Patent ID: 8035372

Claim:
A magnetostrictive elongation sensor for outputting an elongation-dependent signal, comprising: a magnetic-field-sensitive sensor element in the form of a waveguide and forming a signal generator; a shiftable magnet generating a magnetic field affecting said sensor element; a signal processor connected to said signal generator and having a diagnostic output circuit constructed and arranged to switch said elongation sensor into a programmable mode to program the elongation sensor from a measurement mode providing an output based on a position of the magnet relative to the sensor element; a housing receiving said signal processor and at least an end of said sensor element, wherein said housing is provided with an output connection for the elongation sensor, the output connection being operably connected to the diagnostic circuit; a programming device connectable to said output connection for programming said sensor; and wherein the diagnostic output circuit includes a sensor unit for said output connection monitoring an output signal therefrom and providing an input in said programming mode which, upon failure of said input causes switchover to the measurement mode with a time delay.