Magnetic position sensor having shaped pole pieces for improved output linearity
First Claim
1. A magnetic sensor, comprising:
- a magnet extending along an axis;
a pole piece positioned adjacent said magnet and being at least partially formed of a non-magnetic material, said magnet and said pole piece cooperating to generate a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density that linearly varies along said axis; and
a magnetic flux sensor positioned within said magnetic field and operable to sense varying magnitudes of said magnetic flux density along said axis and to generate an output signal representative of a sensed magnitude of said magnetic flux density.
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Abstract
A magnetic position sensor including a pair of magnets of opposite polarity which are spaced apart to define an air gap extending along an axis, and a pair of shaped pole pieces at least partially disposed within the air gap and positioned adjacent respective ones of the magnets. The pole pieces are formed of a composite material comprising a non-magnetic material and a magnetizable material. The pole pieces cooperate with the magnets to generate a magnetic field that is substantially symmetrical relative to the axis and which has a magnetic flux density that linearly varies along the axis. A magnetic flux sensor is positioned within the magnetic field to sense varying magnitudes of magnetic flux density along the axis through a sensing plane oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis. The magnetic flux sensor generates an output signal uniquely representative of a sensed magnitude of the magnetic flux density.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A magnetic sensor, comprising:
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a magnet extending along an axis;
a pole piece positioned adjacent said magnet and being at least partially formed of a non-magnetic material, said magnet and said pole piece cooperating to generate a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density that linearly varies along said axis; and
a magnetic flux sensor positioned within said magnetic field and operable to sense varying magnitudes of said magnetic flux density along said axis and to generate an output signal representative of a sensed magnitude of said magnetic flux density. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A magnetic sensor, comprising:
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a first magnet spaced apart from a second magnet to define an air gap extending along an axis;
first and second pole pieces at least partially disposed within said air gap and positioned adjacent respective ones of said first and second magnets, said first and second pole pieces being at least partially formed of a non-magnetic material and cooperating with said magnets to generate a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density that linearly varies along said axis; and
a magnetic flux sensor positioned within said magnetic field and operable to sense varying magnitudes of said magnetic flux density along said axis and to generate an output signal representative of a sensed magnitude of said magnetic flux density. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
a first substantially flat surface adjoined to a corresponding surface of said magnetically permeable bracket; and
a second substantially flat surface adjoined to a corresponding surface of a respective one of said first and second pole pieces.
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21. The magnetic sensor of claim 10, wherein end portions of said first and second pole pieces overhang respective ends of said first and second magnets.
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22. The magnetic sensor of claim 10, further comprising third and fourth pole pieces at least partially disposed within said air gap and positioned adjacent respective ones of said first and second magnets, said third and fourth pole pieces being at least partially formed of said non-magnetic material and cooperating with said magnets to generate a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density that linearly varies along said axis.
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23. The magnetic sensor of claim 22, wherein said magnetic fields are substantially symmetrical relative to a transverse axis extending across said air gap.
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24. The magnetic sensor of claim 10, wherein each of said first and second magnets has a rectangular configuration.
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25. A magnetic sensor, comprising:
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a magnet extending along an axis;
a shaped pole piece positioned adjacent said magnet and cooperating with said magnet to generate a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density that linearly varies along said axis; and
a magnetic flux sensor positioned within said magnetic field and operable to sense varying magnitudes of said magnetic flux density along said axis through a sensing plane oriented substantially perpendicular to said axis and to generate an output signal representative of a sensed magnitude of said magnetic flux density. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A magnetic sensor, comprising:
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a first magnet spaced apart from a second magnet to define an air gap extending along an axis;
first and second shaped pole pieces at least partially disposed within said air gap and positioned adjacent respective ones of said first and second magnets, said first and second shaped pole pieces cooperating with said magnets to generate a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density that linearly varies along said axis; and
a magnetic flux sensor positioned within said magnetic field and operable to sense varying magnitudes of said magnetic flux density along said axis through a sensing plane oriented substantially perpendicular to said axis and to generate an output signal representative of a sensed magnitude of said magnetic flux density. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification