Magnetoresistive turbocharger compressor wheel speed sensor
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- a non-ferromagnetic compressor wheel of a turbocharger, the non-ferromagnetic compressor wheel having fins;
a permanent magnet positioned so as to induce eddy currents on the fins; and
, at least one magnetoresistor positioned with respect to the non-ferromagnetic compressor wheel and the permanent magnet so as to be magnetically biased by the permanent magnet and so as to sense rotation of the non-ferromagnetic compressor wheel.
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Abstract
A turbocharger includes a cylindrical wall and a non-ferromagnetic compressor wheel within the cylindrical wall. The non-ferromagnetic compressor wheel has fins. A magnetoresistive sensor housing is threaded through the cylindrical wall and houses a permanent magnet and at least one magnetoresistor. The permanent magnet is positioned so as to induce eddy currents on the fins. The permanent magnet magnetically biases the magnetoresistor, and the magnetoresistor senses rotation of the non-ferromagnetic compressor wheel.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a non-ferromagnetic compressor wheel of a turbocharger, the non-ferromagnetic compressor wheel having fins;
a permanent magnet positioned so as to induce eddy currents on the fins; and
,at least one magnetoresistor positioned with respect to the non-ferromagnetic compressor wheel and the permanent magnet so as to be magnetically biased by the permanent magnet and so as to sense rotation of the non-ferromagnetic compressor wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus comprising:
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a non-ferromagnetic compressor wheel of a turbocharger, the non-ferromagnetic compressor wheel having fins;
a magnetic field sensor housing attached to a structure in proximity to the non-ferromagnetic compressor wheel;
a permanent magnet disposed within the magnetic field sensor housing and positioned so as to induce eddy currents on the fins; and
,an active magnetic field sensor disposed within the magnetic field sensor housing and positioned with respect to the non-ferromagnetic compressor wheel and the permanent magnet so as to be magnetically biased by the permanent magnet and so as to sense a magnetic field induced by the eddy currents to thereby detect rotation of the non-ferromagnetic compressor wheel. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of sensing rotation of a non-ferromagnetic compressor wheel of a turbocharger comprising:
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inducing eddy currents in fins of the non-ferromagnetic compressor wheel;
sensing a magnetic field induced by the eddy currents by use of an active magnetic field sensor so as to produce pulses having a pulse rate dependent upon a speed at which the non-ferromagnetic compressor wheel rotates; and
,reducing the pulse rate. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification