Magnetic position sensor having a variable width magnet mounted into a rotating disk and a hall effect sensor
First Claim
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1. A rotary position sensor, comprising:
- a) a magnetically permeable pole assembly having an air gap, the pole assembly including;
a1) a first disc;
a2) a second disc having a groove and a magnet mounted in the groove; and
a3) a flange connecting the first and second discs, the flange located between the first and second discs, the flange magnetically coupling the first and second discs, the first and second discs spaced apart and thus defining the airgap therebetween, the first and second discs having a common axis of rotation;
b) the magnet providing a magnetic path through the magnet, the airgap, the first disc, the flange and the second disc, the magnet having a generally circular shape and varying in width about a circumference, the magnet providing a variable magnetic field about the circumference; and
c) a magnetic field sensor positioned in the air gap and operable to provide an output signal representative of the relative position of the magnet with respect to the magnetic field sensor as the magnet rotates.
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Abstract
A linear analog rotary 360 degree magnetic position sensor assembly for sensing the position of rotating objects. A magnet having a varying width is mounted to a magnet disc. A flux return disc is mounted on a shaft opposed to the magnet disc. The magnet generates a magnetic field in an air gap between the discs. A magnetic field sensor such as a hall effect sensor is positioned in the gap and operates to provide an output signal representative of the magnetic field density as the shaft and disc rotate. The output signal changes magnitude in relation to the relative position of the magnet with respect to the magnetic field sensor.
103 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A rotary position sensor, comprising:
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a) a magnetically permeable pole assembly having an air gap, the pole assembly including; a1) a first disc; a2) a second disc having a groove and a magnet mounted in the groove; and a3) a flange connecting the first and second discs, the flange located between the first and second discs, the flange magnetically coupling the first and second discs, the first and second discs spaced apart and thus defining the airgap therebetween, the first and second discs having a common axis of rotation; b) the magnet providing a magnetic path through the magnet, the airgap, the first disc, the flange and the second disc, the magnet having a generally circular shape and varying in width about a circumference, the magnet providing a variable magnetic field about the circumference; and c) a magnetic field sensor positioned in the air gap and operable to provide an output signal representative of the relative position of the magnet with respect to the magnetic field sensor as the magnet rotates. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A position sensor for sensing rotation of a device about a first axis, comprising:
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a) a circular magnet that has a uniform thickness and a variable width that increases from a first to a second point on the magnet, and has a transition zone where the second point width rapidly transitions to the first point width, the variable width magnet operable to generate a variable magnetic field; b) a pole assembly, having a, magnet disc, a flux return disc and a hub for retaining the first and second pieces in parallel and opposing relationship, the magnet disc having a groove into which the circular magnet is mounted; c) an airgap defined between the magnet disc and the flux return disc; and d) a magnetic field sensor positioned in the air gap and operable to provide an output signal representative of the variable magnetic field as the pole assembly is rotated, the output signal changing magnitude in relation to the relative position of the magnet with respect to the magnetic field sensor. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A rotary position sensor for attachment to a rotating object whose position is desired to be sensed, comprising:
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a) a magnetically permeable pole assembly having a first and second opposed discs, the discs held apart by a flange located between the discs, the pole assembly attached to the rotating object; b) a groove disposed in the second disc; c) a magnet mounted in the groove, the magnet having a variable width about a circumference of the magnet, the magnet providing a variable magnetic field about the circumference; d) a transistion region magnet mounted in the first disc, the transistion region magnet facing an air gap; e) the air gap defined between the first and second discs; and f) a magnetic field sensor positioned in the air gap for providing a variable electrical output signal representative of the relative position of the magnet with respect to the magnetic field sensor as the magnet rotates. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification