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System and method for detecting an axial position of a shaft

  • US 7,280,937 B1
  • Filed: 04/18/2006
  • Issued: 10/09/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for detecting a position of a shaft, the method comprising:

  • providing a shaft comprising a hardened outer metallic layer having a first hardness level with a generally uniform radial depth;

    forming a first strip extending in a generally longitudinal direction in the hardened outer metallic layer, the first strip having a second hardness level different from the first hardness level;

    forming a second strip in the hardened outer metallic layer having the second hardness level, the first strip and the second strip spaced apart from each other over a longitudinal region;

    sensing an angular difference between a first magnetic field associated with the first strip and a second magnetic field associated with the second strip; and

    referencing an established relationship between a position of the shaft and the angular difference between the magnetic fields associated with the first strip and the second strip to detect a position of the shaft with respect to a reference point.

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