Patent ID: 6137288
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: G01B,G01D

Abstract:
A magnetic rotational position sensor for sensing each degree of rotation of a control shaft about a first rotational axis of the control shaft over a definable range of rotation, said magnetic rotational position sensor comprising:a loop pole piece having an inner diameter surface defining an air gap area;a magnet disposed in said air gap area, said magnet having a first pole surface facing and spaced from said inner diameter surface and a second pole surface facing said inner diameter surface to generate a magnetic field within said air gap area and to enclose said magnetic field within said loop pole piece,wherein said loop pole piece is adjoined to the control shaft to synchronously rotate said magnetic field about a second rotational axis for each degree of rotation of the control shaft about the first rotational axis whereby each degree of rotation of the control shaft about the first rotational axis exclusively corresponds to a distinct degree of synchronized rotation of said magnetic field about said second rotational axis; anda magnetic flux sensor operable to sense a magnitude of magnetic flux density passing through said magnetic flux sensor,wherein said magnetic flux sensor is disposed within said magnetic field to sense a different magnitude of magnetic flux density passing through said magnetic flux sensor for each degree of synchronous rotation of said magnetic field over the definable range of rotation.