Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A position detector for use in providing an electrical position feedback signal indicative of the position of a movable, spring-biased element, comprising: a sensor support member having means for mounting said sensor support member on a first coil of the spring biasing the movable element; a magnetic flux density sensor mounted on said sensor support member; a magnet support member having means for mounting said magnet support member on a second coil of the spring, a portion of said magnet support member guidingly engaging a portion of said sensor support member to permit relative linear movement therebetween in response to spring movement; a magnet mounted on said magnet support member portion, said magnet producing a magnetic field adjacent said sensor; said sensor producing a variable electrical signal proportional to the sensed flux density of the magnetic field in response to relative movement between said first and second spring coils, said signal comprising a position feedback signal indicative of the position of the spring biased element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A position detector for use in providing an electrical position feedback signal indicative of the position of a movable, spring-biased element, comprising: a sensor support member having means for mounting said sensor support member on a first coil of the spring biasing the movable element; a magnetic flux density sensor mounted on said sensor support member; a magnet support member having means for mounting said magnet support member on a second coil of the spring, a portion of said magnet support member guidingly engaging a portion of said sensor support member to permit relative linear movement therebetween in response to spring movement; a magnet mounted on said magnet support member portion, said magnet producing a magnetic field adjacent said sensor; said sensor producing a variable electrical signal proportional to the sensed flux density of the magnetic field in response to relative movement between said first and second spring coils, said signal comprising a position feedback signal indicative of the position of the spring biased element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A position detector according to claim 1 wherein said magnetic flux density sensor comprises a hall effect device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A position detector according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said sensor support member mounting means and said magnet support member mounting means comprises a resilient clip adapted to fit over and engage a respective spring coil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A position detector according to claim 1 wherein said magnet comprises an elongated planar magnet having a flux density which varies along its length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A position detector according to claim 1 wherein said magnet support portion comprises an elongated arm supporting said magnet for linear movement adjacent to a wall of said sensor support member portion, said sensor mounted in said wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A position detector according to claim 5 wherein said sensor support member portion comprises a passageway for guidingly receiving said elongated arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A position detector according to claim 1 wherein one of said support members comprises a base portion, and a support member portion comprising an elongated arm cantilevered from said base portion parallel to the spring axis, the respective mounting means being fixed to said base portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A position detector according to claim 7 wherein the other of said support members comprises a second base portion, and a second support member portion fixed to said second base portion and comprising a passageway for guidingly receiving said elongated arm, the respective mounting means being fixed to said second base portion.