Magnetic field sensor and current and/or energy sensor

• US 5,942,895 A
• Filed: 10/23/1996
• Issued: 08/24/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Melexis Tessenderlo NV
• Original Assignee: Sentron AG (Sensinnovat BVBA)
• Inventors: Blanchard, Hubert, Popovic, Radivoje, Racz, Robert, Hrejsa, Jan
• Primary Examiner(s): Karlsen, Ernest F.
• Application Number:
  US08/734,948
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 324/251, 324/207.2, 324/235, 324/117 H, 324/127, 338/32 H
• US Class Current: 324/251
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/07 Non contact-making probes
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/07 Hall effect devices

Abstract

A magnetic field sensor has two flux concentrators which serve to strengthen a magnetic field to be measured and which are separated by an air gap. Two Hall elements are arranged outside the air gap in such a way that at least a part of the field lines which lead from the first to the second flux concentrator pass through the two Hall elements in approximately opposite directions. Such a magnetic field sensor is less sensitive to external interference fields. It is suitable for the measurement of very weak magnetic fields and also for use as a current and/or energy sensor.

Claims

1. A magnetic field sensor having two flux concentrators and a Hall element for measuring a magnetic field, said Hall element being fixed in space in regard to said flux concentrators, wherein the flux concentrators are separated by an air gap, and wherein the Hall element is arranged outside the air gap and at least a part of the field lines of the magnetic field, which lead from the first flux concentrator to the second flux concentrator, passes through the Hall element in approximately opposite directions, such that the magnetic field passing through the Hall elements adds one of a positive or negative voltage to a Hall voltage of said Hall element.

2. A magnetic field sensor according to claim 1 wherein the current and voltage electrodes of the Hall element are arranged along a notional straight line, said straight line extending along the air gap between the flux concentrators and approximately perpendicularly to the field lines of the magnetic field within the air gap.