Hall Effect Patents (Class 324/207.2)
  • Patent number: 11181394
    Abstract: A distance measuring device with two magnetic field sensors and a permanent magnet and a semiconductor body is provided. The device includes a monolithically integrated evaluation circuit, and a difference signal can be determined by means of the magnetic field sensors and provides an output signal as a result of the determination. The value of the output signal based on the neutralization of a magnetic-flux-free region is a function of a distance of a ferromagnetic sensing element from the two magnetic field sensors. The semiconductor body is arranged between U-shaped pole shanks of the magnet, which is magnetized in the X direction, wherein the first magnetic field sensor is arranged in an area located between two opposing shanks of the first pole, and the second magnetic field sensor is arranged in an area located between two opposing shanks of the second pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: TDK-Micronas GmbH
    Inventor: Joerg Franke
  • Patent number: 11169002
    Abstract: A sensor system and a joystick including the sensor system. The sensor system comprises a magnetic field sensor, and first and second magnetic sources. The first magnetic source is rotatable relative to a sensitive surface of the sensor and generates a first magnetic field contribution of at least quadrupolar order. The second magnetic source is pivotable with respect to the sensitive surface and generates a second magnetic field contribution. The sensor is configured for detecting at least an in-plane component of a superimposition field of the first and second magnetic contributions at a plurality of lateral measurement locations on the sensitive surface, obtaining measurements, and determining a rotation angle for the first source from the field gradient measurements and two angular directions for the second source from the field mean measurements. Lateral measurement locations are arranged into two pairs of diametrically opposite measurement locations with respect to the sensitive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES SA
    Inventors: Hao Wang, Zhenghao Cui
  • Patent number: 11156477
    Abstract: A rotation angle measurement method and a circuit, a rotation angle measuring system including a shaft, a transducer, a first sensor system with at least one magnetic field sensor of a first type for measuring a magnetic field component Bz and a second sensor system with at least one magnetic field sensor of a second type for detecting magnetic field components Bx, By being provided, a first or second measured value being ascertained with the aid of each sensor system at a first point in time, a first or second rotation angle value being determined for each measured value, a first output rotation angle value being determined from the first rotation angle value and a known constant angle offset between the two sensor systems as a reference value for the second sensor system, a deviation of the second rotation angle value from the first output rotation angle value being ascertained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: TDK-Micronas GmbH
    Inventors: Marcus Christian Meyer, Hans Christian Paul Dittmann
  • Patent number: 11143524
    Abstract: A displacement sensor has a magnetic measuring transducer and at least two sensor units, which are arranged at different positions spaced from each other, the measuring transducer being slidably mounted relative to the sensor units. The measuring transducer is magnetized such that it has a magnetic field which rotates at least partially about an axis of rotation along the measuring transducer, and the axis of rotation of the magnetic field runs parallel to the sliding direction of the measuring transducer. The sensor units are designed to each sense two magnetic measured variables proportionally to the magnetic field strength, both measured variables being sensed by both sensor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Welsch, Michael Kleinknecht, Mathias Kimmerle, Sina Fella
  • Patent number: 11136059
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein are for a position sensor system integrated into a steering column assembly of a vehicle. The position sensor includes an elongated target comprising a sloping top surface, a first arcuate lateral surface, a second arcuate lateral surface, and an attachment feature for connecting the elongated target to a moveable part of the steering column assembly. The position sensor also includes a sensor device comprising an attachment feature for connecting the sensor device to a stationary part of the steering column assembly and a sensor situated over the sloping top surface of the elongated target. The sensor is configured to detect a position of the elongated target relative to the sensor, where the position of the elongated target corresponds to a position of a steering column of the steering column assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Rouleau, Edward A. Cana, Damian Z. Gosztyla, Robert D. Bueche
  • Patent number: 11136753
    Abstract: System for drainage of surface water, the system comprises a number of tanks being connected to a main pipeline leading water to a recipient. Each tank has at least one outlet for leading water from the tank to the main pipeline, and a corresponding lid, the lid is limiting the outlet until the water is at a predetermined level in the tank. The system further comprises a check valve arranged downstream of the outlet of each tank, preventing water from entering the tank from the main pipeline, and at least one air bleeder valve and at least one siphonic drainage regulator arranged between a tank and the recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Aiwell Holding AS
    Inventor: Asle Johnsen
  • Patent number: 11131564
    Abstract: A component identification system is disclosed. The component identification system may include a sensor system that includes a first Hall-effect switch configured to provide a first output signal corresponding to a state of the first Hall-effect switch, and a second Hall-effect switch configured to provide a second output signal corresponding to a state of the second Hall-effect switch. The sensor system may be configured to provide a single output signal that is based on the first output signal and the second output signal and indicates a combined state of the first Hall-effect switch and the second Hall-effect switch. The component identification system may include a component that is to be identified. The component may include a first magnet configured to affect the state of the first Hall-effect switch and a second magnet configured to affect the state of the second Hall-effect switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. McKinley, Ye Tian
  • Patent number: 11125582
    Abstract: A wheel portion allows a shaft body that serves as a detection object to be inserted therein in a direction of a rotational axis from a position in front of the wheel portion, and is rotated about the rotational axis when the shaft body is rotated. The wheel portion includes a tubular portion in which the shaft body is inserted and a projecting edge portion extending away from the rotational axis at a front end of the tubular portion. The housing portion includes a cover portion having a hollow tubular opening portion in which the shaft body is inserted. The cover portion and the wheel portion are engaged with each other such that the opening portion is located on an inner side of the projecting edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Kikuchi, Keisuke Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11092461
    Abstract: A position sensor system for determining a position of a sensor device relative to a magnetic structure, the system comprising: said magnetic structure comprising a plurality of poles; said sensor device comprising a plurality of magnetic sensors; the magnetic structure being movable relative to the sensor device, or vice versa; wherein: a distance between centres of adjacent poles varies along the movement direction; the sensor device is adapted: for determining a first magnetic field component parallel to, and a second magnetic field component perpendicular to a movement direction, and for calculating a coarse signal based on these components; and for determining a first and second gradient of these signals along the movement direction, and for calculating a fine signal based on these gradients; and for determining said position based on the coarse signal and the fine signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES SA
    Inventor: Yves Bidaux
  • Patent number: 11092463
    Abstract: A magnetic angular position sensor system is described herein, which includes a shaft rotatable around a rotation axis, the shaft having a soft magnetic shaft end portion. The system further includes a sensor chip spaced apart from the shaft end portion in an axial direction and defining a sensor plane, which is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis. At least four magnetic field sensor elements are integrated in the sensor chip, with two of the magnetic field sensor elements being spaced apart from each other and are sensitive to magnetic field components in a first direction and wherein two of the magnetic field sensor elements are spaced apart from each other and are only sensitive to magnetic field components in a second direction, whereby the first and the second direction are mutually non-parallel and the first and the second direction being perpendicular to the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Udo Ausserlechner
  • Patent number: 11085976
    Abstract: A field-sensor device comprises first and second field sensors disposed in corresponding different first and second orientations, each responsive to an external field to produce corresponding first and second sensor signals. One of or both the first and second sensor signals are converted to equivalent comparable sensor signals in a common orientation and compared to determine a faulty field sensor. If a faulty field sensor is determined, a faulty sensor signal is produced or, if a faulty sensor is not determined, an output sensor signal responsive to the first, second or comparable sensor signals is produced. Evaluation of the direction of differences between the comparable sensor signals can determine which of the first and second field sensors is faulty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES SA
    Inventors: Javier Bilbao De Mendizabal, Mathieu Poezart
  • Patent number: 11085795
    Abstract: A disclosed rotary position sensor may include a sensor housing defining an interior cavity. A first rotor may be positioned and rotatable within the interior cavity, the first rotor including a first magnet. Furthermore, the rotary position sensor may include a second rotor positioned and rotatable within the interior cavity, the second rotor including a second magnet. The first rotor and the second rotor may be individually rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: HAMLIN ELECTRONICS (SUZHOU) LTD.
    Inventors: Jianfei Zhao, Seong-Jae Lee, Wei Zhou
  • Patent number: 11073408
    Abstract: A rotary sensor arrangement is configured to be used with a rotatable magnetic source and comprises a first and a second pair of magnetic field sensors, each pair arranged symmetrically with respect to rotation axes and providing respective sensor values. An evaluation unit determines a first sum value corresponding to a sum of the sensor values of the first pair, and a second sum value corresponding to a sum of the sensor values of the second pair. The evaluation unit further determines a difference value corresponding to a difference between the first and the second sum value and compares the difference value or a value derived thereof to a threshold value. Based on the comparison result, it is determined whether a failure status of the sensor arrangement is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventors: Kurt Riedmueller, Simone Sabatelli
  • Patent number: 11054395
    Abstract: An inductive sensor device includes a reference sensor head that is used to adjust the characteristics of an operational sensor head that is used to detect movement of a conductive target. The reference sensor head has near it a fixed reference target that is similar to the target for which the operational sensor head detects movement, with the difference that the reference target is fixed with respect to a reference sensor coil of the reference sensor head. The reference sensor head includes a variable reference capacitor or variable reference inductor that is adjusted to maintain constant (or nearly constant) output, such as a constant (or nearly constant) resonant frequency, during operation of the sensor device. Adjustments of the variable reference element (variable capacitor or variable inductor) may be undertaken to compensate for changes in characteristics of the reference sensor due to changes in temperature, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Philip H. Ives
  • Patent number: 11047934
    Abstract: A Hall sensor has at least four sensor terminals for connecting the Hall sensor and a plurality of Hall sensing element shaving element terminals. The Hall sensing elements are interconnected with the element terminals in a connection grid in between the sensor terminals, the connection having more than one dimension. The Hall sensing elements are physically arranged in an arrangement grid having more than one dimension and being different from the connection grid. At least some of the Hall sensing elements are connected to at least two adjacent Hall sensing elements in the connection grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: AMSAG
    Inventors: András Mozsáry, Roswitha Pummer, Georg Roehrer
  • Patent number: 11035716
    Abstract: A digital liquid-level sensor comprises a non-magnetic conduit, a floater provided outside the non-magnetic conduit and capable of axially moving along the non-magnetic conduit, and a permanent magnet fixed on the floater. The non-magnetic conduit further comprises a switch unit and an encoding unit. The switch unit comprises at least one tunneling magnetoresistance switch which is turned on or turned off under the effect of the magnetic field produced by the permanent magnet; and the encoding unit comprises at least one encoder, of which an input end receives an on/off signal from the tunneling magnetoresistance switch and outputs a digital signal indicating the position of the floater. The digital liquid-level sensor is of a small size; has low cost, low power consumption, high reliability, high sensitivity, high solution, long service life, and a good anti-interference capability; and can directly output the digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: MultiDimension Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James Geza Deak, Songsheng Xue
  • Patent number: 11022464
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes one or more magnetic field sensing elements and a back-biased magnet arranged to avoid saturation of the one or more magnetic field sensing elements, particularly when the one or more magnetic field sensing elements comprise one or more magnetoresistance elements. The one or more magnetoresistance elements can be arranged in a resistor bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Andreas P. Friedrich, Marie-Adelaide Lo, Andrea Foletto, Nicolas Yoakim
  • Patent number: 11022463
    Abstract: A position sensor includes a magnet that generates a magnetic field, and a magnetic detector that is positioned opposing the magnet to detect an inclination of the magnetic field caused by the magnet. The magnet and the magnetic detector move relative to each other when an operation member is automatically or manually operated. The position sensor detects an operation position of the operation member based on a detection signal of the magnetic detector. The magnet includes two magnets positioned to oppose each other to generate the magnetic field as a parallel magnetic field at a rotation center of a support structure that forms operation axes of the operation member in multiple directions. The magnetic detector is arranged between the two magnets positioned opposing each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Masayoshi Iwata
  • Patent number: 10998620
    Abstract: An example electronic device includes a first antenna; a second antenna; a driver integrated circuit (IC) configured to transmit magnetic field signal through at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna; a switch configured to switch between short-circuiting connection between the driver IC and the first antenna and opening connection between the driver IC and the first antenna; and a filter configured to filter a pre-determined frequency and connected to the first antenna, the second antenna and the driver IC. The driver IC is configured to transmit the magnetic field signal using both the first antenna and the second antenna based on the switch short-circuiting the connection between the driver IC and the first antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Woosup Lee, Younju Kim, Jungoh Sung, Taekun Kim, Sehwan Choi, Sungchul Park, Jungsik Park
  • Patent number: 10993637
    Abstract: There is provided an operating apparatus for a medical apparatus, the operating apparatus including a ring-shaped magnet magnetically polarized in a circumferential direction or a radial direction and configured to rotate along with rotating operation by a user, and a sensor unit configured to detect a magnetic field and to output a signal depending on the detected magnetic field. The sensor unit outputs two-phase signals having different phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: SONY OLYMPUS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Naoyuki Ohno
  • Patent number: 10989299
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a signal of a sensor is provided. With the aid of the sensor, a current actuating-travel position of at least one movable shift-element half of a form-locking shift element (A, F) of a transmission (3) is detected during a disengagement or an engagement of the shift element (A, F). A malfunction of the sensor is detected when the current actuating-travel position of the movable shift-element half is located outside the actuating-travel range defined by the end positions and is spaced apart from the first end position or from the second end position by an extent greater than a threshold value. Additionally, it is determined, during a subsequent actuation of the shift element (A, F), depending on rotational speeds of components of the transmission (3), whether the movable shift-element half is located in a demanded end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Martina Jehle, Daniel Zerlaut, Christian Pannek
  • Patent number: 10969257
    Abstract: A rotary position sensor (102) may include a sensor housing (202) defining an interior cavity. A first rotor (206) may be positioned and rotatable within the interior cavity, the first rotor (206) including a first magnet (326). Furthermore, the rotary position sensor (102) may include a second rotor (208) positioned and rotatable within the interior cavity, the second rotor (208) including a second magnet (328). The first magnet (326) may include a first shielding member (342) associated with a surface of the first magnet (326), and the second magnet (328) may include a second shielding member (344) associated with a surface of the second magnet (328). The first shielding member (342) may face the second shielding member (344).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: HAMLIN ELECTRONICS (SUZHOU) CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Jianfei Zhao, Wei Zhou, Dong Liu, Seong-Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 10942042
    Abstract: A sensor system comprises a magnetic field generator and a sensor device arranged at a distance from said magnetic field generator and adapted for measuring or determining at least one magnetic field component and/or at least one magnetic field gradient component. The magnetic field generator comprises a multi-pole magnet having a number N of pole pairs that are axially magnetized to generate an N-pole magnetic field that is substantially rotationally symmetric around an axis. The magnet comprises a plurality of grooves and/or elongate protrusions that are arranged in a rotationally symmetric pattern around the axis to provide a substantially constant magnetic field gradient in a central region around said axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES SA
    Inventors: Yves Bidaux, Jean-Claude Depoorter, Jan-Willem Burssens
  • Patent number: 10935362
    Abstract: An sensor unit has an analog Hall-effect sensor coupled to a microprocessor containing an analog to digital converter. It is mounted to the frame of a cell door. A magnet is mounted to the cell door so that when the door is closed, they are in close-proximity. A calibration initiates the storage of digital voltage signal presented by the Hall-effect sensor, via an analog to digital converter, when the cell door is closed. This door-closed value is constantly compared to the current value based on the position of the cell door. If this value deviates within preset limitations of the stored value, the sensor unit signals a fault condition to a connected central control panel which sends a “door ajar” notification to a designated user's cell phone as well as activating a local alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventors: Edward Francis Burress, Stephen Lawrence Dillier
  • Patent number: 10925571
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for operating an intra-oral imaging sensor that includes a housing, an image sensing component configured to capture image data while the intra-oral imaging sensor housing is positioned in a mouth of a patient, and a multi-dimensional sensor positioned within the housing of the intra-oral imaging sensor. An electronic controller is configured to receive data from the multi-dimensional sensor and to control an action of the intra-oral imaging sensor based on the data received from the multi-dimensional sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: DENTAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott David Kravis, Leonid Khatutskiy, James Paul Frerichs, Adrian David French, Kyle Alan Pixton
  • Patent number: 10928224
    Abstract: A multi-turn absolute encoder, an encoding method and a robot are disclosed. The multi-turn absolute encoder includes a rotary shaft, a control circuit board, a magnet, a Hall sensor, a controller, a primary controller, a single-turn absolute encoder and a non-volatile memory. One side of the control circuit board is vertically provided with the rotary shaft. The magnet is connected to the rotary shaft and configured to synchronously rotate about the rotary shaft. The Hall sensor is configured to acquire turn count information of the rotary shaft upon power interruption. The primary controller is configured to calculate an absolute position information of the rotary shaft based on the turn count information of the rotary shaft, a relative position information of the rotary shaft and the absolute position information of the rotary shaft stored in previous power interruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: INNFOS DRIVE (BEIJING) TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haotian Cui, Xunge Yan, Wei Zhu
  • Patent number: 10914611
    Abstract: A system includes a magnet having an axis of rotation, the magnet being configured to produce a magnetic field. The system further includes a plurality of magnetoresistive sensor elements, each of the magnetoresistive sensor elements having a magnetic free layer configured to generate a vortex magnetization pattern in the magnetic free layer, and the magnetoresistive sensor elements being configured to produce output signals in response to the magnetic field. A rotation angle of a rotating element to which the magnet is coupled may be determined using the plurality of output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Stephan Marauska, Edwin Schapendonk, Jörg Kock, Dennis Helmboldt, Ralf van Otten, Jaap Ruigrok
  • Patent number: 10914609
    Abstract: A system includes a magnet configured to produce a magnetic field, the magnet having an asymmetric magnetization configuration that produces a distinct feature in the magnetic field. The asymmetric magnetization configuration can be produced via an asymmetric physical characteristic, nonuniform magnetization strengths, nonuniform magnetization distributions, off-centered magnet, and so forth. Magnetic field sensors are configured to produce output signals in response to the magnetic field, the output signals being indicative of the distinct feature in the magnetic field. A processing circuit receives the output signals and determines a rotation angle for the magnet using the output signals, the rotation angle having a range of 0-360°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Stephan Marauska, Edwin Schapendonk, Dennis Helmboldt, Jaap Ruigrok, Ralf van Otten, Jan Przytarski, Jörg Kock
  • Patent number: 10908349
    Abstract: A wireless light board is disclosed herein. The present invention comprises a baseplate, a backlight module, a power module, a magnet sensor module, a control module, at least one bottom cover, and a top cover. The baseplate has a recess and a power source accommodation hole to respectively accommodate the backlight module and the power module. The control module is arranged on a circuit board and electrically connected with the backlight module and the magnet sensor module to turn on/off the backlight module. The bottom cover removably covers the power source accommodation hole. The top cover covers at least the backlight module and the power module and has a first light-permeable region above the backlight module. Thereby, the wireless light board is slim, waterproof, power-saving, easy to install, and convenient for battery replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: ZEALIO ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: C. P. Cheng, Pao-Lin Guo
  • Patent number: 10907989
    Abstract: A device and method for the processing of a measurement signal of a magnetic field B(?) is described. The device comprises a permanent magnet having two or four poles, an odd number of magnetic field sensors that are arranged in a plane below the magnets, and a signal processing unit, which is adapted to detect the values of the odd number of magnetic field sensors, to filter the fundamental frequency of the magnetic field out of the detected values of the lateral magnetic field sensors in order to calculate the value of the rotation angle from the fundamental frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: TDK—Micronas GmbH
    Inventor: David Muthers
  • Patent number: 10909876
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spray paint simulator and training aid including a mock paint sprayer, a trigger sensor of the mock paint sprayer, a head-mounted display unit, a motion tracking system for tracking a position and an orientation of the mock paint sprayer and the head-mounted display unit, a computer running software operable to display a virtual object and a virtual paint sprayer on the head-mounted display and, in response to an input from the trigger sensor, simulate the accumulation of paint on the virtual object, wherein the simulating the accumulation of paint includes generating a plurality of vectors extending between the virtual paint sprayer and the virtual object within a dispersion pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Envision Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wesley Richardson, Jameson Richardson, Joseph Richardson, John Barrett Gay, Quincy Phelps Jones
  • Patent number: 10900769
    Abstract: A grip, a magnet 140, and a substrate 150 are included. The grip is rotatable between positions where a throttle is fully closed and a position where the throttle is fully open with a rotating shaft as a center. The magnet 140 rotates integrally with the grip. The substrate 150 includes a plurality of Hall elements 165 and 175, and is fixed to face the magnet 140. The plurality of Hall elements 165 and 175 are disposed in such a way that magnetic flux densities different from each other are respectively applied to the plurality of Hall elements 165 and 175 when an external magnetic field acts in a state where the grip is located in the position where the throttle is fully closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: TOYO DENSO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shoji Kishi, Toshiya Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10900811
    Abstract: Provided is a displacement detection device which can uniquely determine displacement of a detection target from output values based on detection as well as make a displacement range of the detection target wider than a displacement range detectable by a sensor. A displacement detection device includes a magnet which is displaced in a displacement direction Ds, is rod-shaped and has a form in which a longitudinal direction and the displacement direction Ds form a predetermined angle ?, and a sensor IC which detects a magnetic flux density of a magnetic field formed by the magnet in an x direction and a z direction orthogonal to the displacement direction Ds and outputs a signal proportional to the magnetic field detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES SA
    Inventor: Takumi Yoshiya
  • Patent number: 10900989
    Abstract: A measurement device for measuring speeds of rotation of at least two wheels of an aircraft undercarriage includes a measurement unit and a processor unit associated with each wheel. The measurement unit of each wheel is configured to transform the speed of rotation of the wheel into an electrical magnitude. The processor unit of each wheel is configured to acquire the electrical magnitudes produced by at least two measurement units in order to transform the electrical magnitudes into digital measurement signals representative of the speeds of rotation of at least two wheels, and in order to transmit the digital measurement signals to external equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: SAFRAN LANDING SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Joël Zabulon, David Frank
  • Patent number: 10892113
    Abstract: A rotating handle device formed by the the mounting of an assembly including an attachment base that receives a grip and a sliding button, a sliding limiting drive member, and a fixing cover. The fastening between the sliding button, grip, attachment base, and fixing cover is achieved by pressure fastening engagements snap-fits. The assembly includes a mounting method that prevents removal of the grip from the attachment base unless the sliding button is removed first, and a mounting or dismounting process between the grip and the attachment base that may only take place upon the coincidence between pairs of flaps and passing recessions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: WEG DRIVES AND CONTROLS AUTOMAÇÃO LTDA
    Inventor: João Paulo Abdala
  • Patent number: 10876860
    Abstract: A position sensor to provide an absolute position of a movable portion with respect to a fixed portion of a mechanism comprises two elements to move with respect to one another. The first element comprises a component that is sensitive to a magnetic field. The second element comprises two pairs of magnets. In each of the pairs, the orientation of each of the magnets alternates. An air gap is formed between the two pairs of magnets, the air gap configured to allow the component to pass therethrough. Each magnet of one pair faces a magnet of the other pair and the magnets facing one another have the same orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Damien Chassoulier, Alain Blanc, Guy Carron de la Morinais
  • Patent number: 10879097
    Abstract: A modular pressing device capable of generating stage downward forces is provided. The modular pressing device comprises a non-exchangeable pressing module and an exchangeable pressing module. The non-exchangeable pressing module includes a first downward force generating unit. The exchangeable pressing module includes a second downward force generating unit. The first downward force generating unit applies a first downward force to at least one of a testing seat and an electronic device through the exchangeable pressing module. The second downward force generating unit applies a second downward force to the electronic device. Thereby, the modular pressing device is capable to generate two different downward forces to reduce the downward surge force. In addition, as the exchangeable pressing module is worn, the exchangeable pressing module can be replaced quickly such that the maintenance cost can be effectively reduced and the stability of the apparatus can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: CHROMA ATE INC.
    Inventors: Chi-Chen Wu, Yun-Jui Cheng, Chien-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 10859643
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a sensor having a first magnetic field sensing element with first and second segments where the first and second segments are located at positions of opposite magnetic field. The first and second segments are spaced from each other based upon iso-lines of the magnetic field. A processing module can process an output of the magnetic field sensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventor: Rémy Lassalle-Balier
  • Patent number: 10838023
    Abstract: A magnetic ring and sensor arrangement is provided. The magnetic ring and sensor arrangement includes a magnetic ring and a sensor sub-system. The magnetic ring includes an improved harmonic content. The sensor sub-system includes sensors coupled to the magnetic ring. Each of the sensors measure an amplitude or a direction of a magnetic field of the magnetic ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Benedicte Thomas
  • Patent number: 10830839
    Abstract: Magnetic field sensors and sensing methods are provided. A magnetic sensor module is configured to measure a magnetic field whose magnitude oscillates between a first extrema and a second extrema. The magnetic sensor module includes a magnetic sensor configured to generate measurement values in response to sensing the magnetic field, and a sensor circuit. The sensor circuit is configured to generate a measurement signal based on the measurement values, compare the measurement signal to a switching threshold, generate a pulsed output signal having pulses that are generated based on the measurement signal crossing the switching threshold, measure a first characteristic of the measurement signal, update an offset of the switching threshold according to an offset update algorithm based on the measured first characteristic of the measurement signal, and selectively enable and disable the offset update algorithm based on at least a second characteristic of the measurement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Simone Fontanesi, Klaus Grambichler, Tobias Werth
  • Patent number: 10816361
    Abstract: An arrangement for detecting the angular position of a rotatable component includes: a magnet, configured to generate a magnetic field, and a sensor assembly, configured to detect the magnetic field, and to supply therefrom an angle signal corresponding to the angular position of the component. The sensor assembly has a first sensor group, including a first magnetically sensitive element, a second magnetically sensitive element, and a third magnetically sensitive element, a second sensor group, having a fourth magnetically sensitive element, a fifth magnetically sensitive element, and a sixth magnetically sensitive element, and an evaluation unit, which is connected to each of the magnetically sensitive elements of the first sensor group and the magnetically sensitive elements of the second sensor group and supplies the angle signal corresponding to the angular position of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Wallrafen
  • Patent number: 10816611
    Abstract: A measuring system having a magnetic device for generating a magnetic field and at least one magnetic field sensor for detecting a flux density of the magnetic field, at least in a first spatial direction. The magnetic device has a top side facing the magnetic field sensor, the magnetic field sensor is spaced apart from the top side of the magnetic device, the magnetic device has a main magnet, having two poles, with a main magnetizing direction for generating a main magnetic field and at least one secondary magnet, having two poles, with a secondary magnetization direction for generating a secondary magnetic field, the main magnet has larger dimensions than the at least one secondary magnet, the magnetic field is formed by superposition of the main magnetic field and the secondary magnetic field, the secondary magnetic field at least partially compensates the main magnetic field in the first spatial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: TDK-Micronas GmbH
    Inventors: Timo Kaufmann, Joerg Franke
  • Patent number: 10816363
    Abstract: A system for determining angular position includes a magnet having at least four poles and an axis of rotation, wherein the magnet produces a magnetic field. A first magnetic field sensor produces a first output signal and a second magnetic field sensor produces a second output signal in response to the magnetic field. The magnetic field sensors are operated in a saturation mode in which the magnetic field sensors are largely insensitive to the field strength of the magnetic field. Thus, the first output signal is indicative of a first direction of the magnetic field and the second output signal is indicative of a second direction of the magnetic field. Methodology performed by a processing circuit entails combining the first and second output signals to obtain a rotation angle value of the magnet in which angular error from a stray magnetic field is at least partially canceled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Jaap Ruigrok, Edwin Schapendonk, Stephan Marauska, Dennis Helmboldt, Marijn Nicolaas van Dongen
  • Patent number: 10782116
    Abstract: A discrete magnetic angle sensor device can include a first magnetic field gradiometer and a second magnetic field gradiometer. The first magnetic field gradiometer and the second magnetic field gradiometer can be of different types of a group of gradiometer types. The sensor advantageously improves an accuracy of a determination of a rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Udo Ausserlechner
  • Patent number: 10782366
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements operable to generate magnetic field signals indicative of a magnetic field associated with an object, a plurality of channels coupled to receive the magnetic field signals and configured to generate a respective plurality of phase separated channel signals, and an output circuit coupled to receive the plurality of phase separated channel signals and configured to generate a sensor output signal including distinguishable pulses associated with the plurality of phase separated channel signals. The sensor output signal may include a first plurality of pulses associated with a first one of the phase separated channel signals and having a first characteristic and a second plurality of pulses associated with a second one of the phase separated channel signals and having a second characteristic different than the first characteristic, such as different signals levels and/or different pulse widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventor: Logan Stewart
  • Patent number: 10775195
    Abstract: A rotation angle sensing device is provided with a magnet that is placed to be integrally rotatable with a rotary shaft of a rotating body in association with a rotating body, where the shape of the magnet as viewed along the rotary shaft is substantially circular; a magnetic sensor part that outputs a sensor signal based upon a change in a direction of a magnetic field in association with the rotation of the magnet; and a rotation angle detecting part that detects a rotation angle of the rotating body based upon the sensor signal output by the magnetic sensor part. The magnet has a component of a magnetization vector in a direction that is orthogonal to the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Nagata, Hiraku Hirabayashi, Yohei Hirota
  • Patent number: 10775200
    Abstract: A rotary encoder may include a first sensor unit including a first magnet, and a first magnetosensitive unit facing the first magnet; a second sensor unit including a second magnet with a plurality of pairs of N poles and S poles alternately magnetized, and a second magnetosensitive unit facing the second magnet; a circuit to generate pulses for counting from an output of the second sensor unit; and a counter to count the pulses. During activation, an angle position of the rotating body is calculated based on outputs of a first and second sensor unit, and after activation, pulse counting is counted by a counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokatsu Okumura, Yutaka Saito, Hitoshi Joko
  • Patent number: 10767757
    Abstract: A shifter for controlling a transmission of a motor vehicle includes a rotatably mounted actuation element, a sensor assembly including a first element having a plurality of binary sensors and a second element having a trigger device. A control unit determines an angular position of the actuation element based on an input signal from the sensor assembly. The binary sensors and the trigger device are arranged such that each binary sensor corresponds to one trigger line comprising a plurality of trigger elements. The trigger elements are distributed along the trigger line such that at least one the binary sensors is able to detect a presence of a trigger element for each angular position of the actuation element. At least one trigger element from each trigger line together form a trigger pattern, and the trigger pattern is repeated at least twice on the trigger device to initiate a shift command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE AB
    Inventor: Mattias Gudasic
  • Patent number: 10768028
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor unit for determining a rotor position of an electric motor, including at least one magnetic field sensor attached to a carrier element. In the case of a sensor unit, in which the sensor system can be easily exchanged, the carrier element is positioned in a sensor system housing which is open on one side and in which a sensing area of the at least one magnetic field sensor is directed in the direction of the open side of the sensor system housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Peter Biegert, Dominik Holl
  • Patent number: 10746570
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a single-sided or double-sided moving magnet haptic engine comprises: a frame; one or more magnetic field sources mounted to the frame and operable to generate a magnetic field and a back electromotive force (EMF) voltage; a magnetic mass positioned within the frame and operable to move within the frame along a movement axis; a comparator mounted to the frame, the comparator operable to detect the magnetic field and to generate a signal indicating a crossing of one or more magnetic references by the magnetic field; and a processor coupled to the one or more sensors and operable to estimate a displacement of the magnetic mass on the movement axis based on the back EMF voltage and the signal. Other embodiments are directed to a single-sided or double-sided moving coil haptic engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Denis G. Chen, Hari Vasudevan