Patent ID: 9074860
Filing Date: 2015-07-07
Classification: G01B,G01D,G01F,G01R

Abstract:
1. A system for magnetostrictive sensing comprising: a magnetostrictive wire having a first end and a second end; a magnet disposed adjacent a portion of the magnetostrictive wire, the magnet movable along a length of the magnetostrictive wire; an excitation device coupled to the first end of the magnetostrictive wire, the excitation device operable to apply an electrical excitation signal to the magnetostrictive wire; a torsional motion sensor positioned adjacent the first end of the magnetostrictive wire, the torsional motion sensor operable to detect a torsional motion of the magnetostrictive wire; a reflective termination coupled to the second end of the magnetostrictive wire, the reflective termination configured to reflect the torsional motion of the magnetostrictive wire; and a processor in communication with the excitation device and the torsional motion sensor, the processor programmed to (i) apply the electrical excitation signal to the magnetostrictive wire with the excitation device, (ii) identify whether the torsional motion detected by the torsional motion sensor has been reflected by the reflection termination, and (iii) calculate a position of the magnet along the magnetostrictive wire based on the detected torsional motion reflected by the reflection termination and without using any torsional motion that propagated directly from the magnet to the first end of the wire.