Variable reluctance integral bearing sensor

摘要

An integral variable reluctance sensor and bearing grease seal assembly (sensor assembly) has at least one magnet and an annular wire coil secured at the interior of a housing which seals an annular space between a dynamic inner race and a static outer race. The sensor assembly is characterized by a relatively large flux change and resulting large peak to peak periodic output due to exploitation of the outer race and housing as high permeance flux paths in the sensor magnetic circuit and an additive arrangement of plural magnets. Sensor output signal strength is variable in step with the number of magnets and output variations due to air gap variations are minimized by symmetrical distribution of the same. The sensor assembly is further characterized by a single dynamic seal and no moving parts.