Patent ID: 6060881
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: G01D

Abstract:
A displacement sensor for sensing relative displacement between first and second elements comprising:a magnet assembly havinga magnet assembly housing for mounting to the first element,first and second magnets mounted to the magnet assembly housing so that a north pole of the first magnet confronts a south pole of the second magnet and a south pole of the first magnet confronts a north pole of the second magnet, wherein the magnet assembly housing supports the first and second magnets to form a longitudinal space between the first and second magnets, anda flux-shaping pole piece on each of the north and south poles of the first and second magnets, the flux-shaping pole pieces having configurations to sculpt fringing magnetic flux in the longitudinal space so that magnetic flux density in the longitudinal space varies substantially linearly along a line in the longitudinal space extending substantially parallel to the length of at least one of the magnets and between the confronting poles of the first and second magnets; anda magnetic field sensor assembly havinga sensor housing for mounting to the second element, anda magnetic flux sensor mounted to the sensor housing on the line in the longitudinal space between the first and second magnets.