Patent ID: 7166996
Filing Date: 2007-01-23
Classification: G01D

Abstract:
1. A magnetic field assembly for use in a position sensor device of the type which includes a magnetic field sensor and having a stroke direction, the field assembly comprising first and second magnets positioned on a surface of a magnetic plate and separated from one another by a separation distance, wherein the first magnet has a magnetic axis substantially transverse to the surface of the magnetic plate, and the first magnet has a polarity orientation opposite a polarity orientation of the second magnet; and further wherein cross sectional thicknesses of the first and second magnets are selectively varied along the stroke direction, the magnetic field assembly is positionable for movement relative to the magnetic field sensor at a gap length distance, and the separation distance is selected to be greater than the gap length distance, so that a predetermined flux density versus stroke characteristic can be provided for the position sensor.