Inventors:
Ronald J. Wolf - Goshen IN
Larry Hedeen - Howe IN
Assignee:
Durakool Incorporated - Elkhart IN
International Classification:
G01B 714
G01R 3500
Abstract:
An angular position sensor for sensing the angular position of a pivotally mounted device includes a magnetically sensitive device, such as a Hall effect IC, and a plurality of flux concentrators, rigidly disposed relative to the Hall effect IC, forming an assembly. The assembly is disposed in a housing a fixed distance from a rotatably mounted standard magnet defining a fixed air gap therebetween. The magnet is disposed in rotatably mounted magnet holder which also acts as a drive arm that is adapted to be mechanically coupled to a pivotally mounted device. The configuration of the flux concentrators assembled to the magnetically sensitive device cause the output of the Hall effect IC to be generally linear. In order to avoid problems associated with electrically adjustable angular position sensors, the angular position sensor in accordance with the present invention is adjusted mechanically. In particular, a flux concentrator, preferably having a halo shape, is disposed adjacent the magnet.