Magnetoresistive Patents (Class 324/207.21)
  • Patent number: 11175353
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a magneto resistive field sensor for detecting position in a particular direction. The sensor includes a plurality of magneto resistive elements arranged in pairs. The elements of the same pair are arranged so that their sensitivity direction is oriented in the same direction. The elements of different pairs are oriented so that their sensitivity direction is oriented in a different direction, preferably substantially perpendicular to another pair. The magneto resistive sensors and their sensitivity directions are generally arranged in a plane, which is perpendicular to the direction of measurement of the device. The elements of each pair are arranged in series between two nodes so as to form a bridge circuit. As such, movement of the magnet in the first plane causes a substantially equal change in the elements of each pair, thereby compensating for this movement in the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Jochen Schmitt, Eoin Edward English
  • Patent number: 11169081
    Abstract: A device, method, and article of manufacture for corrosion monitoring are disclosed. The device includes a corrodible component and a silicone layer positioned over the corrodible component. The method includes providing a corrosion monitoring assembly having a corrodible component and a silicone layer positioned over the corrodible component. The article of manufacture includes a corrosion monitoring assembly having a corrodible component and a silicone layer positioned over the corrodible component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Campbell, Joseph Kuczynski, Sarah K. Czaplewski-Campbell, Timothy J. Tofil
  • Patent number: 11162857
    Abstract: A torque-angle sensor is mounted on a steering column with a system casing and configured to detect a steering torque and angle of steering wheel steering of a vehicle. The torque-angle sensor includes a top cover, a torque sensing unit, an angle sensing unit, a PCB, a signal output terminal, and a sensor casing. The top cover includes a body, a first fitting part, and second fitting part. The first fitting part is a flange extending from the body towards the sensor casing, and fitted to the sensor casing. The second fitting part is a flange extending in a radial direction and/or axial direction of the body, and fitted to the system casing. In a radial direction of the body, a distance between the second fitting part and a center of the body is greater than a distance between the first fitting part and the center of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Mirko Scheer, Xiang Li, Gaofeng Liang
  • Patent number: 11156479
    Abstract: A linear contactless displacement sensor assembly is provided. The sensor assembly can include a shaft configured to translate linearly, and a sleeve rotatably coupled about the shaft and linearly fixed such that the shaft can linearly translate through the sleeve as the sleeve rotates. The sleeve includes an outer surface having a threading that varies in pitch. A tooth is disposed in the threading and fixed on a linear track such that the tooth moves linearly as the sleeve rotates. A sensor is configured to sense a location of the tooth along the linear track. This allows the sensor assembly to measure an amount of linear movement and a corresponding amount of rotation of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Timothy Jacques, Shaun Tate, Constantine Mastory
  • Patent number: 11121612
    Abstract: A rotary-linear actuation assembly comprising a casing internally housing an output shaft arranged coaxial with an actuation axis (A) in a translationally and rotationally movable manner, at least two actuators, of which a first actuator is adapted to impose a translational movement along the actuation axis (A) on the output shaft and a second actuator is adapted to impose a rotary movement about the actuation axis (A) on the output shaft, and at least one position sensor adapted to detect an instant position of the output shaft inside the casing. At least one position sensor is mounted in fixed manner in respect of rotation about the actuation axis (A) and in fixed manner in respect of translation along the actuation axis (A) and faces at least a portion of the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: AROL S.P.A.
    Inventor: Marco Cipriani
  • Patent number: 11112230
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a sensor with a main coil to direct a magnetic field at a rotating target for inducing eddy currents in an end of the target and a sensing element to detect a magnetic field reflected from the target, wherein the target end comprises a conductive surface. The reflected magnetic field can be processed to determine an angular position of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Latham, Maxim Klebanov
  • Patent number: 11035102
    Abstract: 1. —It is disclosed an autonomous monitoring system based on a magnetic field variation: (a) that allows (i) predicting wear, failures and cracks in mining equipment; (ii) prevent and detect, in real time, uncrushable material such as metal and/or material from “old mining” or past operations and/or parts or pieces of mining equipment; (b) to be used/installed in mining and/or loading equipment, such as, but not limited to, cables shovel, hydraulic shovel, a loader or other type of loader; (c) that allows detecting strange metal bodies, and also, knowing the level of wear and/or detecting a failure or fracture in the parts of these equipment almost immediately, particularly, but not limited to, the teeth or part of them, preventing unscheduled stops and accidents of the personnel, and improving effectiveness and efficiency in the planning of predictive and preventative maintenance operations; 2.—an installation method of the system. 3.—an operating method of the system. 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVERSIDAD DE SANTIAGO DE CHILE
    Inventors: Alvaro Espejo Pina, Nicolas Vargas Ayala, Dora Altbir Drullinsky, Juliano Casagrande Denardin
  • Patent number: 11022659
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic sensor that can reduce influences of a disturbance magnetic field while ensuring high detection sensitivity. The magnetic sensor includes a sensor chip 20 having an element formation surface 20S on which magnetic detection elements MR3, MR4 are formed, a first magnetic member 31 placed on the element formation surface 20S and having a first height H1 as a height from the element formation surface 20S, and a second magnetic member 32 located on an opposite side of the magnetic detection elements MR3, MR4 to the first magnetic member 31 and having a second height H2 lower than the first height H1. According to the present invention, because the height H2 of the second magnetic member 32 is lower than that of the first magnetic member 31, a detection magnetic field attracted to the second magnetic member 32 can be reduced while a disturbance magnetic field is shielded by the second magnetic member 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Asazuma, Kei Tanabe, Akihiro Unno, Atsushi Matsuda, Masashi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11016150
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for detecting a stray magnetic field are provided. An example apparatus may include a first magnetic sensor element at a first position relative to a magnetic field source to detect a target magnetic field emitted by the magnetic field source, a second magnetic sensor element at a second position relative to the magnetic field source to detect the target magnetic field emitted by the magnetic field source, and a processor element electronically coupled to the first magnetic sensor element and the second magnetic sensor element. In some examples, the processor element may be configured to: receive a first output from the first magnetic sensor element, receive a second output from the second magnetic sensor element, and detect the stray magnetic field interfering with the target magnetic field based at least in part on the first output and the second output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Fred Hintz, Jason Chilcote
  • Patent number: 11002566
    Abstract: A sensing mechanism includes a magnetic source, a magnetic flux sensor, a sensor backing on which the magnetic source and flux sensor are mounted, and a ferromagnetic target, where the magnetic source, magnetic flux sensor, and ferromagnetic target are positioned to form a magnetic circuit from the magnetic source to the target, from the target to the sensor, and returning to the magnetic source through the sensor backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Hosek, Jairo Moura, Jay Krishnasamy, Jeff Paranay
  • Patent number: 10989769
    Abstract: A device according to an embodiment may comprise a magneto-resistive structure comprising a magnetic free layer with a spontaneously generated in-plane closed flux magnetization pattern and a magnetic reference layer having a non-closed flux magnetization pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Juergen Zimmer, Armin Satz, Wolfgang Raberg, Hubert Brueckl, Dieter Suess
  • Patent number: 10983180
    Abstract: An integrated fluxgate magnetic gradient sensor includes a common mode sensitive fluxgate magnetometer and a differential mode sensitive fluxgate magnetometer. The common mode sensitive fluxgate magnetometer includes a first core adjacent to a second core. The first and second cores are wrapped by a first excitation wire coil configured to receive an excitation current that affects a differential mode magnetic field. The differential mode sensitive fluxgate magnetometer includes a third core adjacent to the first core and a fourth core adjacent to the second core. The third and fourth cores are wrapped by a second excitation wire coil configured to receive an excitation current that affects a common mode magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Martijn Fridus Snoeij, Viola Schaffer, Gebhard Haug
  • Patent number: 10976184
    Abstract: A sensor device includes a sensor for sensing amounts of a physical quantity, such as an environmental attribute, and providing sensor signals formed in response to the sensed physical quantity. A diagnostic test circuit provides multiple diagnostic test signals each representing a desired response to a particular amount of the physical quantity. A signal circuit selects the sensor signal or the diagnostic test signal and forms a signal circuit output. A reference circuit provides a calibrated reference signal corresponding to a threshold amount of the physical quantity. A comparator receives and compares the calibrated reference signal and the signal circuit output to form a comparison signal. A control circuit controls the signal circuit, reference circuit, and diagnostic test circuit and receives the comparison signal to output a sensor device sensor signal or sensor device diagnostic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: MELEXIS BULGARIA LTD.
    Inventors: Rumen Marinov Peev, Stoyan Georgiev Gaydov, Tsvetan Miroslavov Marinov
  • Patent number: 10962386
    Abstract: A magnetic revolution counter, and method for determining a predefinable number n of revolutions to be determined of a rotating magnetic field, generated by a magnetic system includes a revolution sensor, which includes magnetic domain wall conductors composed of open spirals or closed, multiply-wound loops, which are formed by a GMR layer stack or a soft magnetic layer comprising locally present TMR layer stacks and in which magnetic 180° domain walls can be introduced and located by measuring the electrical resistance of predefinable spiral or loop sections, wherein a single domain wall is, or at least two magnetic domain walls are, introduced into the domain wall conductors such that the at least two domain walls are brought into a defined separation of greater than 360° with respect to one another, based on the change in location thereof from a first to a second position, with a rotation of the outer magnetic field by the angle of greater than 360°, and are permanently thus spaced apart from one another,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignees: HORST SIEDLE GMBH & CO. KG, LEIBNIZ-INSTITUT FUER PHOTONISCHE TECHNOLOGIEN E.V.
    Inventors: Roland Mattheis, Marco Diegel
  • Patent number: 10935395
    Abstract: A rotational angle detection device includes a first gear that rotates about a first rotation axis and that has a main surface having an annular shape that crosses the first rotation axis and a plurality of first teeth provided on the main surface; a second gear that rotates about a second rotation axis in engagement with the first gear and that has a larger number of second teeth than the first teeth; and a sensor that detects a rotational angle of the second gear. The second rotation axis extends in a direction orthogonal to both of a virtual line that connects a center of the first gear and a position where the first gear and the second gear are engaged with each other, and the first rotation axis. Each of the first teeth extends so as to shift from an outer side toward an inner side in a radial direction of the main surface as it shifts along a circumferential direction of the main surface. Adjacent two of the first teeth are disposed so as to overlap each other in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mayuko Okada
  • Patent number: 10921373
    Abstract: A method of determining an error condition in a magnetic field sensor can include receiving a first bridge signal, the first bridge signal generated by a first full bridge circuit. The method can also include receiving a second bridge signal, the second bridge signal generated by a second full bridge circuit. The method can also include determining a bridge separation from the first bridge signal and the second bridge signal. The method can also include comparing a function of the bridge separation to a threshold value. The method can also include generating an error signal indicative of the error condition or not indicative of the error condition in response to the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Rémy Lassalle-Balier, Jeffrey Eagen, Paul A. David
  • Patent number: 10907991
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor device for determining a rotation speed, a direction of rotation, and/or a rotation angle of a magnetic component rotating about a rotation axis is provided. The magnetic sensor device includes a magnet being rotationally symmetrical with respect to a symmetry axis, wherein a recess is formed within the magnet along the symmetry axis. Further, the magnetic sensor device includes a first magnetic sensor element arranged within the recess and on the symmetry axis, and a second magnetic sensor element arranged within the recess and on the symmetry axis. The magnetic sensor device additionally includes an integrated circuit arranged within the recess and configured to determine the rotation speed, the direction of rotation, and/or the rotation angle of the magnetic component based on a first output signal of the first magnetic sensor element and a second output signal of the second magnetic sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventors: Gernot Binder, Armin Satz
  • Patent number: 10859404
    Abstract: A magnetic revolution counter for the self-identification of error states includes magnetic domain wall conductors which are composed of open spirals or closed, multiply-wound loops, formed by a GMR layer stack or a sort magnetic layer of locally present TMR layer stacks and in which the magnetic 180° domain walls can be introduced and located, wherein a predefinable bijective magnetization pattern of domain walls and/or domain wall gaps is written in, and the associated signal levels thereof are stored in the form of signal level sequences in a first memory in tabular form, which is compared to tabular target value patterns of the signal level sequences stored in a second memory for each permissible revolution i (0?i?n), and a third memory is provided, in which tabular error target value patterns of deviations of signal level sequences, caused thereby, from regular signal level sequences stored in the second memory are stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignees: Horst Siedle GmbH & Co. KG, Leibniz-Institut Fuer Photonische Technologien E.V.
    Inventors: Marco Diegel, Peter Dingler, Roland Mattheis, Manfred Scherzinger
  • Patent number: 10859642
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic sensor having enhanced magnetic detection sensitivity by bending magnetic flux more largely. A magnetic sensor includes magnetic detection elements MR1 and MR2 positioned on a plane P separating a first space S1 and a second space S2, a first magnetic member 31 disposed in the first space S1 so as to be between the magnetic detection elements MR1 and MR2 when viewed in the z-direction, and a second magnetic member 32 disposed in the second space S2. The magnetic detection element MR1 is positioned between the first magnetic member 31 and a first part 32a of the second magnetic member 32 when viewed in the z-direction. The magnetic detection element MR2 is positioned between the first magnetic member 31 and a second part 32b of the second magnetic member 32 when viewed in the z-direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kei Tanabe
  • Patent number: 10843414
    Abstract: There is described a unit (1) for forming/advancing at least one pack (3) or at least one portion of a pack 5 (3), comprising: a frame (12a, 12b), at least one carriage (14, 14b), which is movable along a path (13a, 13b) with respect to frame (12a, 12b) and is adapted to form/advance said pack (3) or said at least one portion of a pack (3), an electromagnetic stationary device 10 (50), at least one tag (52a, 52b) carried by carriage (14a, 14b), and wireless communication means (51) configured to establish a bidirectional communication between stationary device (50) and tag (52a, 52b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Melandri, Stefano Rossi, Vittoria Lanza, Davide Borghi
  • Patent number: 10838019
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a first magnetoresistive element that detects a magnetic field along a first detection axis, a second magnetoresistive element that detects a magnetic field along a second detection axis inclining at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the first detection axis, a first Hall element that detects a magnetic field along a third detection axis, and a second Hall element that detects a magnetic field along a fourth detection axis perpendicular to the third detection axis. This magnetic sensor has both characteristics of the Hall elements and characteristics of the magnetoresistive elements, and has high accuracy and a small size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Onaka, Noritaka Ichinomiya, Shigehiro Yoshiuchi, Kiyotaka Yamada
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10809094
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a sensor system having a first magnetic field sensing element with first and second segments where the first and second segments are located at positions to generate magnetic field bias in opposite directions for reducing sensitivity due to misalignment of the first and second segments. A processing module is configured to receive an output of the magnetic field sensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Andrea Foletto, Rémy Lassalle-Balier, Yannick Vuillermet, Paul A. David, Jeffrey Eagen
  • Patent number: 10802074
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for analyzing phase noise in a signal. A plurality of signal samples, each signal sample representing a value of phase noise in a signal-under-test at a corresponding offset frequency, and filter data representing filter characteristics on a first side of a spectrum boundary, are used to derive filtered signal samples. A measure of noise is derived from the filtered signal samples. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: JITTERLABS LLC
    Inventor: Gary Giust
  • Patent number: 10794752
    Abstract: A direct-read meter capable of eliminating magnetic interference of adjacent rotating wheels, comprising N coaxial rotating wheel permanent magnets and corresponding magnetic angle sensors, a sampling element, a storage element, and a computation element. The magnetic angle sensors sense a linear superposition of the magnetic field from the intended permanent magnet rotating wheel and the interfering magnetic fields from the other rotating wheel permanent magnets. The sampling element samples the output signals of the N magnetic angle sensors to form a N*1 raw signal matrix [V/Vp]k(i)raw. The storage element stores an N*N correction matrix [Cij]; and the computation element computes the correction signal matrix [V/Vp]kcorr(i)=[V/Vp]k(i)raw?sum{C(i, j)*[V/Vp]k(j)raw}, thus eliminating the interfering magnetic field and permitting calculation of the rotation angle of the rotating wheel permanent magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: MultiDimension Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James Geza Deak, Zhimin Zhou
  • Patent number: 10782365
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes: a first magnetoresistance effect element; a second magnetoresistance effect element; an output port; a signal line; and a first input terminal configured to be capable of applying a DC current or a DC voltage to the first magnetoresistance effect element. Each of the first magnetoresistance effect element and the second magnetoresistance effect element includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a spacer layer disposed therebetween, the first magnetoresistance effect element and the second magnetoresistance effect element are connected through the signal line, and the output port is connected in parallel with the second magnetoresistance effect element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuya Shibata
  • Patent number: 10775196
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system comprising: an encoder the magnetic track of which has an alternation of North and South magnetic poles separated by transitions in Archimedean spiral, a rotation sensor able to detect the periodic magnetic field emitted by the encoder using a plurality of magnetic sensitive elements, distributed angularly along the magnetic track. Each magnetic sensitive element delivers a signal representative to the rotation of the encoder. The sensor further comprises a device for subtracting the signals (V1, V2) delivered by two sensitive elements forming therebetween an angle ? that is such that: 0.55?<?·Npp, <0.83?, modulo 2? or 1.17?<?·Npp<1.45?, modulo 2?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: NTN-SNR Roulements
    Inventor: Christophe Duret
  • Patent number: 10760927
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement for contactless linear position detection includes a target having a measuring transducer running along a measuring path, and a magnetic field sensor arranged at a distance from the measuring transducer and in a relatively movable manner along the measuring path. The magnetic field sensor at least partially covers the measuring transducer. The measuring transducer is magnetically conductive. The magnetic field sensor includes a carrier having at least one measuring sensor with a two-dimensional or three-dimensional detection range, and at least one permanent magnet that generates a local magnetic field. The magnetic flux of the at least one permanent magnet is introduced into the measuring transducer, which includes an influencing device configured to influence the introduced magnetic flux based on a current position of the magnetic field sensor along the measuring path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Buck, Anna Krause, Stefan Leidich
  • Patent number: 10753768
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor has a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements and operates as a motion detector for sensing a rotation or other movement of a target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. David, William P. Taylor
  • Patent number: 10746569
    Abstract: A magnetic angle sensing system is suggested comprising first, second, and third magnetic sensing devices, a substrate comprising the first, second and third magnetic sensing devices, wherein the first, seconds and third magnetic sensing devices are each arranged such to be responsive to a magnetic field component that is perpendicular to a main surface of the substrate, wherein each or the first, second and third magnetic sensing devices comprises the same number of magnetic sensing elements, wherein the second magnetic sensing device is arranged on the semiconductor surface rotated by 120° in view of the first magnetic sensing device clockwise around a reference point, wherein the third magnetic sensing device is arranged on the semiconductor surface rotated by 120° in view of the first magnetic sensing device counter-clockwise around the reference point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Udo Ausserlechner
  • Patent number: 10724844
    Abstract: An example multi-turn counter (MTC) sensor includes a magnetic strip that includes a domain wall generator located at a first end of the magnetic strip, where the domain wall generator is to generate at least one domain wall in the magnetic strip, the at least one domain wall configured to propagate based on a magnetic field caused by a magnet; wherein a location of the at least one domain wall indicates a turn count of the magnetic field of the magnet; the turn count to indicate one or more of a predefined fraction of a full rotation of the magnetic field; an end tip located at a second end of the magnetic strip, where the second end of the magnetic strip is opposite the first end; and a plurality of overlapping strip turns that cause a plurality of crossings in the magnetic strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Zimmer, Sebastian Luber, Thomas Bever, Hansjoerg Walter Kuemmel, Christian Kegler
  • Patent number: 10670669
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor can include a substrate disposed in an x-y plane with x and y axes; one or more magnetoresistance elements, wherein magnetic directions of reference layers of each of the one or more magnetoresistance elements are parallel to the x axis; wherein the one or more magnetoresistance elements are operable to generate a magnetoresistance element signal; a first current conductor operable to generate a first AC magnetic field in an x-direction and a second current conductor operable to generate a second AC magnetic field in a y-direction; and a component determination circuit comprising at least two of: a first demodulator to demodulate the magnetoresistance element signal with a first clock signal with a first frequency, a second demodulator coupled to demodulate the magnetoresistance element signal with the first clock signal or with a second clock signal with a second frequency, or a low pass filter operable to filter the magnetoresistance element signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Rémy Lassalle-Balier, Bryan Cadugan
  • Patent number: 10649043
    Abstract: Magnetic field sensor devices and associated methods are disclosed. Magnetic field sensor devices may comprise a first magnetic field sensor having a first bridge part spatially separated from a second bridge part. In some implementations, a second magnetic field sensor may be arranged between the first bridge part and the second bridge part. With this arrangement, measurements read by the magnetic field sensor device have high precision and low jitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Raberg
  • Patent number: 10634739
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor device (10) includes a magnetic sensor unit including a magnetoresistive element mounted on a sensor board extending in a longitudinal direction and a magnet (3) located on a surface of the sensor board opposite to a surface on which the magnetoresistive element is mounted, a housing supporting the magnetic sensor unit, a magnetic shield unit (4) covering side surfaces and a bottom surface of the housing, and a cover covering an upper portion of the housing. The magnetic shield unit (4) has an opening (4o) facing in Z-axis direction from the magnetoresistive element toward a transport path of a sensing target. The opening (4o) is defined by two long sides in the longitudinal direction and two short sides in a lateral direction. The two long sides of the magnetic shield unit (4) are nearer to the sensing target in Z-axis direction than the two short sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tomokazu Ogomi, Kenji Shimohata, Hideki Matsui, Sadaaki Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 10627256
    Abstract: A rotation angle detecting device includes: a rotating part rotating integrally with the rotating shaft and including a detected portion; an A-phase detector detecting change of a physical quantity caused by rotation of the rotating part, inside a first detection field over the detected portion and outputting an A-phase signal; and a B-phase detector detecting change of the physical quantity caused by rotation of the rotating part, inside a second detection field located over the detected portion and outputting a B-phase signal that is out of phase with the A-phase signal. The second detection field is shorter than the first detection field with respect to the direction perpendicular to the rotating direction of the rotating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira Nishioka
  • Patent number: 10605874
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a substrate having a surface and a plurality of magnetoresistance elements supported by the surface of the substrate. Each magnetoresistance element has a respective width parallel to the surface, and each width may be a smallest dimension parallel to the surface. A first width of a first magnetoresistance element of the plurality of magnetoresistance elements may be different from a second width of a second magnetoresistance element of the plurality of magnetoresistance elements. A processing circuit may be coupled to the plurality of magnetoresistance elements to receive a signal representing a detected magnetic field from at least one of the magnetoresistance elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Rémy Lassalle-Balier, Jeffrey Eagen, Andrea Foletto
  • Patent number: 10600541
    Abstract: There is provided a compression-bonded magnet with a case, which can realize high magnetic properties, high corrosion resistance and high durability strength even at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Miyazaki, Takuji Harano, Tatsuo Nakajima
  • Patent number: 10591315
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor device for determining a rotation direction of a magnetic component about a rotation axis is provided. The magnetic sensor device includes a bridge circuit with a first half-bridge and a second half-bridge. Each of the first half-bridge and the second half-bridge comprises at least one magnetoresistive structure. Further, the magnetic sensor device includes an evaluation circuit configured to determine the rotation direction of the magnetic component based on a phase difference between an output signal of the first half-bridge and an output signal of the second half-bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Mihai Alexandru Ionescu, Tobias Werth
  • Patent number: 10591274
    Abstract: A magnetic angle sensor device and a method for operating such device is provided. The magnetic angle sensor device includes a shaft rotatable around a rotation axis; a magnetic arrangement coupled to the shaft, where the magnetic arrangement produces a differential magnetic field comprising a plurality of diametric magnetic fields; a first magnetic angle sensor provided in the differential magnetic field and configured to generate a first signal that represents a first angle based on a first diametric magnetic field of the differential magnetic field; a second magnetic angle sensor provided in the differential magnetic field and configured to generate a second signal that represents a second angle based on a second diametric magnetic field of the differential magnetic field; and a combining circuit configured to determine a combined rotation angle based on the first signal and on the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Udo Ausserlechner, Wolfgang Granig
  • Patent number: 10562715
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting and reporting component failures in a linear drive system may identify failed position sensors, failed position magnets, and failed drive coils in the linear drive system. As a mover travels along a track segment in the linear drive system, signals corresponding to the position of the mover and to the current commanded in each drive coil are stored. Analysis of the stored signals identifies whether one of the position sensors along the track segment, one of the position magnets on the movers, or one of the drive coils, used to propel the movers along the track, has failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Magnemotion, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuhong Huang
  • Patent number: 10557825
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of inspecting a part for defects. The method includes applying an electromagnetic field to the part using a defect detection coil and one or more noise cancelation coils. The method also includes detecting feedback received in response to applying the electromagnetic field. The method includes adjusting settings corresponding to the one or more noise cancelation coils, in response to the feedback, to reduce electromagnetic noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Morteza Safai, Keith D. Humfeld
  • Patent number: 10551447
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensing apparatus including a magnetic flux concentrator, a plurality of magnetoresistance units, and a plurality of magnetization direction setting elements is provided. The magnetic flux concentrator has a top surface, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, and a plurality of side surfaces connecting the top surface and the bottom surface. The magnetoresistance units are respectively disposed beside the side surfaces. The magnetoresistance units are electrically connected to form an unchangeable Wheatstone full bridge. The magnetization direction setting elements set the magnetization directions of the magnetoresistance units into three different combinations in three different periods, respectively, so as to enable the unchangeable Wheatstone full bridge to respectively measure the magnetic field components in the three different directions in the three different periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: iSentek Inc.
    Inventors: Fu-Te Yuan, Jen-Tzong Jeng, Meng-Huang Lai
  • Patent number: 10527455
    Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided for determining an angular position of a rotor in relation to a stator, including two components, a magnet and a sensor, where the components are arranged in such a way that the components can be rotated in relation to each other about an axis of rotation, and the sensor includes a first and a second sensor pair, each having a first and a second sensor element. A straight line is associated with each sensor pair, along which straight line the two sensor elements lie and which straight line intersects with the axis of rotation, where the first sensor element has a smaller distance from the axis of rotation than the second sensor element, and the straight line associated with the first sensor pair is spaced apart from the straight line associated with the second sensor pair by a rotational angle about the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: MAX BAERMANN GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Schliesch
  • Patent number: 10527158
    Abstract: An electronic transmission range selection (ETRS) system for a motor vehicle transmission includes an ETRS housing disposed on the transmission, the ETRS housing having a magnetic field sensor in communication with a transmission controller; and a magnetic field source including a magnet component and a high magnetic permeability component. The magnetic field source disposed on a transmission selector shaft, the magnetic field source detectable by the magnetic field sensor at a plurality of predetermined positions along a movement path of the transmission selector shaft; and the magnetic field sensor detecting magnetic flux generated by the magnetic field source, and communicating magnetic field source position information to the controller. The high magnetic permeability component homogenizes the magnetic flux generated by the magnet component and the controller generates an electronic transmission mode signal based on the magnetic field source position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Sean R. Wagner, Thomas A. Perry, David T. Stark
  • Patent number: 10522742
    Abstract: A spin current magnetization reversal element includes: a first ferromagnetic metal layer with a changeable magnetization direction; and a spin-orbit torque wiring, wherein a first direction is perpendicular to a surface of the layer, the wiring extends in a second direction intersecting the first and is bonded to the layer, wherein the wiring material is a binary alloy represented by the formula AxB1-x, a metal carbide, or metal nitride, wherein A is selected from Al, Ti, and Pt, and B is selected from Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Y, Ru, Rh, and Ir and the material has a cubic structure with symmetry of a space group Pm-3m or Fd-3m; or A is selected from Al, Si, Ti, Y, and Ta, and B is selected from C, N, Co, Pt, Au, and Bi and the material has a cubic structure with symmetry of a space group Fm-3m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yohei Shiokawa, Tomoyuki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 10502543
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to a magnetic angle sensor device comprising a first group of magnetic angle sensors and a second group of magnetic angle sensors, wherein the first group of magnetic angle sensors and the second group of magnetic angle sensors are located on different positions along a straight line, wherein the first group of magnetic angle sensors comprises at least one first type of angle sensor and at least one second type of angle sensor, wherein the second group of magnetic angle sensors comprises the at least one first type of angle sensor and the at least one second type of angle sensor, wherein the at least one first type of angle sensor is sensitive to detect a first magnetic field component in a first direction and the at least one second type of angle sensor is sensitive to detect a second magnetic field component in a second direction, and wherein a combined rotation angle is determined based on the detected first magnetic field components and the detected second magnetic field components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Udo Ausserlechner
  • Patent number: 10480963
    Abstract: An absolute position readout apparatus includes an encoder device and a readout device. The readout device includes multiple first and second magnetic sensing components that correspond to an absolute track of the encoder device, and a third magnetic sensing component and a fourth magnetic sensing components that correspond to an incremental track of the encoder device. The third magnetic sensing component is configured to be spaced apart from the fourth magnetic sensing component by a specific distance, so as to prevent misreading of absolute position information from the first or second magnetic sensing components being at positions corresponding to boundaries between adjacent magnetized regions of the absolute track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Hiwin Mikrosystem Corp.
    Inventors: Heng-Sheng Hsiao, Chi-Yuan Cheng, Cheng-Kuo Sung, Tsung-Shune Chin, Sheng-Ching Wang, Jen-Yuan Chang
  • Patent number: 10474202
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a first housing and a second housing provided to be capable of being displaced between a first state in which the first major surfaces thereof face each other and a second state in which the second major surfaces thereof face each other; a magnetic detection part provided in the first housing; a magnet provided in the second housing; and a control part configured to determine the first state and the second state based on an output of the magnetic detection part. The magnet is disposed such that a magnetization direction thereof is orthogonal to the first major surface and the second major surface of the second housing, and the magnetic detection part includes a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor arranged along a direction normal to the first major surface and the second major surface of the first housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Kitade
  • Patent number: 10475305
    Abstract: It is presented a method for detecting a position of a barrier. The method is performed in a status monitor device and comprising the steps of: detecting a barrier position of the barrier using a first sensor, the barrier position indicating a degree of opening of the barrier; detecting when the barrier is in a closed position using a second sensor; and calibrating the first sensor to indicate a closed position each time the barrier is detected to be in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: ASSA ABLOY AB
    Inventor: Tomas Jonsson
  • Patent number: 10466075
    Abstract: There is provided a magnetic detection apparatus in which based on a second comparison signal or a first comparison signal, a second analog/digital conversion circuit or a first analog/digital conversion circuit converts a second amplification signal or a first amplification signal into a digital value at a time when the peak value of the first amplification signal or the second amplification signal is detected or at a time when the bottom value of the first amplification signal or the second amplification signal is detected, as the case may be, and that can implement at least one of actions in which based on comparison between the digital value converted and a predetermined reference value, a second threshold value adjusting apparatus or a first threshold value adjusting apparatus adjusts a second threshold value or a first threshold value, as the case may be.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tatenuma, Masahiro Yokotani, Akira Koshimizu