Magnetic crash sensor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A magnetic sensor, comprising:
- a. a plurality of coil elements;
b. at least one time-varying signal source of at least one time-varying signal operatively coupled to said plurality of coil elements, wherein a first coil element of said plurality of coil elements is adapted to generate a first magnetic field component responsive to said at least one time-varying signal, at least a second coil element of said plurality of coil elements is adapted to generate at least a second magnetic field component responsive to said at least one time-varying signal, said first coil element and said at least said second coil element are adapted so that said first magnetic field component and said at least said second magnetic field component interact with different first and at least second portions of a vehicle when said plurality of coil elements are in a cooperative relationship with said vehicle, and said first coil element and said at least said second coil element are each proximally adjacent to corresponding separate conductive portions of a common surface of said vehicle; and
c. at least one detection circuit operatively coupled to said plurality of coil elements, wherein said at least one detection circuit generates a detected signal responsive to a first sensed signal component from said first coil element responsive to said first magnetic field component and responsive to at least a second sensed signal component from said at least said second coil element responsive to said at least said second magnetic field component, and said detected signal provides for detecting a change in a magnetic condition of or associated with said vehicle.
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Abstract
At least one time-varying signal is applied to a plurality of coil elements in cooperative relationship with and spanning different portions of a vehicle. The coil elements generate an associated plurality of magnetic field components that interact with the vehicle. At least one detection circuit generates a detected signal responsive to signal components from the coil elements so as to provide for detecting a change in a magnetic condition of the vehicle.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A magnetic sensor, comprising:
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a. a plurality of coil elements; b. at least one time-varying signal source of at least one time-varying signal operatively coupled to said plurality of coil elements, wherein a first coil element of said plurality of coil elements is adapted to generate a first magnetic field component responsive to said at least one time-varying signal, at least a second coil element of said plurality of coil elements is adapted to generate at least a second magnetic field component responsive to said at least one time-varying signal, said first coil element and said at least said second coil element are adapted so that said first magnetic field component and said at least said second magnetic field component interact with different first and at least second portions of a vehicle when said plurality of coil elements are in a cooperative relationship with said vehicle, and said first coil element and said at least said second coil element are each proximally adjacent to corresponding separate conductive portions of a common surface of said vehicle; and c. at least one detection circuit operatively coupled to said plurality of coil elements, wherein said at least one detection circuit generates a detected signal responsive to a first sensed signal component from said first coil element responsive to said first magnetic field component and responsive to at least a second sensed signal component from said at least said second coil element responsive to said at least said second magnetic field component, and said detected signal provides for detecting a change in a magnetic condition of or associated with said vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A magnetic sensor, comprising:
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a. a plurality of coil elements; b. at least one time-varying signal source of at least one time-varying signal operatively coupled to said plurality of coil elements, wherein a first coil element of said plurality of coil elements is adapted to generate a first magnetic field component responsive to said at least one time-varying signal, at least a second coil element of said plurality of coil elements is adapted to generate at least a second magnetic field component responsive to said at least one time-varying signal, said first coil element and said at least said second coil element are adapted so that said first magnetic field component and said at least said second magnetic field component interact with different first and at least second portions of a vehicle when said plurality of coil elements are in a cooperative relationship with said vehicle; c. a conductive element adapted to cooperate with at least one of said plurality of coil elements so as to provide for shaping, controlling or limiting at least one of said first magnetic field component and said at least said second magnetic field component, wherein at least a portion of said conductive element is adapted to control or mitigate against eddy currents therein; and d. at least one detection circuit operatively coupled to said plurality of coil elements, wherein said at least one detection circuit generates a detected signal responsive to a first sensed signal component from said first coil element responsive to said first magnetic field component and responsive to at least a second sensed signal component from said at least said second coil element responsive to said at least said second magnetic field component, and said detected signal provides for detecting a change in a magnetic condition of or associated with said vehicle.
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24. A magnetic sensor, comprising:
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a. a plurality of coil elements; b. at least one time-varying signal source of at least one time-varying signal operatively coupled to said plurality of coil elements, wherein a first coil element of said plurality of coil elements is adapted to generate a first magnetic field component responsive to said at least one time-varying signal, at least a second coil element of said plurality of coil elements is adapted to generate at least a second magnetic field component responsive to said at least one time-varying signal, said first coil element and said at least said second coil element are adapted so that said first magnetic field component and said at least said second magnetic field component interact with different first and at least second portions of a vehicle when said plurality of coil elements are in a cooperative relationship with said vehicle, and at least one of said first and at least second portions of said vehicle is adapted to cooperate with said at least one of said plurality of coil elements; and c. a conductive element operatively associated with, a part of, or a portion of at least one of said first and at least second portions of said vehicle so as to cooperate with said at least one of said plurality of coil elements, wherein either said conductive element, or said part of or said portion of said at least one of said first and at least second portions of said vehicle, comprises a pattern adapted to control associated eddy currents therein; and d. at least one detection circuit operatively coupled to said plurality of coil elements, wherein said at least one detection circuit generates a detected signal responsive to a first sensed signal component from said first coil element responsive to said first magnetic field component and responsive to at least a second sensed signal component from said at least said second coil element responsive to said at least said second magnetic field component, and said detected signal provides for detecting a change in a magnetic condition of or associated with said vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification