Displacement measurement device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A valve comprising:
- a body;
an armature movable in the body along an axis;
a source for providing a magnetic field in which the armature is movable, the armature being movable by and relative to the source; and
a position sensor for determining the position of the armature relative to the body over a range of positions between opposite end positions,wherein the position sensor includes a member located in the magnetic field for sensing the magnetic field that is disrupted by movement of the armature in the magnetic field, the member radially offset from and axially overlapping the source, the armature movement progressively changing a value sensed by the member, the value being indicative of the position of the armature relative to the body over said range of positions,wherein the position sensor is fixed in the body on a side of the source opposite the armature.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An displacement measurement device and associated method where displacement measurements of a movable member are obtained by an electromagnetic field sensor that need not move relative to the magnet or other electromagnetic field source. The electromagnetic field sensor senses disruptions in the electromagnetic field caused by movement of the movable member to provide an output indicative of the position of the actuator.
46 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A valve comprising:
-
a body; an armature movable in the body along an axis; a source for providing a magnetic field in which the armature is movable, the armature being movable by and relative to the source; and a position sensor for determining the position of the armature relative to the body over a range of positions between opposite end positions, wherein the position sensor includes a member located in the magnetic field for sensing the magnetic field that is disrupted by movement of the armature in the magnetic field, the member radially offset from and axially overlapping the source, the armature movement progressively changing a value sensed by the member, the value being indicative of the position of the armature relative to the body over said range of positions, wherein the position sensor is fixed in the body on a side of the source opposite the armature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 14, 15, 16, 18)
-
-
5. A device for measuring displacement of a movable member, comprising a source for providing a magnetic field, a member movable in the magnetic field, the movable member being movable by and relative to the source in an axial direction over a range of positions between opposite end positions, and a magnetic field sensor radially offset from and axially overlapping the source and being located in the magnetic field that is disrupted by movement of the member in the magnetic field for sensing disruptions in the magnetic field at a location in the magnetic field to provide an output indicative of the position of the movable member over said range of positions,
wherein the magnetic field sensor is fixed in the body radially between the source and the member.
-
10. A device for measuring displacement of a movable member, comprising a source for providing a magnetic field, a member movable in the magnetic field, the movable member being movable by and relative to the source in an axial direction over a range of positions between opposite end positions, and a magnetic field sensor radially offset from and axially overlapping the source and being located in the magnetic field that is disrupted by movement of the member in the magnetic field for sensing disruptions in the magnetic field at a location in the magnetic field to provide an output indicative of the position of the movable member over said range of positions,
wherein the source includes an electro-magnet, wherein the member is an armature movable by the magnetic field generated by the electro-magnet, and wherein the electro-magnet has a coil, and the magnetic field sensor is located radially outwardly of the coil.
-
17. A valve comprising,
a body; -
an armature movable in the body along an axis; a source for providing a magnetic field in which the armature is movable, the armature being movable by and relative to the source; and a position sensor for determining the position of the armature relative to the body over a range of positions between opposite end positions, wherein the position sensor includes a member located in the magnetic field for sensing the magnetic field that is disrupted by movement of the armature in the magnetic field, the member radially offset from and axially overlapping the source, the armature movement progressively changing a value sensed by the member, the value being indicative of the position of the armature relative to the body over said range of positions, wherein the position sensor is fixed in the body radially between the source and the armature.
-
Specification