Patent ID: 6169254
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: G01R,H01L,H05K

Abstract:
Apparatus having electrical connections to a plurality of sensor devices for sensing magnetic field components in a plurality of directions, with each said sensing device having a length, a width, a diagonal, and a sensing direction lying in a plane of each said sensing device, comprising: an elongated flexible tape having a first surface, a second surface parallel to said first surface and conductors; a substrate having a shape and stiffness greater than the stiffness of said flexible tape, a portion of said first surface secured to said substrate and conforming to at least a portion of said shape with a first portion of said second surface lying in a first plane which includes a desired first sensing direction; a first sensor device mounted to said first portion; a second portion of said second surface lying in a second plane which includes a desired second sensing direction, said second plane perpendicular to said first plane; a second sensor device mounted to said second portion; and means for making said electrical connections between said sensor devices and said conductors, wherein the apparatus is configured to be inserted into an elongated passageway having a diameter smaller than an inch, wherein the diagonal of the sensor device is larger than the diameter of the passageway, and wherein the apparatus is formed in a device which is adapted to be movable in an induced magnetic field, thereby enabling the plurality of sensor devices to sense the magnetic field components.