Parameter sensors and monitors
First Claim
1. A parameter sensor and monitor comprising:
- a parameter responsive structure constructed and arranged for expansion and contraction causing a component of motion and displacement along at least one direction in response to variations of a selected parameter;
a reference mounting supporting the parameter responsive structure;
a magnet element;
a linear Hall effect transducer;
one of said magnet element and Hall effect transducer being secured relative to the reference mounting in alignment with a selected direction of a component of motion and displacement caused by expansion and contraction of the parameter responsive structure;
the other of said magnet element and Hall effect transducer being mounted for translation along said selected direction of motion or displacement in response to expansion and contraction of the parameter responsive structure;
said magnet element and linear Hall effect transducer being mounted in spaced juxtaposition relative to each other for variable spacing in response to changes in a parameter causing expansion and contraction of the parameter responsive structure whereby the linear Hall effect transducer generates a variable output signal corresponding to variations in the selected parameter;
and Hall effect transducer enhancer means comprising magnetically permeable material for enhancing the linearity and sensitivity of the Hall effect transducer output voltage response to relative displacement with respect to the magnet element.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Parameter sensors and monitors are described incorporating one of a variety of parameter responsive structures constructed and arranged for expansion and contraction causing a component of motion and displacement along at least one direction in response to variations of a selected parameter. A reference mounting supports the parameter responsive structure and either a magnet element or Hall effect transducer is secured relative to the reference mounting or housing in alignment with a selected direction of a component of motion and displacement caused by expansion and contraction of the parameter responsive structure. The other of said magnet element and Hall effect transducer is mounted for relative displacement along said selected direction in response to expansion and contraction of the parameter responsive structure. The magnet element and linear Hall effect transducer are juxtaposed relative to each other for variable spacing in response to changes in the selected parameter by expansion and contraction of the parameter responsive structure. An HET enhancer in the form of a magnet receiver sleeve of magnetically permeable material enhances the linearity and sensitivity of the HET voltage response to magnet element displacement. The invention is applied by way of example to barometers, altimeters, hygrometers, pressure gauges and force gauges using parameter responsive structures such as ambient pressure responsive bellows and capsules, ambient humidity responsive tubes or hollow cylinders of hydroscopic material, Bourdon tubes and pressure tubes of various configurations, and force gauge proving rings.
33 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A parameter sensor and monitor comprising:
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a parameter responsive structure constructed and arranged for expansion and contraction causing a component of motion and displacement along at least one direction in response to variations of a selected parameter; a reference mounting supporting the parameter responsive structure; a magnet element; a linear Hall effect transducer; one of said magnet element and Hall effect transducer being secured relative to the reference mounting in alignment with a selected direction of a component of motion and displacement caused by expansion and contraction of the parameter responsive structure; the other of said magnet element and Hall effect transducer being mounted for translation along said selected direction of motion or displacement in response to expansion and contraction of the parameter responsive structure; said magnet element and linear Hall effect transducer being mounted in spaced juxtaposition relative to each other for variable spacing in response to changes in a parameter causing expansion and contraction of the parameter responsive structure whereby the linear Hall effect transducer generates a variable output signal corresponding to variations in the selected parameter; and Hall effect transducer enhancer means comprising magnetically permeable material for enhancing the linearity and sensitivity of the Hall effect transducer output voltage response to relative displacement with respect to the magnet element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An ambient pressure sensor and monitor comprising:
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an evacuated bellows or capsule having a central axis and being constructed and arranged for expansion and contraction along the axis in response to variations in ambient pressure; a magnet element; a linear Hall effect sensor; one of said magnet element and Hall effect sensor being secured to the first side of said bellows or capsule at the central axis; a reference mounting comprising a base and parallel support and adjustable coupling means joining the base and parallel support for adjusting the spacing between the base and parallel support, said bellows or capsule being secured on its second side at the central axis of the bellows or capsule to the parallel support and the other of said magnet element and Hall effect transducer being secured to the base in alignment with the central axis of the bellows or capsule; said magnet element and linear Hall effect transducer being in spaced juxtaposition relative to each other for variable spacing in response to changes in ambient pressure whereby the linear Hall effect sensor generates a variable output signal corresponding to the ambient pressure. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32. A Hall effect transducer assembly comprising:
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a Hall effect sensor; a magnet element; a support of nonmagnetic material, said Hall effect sensor being mounted on the support; a manget element receiver of magnetically permeable material mounted on the support in spaced relationship relative to the Hall sensor, said magnet element receiver constructed and arranged for receiving and suspending the magnet element in its own magnetic field in spaced juxtaposition relative to the Hall effect sensor, said magnet element being seated and suspended in the magnet element receiver for displacement relative to the Hall effect sensor in response to pushing action; said magnet receiver comprising a hollow tube or sleeve of magnetically permeable material, said magnet element being formed with a cross-sectional configuration complementary to the inside of the tube or sleeve for sliding motion within the tube or sleeve, the wall of said tube or sleeve providing a magnetic circuit for the magnetic field lines of the magnet element, said magnet element being magnetized along an axis of magnetization for substantial self-biasing spring action of the magnet element seated and suspended within the tube or sleeve; said magnet element being formed with a pusher secured to the side of the magnet element and projection beyond the end of the tube or sleeve for application of pushing action to the magnet element; and a parameter responsive structure having a moving element constructed and arranged for expansion and contraction with a component of motion and displacement along at least one direction in response to variations of a selected parameter, said Hall effect transducer assembly being mounted on the parameter responsive structure with the moving element of the parameter responsive structure abutting against the magnet element pusher for pushing action on the pusher along the direction of a component of motion and displacement coinciding with the direction of sliding motion of the magnet element within the tube or sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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Specification