Magnetic displacement sensor including first and second flux paths wherein the first path has a fixed reluctance and a sensor disposed therein

摘要

A displacement sensor senses relative displacement between first and second members and includes a housing mounted to the first member. Magnet means having first and second pole tips is mounted to the housing. A flux sensor is mounted to the housing between the first and second pole tips. A target is mounted to the second member to form a flux path between the first and second pole tips having a reluctance that varies with displacement between the first and second members. The arrangement forms a first lossy flux path of fixed reluctance through the flux sensor and a primary flux path through the target. In one form the target has a surface configured to provide a gap height that varies with displacement. In another form the target has a surface configured to provide a target width that varies with displacement. The sensor may be used differentially by arranging two such sensors.