Patent ID: 7825655
Filing Date: 2010-11-02
Classification: G01B

Abstract:
1. An inductive proximity sensor comprising a sensor housing, a sensing coil and an evaluation circuit wherein: the sensor housing comprises a sensing portion and a body portion; the evaluation circuit is electrically coupled to the sensing coil and positioned in the body portion of the sensor housing; the sensing coil is positioned in the sensing portion of the sensor housing such that the sensing coil is recessed from an outer edge of the sensor housing by a protective annulus disposed between the sensing coil and the outer edge of the sensor housing; the sensing coil is spaced apart from the sensor housing by a zone having low magnetic permeability relative to the sensor housing disposed between the sensing coil and the sensor housing and extending circumferentially around the sensing coil; and a protective plate is recessed from the outer edge of the sensor housing and disposed between the outer edge of the sensor housing and the sensing coil.