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US4334207A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Linear displacement transducer

Assignee: ZF International UK Ltd
•
Filing: 1979-06-22
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Granted: 1982-06-08
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Expires: 1999-06-22
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Abstract

Abstract A linear displacement transducer includes a first elongated magnetizable member having first and second pole pieces which extend parallel with each other over the full length of said first member and which are of substantially constant width along their length. A first winding is wound around part but not all of said first member, a second winding is wound around the full length of the first member. A second elongated member having at least a part which is shorter than said first elongate member is movable linearly relative to the first member in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis of the first member, such that a substantially constant gap is maintained between the members, to vary the magnetic coupling between the first and second windings when an a.c. signal is applied, in use, to one of the windings.

Inventors

  • 👤 Colin S. Bill
  • 👤 Charles P. Cockshott
  • 👤 John H. Francis

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 22:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/12; G01D5/14; G01D5/20; G01D5/204; G01D5/2046

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 140 words
A linear displacement transducer including a first elongated magnetizable member having first and second pole pieces which extend parallel with each other over the full length of said first member, and which are of substantially constant width along their length, a first winding wound around part but not all of said first member, a second winding wound around the full length of the first member, and a second elongated member having at least a part which is shorter than said first elongate member, said first and second members being movable linearly relative to each other in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis of the first member, while maintaining a substantially constant gap between the members, to vary the magnetic coupling between said first and second windings when an a.c. signal is applied, in use, to one of the windings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 140 words
A linear displacement transducer including a first elongated magnetizable member having first and second pole pieces which extend parallel with each other over the full length of said first member, and which are of substantially constant width along their length, a first winding wound around part but not all of said first member, a second winding wound around the full length of the first member, and a second elongated member having at least a part which is shorter than said first elongate member, said first and second members being movable linearly relative to each other in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis of the first member, while maintaining a substantially constant gap between the members, to vary the magnetic coupling between said first and second windings when an a.c. signal is applied, in use, to one of the windings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 27 words
A transducer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first elongated magnetizable member is formed with a longitudinally extending bore in which said second member is mounted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 26 words
A transducer as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said first and second pole pieces is defined by longitudinally extending rib projecting into said bore.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 37 words
A transducer as claimed in claim 1, wherein each pole piece is defined by an upstanding wall of a generally planar first member and said second member is mounted above the free end surfaces of said walls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 22 words
A transducer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second member is defined by a hollow sleeve mounted around the first member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 50 words
A transducer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second elongated member is composed of an electrically conductive, non-magnetic material so that, in use, depending on the relative positions of the first and second members, eddy currents are induced in the second member to modify the flux between the windings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 46 words
A transducer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second elongated member is composed of a magnetizable material so that, in use, depending on the relative positions of the first and second members, magnetic flux can flow through said second member to magnetically couple said windings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 32 words
A transducer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the area of overlap between said first and second members remains substantially constant over the whole range of relative linear movement of the members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 27 words
A transducer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first magnetizable member defines a stator and the second member defines a slider movable relative to the stator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 44 words
A transducer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second winding is wound around the full length of one of said first and second pole pieces of said first member and defines a primary winding to which, in use, said a.c. signal is applied.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 40 words
A transducer as claimed in claim 10, wherein said second winding is wound around the full length of said first pole piece so that the first and second windings are provided on the same pole piece of said first member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 39 words
A transducer as claimed in claim 10, wherein said second winding is wound around the full length of said second pole piece so that the first and second windings are provided on different pole pieces of said first member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 37 words
A transducer as claimed in claim 1, wherein a third winding is provided on a further part of said first member so that said third winding is spaced apart in said direction from the said first winding.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2438359A Cited
US3128441A Cited
US3376533A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1985-06-07 1985-12-07 1986-06-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1989-06-07 1989-12-07 1990-06-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1993-06-07 1993-12-07 1994-06-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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