Patent ID: 8933691
Filing Date: 2015-01-13
Classification: G01B

Abstract:
1. A rotary position sensor assembly for determining the rotary position of a rotary component, comprising: a rotor with an axis of rotation and constructed and arranged to be connected to a rotary component for rotation in unison with the rotary component; a circumferentially continuous annular permanent magnet carried by the rotor for rotation in unison with the rotary component through an angular movement of not more than 180° and having an anti-rotation flat or cutout portion adjacent its periphery engaging a complimentary portion of the rotor to prevent rotation of the magnet relative to the rotor; at least one magnetoresistive sensor responsive to a characteristic of a magnetic field that changes as the magnet rotates or is rotated about the axis of rotation, radially spaced from the axis of rotation, axially spaced from the magnet and provides a non-linear output signal in response to rotation of the magnet; and the sensor is located relative to the magnet flat or cutout portion so that the flat or cutout portion is circumferentially spaced from the sensor throughout the rotary movement of the magnet and the path swept by the anti-rotation flat or cutout portion does not circumferentially overlap the sensor during rotation of the rotor.