Plural Measurements (e.g., Linear And Rotary) Patents (Class 324/207.23)
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Patent number: 8319492Abstract: A rotary encoder comprising a magnet, AMR or GMR sensors and an evaluation means. The AMR or GMR sensors are arranged to generate two signals that unambiguously encode the rotary position of the magnet within a predetermined range of rotary positions and a direction of rotation of the magnet. The evaluation means is arranged to derive single-turn and multi-turn information solely from the signals. The encoder is arranged to be switched to a power saving state for a predetermined period of time, to be at least partially reactivated thereafter and to compare a current value derived from the signals with a stored previous value derived from the signals.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2008Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Dall Production APSInventors: Jorgen Schmidt, Morten Christiansen, Hans Hilmar Dall
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Patent number: 8278913Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for position sensing of a medical tracker device are presented. The apparatus and method are designed to constrain, rotate, and track the position of a medical tool. To improve the position sensing of the tracker, a joint that provides two degrees of freedom may use a revolute gear pair together with a rotary sensor for angular motion sensing and a sliding/prismatic assembly together with a linear magnetic sensor for linear position sensing. Thus, the linear motion sensing and the angular motion sensing are decoupled.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Eigen Inc.Inventors: Dinesh Kumar, Guangyao Xu, Jasjit S. Suri
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Patent number: 8279081Abstract: A sensing device for remotely determining the position of the needles of a gas meter including directional magnetic field emitters each having a north and a south pole and being secured relative to respective needles such that the pole axes are generally centered over the needle axes. The emitters producing directional magnetic fields that follows the position of the needles as they rotate and the sensing device further including position sensors positioned over the emitters that read the orientation of the magnetic fields sending this information to a processor for calculating the needle positions.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2008Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Innovative Technology Concepts, Inc.Inventors: John G. Henderson, Kirk A. Gebler
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Patent number: 8269486Abstract: A sensor system includes a first magnetoresistive sensor resistor including a pinned magnetic layer having a fixed orientation in a reference magnetization direction. The first sensor resistor is configured such that its resistance changes in response to an angle defined between the reference magnetization direction and a magnetic field. A plurality of second magnetoresistive sensor resistors are configured to provide a differential signal. Each of the second sensor resistors includes a pinned magnetic layer having a fixed orientation in the reference magnetization direction. Another sensor system includes a first magnetoresistive sensor resistor having a length axis oriented by 90°+an angle ?, where ?<90° relative to a reference magnetization axis. A second magnetoresistive sensor resistor has a length axis oriented by 90°?? relative to the reference magnetization axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2008Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Dirk Hammerschmidt, Juergen Zimmer
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Patent number: 8258782Abstract: An angle detecting apparatus includes a rotor fixed to a rotating shaft, a pair of magnetic sensors arranged close to the outer periphery of the rotor so as to have a difference in angle (?/2) with respect to the center of rotation of the rotor, a differential operational circuit performing differential operation on detection signals output by the magnetic sensors to output a differential signal, and the angle calculating circuit calculating the angle of rotation of the rotating shaft based on the differential signal. The planar shape of the rotor is such that the sum of the distances between the center of rotation and the respective two points where two straight lines crossing at the center of rotation at a crossing angle of (?/2) cross the outer periphery of the rotor is constant, and the planar shape is symmetric with respect to a straight line passing through the center of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Yoshio Kaita, Hirokazu Miyamoto, Toshinao Kido, Junya Fukuda
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Patent number: 8237432Abstract: A rotation angle sensor providing excellent output characteristics is provided. The rotation angle sensor has a structure in which a ring-shaped permanent magnet provided so as to be rotatable integrally with a rotor connected to a member to be detected; magnetic flux gathering yokes surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the ring-shaped permanent magnet with a certain clearance being formed between the outer circumferential surface and the magnetic flux gathering yokes; and Hall ICs 30 arranged in gaps between the magnetic flux gathering yokes, are arranged inside a casing formed by a casing body and a cover. In the casing body, a guide tube surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the ring-shaped permanent magnet is formed with a certain clearance being formed between the outer circumferential surface and the guide tube.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Niles Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuya Inotsuka, Masanori Endo
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Patent number: 8222895Abstract: A compact sensing device capable of sensing a rotational angle and a rotational velocity, or a rectilinear moving distance and a moving velocity. A displacement sensing device that senses a rotational angle of a moving member rotation and a distance of a linear movement of the moving member, or senses an angular velocity of the moving member rotation and a velocity of a linear movement of the moving member, includes: a first movable member, moved together with the moving member by a linear movement of the moving member; a second movable member holding the first movable member in a rotatable manner, and rotated together with the moving member by rotation of the moving member; a first sensor outputting a signal in accordance with a linear movement of the first movable member; and a second sensor outputting a signal in accordance with a rotation of the second movable member.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2008Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Panasonic CorporationInventors: Norimi Asahara, Yukiko Nishida, Masahisa Niwa
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Patent number: 8203331Abstract: A non-contact sensor system is provided that comprises a first sensor element disposed on a stationary member, and a second sensor element disposed on a rotational member. The second sensor element is proximate the first sensor element without physically contacting the first sensor element. The rotational member is configured to facilitate selection of at least a first position and a second position, and the first sensor element and the second sensor element are operatively coupled to facilitate sensing of the selected position.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2009Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Goodrich CorporationInventors: Staffan Erickson, Eric Cahill, Harald Klode
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Patent number: 8188730Abstract: An inductive proximity sensor and related method for sensing a presence/position of a target, with mounting effect compensation, are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes providing a proximity sensor having first and second coils that are both at least indirectly in communication with control circuitry. The method also includes receiving respective first and second signals at least indirectly indicative of respective first and second electromagnetic field components respectively experienced by the first coil as influenced both by a target and a structure supporting the sensor and the second coil as influenced by the supporting structure. The method further includes determining by way of the circuitry a third signal based at least in part upon the first signal, as modified based at least in part upon the second signal, whereby the third signal is indicative of the presence or position of the target relative to the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Xiaofeng Gong, Wei S. Qian, Weihua Chen
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Patent number: 8179124Abstract: The invention relates to an inductive proximity sensor for embedding in a mild steel mounting plate, comprising an enclosure with a front wall of synthetic material forming a sensing face at a front end of the enclosure, an oscillator comprising a sensor coil with a core made of a material with a relative magnetic permeability larger than 1, typically a ferrite, which is arranged within the enclosure behind the front wall so that an open side of the core is directed towards the sensing face in order to direct the magnetic field of the coil towards a target in front of the sensing face, a hollow cylindrical metal member arranged perpendicular to the sensing face and surrounding the core, and a measuring circuit for measuring an attenuation of the oscillator due to eddy currents. The core is radially surrounded by a metal layer with a low electrical resistivity of less than 15 ??·cm and with a thickness of less than 40 ?m, in order to improve the embeddability of the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Optosys SAInventors: Marc De Huu, Peter Heimlicher, Charles Rhême, Philippe Venier
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Patent number: 8179129Abstract: Position/displacement measuring system, comprising a sensor head and an encoded scale body, the scale body extending in a first direction and in a second direction lying transversely to the first direction, and the scale body having a region for incremental position determination with an encoding in the first direction and a region for absolute position determination with an encoding in the second direction, the sensor head having a first sensor device with a sensor resolution parallel to the first direction, which is associated with the region for incremental position determination, and the sensor head having a second sensor device with a sensor resolution in a second direction, which is associated with the region for absolute position determination.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: BALLUFF GmbHInventors: Thomas Burkhardt, Ralph Bauer
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Patent number: 8164326Abstract: A non-contact sensor system is provided that comprises a first sensor element disposed within a first member having an axis Y, and a second member configured to rotate about the axis Y at a value X. The second member is configured to interface with the first member. The non-contact sensor system further comprises a second sensor element disposed on the second member proximate the first sensor element without physically contacting the first sensor element, and the first sensor element and the second sensor element are operatively coupled to facilitate sensing the value X. The non-contact sensor system may be configured to sense velocity, acceleration, and other values.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Goodrich CorporationInventors: Staffan Erickson, Eric Cahill, Harald Klode
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Patent number: 8159214Abstract: A position detecting system includes a magnetic field generator, a detecting body, a magnetic field detector, a position/direction calculating unit, and a control unit. The magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field in a three-dimensional space. The detecting body is put into the three-dimensional space, and includes a resonance circuit for generating a resonance magnetic field. The position/direction calculating unit calculates a position/direction of the detecting body. If the resonance circuit is in the non-resonant state, the magnetic field detector detects an environmental magnetic field, and the control unit updates detection data of the environmental magnetic field. If the resonance circuit is in the resonant state, the magnetic field detector detects the spatial magnetic field in the three-dimensional space. The position/direction calculating unit executes processing using the detection data of the spatial magnetic field and updated detection data of the environmental magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.Inventors: Akio Uchiyama, Atsushi Kimura
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Publication number: 20120084051Abstract: A method and an arrangement for magnetically determining a position using a permanent magnet is described, wherein the vector and local gradient of the magnetic flux density of the permanent magnet is measured using a position sensor, and the position and orientation of the magnetic dipole of the the permanent magnet relative to the position sensor is calculated from the measured values. A spherical permanent magnet having homogenous magnetization is used in the method and the arrangement, preventing previously present cross-sensitivity between the position and orientation determination, and allowing measurement without prior calibration.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.Inventors: Michael Hackner, Volker Peters, Josef Sauerer
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Patent number: 8146358Abstract: A turbocharger monitor including a sensor adapted and positioned with respect to a turbocharger housing to sense passing compressor blades, generating both rotor rotation information and rotor displacement information. A controller is configured to receive the generated information from the blade sensor, and to establish rotor rotation speed and an indicator of bearing condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Greentree
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Patent number: 8134359Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic rotational-angle detector capable of detecting a position and a rotational angle of a rotating member with excellent accuracy. The magnetic rotational-angle detector includes device arrays (51, 52) constituted by a plurality of magnetic sensor devices which are arranged to cancel the n-th order harmonic components by each other. In the device arrays, the magnetic sensor devices corresponding to each other are arranged such that they are spaced apart with a distance of (2m+1)?, and the arrangement of all the magnetic sensor devices and their orientations with respect to a power-supply terminal and a ground terminal are axisymmetrical about a straight line (2b) passing through a barycenric position (59) of all the magnetic sensor devices which is positioned on a straight line along a radial direction of a rotating drum (1).Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2008Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Nishizawa, Hajime Nakajima, Takeshi Musha, Yoichi Ohmura
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Patent number: 8129985Abstract: An inductive position encoder is described having first and second members which are relatively moveable over a measurement path, a magnetic device mounted on the first member; a plurality of first windings mounted on the second member; and a second winding. The magnetic device is operable to interact with the windings such that upon the energization of either the second winding or the first windings, there is generated a plurality of sensor signals each being associated with a respective one of said first windings and varying with the relative position between said magnetic device and the associated first winding and hence with the relative position between said first and second members. Additionally, the plurality of first windings are arranged along said measurement path so that the sensor signals vary substantially in accordance with a predetermined Gray code.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Sagentia LimitedInventors: Robin Lee, Graham Lodge, Ross Jones
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Patent number: 8102172Abstract: A circular top surface of a magnet is magnetized to the N-pole, and a back surface thereof is magnetized to the S-pole. A detector moves within the X-Y plane at positions located away from the top surface of the magnet. A pair of X-direction detecting elements and a pair of the Y-direction detecting elements are provided in the detector. In the X-direction detecting elements, the directions of a bias magnetic field provided to free magnetic layers are opposite to each other. When the detector moves in the Y direction, a decrease in the sensitivity of one of the X-direction detecting elements is compensated for by an improvement in the sensitivity of the other element. This also applies to the Y-direction detecting elements. Accordingly, position detection outputs of the X direction and the Y direction can be accurately obtained from the detector.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tsutomu Takeya, Takafumi Noguchi
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Patent number: 8093885Abstract: A residual magnetic flux measurement apparatus measures residual magnetic fluxes by using a transformer-voltage measurement means for measuring transformer voltages; a voltage delay means for delaying the measured signals; a DC-voltage-component calculation means for calculating DC voltage components from the latest transformer-voltage signals for a predetermined time period based on calculation-control signals; a voltage integration means for calculating voltage-integration signals by performing voltage integration of signals obtained after separating the DC voltage components from present transformer-voltage signals; a magnetic-flux DC-component calculation means for calculating magnetic-flux DC-components from the latest voltage-integration signals for a predetermined time period based on the calculation-control signals; a magnetic flux calculation means for obtaining magnetic flux signals in which the magnetic-flux DC-components are separated from present voltage-integration signals; and a control means fType: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Tsutada, Takashi Hirai, Haruhiko Kohyama, Kenji Kamei
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Patent number: 8072209Abstract: A magnetic sensor of rotary, linear, or curvilinear displacement using at least one permanent magnet and at least one magnetosensitive element, which can move with respect to one another. The magnet exhibits a direction of magnetization that varies continuously along the direction of displacement, with the exclusion of a diametral magnetization in the case of a rotary sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Sonceboz SAInventors: Nikola Jerance, Richard Arlot
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Patent number: 8054068Abstract: A magnetic absolute position sensor comprises: a read head, a horizontal magnetic scale, and an oblique magnetic scale. The read head is provided with a first position sensing unit and a second position sensing unit which are used produce signal with respect to the horizontal magnetic scale and the oblique magnetic scale, respectively. The distance between the first position sensing unit and the horizontal magnetic scale is constant, and the distance between the second position sensing unit and the oblique magnetic scale changes from narrow to wide. The absolute position identifying system is electrical connected to the first and second position sensing units, respectively, to obtain absolute position coordinates.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2009Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Hiwin Mikrosystem Corp.Inventor: Chih-Mao Shiao
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Publication number: 20110267040Abstract: The disclosure relates to a contactless magnetic sensor for measuring the angular or linear movement of a ferromagnetic target. The purpose of the disclosure is to make a position sensor having reduced dimensions and capable of detecting a piece of position information as soon as the sensor is powered without degrading the performance thereof. To this end, the disclosure relates to a mobile sensor that includes at least one permanent magnet, at least one ferromagnetic member at least one magnetically sensitive member, the permanent magnet having an upper surface opposite the ferromagnetic target, wherein the permanent magnet has a substantially cylindrical or parallelepiped shape and includes a cavity, the ferromagnetic member being arranged inside the cavity and the magnetically sensitive member being arranged inside the cavity above the ferromagnetic member and below the upper surface of the magnet.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2009Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: MOVING MAGNET TECHNOLOGIES (MMT)Inventor: Didier Frachon
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Patent number: 8044658Abstract: In a position detecting apparatus, a magnetic scale part has a magnetic pattern formed by magnetization along a longitudinal direction. An increased magnetization part is arranged at an end portion of the magnetic scale part in the longitudinal direction. The increased magnetization part is magnetized with an increased intensity of magnetization as compared to the magnetic scale part. A magnetic field shaping part is disposed adjacent to the magnetic scale part for shaping a magnetic field generated from the magnetic scale part. A magnetic detection part detects both the magnetic field from the magnetic pattern of the magnetic scale part and the magnetic field from the increased magnetization part. The magnetic detection part is arranged in opposed relation to the magnetic scale part movably in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic scale part. The magnetic pattern and the increased magnetization part are arranged along a track through which the magnetic detection part moves.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2008Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Yoshinori Hayashi
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Patent number: 8035371Abstract: The invention relates to more accurate rotative and linear positional measurement for a rotary-linear drive. A measuring system comprising a linear sensor (12) and a rotary sensor (20) is disclosed. A decoupling unit (11,14,17) decouples the rotary displacement from the linear displacement of a shaft (10). The decoupling unit (11,14,17) has either a first measuring section (11), which is coupled in a fixed manner to the shaft to be measured (10) and tapped by the linear sensor (12) and a second measuring section (17), which is exclusively non-rotatably coupled to the shaft to be measured (10) and is tapped by the rotary sensor (20), or a first measuring section, which is coupled in a fixed manner exclusively linearly to the shaft to be measured and is tapped by the linear sensor and a second measuring section, which is non-rotatably coupled to the shaft to be measured and is tapped by the rotary sensor.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Thomas Budde, Aziz Inalkac, Mykhaylo Toldonov, Rolf Vollmer
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Patent number: 8022695Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 23, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Tetsuya Koma, Hideki Tsukaoka
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Patent number: 7928724Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a directional movement of an object such as a wheeled vehicle. The system includes a magnet having a north pole and a south pole mounted to the object, a single magnetic sensor positioned such that the sensor can individually detect each magnetic pole as the object moves, the sensor configured to produce a first characteristic signal when a north pole is detected and a second characteristic signal when a south pole is detected, and a processing device in signal communication with the sensor, the processing device configured to determine a directional movement of the object based on a configuration of a signal doublet that includes the first and second characteristic signals. The methods include sensing the north and south poles as they pass the magnetic sensor and determining a direction based on an order in which the north and south poles are sensed.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Toan Vu, Tom Judd, Ron Fang, Bruce Graham
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Patent number: 7902816Abstract: An electromagnetic tracking method includes generating an electromagnetic field (14) in a region of interest (16). The electromagnetic field is subject to distortion in response to a presence of metal artifacts proximate the electromagnetic field. An array of reference sensors (30,50,102,104,110) having a predefined known configuration are disposed proximate the region of interest. A first set of locations of the array of reference sensors is determined with respect to the electromagnetic field generator (12) in response to an excitation of one or more of the reference sensors via the electromagnetic field. A second mechanism (28), other than the electromagnetic field, determines a first portion of a second set of locations of at least one or more sensors of the array of reference sensors with respect to the second mechanism, the second mechanism being in a known spatial relationship with the electromagnetic field generator.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2006Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Guy Shechter
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Patent number: 7893688Abstract: A position sensor includes a longitudinally extending permanent magnet member at least two longitudinally extending arc-shaped projecting elements respectively projecting from the opposite ends toward the inside space to confront each other at a distance and a pair of compatible main magnetic sensors disposed in the inside space along the longitudinal axis at an interval so as to generate a pair of output signals when the permanent magnet member shifts along the longitudinal axis. The opposite ends of the permanent magnet member are configured to surround a common inside space and polarized to have opposite magnetic poles so as to provide in the inside space a magnetic field whose magnetic flux density becomes a maximum at a longitudinal center of the inside space and gradually becomes smaller as a position of the inside space shifts from the longitudinal center along a longitudinal axis of the permanent magnet members.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Takashi Kawashima, Kimio Uchida, Yukinobu Kajita, Tatsuya Kitanaka, Koichiro Matsumoto, Yoshiyuki Kono, Hisataka Okado, Hiroyuki Shintani
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Publication number: 20100308804Abstract: Contactless measurement of angular or linear positions is obtained by means of magnetic circuit configurations, biased by a permanent magnet, characterised by two airgaps whose relative geometry is designed to result in magnetic field values whose ratio is a function of the position to be measured. The magnetic field in said airgaps is measured by magnetic field probes, whose output signals are then electronically conditioned to generate a voltage proportional to said ratio. The output signal being function of a ratio, it naturally becomes insensitive to drifts of the magnet working point, or drifts in sensitivity of the magnetic field probes. In one embodiment said ratio of magnetic field values becomes a function of the relative angular displacement of two coaxial shafts, while becoming completely independent from their absolute angular displacement, allowing hence the realisation of simple and robust torque sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2009Publication date: December 9, 2010Inventor: Luca Ghislanzoni
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Publication number: 20100231205Abstract: A magnetic sensor of rotary, linear, or curvilinear displacement using at least one permanent magnet and at least one magnetosensitive element, which can move with respect to one another. The magnet exhibits a direction of magnetization that varies continuously along the direction of displacement, with the exclusion of a diametral magnetization in the case of a rotary sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2007Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: Moving Magnet Technologies (MMT)Inventors: Nikola Jerance, Richard Arlot
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Patent number: 7782047Abstract: A dual axis magnetic field detector is able to detect the presence of a magnetic field in two axes, such as a rotary axis and a linear axis. The detector includes a magnet for generating a magnetic field and two magnetic field sensors for detecting the strength and angle of the magnetic field as the magnet moves. The sensors may detect the axial and rotary displacement of an object, such as a shaft, to which the magnet is affixed.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2007Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Daniel J. Mattson
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Patent number: 7750624Abstract: An electronic shift lever assembly can select a gear position by sensing the movement of a shift lever in forward, backward, fight and left directions. The electronic shift lever assembly includes: a shift lever movable to select a gear position; a first sensor unit comprising a plurality of linear hall sensors for sensing vertical movement of the shift lever; and a second sensor unit comprising a plurality of switch hall sensors for sensing horizontal movement of the shift lever.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2007Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: SL CorporationInventors: Chun-nyung Heo, Yong-eon Jung, Hea-seok Song
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Patent number: 7631498Abstract: A turbocharger monitor including a sensor adapted and positioned with respect to a turbocharger housing to sense passing compressor blades, generating both rotor rotation information and rotor displacement information. A controller is configured to receive the generated information from the blade sensor, and to establish rotor rotation speed and an indicator of bearing condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2005Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Christopher Greentree
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Publication number: 20090295376Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a directional movement of an object such as a wheeled vehicle. The system includes a magnet having a north pole and a south pole mounted to the object, a single magnetic sensor positioned such that the sensor can individually detect each magnetic pole as the object moves, the sensor configured to produce a first characteristic signal when a north pole is detected and a second characteristic signal when a south pole is detected, and a processing device in signal communication with the sensor, the processing device configured to determine a directional movement of the object based on a configuration of a signal doublet that includes the first and second characteristic signals. The methods include sensing the north and south poles as they pass the magnetic sensor and determining a direction based on an order in which the north and south poles are sensed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2008Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Toan Vu, Tom Judd, Ron Fang, Bruce Graham
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Publication number: 20090295377Abstract: A position sensor has opposed parallel flux concentrators with a gap between them, and permanent magnets are disposed between the concentrators at the ends of the concentrators in the gap. A magnetic sense element is disposed in the gap between the magnets. The magnets with flux concentrators do not move relative to each other, and may be coupled to a moving part whose position is sought to be measured, whereas the sense element may be coupled to a stationary part.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2008Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventors: Daniel J. Moreno, Oscar Gonzalez, Susan A. Maxwell
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Publication number: 20090128138Abstract: A method of determining an orientation of a data acquisition system deployed on a seafloor includes measuring horizontal magnetic fields using detectors on the data acquisition system while the data acquisition rotates and descends to the seafloor or rises from the seafloor. Resting horizontal magnetic fields are measured after the data acquisition system is on the seafloor. A heading of the data acquisition system on the seafloor may be determined based on maximum and minimum horizontal magnetic fields measured during the descent and the resting horizontal magnetic fields.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2007Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Nestor Cuevas, Edward Nichols
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Patent number: 7535215Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 6, 2005Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Bernhard Forster
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Patent number: 7511480Abstract: A device for administering a fluid product includes a measuring assembly for measuring a position between spaced apart elements of the apparatus that can be moved relative to each other. The measuring assembly includes at least one magneto-resistive sensor that is fixed to a first element, such as a casing, and is arranged opposite at least a second element, such as a sleeve, which can be moved relative to the first element. A magnetic device co-operates with the at least one sensor and is formed by a permanent magnet on the first element and a magnetized second element including a magnetic surface profile or including of a number of alternately arranged, different magnetic pole areas.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: TecPharma Licensing AGInventor: Beat Steffen
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Publication number: 20090039876Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device for detecting a body moving in relation to an, in particular, tubular container. Said device comprises at least one magnet unit which generates a magnetic field, measures this magnetic field and which is assigned to the container and/or to the magnetic body. The device also comprises at least one evaluation device connected to the magnet units and provided for receiving measurement signals of the magnet units. The aim of the invention is to improve a measuring device of this type in order to be able to easily determine, in addition to the position of the body in relation to the container in a longitudinal direction, the position of the body in relation to the container in the transverse direction with a relatively high level of accuracy. To this end, the magnet units comprise a maximum magnetic flux that is essentially perpendicular to the direction of the relative motion of the body and container.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL, CORP.Inventors: Klaus Biester, Peter Kunow
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Patent number: 7453269Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 5, 2005Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jong-hwa Won, Hyung Choi, Kwon-hee Kim, Oh-myoung Kwon
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Patent number: 7449878Abstract: An apparatus for providing a signal related to a position of a part comprises an exciter coil, and a receiver coil disposed proximate to the exciter coil. The exciter coil generates magnetic flux when the exciter coil is energized by a source of electrical energy, such as an alternating current source. The receiver coil generates a receiver signal when the exciter coil is energized, due to an inductive coupling between the receiver coil and the exciter coil. The receiver coil has a plurality of sections, the inductive coupling tending to induce opposed voltages in at least two of the sections. Embodiments of the present invention include linear sensors, rotational sensors, and novel configurations for improved ratiometric sensing.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2006Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: KSR Technologies Co.Inventor: Joong K. Lee
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Patent number: 7429053Abstract: A subframe structure for an automotive vehicle wherein a subframe is attached through a rubber mount to a vehicle body, suspension components are assembled onto the subframe so that the suspension components are held connected to the vehicle body through the subframe, and a detecting assembly capable of providing an output signal according to a load that acts between a subframe and a vehicle body is provided. A rubber mount for use in this subframe structure is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2005Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Advics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akira Katagiri, Takehiro Yamada, Akihiro Miyoshi, Tamio Tsurita, Motoshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 7429980Abstract: An oscillation and rotation metric controller comprised of a scrolling wheel mechanism to oscillate for driving magnetic poles of a permanent magnet to displace thus to generate signals of changed magnetic field, signals being retrieved to achieve lateral oscillation metric control; and a knob switch encoder being fixed to the scrolling wheel mechanism to execute metric control by rotation displacement.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2004Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignees: Sunrex Technology Corp., Gimbal Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wen-Chin Lee, Hsiang-Kuang Chen
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Publication number: 20080231265Abstract: A scale section is made of a magnetic material. A repeated pattern is recorded at a uniform pitch on the surface of the scale section. A sensor section is provided independently from the scale section. The sensor section is provided with a magnetic position sensor that reads the pattern, on a surface close to the surface of the scale section. Further, the sensor section is provided with a magnetic tilt sensor that detects a tilt between the surface of the scale section and the surface of the sensor section on which the position sensor is located. The magnetic position detector in which the scale section and the sensor section are separated from each other can be efficiently fixed to a detection target using the tilt sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2008Publication date: September 25, 2008Applicant: OKUMA CORPORATIONInventors: Yasukazu Hayashi, Taishi Shimada
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Patent number: 7400138Abstract: A device for detecting the linear and angular positions of a moving element such as a gearchange finger in a motor vehicle gearbox, the moving element carrying at least one permanent magnet that is movable past a printed circuit card mounted on a stationary support and carrying magnetoresistance cells. The invention enables the transmission ratio engaged in a gearbox to be detected continuously.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2007Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Teleflex Automotive France SAInventors: Guillaume Hodin, Stephane Rosson, Jean-Pierre Baz
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Patent number: 7400265Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Innovative Technology ConceptsInventors: Kirk A. Gebler, John G. Henderson
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Patent number: 7288931Abstract: In a method of determining residual error compensation parameters for a magnetoresistive angle sensor providing a first measurement signal depending on a rotational angle the step of generating a plurality of value pairs for a plurality of rotational angle values is provided, wherein each value pair has a rotational angle value and an associated measurement signal value. The method further includes ascertaining a sinusoidal fit function the course of which is adapted to the plurality of value pairs. Finally, residual error compensation parameters can be generated from a difference between the ascertained sinusoidal fit function and the associated measurement signal values of the measurement signal for the plurality of rotational angle values.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Wolfgang Granig, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Juergen Zimmer
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Patent number: 7283826Abstract: A magnetic sensor for determining the position of a cellular phone in linear movement along an axis of translation, the sensor including a measuring cell fitted to a magnetic circuit and capable of measuring the variations in the value of the magnetic induction flux consecutive with the reluctance variations of the magnetic circuit. According to the invention, the sensor further includes a single delimiting fixed magnetic circuit between two fixed pole parts, a variable air gap within which at least a magnetic induction is created that extends along a length parallel to the axis of translation and at least equal to the travel to be measured of the cellular phone, and a measurable air gap to which the measuring cell is fitted.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2004Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Electricfil AutomotiveInventors: Laurent Dufour, Olivier Andrieu
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Patent number: 7145326Abstract: A method and system to detect a position of a member movable along a defined path is described. The system includes a magnetic source, an array of sensors, and an analyzer. The magnetic source radiates a magnetic field and is coupled to a movable member. The array of sensors is fixed relative to the movable member. Each sensor generates an output response value based on an angle of the magnetic field passing through each sensor. The array of sensors produces a plurality of output response values for a first position of the movable member. The analyzer receives the plurality of output response values and calculates a composite output response value to determine the first position of the movable member.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2003Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Rhodes, Philip J. Zumsteg
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Patent number: 7127369Abstract: A system with a sensor assembly is used to determine direction of movement of an object so that accuracy of position calculation is improved. The sensor assembly measures at least two operational characteristics and generates corresponding operational characteristic signals. A control unit monitors and compares transitions of the signals to more accurately determine direction of movement for the object.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2002Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Tomohiro Fukumura, Sanjaya Kumar Dash