Rotating a permanent magnet in a position detection system
First Claim
1. A position detection system comprising:
- a magnetic field generator configured to generate a time-varying magnetic field, the magnetic field generator comprising;
a carrier assembly that defines a first axis of rotation and comprises a permanent magnet having a center of mass; and
a drive assembly coupled to the carrier assembly and configured to act on the carrier assembly to rotate the permanent magnet simultaneously about the first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation intersecting the first axis of rotation at an intersection that is offset from the center of mass of the permanent magnet;
a computer device configured to determine a position of a sensor based on magnetic field measurements obtained by the sensor in the time-varying magnetic field.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a general aspect, a position detection system includes a magnetic field generator configured to generate a time-varying magnetic field. The magnetic field generator includes a carrier assembly that defines a first axis of rotation and comprises a permanent magnet having a center of mass. The magnetic field generator also includes a drive assembly that is coupled to the carrier assembly and configured to act on the carrier assembly to rotate the permanent magnet simultaneously about the first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation. The second axis of rotation intersects the first axis of rotation at an intersection that is offset from the center of mass of the permanent magnet. The position detection system additionally includes a computer device configured to determine a position of a sensor based on magnetic field measurements obtained by the sensor in the time-varying magnetic field.
104 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A position detection system comprising:
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a magnetic field generator configured to generate a time-varying magnetic field, the magnetic field generator comprising; a carrier assembly that defines a first axis of rotation and comprises a permanent magnet having a center of mass; and a drive assembly coupled to the carrier assembly and configured to act on the carrier assembly to rotate the permanent magnet simultaneously about the first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation intersecting the first axis of rotation at an intersection that is offset from the center of mass of the permanent magnet; a computer device configured to determine a position of a sensor based on magnetic field measurements obtained by the sensor in the time-varying magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for position detection, comprising:
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generating a time-varying magnetic field by operation of a magnetic field generator, wherein the magnetic field generator generates the time-varying magnetic field by rotating a permanent magnet simultaneously about a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation intersecting the first axis of rotation at a location that is offset from a center of mass of the permanent magnet; at a computer system, receiving magnetic field measurements obtained by a sensor in the time-varying magnetic field; and by operation of the computer system, determining a position of the sensor based on the magnetic field measurements. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification