground electrode, as a delayed electric signal.

Abstract: A pulse signal generator comprises a magnetic element (10) capable of causing a large Barkhausen jump, a detector for detecting a change of magnetic field in the magnetic element, a magnetic field source (30) for magnetizing the magnetic element in a predetermined direction and a permanent magnet (40). The pulse signal generator further comprises an auxiliary member (50) provided such that the magnetic element is flanked between the permanent magnet and the auxiliary member and is in a magnetic field between the permanent magnet and the auxiliary member. The magnetic field varies with movement of an object (60) to be detected with respect to the permanent magnet to produce a magnetic change in the magnetic element which is detected by the detector to produce a pulse.

Abstract: A device for sensing velocity variations in a conductive body 10 moving through a magnetic gap 12 between two discrete portions 13, 14 of a magnetic circuit 15, the magnetic circuit 15 generating a magnetic flux 16 in the gap 12 to induce eddy currents 17 in the body 10 moving therethrough, the device comprising eddy current sensor means 20 defining at least one further gap 24 through which the body 10 is also moved, and at least one sensor coil 18 having a voltage induced therein by variations in the induced eddy currents, said voltage being detectable to provide an indication of variations, that is to say accelerations or decelerations, in the velocity of the moving body 10.

Abstract: A pipeline inspection and defect mapping system includes a pig having an inertial measurement unit and a pipeline inspection unit for recording pig location and defect detection events, each record time-stamped by a highly precise onboard clock. The system also includes several magloggers at precisely known locations along the pipeline, each containing a fluxgate magnetometer for detecting the passage of the pig along the pipeline and further containing a highly precise clock synchronized with the clock in the pig. The locations of the various magloggers are known in a north/east/down coordinate system through a differential global positioning satellite process. Finally, a postprocessing off-line computer system receives downloaded maglogger, inertial measurement, and odometer data and through the use of several Kalman filters, derives the location of the detected defects in the north/east/down coordinate frame. Consequently, a task of identifying sites for repair activity is much simplified.

Abstract: A visual position indicator has a stator and a rotor with angularly displaced eccentricities for engaging corresponding spring biased actuators with magnets. Depending on the rotor position relative to the stator, one or more of the actuators is moved to a position whereat the field of its respective magnet can operate a magnetic switch disposed in a hermetically sealed housing. A decoder connected to the switches can produce a signal indicative of rotor position.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated machine balancer including a plurality of peripherally placed magnetic circuits and a power driver which selectively interrupts the magnetic flux through the circuits, thereby moving unbalanced rotors in a desired manner to compensate for machine unbalance.

Abstract: An arrangement of two elements to be connected to each another of thermoplastic material is proposed. For instance, an annular coil (7) is disposed in a tight housing; the housing (8) and the coil body (1) comprise the thermoplastic material with different melting points, and the two intermesh with one another via grooves. The housing (8) sheathes a coil end plate (3), in the form of an extension, almost completely on at least one side, that is, the side on which the coil end plate is disposed. On the other face end (4) and on the outer circumference of the coil end plate (3), the coil end plate (3) has annular grooves (5, 6), into which the thermoplastic material of the housing (8) can be introduced during the sheathing in a hardening manner.

Abstract: A modular waveguide assembly for use in a position sensor promotes efficient manufacturing, and can be tested and handled separately from the electronics module of the sensor. The waveguide assembly includes a channel having an opening extending along its length, a waveguide located within the channel, a conductor located within the channel, and a mode converter, such as a coil, located within the channel and positioned to generate an electrical signal from a signal traveling along the waveguide. A damping material can be inserted into the channel opening and around a portion of the waveguide such that the material adheres to the waveguide. In one embodiment, the damping material is at least initially partially flowable, and is then cured.

Abstract: A tilt sensor utilizes the “Wiegand Effect” to sense the occurrence of a tilting of the sensor from one inclined position to a horizontal position to another inclined position. The tilt sensor includes within a plastic or other non-magnetic body a non-magnetic elongated tube, a magnet that is contained and substantially freely slidable within the elongated tube, and a Wiegand wire that extends along and that is adjacent to the elongated tube. The tilt sensor also generally includes a coil wound on the Wiegand wire and a pole piece that extends along and that is adjacent to the elongated tube through which the Wiegand wire extends, and the pole piece is made of a material through which a magnetic flux path can be created. In operation, as the tilt sensor is moved from one inclined position to another inclined position, the magnet within the elongated tube slides from one end of the tube to the other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating the output signal of a linear position detector without accessing the interior of the detector housing is provided. According to one exemplary embodiment, a magnet is selectively movable toward and away from the exterior of the electronics housing, and a sensor is provided within the housing for sensing the presence of the magnet. According to this embodiment, the linear position detector is calibrated by setting a movable marker at the desired position and pushing the magnet toward the housing. The sensor then detects the presence of the magnet, and a processor saves the position of the marker as a reference point. All future positions of the marker can then be scaled based upon the reference point. Thus, the linear position detector can be calibrated without the need for opening the electronics housing and potentially exposing the electronics components to moisture, contaminants, and/or static electricity.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive wire waveguide type position measuring system wherein the wire waveguide is mounted within a small diameter brass tube which, in turn, is mounted by way of resilient suspension components within a rigid outer tube affixed to a position reference frame. The suspension components isolate the waveguide from relatively high frequency shock inputs characteristic of rough environment applications. The position signal is derived from output signal quantities generated by the propagation times of sonic disturbances from a first reference magnet held in a fixed position relative to the outer housing and a second user magnet which moves relative to the outer housing with the element or quantity being monitored.