Magnetofluidic accelerometer with non-magnetic film on drive magnets
First Claim
1. A sensor comprising:
- an inertial body;
a plurality of sources of magnetic field in proximity to the inertial body;
a fluid between the sources and the inertial body; and
a non-magnetic coating on surfaces of the sources facing the fluid, wherein displacement of the inertial body is indicative of acceleration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor includes an inertial body; a plurality of sources of magnetic field located generally surrounding the inertial body; magnetic fluid between the sources and the inertial body; and a non-magnetic coating on surfaces of the sources facing the magnetic fluid. Displacement of the inertial body is indicative of acceleration. The acceleration can include linear acceleration and angular acceleration. The angular acceleration can include three components of acceleration about three orthogonal axes. The sources include permanent magnets, or electromagnets, or both. A plurality of sensing coils detect changes in magnetic field within the magnetic fluid due to the displacement of the inertial body. The non-magnetic coating can also cover the sensing coils. A housing encloses the inertial body and the magnetic fluid. The magnetic fluid can use kerosene, water or oil as the carrier liquid. The magnetic fluid is a colloidal suspension. The non-magnetic coating can use Teflon (tetrofluoroethylene), PET (polyethyleneteraphthalate), a polyimide, a polymer or a resin.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A sensor comprising:
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an inertial body;
a plurality of sources of magnetic field in proximity to the inertial body;
a fluid between the sources and the inertial body; and
a non-magnetic coating on surfaces of the sources facing the fluid, wherein displacement of the inertial body is indicative of acceleration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A sensor comprising:
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a plurality of magnets, each magnet mounted in a casing;
a fluid in contact with the casings;
a non-magnetic coating on surfaces of the magnets facing the fluid; and
an inertial body surrounded by the fluid, wherein displacement of the inertial body is indicative of acceleration. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A sensor comprising:
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a magnetic fluid;
an inertial body surrounded by the magnetic fluid;
a plurality of magnets positioned around the inertial body; and
a non-magnetic coating on surfaces of the magnets facing the magnetic fluid, wherein displacement of the inertial body relative to the magnetic fluid is indicative of acceleration. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A sensor comprising:
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a housing;
a magnetic fluid within the housing;
a plurality of magnets mounted on the housing;
a plurality of sensing coils positioned to sense changes in magnetic fluid behavior; and
a non-magnetic coating on surfaces of the magnets and the sensing coils facing the magnetic fluid.
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38. An accelerometer comprising:
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a magnetic fluid;
an inertial body in contact with the magnetic fluid;
a plurality of magnets positioned around the inertial body; and
a plurality of non-magnetic caps coupled to the magnets, each non-magnetic cap separating its corresponding magnet and the magnetic fluid.
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39. An accelerometer comprising:
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a housing;
a magnetic fluid within the housing;
a plurality of magnets mounted on the housing; and
a plurality of non-magnetic caps coupled to the magnets, each non-magnetic cap separating its corresponding magnet and the magnetic fluid.
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40. A sensor comprising:
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a housing;
a plurality of drive magnet assemblies mounted on the housing, each drive magnet assembly including a casing, a drive magnet, and a sensing coil;
a magnetic fluid within the housing; and
a non-magnetic coating on surfaces of the casings that are in contact with the magnetic fluid.
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Specification