Nonparallel Plural Magnetic Sensors Patents (Class 324/247)
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Patent number: 9720126Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to acquire a first signal from a first magnetometer at least partially disposed within a Helmholtz coil, to acquire a second signal from a second magnetometer having a sensitivity at least one thousand times less than the first magnetometer, to process the second signal to determine a drive signal, to drive the Helmholtz coil using the drive signal so as to null an ambient Earth magnetic field surrounding the first magnetometer, and to process the first signal as one of a down hole location signal or a down hole telemetry signal, the location signal to determine a range to a sub-surface object, and the telemetry signal to provide data from down hole drilling operations. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2012Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Paul F. Rodney
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Patent number: 9678168Abstract: A system including a sensor circuit and comparison circuitry. The sensor circuit is configured to provide a sensed signal. The comparison circuitry is configured to receive an input signal that corresponds to the sensed signal. The comparison circuitry provides output signals that switch state at different levels of the input signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2009Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Konrad Kapser, Arnold Rump
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Patent number: 9671472Abstract: A system includes a helically polarized magnet having a plurality of north and south poles circumferentially and helically patterned along a linear axis. Magnetic flux varies at different positions along a linear path in a direction aligned with the linear axis. A multi-axis magnetometer and/or magnetometer array is configured with at least two sensing coils to detect the position of the helically polarized magnet by sensing the magnetic flux variations at the different positions along the linear path.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems CorporationInventors: Joseph Michael Maurio, Charles C. McCarthy, Mark Mulhern
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Patent number: 9666343Abstract: An assembly for generating a superconducting magnetic field with high stability comprises a main power supply unit arranged to provide a main current to generate a superconducting magnetic field, a magnetic field measurement device for measuring the generated magnetic field, and an auxiliary power supply unit arranged to output an auxiliary current based on the measured magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2016Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Inventor: Michael John Disney Mallett
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Patent number: 9658298Abstract: A three-axis magnetic sensor or magnetometer is provided. Two magnetic sensor Wheatstone bridges using barber pole AMR structures are fabricated on opposite sides of a bump structure formed on a substrate to provide surfaces that are at a predetermined angle with respect to the flat surface of the substrate. The bridge assembly is oriented along the Y axis and the bridges are interconnected such that Y and Z channel signals can be produced by processing of the bridge signals. The X channel signals are provided by an X axis sensor provided on the level surface of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2013Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: MEMSIC, INCInventors: Yongyao Cai, Leyue Jiang, Paul Zavracky, Yang Zhao, Shuo Gu
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Patent number: 9651636Abstract: A single-chip three-axis magnetic field sensing device is provided. This single-chip three-axis magnetic field sensing device comprises a substrate, a first sensing module, a second sensing module, a third sensing module and at least one coil. The substrate includes a surface. The first sensing module comprises at least one first magnetoresistive element and is configured to sense a first magnetic field component substantially parallel to the surface. The second sensing module comprises at least one second magnetoresistive element and is configured to sense a second magnetic field component substantially parallel to the surface. The third sensing module comprises at least one third magnetoresistive element and is configured to sense a third magnetic field component substantially perpendicular to the surface. Wherein one of the first magnetoresistive element and the second magnetoresistive element and the third magnetoresistive element is disposed right above or right below the at least one coil.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Voltafield Technology Corp.Inventors: Nai-Chung Fu, Fu-Tai Liou, Jia-Mou Lee
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Patent number: 9605975Abstract: A magnetic field sensor that provides target speed and direction detection that is independent of sensor-to-target orientation includes at least three differential channels, each responsive to a pair of magnetic field sensing elements to generate a respective magnetic field channel signal. A combining element is configured to generate a combined signal based on the first, second, and third magnetic field channel, signals and control circuitry responsive to the combined signal and to at least one of the first, second, and third magnetic field channel signals generates a sensor output signal that indicative of target speed and direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: ALLEGRO MICORSYSTEMS, LLCInventors: Andrea Foletto, Andreas P. Friedrich
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Patent number: 9606195Abstract: The present invention discloses plural planar Hall-effect sensors each having a magnetic sensing region of an elongated shape, the magnetic sensing regions having plural orientations, wherein, for a ratio of long axis length to short axis length greater than a predetermined number, effective single magnetic domain behavior is exhibited in the sensing region, the sensing having shape-induced uniaxial magnetic anisotropy with the easy axis parallel to the long axis of the magnetic sensing region; further wherein the magnitude of the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy depends on the ratio of the thickness of the sensing region to the length of the short axis, and method of operating the same to measure plural magnetic field components.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignees: BAR ILAN UNIVERSITY, B. G. NEVEG TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS LTD.Inventors: Lior Klein, Asaf Grosz, Vladislav Mor, Eugene Paperno, Shai Amrusi, Igor Faivinov, Mordechai Schultz, Omer Sinwani
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Patent number: 9601455Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a substrate including a base member having a main surface and a back surface facing opposite in a thickness direction; a semiconductor element mounted on the main surface of the substrate and having at least one element pad; a wire having a bonding portion bonded to the element pad; and a sealing resin formed on the main surface of the substrate for covering the wire and at least a portion of the semiconductor element. The semiconductor element has an element exposed side surface that faces in a direction crossing the thickness direction of the substrate and is exposed from the sealing resin.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuto Nishiyama, Motoharu Haga
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Patent number: 9551772Abstract: An organic, spin-dependent magnetic field sensor (10) includes an active stack (12) having an organic material with a spin-dependence. The sensor (10) also includes a back electrical contact (14) electrically coupled to a back of the active stack (12) and a front electrical contact (16) electrically coupled to a front of the active stack (12). A magnetic field generator (18) is oriented so as to provide an oscillating magnetic field which penetrates the active stack (12).Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2012Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Dane McCamey, Christoph Boehme
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Patent number: 9435662Abstract: A magneto-resistive angle sensor includes a first half bridge circuit including a first magneto-resistive element and a second magneto-resistive element, and a second half bridge circuit having a third magneto-resistive element and a fourth magneto-resistive element, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth magneto-resistive element are arranged parallel to a x?/y?-plane of a Cartesian reference system with an x?-axis and y?-axis, both orthogonal to each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Udo Ausserlechner
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Patent number: 9423473Abstract: A method and structure for a three-axis magnetic field sensing device. An IC layer having first bond pads and second bond pads can be formed overlying a substrate/SOI member with a first, second, and third magnetic sensing element coupled the IC layer. One or more conductive cables can be formed to couple the first and second bond pads of the IC layer. A portion of the substrate member and IC layer can be removed to separate the first and second magnetic sensing elements on a first substrate member from the third sensing element on a second substrate member, and the third sensing element can be coupled to the side-wall of the first substrate member.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2015Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: MCUBE INC.Inventors: Hong Wan, Anthony F. Flannery
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Patent number: 9404980Abstract: The magnetometers possess a detector part with a magnetosensitive material sensitive to the magnetic field and coil surrounding its magnetosensitive material to pick-up the magnetic field, a pulse generator circuit supplies pulse current to the magnetic material, a sample holding circuit including with an electronic switch synchronized with pulse timing for switching on/off and holding capacitance to charge electricity produced by the pickup coil during the switch on period, and an amplifier circuit amplifies the holding capacitance voltage. Magnetometers possess a Buffer circuit connecting the output side of the pickup coil with the input side of the Buffer circuit and connects the output side of the Buffer circuit with the input side of the electronic switch to transfer the pulse signal voltage induced in the pickup coil from the input side to the output side keeping the pulse signal voltage of the outside at the same level as the inside.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: MAGNEDESIGN CORPORATIONInventor: Yoshinobu Honkura
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Patent number: 9354291Abstract: A dynamically self-adjusting magnetometer is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first sample module periodically generates an electronic signal related to at least one magnetic field characteristic of a monitored environment. A second sample module periodically generates an electronic signal related to at least one magnetic field characteristic of a monitored environment. A summing module sums the absolute value of the electronic signal from the first sample module and the electronic signal from the second sample module. A delta comparator module receives the electronic signals from each of the first sample module, the second sample module and the summing module and compares each of the electronic signals with a previously received set of electronic signals to establish a change, wherein an output is generated if the change is greater than or equal to a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Broadband Discovery Systems, Inc.Inventor: Cory J. Stephanson
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Patent number: 9301569Abstract: An article with a color change portion and a method of changing color. The article includes at least one color change portion capable of changing colors. The color change portion includes composite material including a photonic lattice. The color change portion can change colors according to one or more performance parameters. The article can be connected to a computer and the color change portion can be controlled using the computer.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2014Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Sharna M. Donovan, Sean D. Hartford, Michelle L. Kvernmo, Vikram Malhotra, James Molyneux, Andrew A. Owings, Aaron B. Weast, Bradley W. Wilkins
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Patent number: 9297863Abstract: A planarized 3-dimensional magnetic sensor chip includes a first magnetic sensing device, a second magnetic sensing device, a third magnetic sensing device and a magnetic flux bending concentrating structure on a circuit chip substrate, wherein the first magnetic sensing device and the second magnetic sensing device are used to measure the magnitude of flux in a first direction and a third direction together, and the third magnetic sensing device is used to measure the magnitude of flux in a second direction, the magnetic flux bending concentrating structure is used to bend the magnitude of flux in the third direction to the first direction, such that the magnitude of flux in the third direction can be measured by first magnetic sensing device and the second magnetic sensing device in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Inventor: Meng-Huang Lai
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Patent number: 9279783Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and a method for detecting a crack. The apparatus includes a power supply unit, a sensor module, and a signal reception module. The power supply unit supplies power. The sensor module receives the input power from the power supply unit, and outputs sensing power corresponding to the magnetic field of an object to be measured. The signal reception unit converts the sensing power output from the sensor module into a quantitative value, and computes the distribution of the magnetic field. The sensor module includes a first sensor array configured to detect magnetic field vectors in a direction vertical to a sensor surface, and a second sensor array placed on the first sensor array in an overlapping manner and configured to detect magnetic field vectors in a direction lateral with respect to the sensor surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2012Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: INDUSRTY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION CHOSUN UNIVERSITYInventors: Jin Yi Lee, Jong Woo Jun, Jung Min Kim
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Patent number: 9229067Abstract: A magnetic field verifier apparatus includes a magnetic field detection element configured to produce a voltage signal in response to an applied magnetic field wherein the voltage signal corresponds to the strength of the applied magnetic field. Substantially identical circuit boards or units are connected to a central unit or mother board to place magnetic field detection elements of each board or unit in an mutually approximately orthogonal relationship. A microcontroller is in communication with the voltage signal. The magnetic field verifier apparatus is configurable to sense particular field strengths at various frequencies and store the readings to provide the user with a reliable verification that a particular magnetic field strength has been produced in a particular environment.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2014Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Data Security, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Schultz
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Publication number: 20150115949Abstract: A magnetic sensor having a large magnetic-field detection angle range and a bridge circuit used in the magnetic sensor, in each of multiple MR elements in the bridge circuit, multiple strips, on the whole, along a direction substantially orthogonal to a magnetic-field detection direction are arranged in parallel at certain intervals and are sequentially connected so as to be folded back and, in each of the multiple strips, multiple strips along the magnetic-field detection direction are arranged in parallel at certain intervals and are sequentially connected so as to be folded back to form a zigzag pattern in which the multiple strips are electrically connected in series to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventor: ATSUSHI ITAGAKI
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Patent number: 8970213Abstract: In a method for manufacturing the functional element, a protective film covering an underlayer, a patterned multilayer film, and a patterned cap layer are formed, and the underlayer is then processed without newly forming a resist. Thereby, an electrode can be formed in steps less than ever before. Since the protective film formed on the patterned multilayer film and the patterned cap layer is used as a mask, the problem of the misregistration can be prevented.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Canon Anelva CorporationInventors: Tomohiko Toyosato, Mihoko Nakamura, Kazuhiro Kimura, Masayoshi Ikeda
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Publication number: 20150035526Abstract: A magnetic-field sensor, including: a die, a current generator in the die. The current generator generating a driving current. A Lorentz force transducer also in the die and being configured to obtain measurements of magnetic field based upon the Lorentz force is coupled to the current generator. The transducer having a resonance frequency. The current generator is such that the driving current has a non-zero frequency different from the resonance frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Giacomo Langfelder, Alessandro Tocchio, Dario Paci
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Patent number: 8945469Abstract: A magnetic immunoassay system with a mechanism for compensating the direct current residual magnetic field in the vicinity of the specimen measurement position, in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic marker direction of magnetization for the measurement target. This invention reduces the effects of the magnetic field emitted from the unbound magnetic marker due to the residual magnetic field in the specimen solution and detects with high sensitivity the signal of the bound target magnetic marker. The magnetic field at the measurement position is regulated so as to intersect the direction of magnetization of the magnetic marker for the measurement target, in order to make the magnetization direction of the magnetic marker that is unbound due to residual magnetism or remanence in the sample solution, intersect the magnetization direction of the magnetic marker for the measurement target.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Akira Tsukamoto, Kazuo Saitoh
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Patent number: 8896458Abstract: This method of converting a displacement of a magnetic object into a signal directly perceptible by a human being, comprises: —the acquisition (32) of a temporal succession of measurements of a magnetic field modified by the displacements of the object during a sliding time window of predetermined duration, —the construction (34) on the basis of this acquired temporal succession of measurements of several signals each representing a characteristic of the measured magnetic field dependent on a corresponding characteristic of the displacement of the object, and —the adjustment (50) of several parameters of the directly perceptible signal as a function of the signals so as to render these characteristics directly perceptible.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2010Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternativesInventors: Jerome Doutaz, Roland Blanpain, Viviane Cattin
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Patent number: 8829901Abstract: A method to measure a magnetic field is provided. The method includes applying an alternating drive current to a drive strap overlaying a magnetoresistive sensor to shift an operating point of the magnetoresistive sensor to a low noise region. An alternating magnetic drive field is generated in the magnetoresistive sensor by the alternating drive current. When the magnetic field to be measured is superimposed on the alternating magnetic drive field in the magnetoresistive sensor, the method further comprises extracting a second harmonic component of an output of the magnetoresistive sensor. The magnetic field to be measured is proportional to a signed amplitude of the extracted second harmonic component.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Bharat B. Pant
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Publication number: 20140247042Abstract: The present invention discloses a triaxial magnetoresistive sensor. It comprises a substrate integrated with a biaxial magnetic field sensor, a Z-axis sensor that has a sensing direction along Z-axis perpendicular to the two axes of the biaxial magnetic field sensor, and an ASIC. The biaxial magnetic field sensor comprises an X-axis bridge sensor and a Y-axis bridge sensor. The Z-axis sensor and the two-axis sensor are electrically interconnected with the ASIC. A single-chip implementation of the triaxial magnetic field sensor comprises a substrate, onto which a triaxial magnetic field sensor and an ASIC are stacked. The triaxial magnetic field sensor comprises an X-axis bridge sensor, a Y-axis bridge sensor, and a Z-axis bridge sensor. The above design provides a highly integrated sensor with high sensitivity, low power consumption, good linearity, wide dynamic range, excellent thermal stability, and low magnetic noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2012Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: MultiDimension Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Xiaofeng Lei, Xiaojun Zhang, Wei Li, Songsheng Xue
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Publication number: 20140232386Abstract: A first bent portion whose extending direction changes in the order of +z, +x, +z, ?x, and +z is formed in a first current path, wherein a direction in which two current paths extend in parallel as the z-direction of the x-y-z orthogonal coordinate system and a second bent portion whose extending direction changes in the order of +z, +y, +z, ?y, and +z is formed in a second current path. Either one of the z-coordinate range of the middle part of the first bent portion and the z-coordinate range of the middle part of the second bent portion includes the other one and a magnetic flux density detection device that detects the x-direction magnetic flux density and the y-direction magnetic flux density is disposed within the included z-coordinate region.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2012Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Tatsuyuki Yamaguchi
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Publication number: 20140218018Abstract: Improved current sensing methods and apparatus and conductor apparatus are presented for sensing current in a bus bar or other conductor using one or more circular magnetic sensors or multiple magnetic sensors disposed on a substrate in a pattern surrounding a longitudinal path within the outer periphery of the conductor to avoid or mitigate sensed magnetic field crosstalk and to facilitate use of high sensitivity magnetic sensors at locations inside the conductor periphery in which the magnetic field is relatively small.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicants: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH, TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Mikhail Valeryevich Ivanov, Siva RaghuRam Prasad Chennupati, Viola Schaffer
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Patent number: 8791694Abstract: A current sensor arrangement comprises plural sensor elements arranged around a center point, each of the sensor elements having a plane of zero sensitivity to uniform magnetic fields. A first one (202) of the sensor elements has a first angular separation (X1) relative to the center point from a second, adjacent sensor element (204) and a second angular separation (X2) relative to the center point from a third, adjacent sensor element (206). The first angular separation is less than the second angular separation. An intercept (I13) of the planes of the first and third sensor elements is located outside a triangle formed by the center point and the first and third sensor elements and an intercept (I12) of the planes of the first and second sensor elements is located inside a triangle formed by the center point and the first and second sensor elements.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Sentec Ltd.Inventors: Matthew Storkey, Andrew Dames
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Patent number: 8786277Abstract: A magnetic signal noise reduction and detection system has inputs configured to receive data from a first total field scalar magnetometer, data from a vector magnetometer, and data from a position, velocity and heading sensor, a signal processor configured with a pre-processor system, an adaptive noise cancellation system and a detection system, the pre-processor system configured to carry out initial processing of data received. The pre-processor is configured to convert data to the frequency domain and pass the converted data to the adaptive noise cancellation system. The adaptive noise cancellation system is configured to carry out multivariate regression on the converted data to reduce detected noise. The detection system is configured to detect magnetic anomalies and output information in real time about the magnetic anomalies to a user interface.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Raytheon Applied Signal Technology, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Webb, Aaron C. White
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Patent number: 8786278Abstract: A three-dimensional magnetic field sensor includes a substrate having an element placement surface that is planar, and first, second and third MR elements disposed on a side of the element placement surface of the substrate and integrated with the substrate. Each of the first, second and third MR elements includes a magnetization pinned layer, a nonmagnetic layer, and a free layer. The magnetization pinned layer of the first MR element has a magnetization direction that is pinned in an X direction parallel to the element placement surface. The magnetization pinned layer of the second MR element has a magnetization direction that is pinned in a Y direction parallel to the element placement surface and different from the X direction. The magnetization pinned layer of the third MR element has a magnetization direction that is pinned in a Z direction perpendicular to the element placement surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Naoki Ohta, Hiroshi Yamazaki
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Patent number: 8779764Abstract: To provide a method which can define the direction and orientation of magnetization of a pinned layer while reducing the number of steps of forming a GMR film. The magnetization direction of the pinned layer is defined in a plurality of directions by forming a plurality of patterns having directivities. Further, when the magneto-resistive effect film is formed, a magnetic field is applied in a direction at an angle set between the angles of the plurality of patterns.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2010Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.Inventors: Kenichi Meguro, Hiroyuki Hoshiya, Keizou Katou, Yasunori Abe
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Patent number: 8768639Abstract: A dynamically self-adjusting magnetometer is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first sample module periodically generates an electronic signal related to at least one magnetic field characteristic of a monitored environment. A second sample module periodically generates an electronic signal related to at least one magnetic field characteristic of a monitored environment. A summing module sums the absolute value of the electronic signal from the first sample module and the electronic signal from the second sample module. A delta comparator module receives the electronic signals from each of the first sample module, the second sample module and the summing module and compares each of the electronic signals with a previously received set of electronic signals to establish a change, wherein an output is generated if the change is greater than or equal to a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Broadband Discovery Systems, Inc.Inventor: Cory James Stephanson
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Patent number: 8768649Abstract: It is possible to rapidly or highly accurately estimate a highly reliable offset according to situations and improve further the reliability of the estimated offset even if a measurement data is not obtained in a space in which the magnitude of a vector physical quantity to be measured is uniform. The offset included in the obtained vector physical quantity data are statistically estimated based on a predetermined evaluation formula using difference vectors. In the estimation of the offset, reliability information on a reference point is calculated based on at least one of the vector physical quantity data, the difference vectors and a plurality of estimated reference points according to a calculation parameter for calculating the reliability information on the reference point, whether or not the reference point is reliable is determined by comparing the reliability information with a determination threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2009Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Asahi Kasei Microdevices CorporationInventors: Touru Kitamura, Norihiko Mikoshiba
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Publication number: 20140176131Abstract: A three-magnet assembly configured for use in a position sensing system is disclosed. In an example, the three-magnet assembly establishes a non-linear spatially varying magnetic field configured to be measured by a magnetic field measurement device so that resolvable measurements are spatially distributed in a non-linear fashion. The resolvable measurements are distributed to a relatively higher concentration in at least one first region along a measurement stroke and to a relatively lower concentration in at least one second region along a measurement stroke, the second region being different from the first region. In an example, the different concentrations of resolvable measurements are utilized to spatially vary the precision of a position sensor along a measurement stroke. A system and methods for correlating magnetic field measurements to expected positions are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2012Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.Inventor: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
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Publication number: 20140159716Abstract: The use of implanted medical devices that address a wide range of health conditions is rapidly expanding. These implanted devices include: Cochlear implants, drug dispensing pumps, cardiac pacemakers, defibrillators and other devices. Although these devices are designed to withstand interference from external radio frequency, electric and magnetic fields, interference can occur which may affect the operation of these devices and pose a health risk. An inventive personal, body-wearable electric field, radio frequency, and three-axis magnetic field monitoring device detects the ambient radio frequency, electric and magnetic fields and warns the wearer when any of these field measurements exceeds a safe level.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2013Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: Electric Power Research InstituteInventors: Norman Darnell McCollough, JR., Philip Cochrane, Robert Ira Kavet
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Patent number: 8729892Abstract: A differential magnetic field sensor that enables operation that is independent of sensor-to-target orientation is presented. The differential magnetic field sensor is provided with at least two differential channels. Each differential channel includes a pair of magnetic field sensing elements and has a respective sensing axis defined by those magnetic field sensing elements. The sensing axes are not aligned with respect to each other. One sensing axis is positioned relative to a reference axis of a target profile to define an orientation angle between the sensing axis and the reference axis. The differential magnetic field sensor includes circuitry to produce differential signals associated with the differential channels and use those differential signals to produce a single differential signal having an amplitude that is independent of the orientation angle.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, LLCInventor: Andreas P. Friedrich
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Patent number: 8717014Abstract: A magnetic field verifier apparatus includes a magnetic field detection element configured to produce a voltage signal in response to an applied magnetic field wherein the voltage signal corresponds to the strength of the applied magnetic field. Substantially identical circuit boards or units are connected to a central unit or mother board to place magnetic field detection elements of each board or unit in an mutually approximately orthogonal relationship. A microcontroller is in communication with the voltage signal. The magnetic field verifier apparatus is configurable to sense particular field strengths at various frequencies and store the readings to provide the user with a reliable verification that a particular magnetic field strength has been produced in a particular environment.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Data Security, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Schultz
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Patent number: 8717015Abstract: A magnetic field measuring system is disclosed. The magnetic field measuring system includes a substrate, a conductive well formed in the substrate, the well having a first side with a first length, a first contact electrically coupled to the conductive well at a first location of the first side, a second contact electrically coupled to the conductive well at a second location of the first side, wherein the distance between the first location and the second location is less than the first length, a stimulus circuit coupled to the first contact and the second contact, and a sensor for identifying a property indicative of the length of a current path from the first location to the second location through the conductive well.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Chinwuba Ezekwe, Thomas Rocznik, Christoph Lang, Sam Kavusi, Martin Kramer
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Publication number: 20140103920Abstract: A magnetic field detection device and a corresponding method for detecting a magnetic field. The magnetic field detection device includes a coil core, a receiving coil coupled to the coil core, a plurality of electrically separated field coils coupled to the coil core, an excitation unit for generating a magnetic field excitation via a particular excitation current of the plurality of field coils coupled to the coil core and an evaluation unit for evaluating a magnetic field signal received via a receiving coil coupled to the coil core.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Tamer SINANOGLU, Amin JEMILI
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Publication number: 20140062469Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided with magnetic sensors for detecting the Earth's magnetic field. The magnetic sensors may include thin magnetic sensors located in magnetically quiet regions of the device. The magnetic sensors may be attached to a device housing or a component such as a battery or a cover structure for a battery. The device may include unidirectional magnetic sensors aligned in three orthogonal directions or sensors with two or three magnetic sensor elements aligned in orthogonal directions. Magnetic field data from the three orthogonally aligned sensors or sensor elements may be combined to form directional compass data for the device. Each magnetic sensor may include one or more magnetic sensor elements for detecting the magnetic field and one or more shielded reference sensor elements for detecting environmental changes that can affect the magnetic sensor element. Reference sensor elements may be shared elements for multiple magnetic sensors elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Henry H. Yang, Chiajen Lee, Shawn Xavier Arnold
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Patent number: 8611986Abstract: A system and method for performing object localization based on the emission of electromagnetic fields. The electromagnetic fields are simultaneously emitted from different transmitters. One electromagnetic field is emitted at a base frequency; the remaining waves are emitted at frequencies that are harmonics of the base frequency. The composite magnetic fields are measured by sensors. The signal generated by each sensor is subject to a Fourier analysis to determine the strengths of the individual electromagnetic fields forming the composite electromagnetic field. These individual measure field strength data are then used to determine the position and orientation of the sensors relative to the transmitters.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2012Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventor: Chunwu Wu
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Patent number: 8604772Abstract: A sensor assembly for electric field sensing is provided. The sensor assembly may include an array of Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS)-based resonant tunneling devices. A resonant tunneling device may be configured to generate a resonant tunneling signal in response to the electric field. The resonant tunneling device may include at least one electron state definer responsive to changes in at least one respective controllable characteristic of the electron state definer. The changes in the controllable characteristic are configured to affect the tunneling signal. An excitation device may be coupled to the resonant tunneling device to effect at least one of the changes in the controllable characteristic affecting the tunneling signal. A controller may be coupled to the resonant tunneling device and the excitation device to control the changes of the controllable characteristic in accordance with an automated control strategy configured to reduce an effect of noise on a measurement of the electric field.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ertugrul Berkcan, Naresh Kesa Van Rao, Aaron Knobloch
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Publication number: 20130320969Abstract: A magnetic field sensor having a first magnetic sensor core for measuring a magnetic field in a first measuring direction, and a second magnetic sensor core for measuring a magnetic field in a second measuring direction, the first and second magnetic sensor cores having a shared magnetic anisotropy.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Frank REICHENBACH, Paul FARBER, Frederic Njikam NJIMONZIE, Frank SCHATZ, Christian PATAK, Stefan WEISS, Joerg MARKTANNER
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Patent number: 8575929Abstract: A magnetic anomaly surveillance system includes triaxial magnetometer (TM) sensors arranged at known locations in an array. A processor coupled to the TM sensors generates a scalar magnitude of a magnetic anomaly field measured at each of the TM sensors. The scalar magnitude is indicative of a spherical radius centered at the known location associated with a corresponding one of the TM sensors. The processor also generates a comparison between each scalar magnitude and a threshold value. The processor then determines at least one magnetic anomaly location in the coordinate system via a spherical trilateration process that uses each spherical radius and each scalar magnitude associated with selected ones of the TM sensors for which the threshold value is exceeded. One or more output devices coupled to the processor output data indicative of the one or more magnetic anomaly locations.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Roy F. Wiegert
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Patent number: 8560259Abstract: A dynamically self-adjusting magnetometer is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first sample module periodically generates an electronic signal related to at least one magnetic field characteristic of a monitored environment. A second sample module periodically generates an electronic signal related to at least one magnetic field characteristic of a monitored environment. A summing module sums the absolute value of the electronic signal from the first sample module and the electronic signal from the second sample module. A delta comparator module receives the electronic signals from each of the first sample module, the second sample module and the summing module and compares each of the electronic signals with a previously received set of electronic signals to establish a change, wherein an output is generated if the change is greater than or equal to a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Broadband Discovery Systems, Inc.Inventor: Cory James Stephanson
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Patent number: 8558542Abstract: A magnetic detector includes a detecting section having a surface facing a magnetic body which moves and emits a magnetic flux. The detecting section includes plural magnetic sensors for detecting the magnetic flux. The magnetic sensors are arranged in a matrix form having three or more rows and three or more columns arranged along the surface of the detecting section. The magnetic detector provides an input device precisely detecting a moving direction and a moving amount of the magnetic body.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Tamotsu Yamamoto, Hiroaki Nishiono, Noritaka Hayama, Hiroto Inoue, Kenji Kataoka
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Patent number: 8552720Abstract: A disclosed magnetic sensor includes a substrate having a plane surface and multiple sloping surfaces; multiple soft magnetic films each disposed on a different one of the sloping surfaces and magnetized according to strength of a magnetic field; and multiple detecting devices each disposed on the plane surface, including a free layer and a pinned layer and configured to produce a detection output according to magnetization of the free layer and the pinned layer. Each of the soft magnetic films is magnetically coupled with the free layer of a different one of the detecting devices. The pinned layers of the detecting devices have magnetization directions different from each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2009Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Futoyoshi Kou, Akihiro Fuse, Junichi Azumi
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Patent number: 8456159Abstract: A stabilized field sensor apparatus collects field data, in particular magnetic field data, with reduced motion noise. The apparatus includes a tear drop shaped housing, a tow frame in the housing, a plurality of vibration isolating dampers spaced around the frame, a base assembly mounted to the dampers, a support pedestal having a bottom end fixed to the base assembly and an upper free end, a single spherical air bearing connected to the upper free end of the pedestal, an instrument platform with a lower hollow funnel having an upper inside apex supported on the air bearing for a one point support, principal and secondary gyro stabilizers for maintaining pivotal and rotational stability, and at least one field sensor mounted to the instrument platform for collecting the field data while being stabilized against motion noise including vibration, pivoting and rotation from the base assembly, from the tow frame and from the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Vale S.A.Inventors: Benjamin David Polzer, Gordon Fox West, Peter Whyte Walker, Peter Anthony Hurley, Robert Leslie Scott Hogg
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Patent number: 8391952Abstract: An electromagnetic tracking system comprising at least one electromagnetic transmitter assembly or at least one electromagnetic receiver assembly with two coils attachable to a trackable object to be tracked. The two coils including a first large coil and a second small coil, with the second small coil positioned asymmetrically with respect to the first large coil. The electromagnetic tracking system enables a medical professional to continually track the position and orientation of the object during a medical procedure.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2007Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Peter Traneus Anderson
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Patent number: 8368380Abstract: A stand-off sensor assembly is provided. The sensor assembly includes a plurality of electron state definers for generating resonant tunneling current in response to the electric field, wherein the electron state definers include at least one variable characteristic such that a change in the variable characteristic affects the tunneling current, and a monitor for monitoring a change in the tunneling current exiting an electron state definer based on a change in the variable characteristic of the tunneling device.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ertugrul Berkcan, David William Vernooy