Compact single magnet linear position sensor

摘要

A sensor assembly 10 is disclosed for measuring the position of a target object as it traverses a linear path of travel within a defined range of measurement. The sensor assembly 10 comprises a ferromagnetic magnetic flux concentrator assembly 12. The flux concentrator assembly 12 is configured as a generally u-shaped structure including a permanent magnet 20 with elongated ferromagnetic flux concentrator elements 16,18 affixed at the poles thereof and extending in substantially parallel fashion there from. A galvanomagnetic sensing element 14 is disposed within an air gap between the free end portions of the flux concentrator elements 16,18 and is displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the flux concentrator assembly 12. The galvanomagnetic sensing element 14 is configured to provide an output signal indicative of the measured linear position as it travels along the longitudinal axis of the flux concentrator assembly 12.