Having Particular Sensed Object Patents (Class 324/207.22)
  • Patent number: 7737686
    Abstract: A distance sensor configuration for a magnet of the levitation magnet of a magnetic levitation transport system equipped with a number of distance sensors. Each distance sensor has a distance measuring coil acted upon by an operating frequency and can be placed in an installation space on the magnet. In order to obtain reliable distance measurement values by using a distance sensor configuration of the aforementioned type, the distance measuring coil of each distance sensor is connected to a programmable module for generating an operating frequency. The distance sensor contains a location information querying device for querying an installation space-specific location information providing device in the installation space. The location information querying device is connected on the input side to the programmable module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventors: Robert Schmid, Benno Weis
  • Publication number: 20100134096
    Abstract: Provided is a position detecting device including a first magnetic-field generating unit including at least one magnetic-field generating coil and that generates a first magnetic field in a detection space where a detected object provided with a circuit including at least one built-in coil is disposed; a magnetic-field detecting unit having a plurality of detecting coils arrayed to detect an induced magnetic field generated from the built-in coil by the generated first magnetic field; and a second magnetic-field generating unit including at least one magnetic-field generating coil, that generates a second magnetic field, and including a magnetic-field component having a phase substantially opposite to the first magnetic field and entering the detecting coils, wherein the first magnetic-field generating unit and the detecting coils are disposed so that a generating direction of the first magnetic field and a detecting direction of the induced magnetic field intersect each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Atsushi Chiba, Akio Uchiyama, Atsushi Kimura, Ryoji Sato
  • Patent number: 7719262
    Abstract: An inductive proximity sensor or switch and a method of using same. The sensor or switch includes an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (“ASIC”) and a plurality of external components. The ASIC is implemented in CMOS technology and has an oscillator. A switch point of the sensor or switch is predetermined by selection of a bias voltage to a potential node of the oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: David Hardie
  • Patent number: 7710108
    Abstract: An accelerator module for an electric vehicle, including a rotor actuator designed to hold a magnet in one end and to provide a drive interface with the vehicle at the other end. The accelerator module employs a Hall Effect chip configured to produce a variable voltage output in proportion to the relative locations of the magnet and the Hall Effect chip, such that when the rotor actuator is caused to rotate, the magnet is rotated across the Hall Effect chip. The Hall Effect chip includes a Hall Effect sensor, which senses differences in magnetic fields. When the magnet is passed across the Hall Effect sensor, the magnetic field will change in proportion to the amount of rotation of the rotor actuator. The variable voltage produced by the Hall Effect chip may then be translated into variable acceleration for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Keller, Mario Orrico
  • Publication number: 20100060271
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor device for measuring rotational movements of a wheel bearing, comprising at least one runner (12) of a plain bearing (12, 14), at least one pulse generator (19), cooperating with a sensor (10) for determining a torque or a value derived thereof, wherein the pulse generator (18) is connected to the runner (12) of the plain bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Uwe Ehrhardt, Markus Kienzle, Matthias Waibler, Peter Guse
  • Patent number: 7624659
    Abstract: An automated manual transmission to which a shift position sensor of the present invention is practically applied has a hydraulic shift actuator that includes a cylinder and a piston that moves in the cylinder in accordance with a speed change operation of the transmission. The shift position sensor comprises a magnet mounted in the piston to move therewith, and a magnaflux detector mounted to a fixed member of the transmission near the hydraulic shift actuator to detect a magnaflux produced by the magnet. The cylinder is so constructed as to cover the magnet even when the piston is subjected to a stroke in the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Aichi Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Futamura, Masasumi Kitou
  • Publication number: 20090267592
    Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to determine that a navigation system has entered a structure. An exemplary embodiment monitors a magnetic field at an outdoor position, monitors a magnetic field at a current position, compares a characteristic of the monitored magnetic field at the current position with a corresponding characteristic of the outdoor magnetic field, and determines entry into the structure at least as a function of a change in the determined characteristic of the monitored magnetic field from the corresponding characteristic of the outdoor magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Judd
  • Patent number: 7602174
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a moveable member and an inductor coil. A flexible inductor member moves relative to the inductor coil in response to movement of the moveable member. This produces an inductance signal that indicates the movement of the moveable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Syron Engineering & Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Holcomb, John Charlton, Conrad Earl Waldorf
  • Patent number: 7602271
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator assembly that includes an annular frame, a coil assembly, an annular armature, a plunger and a sensor. The coil assembly is coupled to the frame and includes an annular core and an annular coil. The annular armature is received in the frame and abutted against the plunger. A sensor target can be coupled to the armature or the plunger and includes a radially outwardly extending sensor target. The sensor is coupled to the frame and configured to sense a position of the sensor target. A method for operating an electromagnetic actuator is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd M York, Andrew F Pinkos
  • Publication number: 20090243597
    Abstract: A security device, according to various aspects of the present invention, secures an area accessible through a portal (e.g., doorway, window opening, hatch, vent) against unreported ingress or egress (e.g., access). A security device monitors a portal or a portal cover (e.g., door, window, screen, flap) to provide reports of access; a warning of unauthorized access; authentication of authorized users; and status of the security device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Quixcode LLC
    Inventors: John Spenik, Brian Woodbury, Roc Lastinger
  • Publication number: 20090243598
    Abstract: A position sensing system includes a member movable along a path, the member having an elongated magnet extending along the path, the magnetic field orientation of the elongated magnet being at an angle with respect to the path. A sensor determines a position of the member along the path based on a measurement of a magnetic field generated by the elongated magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Richard F. O'Day
  • Publication number: 20090219015
    Abstract: An exemplary apparatus and method for measuring kinetic parameters of a machining tool within a press molding machine includes two magnets and two electrical conductors attached to a machining tool. The two magnets are fixed for producing two magnetic fields that are at an angle to each other. The two electrical conductors are connected to a controller to form two closed loops respectively. Each electrical conductor is located in a corresponding magnetic field and is unparallel to the direction of the corresponding magnetic field. Upon the condition that the machining tool deviates from its axial path, voltages are induced across the two electrical conductors. The controller receives the induced voltages, and determines a velocity of the machining tool's deviation from the axial path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: FOXNUM TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHIEN-CHUN CHEN, TSANN-HUEI CHANG, HAN-CHIEH CHANG
  • Patent number: 7573259
    Abstract: A multi-track sense magnet for use in a system for sensing the relative displacement of two elements, and including a magnetic structure that is moveable relative to detector devices for detecting movement of the magnetic structure. The magnetic structure includes at least a first track and a second track extending generally parallel to each other, each track including a plurality of sectors of alternating magnetic poles. A blocker track is located between the first and second tracks, wherein the blocker track includes a predetermined number of sectors corresponding to the number of sectors on the first track. Each sector of the blocker track is aligned with and defines an opposite magnetic pole to an adjacent sector of the first track to alter the magnetic field of the first track extending toward the second track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Globe Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Kreger, Daniel L. Kottmyer
  • Patent number: 7573260
    Abstract: In a magnetic rotor, a rotatable shaft is received through a holder. A positioner is made of a magnetic material and is fitted into at least one of an outer peripheral wall of the rotatable shaft and an inner peripheral wall of the holder to position the holder relative to the rotatable shaft in a circumferential direction. An annular magnet is fixed to the holder and surrounds the rotatable shaft. The annular magnet has two magnetic poles of different polarities, which are magnetized in a magnetization direction that coincides with a radial direction of the annular magnet. The positioner is displaced around a rotational axis of the rotatable shaft from the magnetization direction of the annular magnet by about 90 degrees in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kawashima, Tetsuya Aoki
  • Patent number: 7567077
    Abstract: The length in the direction of movement of a magnet is effectively used for position detection without using a gap of a stator, where the magnet moves, as a magnetic path. According to a proportion of the slider (110), having a magnet (111), that enters into a region where the slider is movable with a predetermined gap maintained between the stator (120) made from a magnetic body, a magnetism sensor (130) provided at a stator (120) detects the position of a slider (110). A magnetic flux leakage prevention member (140) prevents leakage of magnetic flux caused by that portion of the magnet (111) that has not entered in the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Mikuni Corp.
    Inventor: Mitsuru Sekiya
  • Patent number: 7557567
    Abstract: A magnetic detection device is provided in which a first signal is outputted in accordance with the mutual phase relationship between the output of a first magnetoelectric conversion output circuit and the output of a second magnetoelectric conversion output circuit that are based on the movement, in forward direction, of a detection subject, thereby generating a pulse of a high level 1 and a low level 1; a second signal is outputted in accordance with the mutual phase relationship between the output of the first magnetoelectric conversion output circuit and the output of the second magnetoelectric conversion output circuit that are based on the movement, in forward direction, of the detection subject; an output signal processing circuit for generating a pulse of a high level 2 and a low level 2 is provided; and not only the pulse of the high level 1 and the low level 1 does not cross the other comparison level, but also the pulse of the high level 2 and the low level 2 does not cross the one comparison level
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakanoue, Masahiro Yokotani, Yuji Kawano, Yasuyoshi Hori
  • Patent number: 7553087
    Abstract: A rotation sensor assembly includes an encoder, mounted on one end of an inner member of a bearing, and a rotation sensor fitted to one end of an outer member of the bearing in face-to-face relation with the encoder. A cylindrical wall of a core metal of the encoder press-fitted onto the inner member has a cylindrical extension protruding axially outwardly from one end of the cylindrical wall. A displacement sensor assembly includes a pair of displacement sensors provided in face-to-face relation with the cylindrical extension and spaced equidistantly from each other in a circumferential direction. The rotation sensor is positioned between the displacement sensors in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Iwamoto, Ken Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7555402
    Abstract: The method consists in: determining in which actually sector the booster motor is located, a sector of the booster motor being defied by two successive poles; determining a relative angle position of the steering wheel in relation to the booster motor; identifying a sector, known as neutral, in which the booster motor is located when the rotation speeds of the rear wheels, i.e. right and left of the vehicle, are equal; determining an angle offset of the steering wheel corresponding to a neutral angle position of the steering wheel; determining an absolute angle position of the steering wheel which is equal to the difference between the relative angle position of the steering wheel and the offset angle thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: JTEKT Europe
    Inventors: Julien Barthomeuf, Stephane Cassar, Andre Michelis
  • Publication number: 20090128139
    Abstract: In one illustrative embodiment, the present subject matter is directed to a device adapted to determine the position of a target magnet, wherein the device includes a pair of orthogonal magnetic field sensors laterally disposed along an axis that is substantially transverse to an axis defined by one that is nominally parallel to the direction of the target magnet. In another illustrative embodiment, the subject matter is adapted for use on an automated guided vehicle (AGV), whereby detection of the target magnet's location facilitates correction of the vehicle's heading and position while traversing an AGV system. The present subject matter is also directed to a method whereby the position of a target magnet may be determined by triangulation, utilizing trigonometric calculations based upon the strength and direction of the magnet field to determine the magnet's position relative to the magnetic field sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph B. Drenth, Ronald R. Drenth
  • Publication number: 20090128140
    Abstract: A holder is disposed in the case. The holder is mounted with an actuator that moves in the predetermined direction and a wiring board having a detector. A positioning mechanism between relevant components for detecting the positions of components is provided such as a wiring board and a holder, the position of magnet in particular. In this way, the magnet and the detector opposing to each other are positioned. As a result, when a vehicle switch is assembled, the variation in position of the magnet and detector is reduced. Accordingly, the vehicle switch is enhanced in switching accuracy and becomes capable of reliable operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi Nishikawa, Naoki Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7535215
    Abstract: An apparatus for the determination of a momentary relative direction of an indicator object depending on a magnetic field influenced or generated by the indicator object includes first means for sensing a course of a first magnetic field component of the magnetic field, second means for sensing a course of a second magnetic field component of the magnetic field, and means for evaluating the course of the first magnetic field component and the second magnetic field component in order to determine the momentary, relative direction of the indicator object, the first magnetic field component and the second magnetic field component being offset in angle with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Forster
  • Publication number: 20090085559
    Abstract: A system and method of minimizing the electromagnetic field distortion in an electromagnetic tracking system. The system and method comprising a transmitter or receiver coil arrangement comprising at least two coils connected in series and symmetrically about opposite ends of an object to be tracked. The object to be tracked may be a medical device, implant or instrument that may be made of a magnetic field distorting electrically conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Peter Traneus Anderson
  • Patent number: 7510030
    Abstract: A pair of elongated crossed coils is deployed in a first borehole and an instrument containing magnetic field sensors is deployed in a second borehole. The crossed coils are energized in quadrature by AC currents producing a rotating, elliptically polarized magnetic field at the second borehole. Mathematical analysis of the magnetic field sensor readings determines the location of the second borehole relative to the first. Both the distance and the rotational direction to the second borehole are determined as a function of depth of the sensors relative to that of the pair of crossed coils. Twisting of the long coil in the borehole is evaluated and the relative distance between the boreholes and the corrections needed due to such twisting are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Vector Magnetics LLC
    Inventors: Arthur F. Kuckes, Herbert J. Susmann
  • Patent number: 7511475
    Abstract: A speed sensor for a moving member (8) comprises means (27; 34) for constituting a magnetic singularity on a portion of the moving member, and a sleeve slidably receiving said portion and including at least an annular coil (20, 21) and an annular permanent magnet (22, 23) disposed on a common axis between annular pole pieces (24, 25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Christophe Maerky, Geraint Jewell, Richard Clark, Paul Stewart
  • Publication number: 20090066325
    Abstract: A rotation angle detection device includes a rotary body rotating in linked motion with a steering wheel; a detector rotating in linked motion with the rotary body; a magnetic detection element placed on a wiring board and detecting magnetism of a magnet placed at the detector; a control part for detecting a rotation angle of the rotary body based on a detection signal from the magnetic detection element; and a holder latched onto the wiring board and rotatably holding the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya KOMA, Hideki TSUKAOKA
  • Patent number: 7489126
    Abstract: An assembly that includes a target component mounted for rotation about an axis, a sensor mounted adjacent the inner member and directed toward the inner member to measure the rotational speed of the target component and an outer component interposed between the sensor and the target component. Low magnetic permeability of the outer component is assured by appropriate selection of the material, maintaining the concentration of martensite in the outer component below a reference concentration as indicated by certain reference indices such as the Instability Function, and/or by maintaining the temperature at which a stamping operation is performed on the inner member above a pre-determined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel McCarrick, James Merner, Steven Frait
  • Publication number: 20090033318
    Abstract: A magnetic sensing device with an elastic balance member comprises a magnetic ruler, a sensing head and an elastic balance member. The sensing head is parallelly moveable relative to the magnetic ruler, the elastic balance member is movably assembled on the sensing head by assembly portions, such that the elastic balance member provides a buffering effect to absorb the impact force, pulling force or pushing force during the displacement of the sensing head. In addition, the elastic balance member further formed with a turning portion with a predetermined curvature, which is connected to the assembly portion and can strengthen the structure of the elastic balance member to make the elastic balance member strong enough to resist pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Hong-Chun TENG
  • Publication number: 20090027046
    Abstract: A magnetic detection device is provided in which a first signal is outputted in accordance with the mutual phase relationship between the output of a first magnetoelectric conversion output circuit and the output of a second magnetoelectric conversion output circuit that are based on the movement, in forward direction, of a detection subject, thereby generating a pulse of a high level 1 and a low level 1; a second signal is outputted in accordance with the mutual phase relationship between the output of the first magnetoelectric conversion output circuit and the output of the second magnetoelectric conversion output circuit that are based on the movement, in forward direction, of the detection subject; an output signal processing circuit for generating a pulse of a high level 2 and a low level 2 is provided; and not only the pulse of the high level 1 and the low level 1 does not cross the other comparison level, but also the pulse of the high level 2 and the low level 2 does not cross the one comparison level
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi SAKANOUE, Masahiro YOKOTANI, Yuji KAWANO, Yasuyoshi HORI
  • Publication number: 20090015246
    Abstract: A lithographic apparatus having a stationary magnet motor to drive a support such as a substrate support or a patterning device support, may be provided with a measurement system to measure a position of the support in question, e.g., to provide a safety system to prevent a collision of the support with another part. The measurement system may be configured to measure a magnetic field strength of an alternating magnetic field generated by the magnet assembly of the stationary magnet motor, and/or measure generation of eddy currents in a metallic layer shielding the magnet assembly in combination with an inductance measurement of an electromagnet generating the alternating magnetic field causing the eddy currents, and/or measure light using an optical position sensitive sensor such as a CCD metric or linear photodiode positioned in a light plane emitted by an emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Olaf Hubertus Wilhelmus Van Bruggen, Frank Auer, Marcel Koenraad Marie Baggen, Frits Van Der Meulen, Patrick David Vogelsang, Martinus Cornelis Reijnen, Johannes Roland Dassel, Stoyan Nihtianov, Remko Wakker, Tom Van Zutphen
  • Publication number: 20080313886
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for magnetizing an object, a method and an apparatus for calibrating a force and torque sensor device, a use of an apparatus for magnetizing an object in particular fields, and a use of an apparatus for calibrating a force and torque sensor device in particular fields. A method for magnetizing a first object and/or a second object comprises the steps of arranging a first object in such a manner that the first object encloses a second object, and applying a first electrical signal to the second object, wherein the first electrical signal is adapted such that at least a portion of the first object and/or of the second object is magnetized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Lutz May
  • Patent number: 7463021
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor element and to a path sensor constructed therefrom. The optical waveguide accommodated inside a supporting body, for example, a tube has to be placed in a defined position with regard to the elements of a board. In order to obtain a design that is both simple and easy to assemble, the invention provides that the head board, without its own surrounding housing, is fixed, for instance, glued directly inside a recess of the supporting body that is tubular for the most part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: ASM Automation Sensorik Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Manfred Steinich, Peter Wirth
  • Patent number: 7453269
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor and method for measuring the motion of an intermediate member and a method for making the MEMS sensor. The MEMS sensor includes a substrate, a lower magnetic member disposed on the substrate, a layer disposed over the substrate, an upper magnetic member disposed at a side of the layer facing the lower magnetic member, an intermediate magnetic member magnetically levitated between the lower magnetic member and upper magnetic member; and a component measuring at least one of motion, forces acting on, and a displacement of the intermediate magnetic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-hwa Won, Hyung Choi, Kwon-hee Kim, Oh-myoung Kwon
  • Publication number: 20080272769
    Abstract: A pulse generator wheel has a cylindrical wall provided with windows distributed about a circumference of the cylindrical wall and closed axially at a first end by a ring. The ring is made of circumferentially extending profiled sections of profiled parts that are separated from one another. The pulse generator wheel is made by stamping in a round sheet metal about the circumference profiled parts each having at least one profiled section extending in the circumferential direction for forming windows between the profiled parts. The profiled sections are spaced from one another in the circumferential direction. The profiled parts are erected and the profiled sections then form a circumferential ring delimiting the windows axially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: KACO GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Brokelmann
  • Patent number: 7443158
    Abstract: A sensor includes a first X-axis GMR element to a fourth X-axis GMR element fixed on a substrate, and a movable coil movably supported on the substrate. When electric current flows through the movable coil, a magnetic field is generated around the movable coil. The generated magnetic field is applied to the first to fourth X-axis GMR elements. The movable coil moves in accordance with acceleration generated in the sensor. The movement of the movable coil causes variation in the magnetic field applied to the first to fourth X-axis GMR element. While no electric current flows to the movable coil, the sensor measures an external magnetic field on the basis of resistances of the first to fourth X-axis GMR elements. While constant electric current flows through the movable coil, the sensor measures acceleration or the like on the basis of resistances of the first to fourth X-axis GMR elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Oohashi, Tamito Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20080238414
    Abstract: A motion sensor for measuring motion information of a subject comprises a coil substrate having transmitting or receiving coils piled one on top of another and a holder in which the coil substrate is mounted. Formed on the holder are curved surfaces to which an adhesive sheet is stuck and at which the holder is attached to a nail of a subject via the adhesive sheet. Further, there is provided a casing where first and second containing space are formed to contain measurement instruments including an adhesive member where a plurality of the adhesive sheets are laid one on top of another, the motion sensor, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi MIYASHITA, Akihiko Kandori, Mitsuru Onuma, Norihiko Matsumoto, Kouichi Ishizuka, Norihiko Adachi, Atsushi Ninomiya, Yoshimi Kasai
  • Publication number: 20080231264
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the location of a remote object using a magnetic tracking sensor. The system and method include locating a magnetic core (132) asymmetrically disposed within an induction coil (130) and operably connecting a single DC electrical circuit (136) to ends defining the induction coil (130). The DC electrical circuit (136) provides a DC current to the induction coil (130) while the induction coil (130) is disposed in an external AC magnetic field (108). The DC current adjusts the level of saturation of the magnetic core (132), and hence varies a response signal of the induction coil (130) disposed in the external AC magnetic field (108) to provide 6DOF magnetic tracking of the induction coil (130).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Sascha Krueger, Bernhard Gleich
  • Patent number: 7411386
    Abstract: A method for measuring a length variation of a spring, comprising the steps of associating a measurement device with a spring, determining a measurement of the intensity of a magnetic field of the measurement device, and, on the basis of the measurement of the intensity of the magnetic field, determining the length variation of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: M.D. Micro Detectors S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Del Monte
  • Patent number: 7405557
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint with integrated angle sensor, especially for use as a vehicle level control in the chassis of a motor vehicle. The ball and socket joint has a ball and socket joint housing (1), a ball pivot (2) mounted in the ball and socket joint housing (1), a bipolar field transducer (4) arranged at the joint ball (3) of the ball pivot (2), and at least one magnetic field direction sensor (5), which is arranged at the ball and socket joint housing (1) and interacts with the magnetic field generated by the field transducer (4), wherein only one pole of the bipolar field transducer (4) is arranged on the surface of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Sensitec GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Spratte, Uwe Loreit
  • Patent number: 7400140
    Abstract: A compact arrangement which enables rotation of a component of an apparatus to be sensed is provided. A component having a body with a plurality of discrete magnetised regions on its circumferentially outer surface, each region being formed in a layer and circumferentially spaced apart from each other by non-magnetised regions of the layer, the magnetised regions being circumferentially distributed at substantially the same axial position to enable rotation of the component relative to a sensor to be monitored, wherein the magnetised regions comprise a first group of equally spaced magnetised regions, each of which is magnetised in the same direction, and an additional magnetised region midway between two of the first group of regions, which has a different magnitude of magnetization to the regions of the first group to facilitate monitoring of the rotational position of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Equipmake Limited
    Inventor: Ian David Foley
  • Patent number: 7400265
    Abstract: A sensing device for remotely reading the position of the needles of a gas meter. The gas meter having a plurality of meter needles. The sensing device including directional magnetic field emitters each having a north and a south pole that are spaced from one another along a first pole axis and a second pole axis, respectively. The magnetic emitters being secured relative to respective needles such that the pole axes are perpendicular to the respective needle axes. The emitters producing directional magnetic fields that follows the position of the needles as they rotate. The device further including position sensors positioned over the emitters. The sensors reading the orientation of the respective magnetic fields sending this information to a processor for calculating the position of the first and second needles based on the orientation of the respective magnetic fields. The device includes a transmitter for transmitting the position of the needles to a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Innovative Technology Concepts
    Inventors: Kirk A. Gebler, John G. Henderson
  • Patent number: 7400141
    Abstract: A magnetic type angle sensor includes a rotary body having a first sensed part provided on a circumferential surface thereof with projecting parts and recessed parts at equal intervals in a circumferential direction thereof and a second sensed part provided on a circumferential surface thereof with a projecting parts at just one location, and a magnetic sensing device for sensing a change in a magnetic field along with rotation of the rotary body. The rotary body is formed with a plurality of projecting parts and recessed parts in a gear shape by gear cutting on the circumferential surface, then is cut with a groove at the center thereof in the axial direction thereof and has all projecting parts in a half section in the axial direction thereof cut off except for one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Mitsuyuki Taniguchi, Keisuke Imai, Ichirou Nagatomo
  • Publication number: 20080143324
    Abstract: Described is a piston rod position-sensing system having a cylinder and piston rod arranged in the cylinder for movement with respect thereto. A magnetically hard layer is formed on the piston rod to provide a recording medium. The magnetically hard layer is made of a cobalt-phosphorous (Co—P)-based alloy. A magnetic pattern is recorded in the magnetically hard layer. A magnetic field sensor located in the cylinder senses the recorded magnetic pattern while the piston rod is moving with respect to the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Thomas P. Low, C. Bruce Clark, Ronald E. Pelrine, Joseph S. Eckerle, Chris Smith, Giovanni Zangari
  • Publication number: 20080127755
    Abstract: In a steering angle sensor assembly for a vehicle, dependent gears are provided to mesh with an inner periphery of a rotary member rotated together with a steering wheel and to be rotated, and a circuit board that detects the rotation of the dependent gears and generates electric signals is also provided on the side of the dependent gears provided on the inner periphery of the rotary member. Accordingly, the entire size of the steering angle sensor assembly can be reduced to be substantially the same as the size of the rotary member rotated together with the steering wheel. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the entire size of the steering angle sensor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ji Woong KIM
  • Patent number: 7378839
    Abstract: A magnetic encoder having a magnetic sensor composed of SVGMR elements, in which a signal output with a half of a cycle of magnetic regions on a magnetic medium. The magnetic encoder comprises the magnetic medium, on which first magnetic regions and second magnetic regions are oppositely magnetized along the medium extending and disposed successively and alternately with each other, and the magnetic sensor that has an even number of SVGMR elements and is movable relatively to the medium along the medium extending. Magnetizations of pinned magnetization layers of all the SVGMR elements are directed in a same direction along the medium extending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunori Abe, Yuji Nihei
  • Publication number: 20080115571
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for reading off the position of the gear lever in a gear selector in a vehicle, comprising a sensor arrangement (100) wfth a first sensor component (110) and a plurality of second sensor components (120-190) that can interact with the first sensor component (110) to detect the position of the first sensor component. The first sensor component is arranged to move with the gear lever when this is moved, and the arrangement comprises reading off means for reading off the position of the first sensor component (110) in relation to the said plurality of second sensor components (120-190). The second sensor components are arranged a maximum distance d apart in a first direction in which the first sensor component moves when the gear lever is moved, and the first sensor component has a particular length/in the said direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE AB
    Inventor: Frank Dankbaar
  • Patent number: 7367269
    Abstract: A method for measuring the movement of boundaries between different portions of a heterogeneous rock body is disclosed. The method comprises placing a plurality of blast movement monitors 109 in a rock body prior to blasting and noting the position of each blast movement monitor. The rock body is then blasted to break it up into a plurality of pieces. Thereafter the position of the blast movement monitors 109 is located and based on this the boundaries of rock portions can be adjusted to account for the blast. This leads to a more accurate reporting of different ore bodies to the appropriate processor in a heterogeneous rock body. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed. The apparatus comprises broadly a said monitor 109 and a receiver. The monitor 1 comprises a transmitter 109 received within a casing 111 that in turn is received within a housing 126. Further the casing 111 can move within the housing 126 and self right so that it always transmits its signal in an upright direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: University of Queensland
    Inventors: David Mario La Rosa, Darren Mark Thornton, Michael Wortley
  • Patent number: 7358846
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and method utilizing magnetoelectric materials such as Cr2O3 to construct tunneling magnetoresistence and/or giant magnetoresistence structures for memory and/or logical circuitry. An applied voltage differential induces a magnetic moment in the magnetoelectric material, which in turn tunes an exchange field between it and one or more adjacent ferromagnetic layers. The resulting magnetoresistence of the device may be measured. Devices in accordance with the present invention may be utilized for MRAM read heads, memory storage cells and/or logical circuitry such as XOR or NXOR devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventor: Bernard Doudin
  • Patent number: 7356421
    Abstract: A new approach for locating an underground line described herein remains accurate in the face of bleedover by including both amplitude and phase from at least two magnetic field strength sensors in the measurement set. A numerical optimization step is introduced to deduce the positions and currents of each of several cables, of which one is the targeted cable and the others are termed bleedover cables. Furthermore, some embodiments of the method accounts for practical problems that exist in the field that relate to reliable estimation of cable positions, like the phase transfer function between transmitter and receiver, the estimation of confidence bounds for each estimate, and the rejection of false positive locates due to the presence of noise and interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Metrotech Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Thorkell Gudmundsson, Jim Waite, Johan Överby, Stevan Polak, Niklas Lindstrom
  • Publication number: 20080074104
    Abstract: A displaceable component includes a body having an axis and arranged for movement in at least one of an axial direction or a rotary direction about the axis. A position-defining element is fixed to the body and substantially comprising a magnetised elastomer. The position-defining element is arranged to be sensed by a sensor to determine at least one of an axial position, a rotary position or a rotary speed of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Dichtungstechnik G. Bruss GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marcus Sauer, Heiko Schumacher
  • Patent number: 7345469
    Abstract: A vehicle axle assembly having an axle housing, an axle shaft and a sensor. The axle housing has a tubular portion. A flat is formed on an annular wall of the tubular portion proximate a distal end of the tubular portion. A hole, which intersects the flat, is formed through the tubular portion. The axle shaft can have an integrally formed target portion that includes a plurality of teeth. The sensor is mounted in the hole and abuts the flat to space a tip of the sensor apart from the teeth of the target portion by a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Blair J. Swansno