A hybrid displacement sensor includes a waveguide, a target magnet and a pickup. The waveguide includes a longitudinal axis, an input end and a return end. The target magnet is configured to move along the longitudinal axis relative to the waveguide. The pickup includes a magnetostrictive sensing element located adjacent to the input end, and a plurality of Hall-effect sensing elements distributed along the longitudinal axis.
G01D 5/14 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage
G01D 5/16 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying resistance
A sensor assembly of a magnetostrictive displacement sensor includes a waveguide, a pickup sensing element, a balanced line driver circuit and a cable connector. The pickup sensing element is configured to generate a high impedance sensor response signal through a positive pickup terminal and a negative pickup terminal in response to a magnetostrictive response in the waveguide. The balanced line driver circuit includes positive and negative response signal circuits respectively configured to produce a positive sensor signal at a low impedance and a negative sensor signal at a low impedance based on the high impedance sensor response signal at the positive and negative pickup terminals. The cable connector includes a positive sensor terminal coupled to the positive sensor signal and a negative sensor terminal coupled to the negative sensor signal.
G01D 5/48 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using wave or particle radiation means
A waveguide assembly includes a waveguide having a longitudinal axis and a magnetostrictive response pickup. The pickup includes a first coil oriented within a first plane, which is approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a second coil connected in series with the first coil and oriented within a second plane, which is approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis. A central axis of the first coil is displaced a coil separation distance from a central axis of the second coil along the longitudinal axis.
G01D 5/48 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using wave or particle radiation means
G01B 7/00 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques
H01P 3/10 - Wire waveguides, i.e. with a single solid longitudinal conductor
A magnetostrictive displacement sensor (100) includes a sensor assembly (102) having a printed circuit board (PCB) (170), an anchor (172) attached to the PCB (170), a waveguide (106) having a first end attached to the anchor (172), and a sensing element (142). The sensing element (142) includes a rigid member (152) and a coil (150). The rigid member (152) is attached to the waveguide (106) and extends through an opening in the PCB (170) and is configured to experience a strain in response to a magnetostrictive response in in the waveguide (106). The coil (150) is attached to the PCB (170) and surrounds the rigid member (152) and the opening. The coil (150) is configured to output a sensor signal that includes an indicator, which is produced in response to the strain in the rigid member (152).
G01D 5/48 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using wave or particle radiation means
5.
MAGNETOSTRICTIVE DISPLACEMENT SENSOR HAVING PROGRAMMABLE MEMORY
One example of the sensor assembly includes an energy storage capacitor, a waveguide, a pickup, and a memory circuit. The energy storage capacitor is connected between a first supply voltage input/output and an electrical common input and is configured to maintain a supply voltage. The waveguide includes an input end connected to a current pulse input, and a return end connected to the electrical common input. The pickup is configured to output a response signal to a sensor output in response to a magnetostrictive response in the waveguide that is produced in response to a current pulse received at the current pulse input. The memory circuit is configured to store data, transmit the stored data through the first supply voltage input/output, and receive data for storage through the first supply voltage input/output.
G01D 5/20 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying inductance, e.g. by a movable armature
A magnetostrictive displacement sensor includes a sensor assembly having a printed circuit board (PCB), an anchor attached to the PCB, a waveguide having a first end attached to the anchor, and a sensing element. The sensing element includes a rigid member and a coil. The rigid member is attached to the waveguide and extends through an opening in the PCB and is configured to experience a strain in response to a magnetostrictive response in in the waveguide. The coil is attached to the PCB and surrounds the rigid member and the opening. The coil is configured to output a sensor signal that includes an indicator, which is produced in response to the strain in the rigid member.
G01B 7/02 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring length, width, or thickness
G01B 7/24 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. by resistance strain gauge using change in magnetic properties
G01D 5/48 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using wave or particle radiation means
A magnetostrictive position measuring system includes a waveguide, an excitation generator configured to generate an excitation signal, a target magnet configured to generate a magnetostrictive response in response to the excitation signal, one or more sensing elements and a controller. The sensing elements are configured to generate at least one electrical response signal based on the magnetostrictive response that includes a longitudinal wave indicator and a torsional wave indicator. The controller is configured to identify the longitudinal wave and torsional wave indicators, calculate a first candidate position of the target magnet along the longitudinal axis based on the longitudinal wave indicator, calculate a second candidate position of the target magnet along the longitudinal axis based on the torsional wave indicator and generate an output based on the first and second candidate positions.
G01S 1/72 - Beacons or beacon systems transmitting signals having a characteristic or characteristics capable of being detected by non-directional receivers and defining directions, positions, or position lines fixed relatively to the beacon transmittersReceivers co-operating therewith using ultrasonic, sonic, or infrasonic waves
B06B 1/08 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with magnetostriction
G01B 7/00 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques
8.
Target detection in magnetostrictive sensors using a target frequency range
A magnetostrictive position measuring method determines a time of flight of a magnetostrictive response transmitted through a waveguide. The magnetostrictive response is generated using a target magnet in response to a magnetostrictive excitation. In the method, an electrical response signal containing an indicator of the magnetostrictive response is digitally sampled at a sampling rate to obtain a plurality of samples. An amplitude of each of the plurality of samples within a target frequency range is determined through an analysis of the plurality of samples in a frequency domain. A peak sample from the plurality of samples in the frequency domain corresponding to the magnetostrictive response is identified. The time of flight and a position of the target magnet along the waveguide is determined based on the peak sample.
G01D 5/48 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using wave or particle radiation means
