Magnetically activated switch
First Claim
1. An apparatus for sensing relative positions of mechanically coupled devices comprising:
- a magnetically activated switch including a first switch end and second switch end, the first switch end being electrically connected to an incoming electrical lead and the second switch end being electrically connected to an outgoing electrical lead, the magnetically activated switch being adapted to control a flow of current through the leads depending on whether a sufficient flux is flowing through the magnetically activated switch;
a first switch end flux conductor positioned adjacent to the first switch end;
a second switch end flux conductor positioned adjacent to the second switch end;
a permanent magnet including a first magnetic end and a second magnetic end;
a first magnetic end flux conductor positioned adjacent to the first magnetic end; and
a second magnetic end flux conductor positioned adjacent to the second magnetic end, the first magnetic end flux conductor being separated from the first switch end flux conductor by a first gap and the second magnetic end flux conductor being separated from the second switch end flux conductor by a second gap such that when reluctance associated with the first and second gaps is low, a flux flows in a series path from the first magnetic end to the second magnetic end, the flux flows from the first magnetic end through the first magnetic end flux conductor and the first switch end flux conductor, through the magnetically activated switch, and through the second switch end flux conductor and the second magnetic end flux conductor to the second magnetic end.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for sensing relative positions of mechanically coupled devices. The apparatus includes a magnetically actuated switch connected to a set of flux conductors to form a switch assembly. A permanent magnet is affixed to a set of flux conductors to form a magnet assembly. The flux conductors are positioned adjacently to conduct flux from the permanent magnet to the magnetically actuated switch. Movement of either assembly results in the reduction of flux conduction between the magnet and the magnetically actuated switch. The apparatus can be integrated into a helmet mount for night vision goggles to sense the relative position of the helmet mount for controlling the operation of the night vision goggle.
54 Citations
39 Claims
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1. An apparatus for sensing relative positions of mechanically coupled devices comprising:
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a magnetically activated switch including a first switch end and second switch end, the first switch end being electrically connected to an incoming electrical lead and the second switch end being electrically connected to an outgoing electrical lead, the magnetically activated switch being adapted to control a flow of current through the leads depending on whether a sufficient flux is flowing through the magnetically activated switch; a first switch end flux conductor positioned adjacent to the first switch end; a second switch end flux conductor positioned adjacent to the second switch end; a permanent magnet including a first magnetic end and a second magnetic end; a first magnetic end flux conductor positioned adjacent to the first magnetic end; and a second magnetic end flux conductor positioned adjacent to the second magnetic end, the first magnetic end flux conductor being separated from the first switch end flux conductor by a first gap and the second magnetic end flux conductor being separated from the second switch end flux conductor by a second gap such that when reluctance associated with the first and second gaps is low, a flux flows in a series path from the first magnetic end to the second magnetic end, the flux flows from the first magnetic end through the first magnetic end flux conductor and the first switch end flux conductor, through the magnetically activated switch, and through the second switch end flux conductor and the second magnetic end flux conductor to the second magnetic end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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11. A method for sensing relative positions of mechanically coupled devices using a magnetically actuated switch, the method comprising:
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locating a magnet at a distance from a magnetically actuated switch, the magnet including a first magnet end and a second magnet end; and mounting a plurality of magnetic flux conductors in series between the magnet and the magnetically actuated switch, the plurality of magnetic flux conductors including a first set of flux conductors for forming a first series path and a second set of flux conductors for forming a second series path, the first series path for allowing a flux to flow from the first magnet end to the magnetically actuated switch, the second series path for allowing said flux to return from the magnetically actuated switch to the second magnet end in a single series path from the first magnet end through the first set of flux conductors, through the magnetically actuated switch, and through the second set of flux conductors to the second magnet end; wherein the magnetic flux conductors are mounted to coupled devices to reflect positions of the coupled devices so as to allow the coupled devices to change their relative position; and wherein changing the relative positions of the coupled devices changes a flow of said flux from the first magnet end through the first series path to the magnetically actuated switch and through the second series path to the second magnet end. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for sensing position comprising:
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a magnet assembly for generating a magnetic field, the magnet assembly including; a magnet having a first pole and a second pole; a first flux conductor adjacent the first pole; a second flux conductor adjacent the second pole; a switch assembly, the switch assembly being operable in the presence of a magnetic field, the switch assembly including; a third flux conductor adjacent the switch assembly and positioned in series with the first flux conductor at a first predetermined location; a fourth flux conductor adjacent the switch assembly and positioned in series with the second flux conductor at a second predetermined location; a first gap disposed between the first and third flux conductors; a second gap disposed between the second and fourth flux conductors; wherein the first flux conductor and the third flux conductor form a first path for a flux to flow from the magnet to the switch assembly, and the second flux conductor and the fourth flux conductor form a second path for said flux to return to the magnet; and wherein one of the magnet assembly and the switch assembly is movable with respect to the other so that the switch assembly operates if and only if the flux conductors are aligned in series such that the first path and the second path are aligned in a single series. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification