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Magnetic rotational position sensor having dual magnetic flux sensor capabilities

  • US 6,472,865 B1
  • Filed: 10/04/2000
  • Issued: 10/29/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A magnetic rotational position sensor for sensing each degree of rotation of a control shaft about a first axis over a definable range of rotation, said magnetic rotational position sensor comprising:

  • a ring pole piece defining an air gap area;

    a magnet disposed within said air gap area to thereby generate a magnetic field within said air gap area;

    wherein said ring pole piece and said magnet are adjoined to the control shaft to synchronously rotate said magnetic field about a second axis for each degree of rotation of the control shaft about the first axis whereby each degree of rotation of the control shaft about the first axis exclusively corresponds to a distinct degree of synchronized rotation of said magnetic field about said second axis;

    a first magnetic flux sensor operable to sense a magnitude of magnetic flux density passing through a first surface of said first magnetic flux sensor, said first magnetic flux sensor disposed within said air gap area to sense a different magnitude of magnetic flux density passing through said first surface for each degree of synchronous rotation of said magnetic field over the definable range of rotation; and

    a second magnetic flux sensor operable to sense a magnitude of magnetic flux density passing through a first surface of said second magnetic flux sensor, said second magnetic flux sensor disposed within said air gap area to sense a different magnitude of magnetic flux density passing through said first surface for each degree of synchronous rotation of said magnetic field over the definable range of rotation, wherein said first surface of said first magnetic flux sensor and said first surface of said second magnetic flux sensor extend along a common plane intersecting said second rotational axis, and wherein each of said fist and second magnetic flux sensors extend along a common axis arranged substantially parallel to and offset from said second rotational axis in) a direction along said common plane.

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