Orthogonal flux-gate type magnetic sensor

摘要

A magnetic sensor of orthogonal flux-gate type is provided with a cylindrical core made of a soft magnetic material; an internal conductor that is placed inside the core; a detection coil wound up on the core; and an external conductor that is placed around the core and electrically connected to the internal conductor. A high-frequency current is allowed to flow through the internal core so that a magnetic field to be measured which resides around the detection coil is changed and the intensity and direction of the magnetic field to be measured is detected on the basis of an output of the detection coil. Since the external conductor is placed on the periphery of the core, it is possible to prevent the magnetic flux formed by the core from magnetizing any space, and consequently to concentrate the magnetic field on the core.