Position sensing apparatus
First Claim
1. A position sensing system comprising:
- a first element;
a second element slidable with respect to the first element;
a first groove in the second element, the first groove extending parallel to a central axis of the second element;
a first magnet member mounted in the first groove;
a second groove in the second element, the second groove being a helical and being spaced apart from the first groove;
a second magnet member mounted in the second groove; and
a magnetic field sensor mounted in the first element, the sensor generating an output signal as a function of a relative distance between the first and second magnet members as the second element moves with respect to the first element.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cylinder position sensing system includes a cylinder housing which slidably receives a rod or shaft element. The cylinder housing has an end piece which slidably receives the shaft element. A first axial groove is formed in the shaft element, and a first magnet member is mounted in the first groove. A second helical groove is formed in the shaft element and is spaced apart from the first groove. A second magnet member is mounted in the second groove. A magnetic field sensor is mounted in the cylinder housing so that the sensor generates an output signal as a function of a relative distance between the first and second magnet members as the second element moves with respect to the first element. Preferably, the shaft element includes a central cylindrical shaft and a hollow cylindrical sleeve mounted over and receiving the shaft. Preferably, the first and second grooves are formed in an inner surface of the sleeve, and the sleeve and the end piece are formed of nonferrous material.
27 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A position sensing system comprising:
-
a first element;
a second element slidable with respect to the first element;
a first groove in the second element, the first groove extending parallel to a central axis of the second element;
a first magnet member mounted in the first groove;
a second groove in the second element, the second groove being a helical and being spaced apart from the first groove;
a second magnet member mounted in the second groove; and
a magnetic field sensor mounted in the first element, the sensor generating an output signal as a function of a relative distance between the first and second magnet members as the second element moves with respect to the first element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A position sensing system comprising:
-
a hollow cylindrical housing element;
a shaft element slidably received by the housing element, the shaft element comprising a central shaft and a hollow cylindrical sleeve mounted on the shaft;
a first groove in the sleeve, the first groove extending parallel to a central axis of the shaft;
a first magnet member mounted in the first groove;
a second groove in the sleeve, the second groove being a helical and being spaced apart from the first groove;
a second magnet member mounted in the second groove; and
a magnetic field sensor mounted in the housing element, the sensor generating an output signal as a function of a relative distance between the first and second magnet members as the shaft moves with respect to the housing element. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A position sensing system comprising:
-
a first element;
a second element having an axial length and being movable with respect to the first element;
a first magnet member mounted on the second element;
a second magnet member mounted on the second element, the second magnet member being spaced apart from the first magnet member, and a spacing between the magnet members varying as a function of an axial position along the second member; and
a magnetic field sensor supported by the first element, the sensor generating an output signal as a function of the spacing between the first and second magnet members as the second element moves with respect to the first element. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
-
Specification