Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A shaft rotation sensor, comprising: (a) first and second directional magnetic sensors, having first and second cores, respectively, angularly spaced apart from each other in a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation of said magnetic source, such that said first sensor senses, and provides a first output representing, the magnitude of a first magnetic field component and said second sensor senses, and provides a second output representing, the magnitude of a second magnetic field component orthogonal to said first magnetic field component; (b) said first and second outputs being electrically connected in series to provide a first output channel: (c) said first sensor also senses, and provides a third output representing, the magnitude of said second magnetic field component, and said second sensor also senses, and provides a fourth output representing, the magnitude of said first magnetic field component; and (d) said third and fourth outputs being electrically connected in series to provide a second output channel having an output orthogonal to the output of said first output channel as said rotating member rotates.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A shaft rotation sensor, comprising: (a) first and second directional magnetic sensors, having first and second cores, respectively, angularly spaced apart from each other in a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation of said magnetic source, such that said first sensor senses, and provides a first output representing, the magnitude of a first magnetic field component and said second sensor senses, and provides a second output representing, the magnitude of a second magnetic field component orthogonal to said first magnetic field component; (b) said first and second outputs being electrically connected in series to provide a first output channel: (c) said first sensor also senses, and provides a third output representing, the magnitude of said second magnetic field component, and said second sensor also senses, and provides a fourth output representing, the magnitude of said first magnetic field component; and (d) said third and fourth outputs being electrically connected in series to provide a second output channel having an output orthogonal to the output of said first output channel as said rotating member rotates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A shaft rotation sensor, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said first and second magnetic field vector components are two orthogonal field components formed from the tangential and radial field components.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A shaft rotation sensor, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said directional magnetic sensors comprise fluxgate magnetometers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A shaft rotation sensor, as defined in claim 1, wherein: outputs from said first and second output channels have a sine/cosine relationship.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
188 words
A method of sensing the rotation of a shaft, comprising: (a) providing first and second directional magnetic sensors angularly spaced apart from each other with respect to a magnetic source on a rotating member in a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation of said magnetic source, such that said first sensor senses, and provides a first output representing, the magnitude of a first magnetic field component and said second sensor senses, and provides a second output representing, the magnitude of a second magnetic field component orthogonal to said first magnetic field component, said first and second outputs being electrically connected in series to provide a first output channel; (b) said first sensor also senses, and provides a third output representing, the magnitude of said second magnetic field component, and said second sensor also senses, and provides a fourth output representing, the magnitude of said first magnetic field component, said third and fourth outputs being electrically connected in series to provide a second output channel; and (c) measuring outputs from said first and second output channels to determine angular position, angular speed, and/or acceleration of said rotating member.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
188 words
A method of sensing the rotation of a shaft, comprising: (a) providing first and second directional magnetic sensors angularly spaced apart from each other with respect to a magnetic source on a rotating member in a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation of said magnetic source, such that said first sensor senses, and provides a first output representing, the magnitude of a first magnetic field component and said second sensor senses, and provides a second output representing, the magnitude of a second magnetic field component orthogonal to said first magnetic field component, said first and second outputs being electrically connected in series to provide a first output channel; (b) said first sensor also senses, and provides a third output representing, the magnitude of said second magnetic field component, and said second sensor also senses, and provides a fourth output representing, the magnitude of said first magnetic field component, said third and fourth outputs being electrically connected in series to provide a second output channel; and (c) measuring outputs from said first and second output channels to determine angular position, angular speed, and/or acceleration of said rotating member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method, as defined in claim 5, wherein: said first and second magnetic field vector components formed from the tangential and radial field components.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method, as defined in claim 5, further comprising: providing said directional magnetic sensors as fluxgate magnetometers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method, as defined in claim 5, wherein: outputs from said first and second channels have a sine/cosine relationship.