Magnetic sensor
First Claim
1. A magnetic sensor, comprising:
- a. at least one coil operatively associated with a magnetic circuit of a vehicle body, wherein said at least one coil is adapted to cooperate with a time-varying magnetic flux in said vehicle body, said time-varying magnetic flux is generated or sensed by said at least one coil, and said time-varying magnetic flux is responsive to a condition of said vehicle body that is sensed by the magnetic sensor; and
b. at least one electrical circuit operatively coupled to said at least one coil, wherein said at least one electrical circuit is adapted so that said at least one coil in cooperation with said at least one electrical circuit exhibits a resonant or near-resonant condition in association with said time-varying magnetic flux for at least one condition of said vehicle body.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A coil is operatively associated with a magnetic circuit of a vehicle body, and is adapted to cooperate with a time-varying magnetic flux in the vehicle body that is responsive to a condition of the vehicle body sensed by the magnetic sensor. An electrical circuit is operatively coupled to the coil, and the coil in cooperation therewith exhibits a resonant or near-resonant condition in association with the time-varying magnetic flux for at least one condition of the vehicle body. In one embodiment, a signal from an oscillator is applied to the series combination of a capacitor and the coil, which generates an oscillatory magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit. In another embodiment, a second capacitor is connected in parallel with a second coil which operates in a resonant or near-resonant condition responsive to the oscillatory magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit.
79 Citations
29 Claims
-
1. A magnetic sensor, comprising:
-
a. at least one coil operatively associated with a magnetic circuit of a vehicle body, wherein said at least one coil is adapted to cooperate with a time-varying magnetic flux in said vehicle body, said time-varying magnetic flux is generated or sensed by said at least one coil, and said time-varying magnetic flux is responsive to a condition of said vehicle body that is sensed by the magnetic sensor; and
b. at least one electrical circuit operatively coupled to said at least one coil, wherein said at least one electrical circuit is adapted so that said at least one coil in cooperation with said at least one electrical circuit exhibits a resonant or near-resonant condition in association with said time-varying magnetic flux for at least one condition of said vehicle body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method of sensing a condition of a magnetic circuit, comprising:
-
a. operatively associating at least one coil with the magnetic circuit so that a time-varying magnetic flux in said magnetic circuit is magnetically coupled with said at least one coil;
b. operatively coupling said at least one coil to at least one electrical circuit;
c. adapting said at least one electrical circuit so that an oscillation frequency of said time-varying magnetic flux is substantially at or near a resonant frequency of said at least one coil in cooperation with said at least one electrical circuit for at least one condition of said magnetic circuit; and
d. sensing a condition of said magnetic circuit from a signal associated with said at least one electrical circuit responsive to said at least one coil. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
Specification