Position sensor using a compound magnetic flux source
First Claim
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1. A position sensor for a valve assembly, wherein the position sensor comprises:
- a magnetic flux source for generating a predefined magnetic field, the magnetic flux source consisting of a magnet array comprised of a plurality of discrete magnets providing a plurality of discrete magnetic fields, the plurality of discrete magnets being consecutively positioned relative to a centrally located magnet wherein the centrally located magnet essentially provides a magnetic null and each discrete magnetic field is a function of the relative position of each discrete magnet with respect to the centrally located magnet, and a sensor placed proximate to the magnetic flux source to detect variations in the predefined magnetic field as a result of a relative displacement between the magnetic flux source and the sensor.
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Abstract
A non-contacting position sensor detects relative displacement between two objects. A magnetic flux source is provided by a plurality of discrete magnets selectively determined to produce a highly configurable flux source that is easily adapted to rotary or rectilinear displacement. The interaction of the individual flux fields generated by the discrete magnets is controlled to produce both linear and non-linear relationships with respect to changes in displacement. A flux-gathering pole piece is dimensionally optimized to integrate the plurality of individual flux fields directed to a magnetic sensor.
104 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A position sensor for a valve assembly, wherein the position sensor comprises:
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a magnetic flux source for generating a predefined magnetic field, the magnetic flux source consisting of a magnet array comprised of a plurality of discrete magnets providing a plurality of discrete magnetic fields, the plurality of discrete magnets being consecutively positioned relative to a centrally located magnet wherein the centrally located magnet essentially provides a magnetic null and each discrete magnetic field is a function of the relative position of each discrete magnet with respect to the centrally located magnet, and a sensor placed proximate to the magnetic flux source to detect variations in the predefined magnetic field as a result of a relative displacement between the magnetic flux source and the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A position sensor, wherein the position sensor comprises:
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a magnetic flux source for generating a magnetic field, the magnetic flux source being comprised of a plurality of discrete magnets providing a plurality of adjacent magnetic fields, the plurality of discrete magnets being consecutively positioned relative to a centrally located magnet wherein the centrally located magnet essentially provides a magnetic null and each adjacent magnetic field is a function of the relative position of each discrete magnet with respect to the centrally located magnet wherein adjacent magnetic fields from the discrete magnets cooperatively interact to create the magnetic field;
a magnetic sensor; and
,a processing means connected to the magnetic sensor to provide a signal representative of the displacement between the magnetic sensor and the magnetic flux source. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification