Having Particular Sensor Means Patents (Class 324/207.13)
-
Patent number: 8917086Abstract: A position sensor suitable for use in linear synchronous motor (LSM) drive systems employing Halbach arrays to create their magnetic fields is described. The system has several advantages over previously employed ones, especially in its simplicity and its freedom from being affected by weather conditions, accumulated dirt, or electrical interference from the LSM system itself.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventor: Richard Freeman Post
-
Patent number: 8912790Abstract: A measuring device for measuring a film thickness of a silicon wafer (1) comprises: position and velocity sensors (4) linearly arranged along a longitudinal direction into first and second position and velocity sensor arrays spaced apart from each other in a lateral direction, in which the position and velocity sensors (4) in the first position and velocity sensor array are in one-to-one correspondence with the position and velocity sensors (4) in the second position and velocity sensor array in the lateral direction; an eddy current sensor (2) disposed in a symmetrical plane between the first position and velocity sensor array and the second position and velocity sensor array and perpendicular to the lateral direction; and a controller connected to the position and velocity sensors (4) and the eddy current sensor (2) respectively for controlling measurement of the thickness of the film according to detection signals from the position and velocity sensors (4) and the eddy current sensor (2).Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2011Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Tsinghua UniversityInventors: Xinchun Lu, Pan Shen
-
Patent number: 8907660Abstract: Identifying measurement subset comprising a disturbed measurement disturbed by a magnetic disturber includes emitting and measuring magnetic fields using mono-axial source/mono-axial transducer pairs to obtain real measurements distinguished by position of a source used to emit the field, position of transducer used to measure the field, and field frequency, a source being tied to a mobile object and the transducer tied to a frame of reference in which a position of the mobile object is to be expressed (or vice versa), estimating position of the object in the reference frame based on an observer and involving only a first subset of the measurements, estimating the measurements based at least in part on the estimated position Pi and on a direct model linking the object's position to the measurements, and determining whether or not the first measurement subset comprises a disturbed measurement by comparing the estimated and real measurements.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2010Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternativesInventors: Viviane Cattin, Suzanne Lesecq, Nathalie Sprynski
-
Publication number: 20140354268Abstract: A position sensing device has a first magnetic flux transmission unit that includes first thin boards made of long shape magnetic material stacked along a board thickness direction and a second magnetic flux transmission unit that includes second thin boards made of long shape magnetic material stacked along the board thickness direction, for defining a gap space between the first and second magnetic flux transmission units when disposing the first and second magnetic flux transmission units on a rotating body. Further, the position sensing device includes first and second magnets disposed between both ends of the first and second magnetic flux transmission units. A Hall IC disposed on a mold part moves within the gap space along a gap space longitudinal direction relative to the rotating body for outputting a signal according to a density of a magnetic flux passing therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Naoaki KOUNO, Tetsuji YAMANAKA, Yoshiyuki KONO
-
Patent number: 8896458Abstract: This method of converting a displacement of a magnetic object into a signal directly perceptible by a human being, comprises: —the acquisition (32) of a temporal succession of measurements of a magnetic field modified by the displacements of the object during a sliding time window of predetermined duration, —the construction (34) on the basis of this acquired temporal succession of measurements of several signals each representing a characteristic of the measured magnetic field dependent on a corresponding characteristic of the displacement of the object, and —the adjustment (50) of several parameters of the directly perceptible signal as a function of the signals so as to render these characteristics directly perceptible.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2010Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternativesInventors: Jerome Doutaz, Roland Blanpain, Viviane Cattin
-
Patent number: 8890512Abstract: A device for visually indicating a change in the operational state of a proximity sensor. The device includes a transparent housing having a cavity and a magnet device for generating a magnetic field. In addition, a sleeve is attached to the housing. The magnet device is concealed within the sleeve in a first position to indicate a first operational state. When a target is positioned adjacent the sensor end, magnetic attraction occurs between the target and the magnet device due to the magnetic field to cause movement of the magnet device to a second position within the cavity wherein the magnetic field does not act on the proximity sensor to change the operational state from the first operational state to a second operational state. Further, the magnet device is visible in the second position to indicate the second operational state.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Pentair Flow Services AGInventors: Leo Minervini, Kevin Connell
-
Patent number: 8890511Abstract: A system for targeting an operation site includes an identifier having an electromagnetic field generator configured to produce electromagnetic fields. The system includes an implement that includes a handle, a blade portion, and an electromagnetic field sensor coupled to the blade portion. The electromagnetic field sensor is configured to produce a signal responsive to electromagnetic fields produced by the electromagnetic field generator. The system includes a control unit configured to access information indicating a position of the electromagnetic field sensor relative to the operation site, receive a signal from the electromagnetic field sensor that is indicative of a position of a tool relative to the electromagnetic field sensor, and determine a position of the tool relative to an operation site based on the received signal and the position of the electromagnetic field sensor relative to the operation site.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.Inventor: Kevin Wayne Belew
-
Patent number: 8884608Abstract: The present disclosure is discloses the development of a new device, system, and method that combines advantages of magnetic resonance and atomic force microscopy technologies, and the utility of the new device, system, and method for a wide range of biomedical and clinical researchers. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device for micro-scale spectroscopy is disclosed. The micro-scale spectroscopy device includes a beam having a distal end, a proximal end, a top surface and a bottom surface, where the beam is attached to an anchor at the proximal end and further includes a tip extending substantially perpendicular from the bottom surface at or near the distal end, and a coil having at least one turn mounted to the top surface of the beam at or near the distal end opposite the tip, where the coil is capable of both transmitting and sensing electromagnetic radiation.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2012Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Purdue Research FoundationInventors: Corey P. Neu, Babak Ziaie, Teimour Maleki-Jafarabadi, Charilaos Mousoulis
-
Patent number: 8878522Abstract: A magnetic linear position sensor includes an array of N number of magnets. The array of magnets is distributed along a line to form a magnetic field relay along the line. The sizes and positions of the magnets in the array of magnets are symmetric along the line, and the size of the magnets decreases from the sides of the array of magnets towards the center of the array of magnets. The magnetic linear position sensor further includes a magnetic field sensor spaced apart and positioned above the array of magnets. The magnetic field sensor moves back and forth over the array of magnets to sense the magnetic field of the array of magnets.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLCInventors: Xinyu Zhou, Qiang Niu, Kurt James Johnston, Christopher G. Benson, Daniel J. Smith, Eric Thomas Carlson, Moussa Ndiaye
-
Patent number: 8878523Abstract: An inductive detection encoder according to the present invention includes: first and second members which are oppositely disposed so as to relatively move in a measurement direction; a transmitting coil formed in the first member; a magnetic flux coupled body which is formed in the second member and coupled with a magnetic field generated by the transmitting coil; and a receiving coil formed in the first member and having receiving loops. At least one of the transmitting coil and the receiving coil has a specific pattern that impairs the uniformity and periodicity of a pattern; and a dummy pattern formed in a position corresponding to a specific phase relationship of a cycle generated by the track with respect to the specific pattern.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Mitutoyo CorporationInventors: Hirokazu Kobayashi, Osamu Kawatoko, Shozaburo Tsuji, Kenichi Nakayama
-
Patent number: 8878525Abstract: A permanent magnet is fixed to a stationary portion. A yoke made of magnetic material is provided to a rotating portion. The yoke is tube-shaped to surround the permanent magnet and has a chord portion into which a magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet preferentially flows. The chord portion is arranged in such a manner as to be close to the permanent magnet. A Hall element is arranged at a specified position of the stationary portion relative to the permanent magnet 20. The Hall element outputs a signal which corresponds to a density and an angle of a magnetic flux generated between the chord portion and the permanent magnet.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Tetsuya Hara, Yoshiyuki Kono, Toru Shimizu, Takamitsu Kubota
-
Publication number: 20140320115Abstract: A rotation angle detector for detecting the magnetic change caused by rotation of a rotatable member, has a resin molding, a pair of magnetic property detection members, and a plurality of sensor terminals. Each of the magnetic property detection members has a sensor portion for detecting the magnetic change caused by the rotatable member and a plurality of connecting leads. The sensor terminals are individually connected to each connecting lead. The magnetic property detection members are located within in the resin molding. The sensor portions of the magnetic property detection members are fixedly coupled to each other by an adhesive.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Makoto MASE, Toshiya YOKOI, Yasuhiro NISHIKAWA
-
Publication number: 20140320116Abstract: A variable-reluctance magnetic detection head delivers an electrical signal (Uin) and a rising wavefront of the electrical signal is compared with a first threshold (Th) in order to switch from a first state (B0) to a second state (B1), and a falling wavefront is compared with a second threshold (Tb) lower than the first threshold (Th) in order to switch from the second state (B1) to the first state (B0). In a diagnostics step, the first threshold (Th) or the second threshold (Tb) is modified, bringing these thresholds closer together, and a magnetic detection head is diagnosed as being defective if the duty cycle of the second state (B1) is modified during the diagnostics step by a value higher than a diagnostics threshold predetermined in relation to a reference level.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2012Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventors: Jean-Pierre Delcol, Aurore Desgeorge
-
Patent number: 8854033Abstract: A semiconductor device having a lateral semiconductor element includes a semiconductor substrate, a first electrode on the substrate, a second electrode on the substrate, and an isolation structure located in the substrate to divide the substrate into a first island and a second island electrically insulated from the first island. The lateral semiconductor element includes a main cell located in the first island and a sense cell located in the second island. The main cell causes a first current to flow between the first electrode and the second electrode so that the first current flows in a lateral direction along the surface of the substrate. The first current is detected by detecting a second current flowing though the sense cell.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Satoshi Shiraki, Norihito Tokura, Shigeki Takahashi, Masahiro Yamamoto, Akira Yamada, Hiroyasu Kudo, Youichi Ashida, Akio Nakagawa
-
Patent number: 8847580Abstract: An apparatus and method of a tamperproof magnetic proximity sensor based on a magnetically shielded magnetic sensor. The proximity sensor is substantially impervious to external magnetic field and is protected by external magnetic sensors for preemptive detection of external magnetic field tamper attempts.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Josef Osterweil
-
Publication number: 20140285184Abstract: An apparatus for measuring displacement is disclosed. The disclosed displacement measurement apparatus may include a magnet unit having magnet sub-units arranged repeatedly in a particular pitch (p) to generate a sine-wave magnetic flux density; a sensor unit including a sensor array for measuring the sine-wave magnetic flux density; and a measurement part configured to measure a displacement of the magnet unit and the sensor unit displaced relatively to each other, based on the measured value of the sine-wave magnetic flux density, where the sensor array comprises two or more sensors arranged separated by a gap of p/k in-between (where k is 2n, n is an integer greater than or equal to 1) along an arrangement direction of the magnet sub-units.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2013Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: Foundation of Soongsil University-Industry CooperationInventor: Hyeong-Joon AHN
-
Publication number: 20140266162Abstract: A magnetostrictive position sensor achieves an improved signal to noise ratio by implementing several electronic control features, including: enclosing a waveguide within an approximately tubular return conductor, adjusting the energy of an interrogation pulse and then clamping the waveguide, tracking the peak voltage of a sensed signal, cutting off the signal of a pickup during the time period outside of a signal time frame, adjusting the pass band of a filter based on an interrogation rate and waveguide length, zeroing and scaling a signal without digitizing the signal, and avoiding noise from an interrogation voltage generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventor: DAVID SCOTT NYCE
-
Publication number: 20140266161Abstract: Magnetostrictive sensing systems and methods are disclosed. One such system comprises a magnetostrictive wire having first and second ends. A magnet is movable along a length of the magnetostrictive wire. An excitation device is operable to apply an electrical excitation signal to the magnetostrictive wire. A torsional motion sensor is operable to detect a torsional motion of the magnetostrictive wire. A reflective termination is configured to reflect the torsional motion of the magnetostrictive wire. A processor is in communication with the excitation device and the torsional motion sensor. The processor is programmed to (i) apply the electrical excitation signal to the magnetostrictive wire with the excitation device, (ii) identify whether the torsional motion detected by the torsional motion sensor has been reflected by the reflection termination, and (iii) calculate a position of the magnet along the magnetostrictive wire based on only the detected torsional motion reflected by the reflection termination.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: AmetekInventors: Jack Pattee, Mikhail Serafimovich Zhukov
-
Publication number: 20140266163Abstract: Embodiments relate to sensor systems and methods for rapidly detecting a direction of rotation. In one embodiment, a sensor system is configured to identify positive and negative peaks of both speed and direction signals and to evaluate a sequential order of the peaks. A direction of rotation can be identified rapidly from the evaluation of the sequential order of peaks.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventor: Bernhard Schaffer
-
Publication number: 20140278225Abstract: Systems and methods for determining whether a device has moved based upon sensed changes to the observed magnetic field are disclosed herein. Various embodiments function on the principle that it is highly unlikely that the observed magnetic field will be the same in any two given locations (at least, when the observed magnetic field is measured in three dimensions), and moreover, it is unlikely that the observed magnetic field will change if the device remains stationary. Various embodiments therefore include one or more magnetic sensors (e.g., a compass) disposed within the device. The device can be configured to periodically check its current reading of the observed magnetic field. If the device determines that its magnetic reading has changed relative to its last reading, a possible or actual relocation event can then be declared.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Novatel Wireless, Inc.Inventors: Calvin Gerard French, Charles Chapman Moore
-
Patent number: 8829897Abstract: A paper position sensor for a ticket printer is disclosed. The ticket printer includes a blank ticket tray and a paper guide consisting of an upper and lower guide, which lower guide contains a position sensor wheel that rotates as a result of the frictional contact with the blank ticket, as the ticket passes over the sensor wheel on its way through the guides. The wheel contains an embedded magnetic element such that as the wheel turns, which magnetically provides rotational position information to an adjacently-mounted sensor chip, which is able to determine, magnetically, the position of the wheel. The sensor chip provides data to the printer control as to the position of the ticket through the printer, and thus the printer control is now able to determine the precise position of the ticket in the printer.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Nanoptix Inc.Inventors: Michel Vienneau, Paul Butland, Yvon Hache, Sylvio LeBlanc, Denis Daigle
-
Patent number: 8829894Abstract: A control device is provided configured to provide user control signals. The control device comprises a magnetic flux sensing unit configured to provide two-dimensional angular orientation information with respect to a magnetic field acting on the magnetic flux sensing unit, and the user control signals are dependent on the two-dimensional angular orientation information. The control device further comprises a magnet arrangement comprising at least two permanent magnets configured to generate the magnetic field. The magnet arrangement and the magnetic flux sensing unit are arranged to be reoriented relative to one another within a predetermined range of movement, and the at least two permanent magnets are arranged relative to the magnetic flux sensing unit such that the magnetic field experienced by the magnetic flux sensing unit is substantially uniform throughout the predetermined range of movement.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Penny & Giles Controls LimitedInventors: Dev Kumar Banerjee, Charles Edward Downs
-
Patent number: 8813778Abstract: A valve control system includes a valve control device and a hand-held actuating apparatus for triggering operating actions within the valve control device. The hand-held actuating apparatus includes a magnet arrangement and the valve control device includes a magnetic field sensor arrangement adapted to the magnet arrangement of the hand-held actuating apparatus. The magnet arrangement includes one or more magnets and an actuating means. The magnetic fields of the magnets are individually variable by the actuating means without movement of the hand-held actuating apparatus relative to the magnetic field sensor arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2013Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Buerkert Werke GmbHInventors: René Bachmann, Ulrike Brinkmann, Kersten Grosse
-
Patent number: 8814122Abstract: A slide rail for motor vehicle seat comprising a first profile section, attached to said vehicle, with a cross-section having a bottom and two side parts, a second profile section, guided translationally relative to the first profile section along the longitudinal axis, the second profile section having a cross-section with a web and first and second side flanges, a fixed motorization element connected to the first profile section, a movable motorization element connected to the second profile section, a sensor attached to the second profile section, the sensor being suitable for detecting the presence of the fixed motorization element when the sensor is opposite a portion of the fixed motorization element.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2012Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: FAURECIA Sieges d'AutomobileInventor: Christian Couasnon
-
Patent number: 8818486Abstract: A method includes generating a magnetic field in a predefined volume. A reference model is defined, which models the magnetic field at multiple points in the volume using spherical harmonics. The magnetic field is measured by a field detector, which is coupled to an intra-body probe inserted into an organ of a living body located in the volume. A cost function is defined by comparing the measured magnetic field with the reference magnetic field model within the volume. The cost function is minimized by a computation over dipole terms in a derivative over the cost function so as to find a position and orientation that matches the measured magnetic field. The found position and orientation is outputted as the position and orientation of the probe in the organ.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.Inventor: Avram Dan Montag
-
Patent number: 8816676Abstract: The position sensor includes a shift lever used to select one of five ranges P, R, N, D, and B, fixed contacts corresponding to the ranges P, R, N, D, and B, and movable contacts configured to be electrically connected to the fixed contacts. The fixed contacts include regular fixed contacts, first backup fixed contacts, and second backup fixed contacts. The first and second backup fixed contacts have their lengths in the moving direction of the movable contacts configured to be longer than the length of the regular fixed contact that corresponds to the first and second backup fixed contacts.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideaki Yamashita, Yasuhiro Ijichi, Hiroshi Takei
-
Publication number: 20140232377Abstract: A method for determining the rotational speed of ferromagnetic disks via the detection of permeability changes in dependence on radially directed forces in the disk includes orienting, for the measurement, at least one contactless-operating magneto-elastic sensor toward a face of the ferromagnetic disk to be measured, for detecting permeability changes in the case of occurring radial forces, and for calculating the radial forces from the permeability changes. The primary use is in the field of contactless determining data of rotating components.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2012Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Carl Udo Maier, Jochen Ostermaier
-
Publication number: 20140232378Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor arrangement (2) for determining a relative rotation of two shafts that are arranged coaxially to one another (4, 6), which sensor arrangement comprises at least one magnetic element (29) arranged on a first shaft (4), at least one magnetic element (29) arranged on a second shaft (6) and at least one magnetic field-sensitive sensing element (20), which is arranged in a stationary manner between the magnetic elements (29) of the two shafts (4, 6) and which captures a magnetic field that results from the superposition of the magnetic fields (32) of the magnetic elements (29) of both shafts (4, 6).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2012Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Ronny Ludwig
-
Publication number: 20140224010Abstract: The present discloses an alternate construction and method for a magnetostrictive probe intended to be used as a tank monitoring device. Height determination, either water or fuel, is referenced to an ultrasonic pickup assembly located inside the shaft at the foot of the probe. With this inverse approach, height measurement takes advantage of the relative geothermal stability of underground storage tanks, or the temperature stability offered by the thermal mass of the fuel, to facilitate a more accurate tank level determination. At that new location, the detection circuit gains the added benefits of being isolated from the effect of magnetic risers, large temperature swings and other undesirable phenomenon that often affect magnetostrictive probe measurements that are referenced to the canister.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2013Publication date: August 14, 2014Inventor: Ambroise Prinstil
-
Patent number: 8803510Abstract: Provided are a rotation detecting device that highly precisely detects absolute angle with low noise, as well as a bearing assembly with such a rotation detecting device. Such a rotation detecting device includes magnetic encoders arranged coaxially with different number of magnetic poles as well as magnetic sensors that detect magnetic fields of those encoders. Each of the magnetic sensors can detect the encoders within each magnetic pole, and includes sensor elements as well as a phase detector that determines the phase of the sensor element in reference to a detected magnetic field signal and then outputs an ABZ phase signal. Such a rotation detecting device further includes a phase difference detector that determines a phase difference of the magnetic field signals in reference to an output from the phase detectors and an angle calculator that calculates the absolute angle of the encoders based on the detected phase difference.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignees: NTN Corporation, NTN-SNR RoulementsInventors: Toru Takahashi, Pascal Desbiolles
-
Patent number: 8803385Abstract: A drive device for a hybrid vehicle includes an input shaft, a motor having a rotor and a stator, an output shaft integrally and coaxially connected to the rotor along a rotation axis and configured so as to be engaged with and disengaged from the input shaft, a rotation angle sensor including a rotating portion and a fixed portion, which forms an angle relative to the rotating portion, and detecting a rotation angle of the rotor, and a case rotatably and axially supporting the input shaft and the output shaft on the rotation axis and accommodating the motor and the rotation angle sensor, wherein a side wall portion of the case includes an angle adjusting member coaxially supporting the fixed portion relative to the rotation axis while allowing the angle of the fixed portion to be adjustable, and a clamp member supporting a harness movably connected to the fixed portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shigetaka Isogai, Hideki Nakamura, Jun Abiko
-
Publication number: 20140218013Abstract: Magnetic position sensors, systems and methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, a position sensing system includes a magnetic field source; and a sensor module spaced apart from the magnetic field source, at least one of the magnetic field source or the sensor module configured to move relative to the other along a path, the sensor module configured to determine a position of the magnetic field source relative to the sensor module from a nonlinear function of a ratio of a first component of a magnetic field of the magnetic field source to a second component of the magnetic field of the magnetic field source.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Inventors: UDO AUSSERLECHNER, ARMIN SATZ, FERDINAND GASTINGER
-
Patent number: 8796965Abstract: A DC brushless motor includes a rotary actuation shaft having multiple poles. Each of the poles has multiple commutation steps. The DC brushless motor also includes a motor controller capable of controlling rotation of the rotary actuation shaft. The motor controller stores a commutation step map.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Precision Engine Controls CorporationInventor: Joel Mawhinney
-
Publication number: 20140210292Abstract: Apparatus and methods for manufacturing magnets, and magnets, having magnetically oriented grains, and apparatus including such magnets. The field of a permanent magnet may be shaped by applying an external field to the material from which the magnet is made in such a way as to magnetize different regions of the material in different directions. The apparatus may include, and the methods may involve, a metal-powder press that may press metal powder in the presence of a magnetic field. The press may compress the powder in an axial direction. The field may have flux lines that are transverse to the axial direction. The field may have flux lines that are along the axial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: ARNOLD MAGNETIC TECHNOLOGIES AGInventors: Gerhard Martinek, Urs Wyss
-
Publication number: 20140210456Abstract: In one embodiment, a hitch angle sensor assembly includes a spacer fixed between a hitch ball and a mounting surface on a vehicle. An element is rotatably coupled with the spacer about a vertical axis defined by the hitch ball, and connecting member secures the element to a trailer. A hall sensor is coupled with the spacer and senses a magnetic portion of the element to determine a hitch angle between the vehicle and trailer. This and other embodiments of the hitch angle sensor assembly may be used independently or in combination with other hitch angle sensors or systems to estimate the hitch angle between the vehicle and trailer, which may be advantageously used for operation of the vehicle with a trailer backup assist system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: John Crossman
-
Patent number: 8791690Abstract: A semiconductor device having a lateral semiconductor element includes a semiconductor substrate, a first electrode on the substrate, a second electrode on the substrate, and an isolation structure located in the substrate to divide the substrate into a first island and a second island electrically insulated from the first island. The lateral semiconductor element includes a main cell located in the first island and a sense cell located in the second island. The main cell causes a first current to flow between the first electrode and the second electrode so that the first current flows in a lateral direction along the surface of the substrate. The first current is detected by detecting a second current flowing though the sense cell.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Satoshi Shiraki, Norihito Tokura, Shigeki Takahashi, Masahiro Yamamoto, Akira Yamada, Hiroyasu Kudo, Youichi Ashida, Akio Nakagawa
-
Publication number: 20140197818Abstract: A magnetically-based position sensor. The sensor includes a magnet assembly that moves along a path, a common collector, one or more magnetic sensing elements, a first variable collector, and a second variable collector. The one or more magnetic sensing elements are coupled to the common collector. The first and second variable collectors are coupled to one of the one or more magnetic sensors and are configured to collect a magnetic field. The first and second variable collectors are positioned to transmit some of the magnetic flux generated by the magnet assembly as the magnet assembly moves along the path. The first variable collector and the second variable collector have a geometry and orientation such that the flux collected by the first and second variable collectors varies as the magnet moves along the path.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: BOURNS, INC.Inventor: James Gregory Stanley
-
Publication number: 20140197820Abstract: A measuring system having a first magnetic field sensor, an encoder, and an evaluation circuit. The first magnetic field sensor and the second magnetic field sensor and the third magnetic field sensor are connected to the encoder. The evaluation circuit has a logic, which is set up to determine the position of the encoder based on a first measurement signal of a first magnetic field sensor and a second measurement signal of a second magnetic field sensor and a third measurement signal of a third magnetic field sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: Micronas GmbHInventors: Joachim RITTER, Joerg FRANKE
-
Publication number: 20140191749Abstract: A measuring system is provided that includes a magnetic field sensor array, an evaluation circuit for evaluating measurement signals of the magnetic field sensor array, and a rotatable encoder that has a mass element to change a magnetic field vector in the magnetic field sensor array. The encoder has a spring element in which the mass element is attached to the spring element. The encoder has a linear guide, and the mass element is guided in a radial direction in the linear guide such that during a rotation of the encoder the mass element can be moved by centrifugal force and the centrifugal force works against the spring force of the spring element. The magnetic field sensor array is arranged toward the encoder to measure a change, caused by the movement of the mass element, in the magnetic field vector.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Micronas GmbHInventor: Yan BONDAR
-
Patent number: 8773113Abstract: Cyclic motion of a ferromagnetic part in an environment made noisy by at least one electric source with an A.C. component is measured using at least one first magnetometer sensitive to the moving part and a sensor of an image of current in the electric source. An estimate is calculated of noise linked to the electric source on a signal measured by the first magnetometer and then subtracted from the measured signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies AlternativesInventors: Alexis Le Goff, Roland Blanpain
-
Patent number: 8773124Abstract: An embodiment of a magnetic-field sensor includes a magnetic-field sensor arrangement and a magnetic body which has, for example, a non-convex cross-sectional area with regard to a cross-sectional plane running through the magnetic body, the magnetic body having an inhomogeneous magnetization.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Udo Ausserlechner
-
Publication number: 20140184203Abstract: A position detector includes a magnet disposed between first ends of first and second magnetic flux transmission parts and a magnet disposed between second ends of the first and second magnetic flux transmission parts. The position detector also includes a Hall IC that moves within a gap and relative to a rotating body. The Hall IC detects a density of the magnetic flux from the first and second magnetic flux transmission parts and outputs a signal according to the density of the magnetic flux passing therethrough in order to detect a position of a detection object. The position detector has third and fourth magnetic flux transmission parts disposed at ends of the first and second magnetic flux transmission parts in a non-contacting manner. As a result, the position detection accuracy of the position detector is improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Naoaki KOUNO, Tetsuji Yamanaka
-
Publication number: 20140184205Abstract: A position detector has first and second magnets with a magnet width that is different from a gap width of a gap. As a result, the gap width and the magnet width are independent of each other. The gap width is minimized relative to a molding member that molds a Hall element. The first and second magnets have a specific magnet width that generates a required magnetic flux density without increasing the magnet width, which enables a volume reduction of the position detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: Denso CorporationInventors: Naoaki KOUNO, Tetsuji YAMANAKA
-
Publication number: 20140184204Abstract: A position detector has a gap for providing a detection range. The gap has a gap width that is greater at the ends of the gap than at a center. Therefore, an amount of a spill magnetic flux and an amount of a direct magnetic flux respectively flowing through a position at and around an end portion of the gap are reduced when compared to a gap having a constant gap width along the direction of relative movement. Namely, the density of magnetic flux which passes through a Hall element that is positioned at each longitudinal end of the gap decreases. Therefore, at or around the ends of the gap, a rate of change of the magnetic flux density detected by the Hall element decreases and the linearity of an output signal from the Hall element is improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Naoaki KOUNO, Tetsuji YAMANAKA
-
Publication number: 20140167742Abstract: A magnetic sensing device including a U-shaped magnet with a pair of legs and a base defining a first interior channel and a distal plane. A sensor assembly in the first interior channel includes a sensor that extends above the distal plane. The magnet generates a first region of low or no flux above the distal plane in a first position of the magnet, a second region of low or no magnetic flux in the interior channel in a second position of the magnet, and a third region of magnetic flux above the distal plane in the second position of the magnet which causes the sensor to activate a control signal. The base includes steps and a second interior channel that opens into the first interior channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: CTS AUTOMOTIVE, L.L.C.Inventors: Douglas C. Moore, John Jablonski
-
Publication number: 20140152298Abstract: The invention relates to a positioning method for determining a position of a downhole tool moving at a velocity in a casing in a well, comprising the steps of measuring a magnitude and/or direction of a magnetic field by means of a first sensor several times over a time period while moving along a first part of the casing manufactured from metal, determining a manufacturing pattern of the casing along the first part from the measurement measuring a magnitude and/or direction of a magnetic field by means of the first sensor several times over a time period while moving along a second part of the casing manufactured from metal, determining the velocity of the tool along the second part, adjusting the determined velocity of the tool along the second part based upon the manufacturing pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: WELLTEC A/SInventors: Jørgen Hallunbæk, Mathias Francke
-
Publication number: 20140130612Abstract: A torque sensor has a magnetic sensor, which is composed of a first magnetic detecting element, a second magnetic detecting element and a comparator. The first magnetic detecting element outputs an output signal of a provisional detection value, while the second magnetic detecting element outputs an output signal of a reference value. The comparator compares the provisional detection value and the reference value and outputs the provisional detection value as an authorized detection value, when a difference value between the provisional detection value and the reference value is smaller than a predetermined threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshiki TAKAHASHI, Shigetoshi FUKAYA, Hideki KABUNE
-
Publication number: 20140124994Abstract: The subject invention relates to an air spring height measurement arrangement comprising a magnetic field transmitting arrangement (110) and a magnetic field receiving arrangement (120). The magnetic field transmitting arrangement is adapted to adopt a first state and a second state with regard to the magnetic field receiving arrangement. One of the magnetic field transmitting arrangement (110) and the magnetic field receiving arrangement (120) comprises a first coil (141) and a second coil and the other comprises a third coil (143). A first central axis (161) of the first coil and a second central axis (162) of the second coil enclose a first angle (171) and, in the first state, a third central axis (163) of the third coil (143) and the first central axis enclose a second angle (172), which first and second angle cannot be 0°.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2013Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Veyance Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Lutz May
-
Publication number: 20140125324Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a resolver having a stator mounted around a rotator and configured to detect a rotational angle of a motor, the method including: forming the stator to have a core with protrusions disposed at a predetermined interval along a rotational direction of the rotator; winding a signal source coil around the protrusions of the core to generate an alternate current (AC) magnetic field when an input voltage signal is applied thereto; and winding a plurality of output signal coils alternately along the rotational direction of the rotator around the protrusions of the core, along the rotational direction of the rotator, to generate induced voltage signals of different phases in response to the AC magnetic field generated by the signal source coil and the rotation of the rotator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2013Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chang-sung JIN, Yong-ho PARK, Jin-ju LEE
-
Publication number: 20140125325Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a sensor is provided. The sensor includes a substrate, a beam suspended from the substrate, and a plurality of conductive lines arranged on the beam, wherein the beam is adapted to be displaced in response to a current flowing through the plurality of conductive lines, and a magnetic field interacting with the beam, and wherein the sensor is configured to determine a property of the magnetic field based on the displacement of the beam. According to further embodiments of the present invention, a method of controlling a sensor is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2013Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Agency for Science, Technology and ResearchInventors: Ilker Ender Ocak, Julius Ming Lin Tsai