Magnetic rotational position sensor

Abstract

A magnetic rotational position sensor including first and second magnets spaced apart to define an air gap and cooperating with one another to generate a magnetic field within the air gap extending along an axis of rotation. At least one magnetic flux sensor is positioned within the magnetic field and is operable to sense varying magnitudes of magnetic flux in response to relative rotational movement between the magnetic field and the magnetic flux sensor about the axis of rotation.

1 .- 26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . A magnetic rotational position sensor, comprising: 
 a loop pole piece having a peripheral outer wall defining an inner region, said loop pole piece having a first overall dimension along a first axis and a second overall dimension along a second axis arranged substantially perpendicular to said first axis, said first overall dimension being greater than said second overall dimension to provide said loop pole piece with an oblong configuration;    first and second magnets positioned within said inner region of said loop pole piece adjacent said peripheral outer wall and spaced apart to define an air gap, said first and second magnets cooperating with said loop pole piece to generate a magnetic field extending across said air gap and positioned along an axis of rotation; and    at least one magnetic flux sensor positioned within said magnetic field and operable to sense varying magnitudes of magnetic flux in response to relative rotational movement between said magnetic field and said at least one magnetic flux sensor about said axis of rotation.    
   
   
       28 . The magnetic rotational position sensor of  claim 27 , wherein said first magnet is positioned adjacent a first portion of said peripheral outer wall extending generally along said first axis, said second magnet positioned adjacent a second portion of said peripheral outer wall extending generally along said first axis.  
   
   
       29 . The magnetic rotational position sensor of  claim 27 , wherein said oblong configuration of said loop pole piece comprises one of a substantially oval configuration and a substantially ellipsoidal configuration.  
   
   
       30 . The magnetic rotational position sensor of  claim 27 , wherein said peripheral outer wall includes a pair of opposing arcuate inner surfaces, each of said first and second magnets having an arcuate outer pole surface positioned adjacent a respective one of said arcuate inner surfaces of said peripheral outer wall.  
   
   
       31 . The magnetic rotational position sensor of  claim 27 , wherein said first magnet is positioned adjacent a first substantially linear portion of said peripheral outer wall, said second magnet positioned adjacent a second substantially linear portion of said peripheral outer wall; and 
 wherein said first and second substantially linear portions of said peripheral outer wall are arranged generally parallel to one another.    
   
   
       32 . The magnetic rotational position sensor of  claim 31 , wherein said first and second substantially linear portions of said peripheral outer wall each extend generally along said first axis.  
   
   
       33 . The magnetic rotational position sensor of  claim 31 , wherein said first and second magnets each include a substantially planar pole surface positioned adjacent respective ones of said first and second substantially linear portions of said peripheral outer wall.  
   
   
       34 . The magnetic rotational position sensor of  claim 33 , wherein said first and second magnets each have a substantially rectangular configuration.  
   
   
       35 . The magnetic rotational position sensor of  claim 27 , wherein said first magnet has a first magnetic pole surface facing said air gap, said second magnet having a second magnetic pole surface facing said air gap, said first and second pole surfaces having opposite polarity.  
   
   
       36 . The magnetic rotational position sensor of  claim 27 , wherein said loop pole piece has a substantially rectangular configuration that is elongated along said first axis.  
   
   
       37 . The magnetic rotational position sensor of  claim 27 , further comprising: 
 a first shaped pole piece positioned adjacent a first pole surface of said first magnet and having a first concave surface facing said air gap; and    a second shaped pole piece positioned adjacent a second pole surface of said second magnet and having a second concave surface facing said air gap; and    wherein said first and second shaped pole pieces cooperate with said first and second magnets to provide said magnetic field extending across said air gap.    
   
   
       38 . The magnetic rotational position sensor of  claim 27 , wherein said at least one magnetic flux sensor includes: 
 a first magnetic flux sensor defining a first sensing plane extending along a first sensor axis, said first sensor axis arranged substantially parallel with and offset from said axis of rotation, said first magnetic flux sensor positioned within said magnetic field and operable to sense varying magnitudes of magnetic flux in response to relative rotational movement between said magnetic field and said first magnetic flux sensor about said axis of rotation; and    a second magnetic flux sensor defining a second sensing plane extending along a second sensor axis, said second sensor axis arranged substantially parallel with and offset from said axis of rotation, said second magnetic flux sensor positioned within said magnetic field and operable to sense varying magnitudes of magnetic flux in response to relative rotational movement between said magnetic field and said second magnetic flux sensor about said axis of rotation.    
   
   
       39 . The magnetic rotational position sensor of  claim 38 , wherein said first sensor axis is offset from said axis of rotation in a direction substantially parallel with said first sensing plane, said second sensor axis being offset from said axis of rotation in a direction substantially parallel with said second sensing plane, said first and second magnetic flux sensors positioned on opposite sides of said axis of rotation with said first sensing plane and said second sensing plane arranged substantially co-planar to one another.  
   
   
       40 . The magnetic rotational position sensor of  claim 38 , wherein said first sensor axis is offset from said axis of rotation in a direction substantially perpendicular to said first sensing plane, said second sensor axis being offset from said axis of rotation in a direction substantially perpendicular to said second sensing plane, said first and second magnetic flux sensors being positioned on opposite sides of said axis of rotation.  
   
   
       41 . The magnetic rotational position sensor of  claim 38 , wherein said first sensing plane and said second sensing plane are arranged substantially parallel with one another, said first and second magnetic flux sensors positioned on opposite sides of said axis of rotation.  
   
   
       42 . A magnetic rotational position sensor, comprising: 
 a loop pole piece having a peripheral outer wall defining an inner region, said loop pole piece having a first overall dimension along a first axis and a second overall dimension along a second axis arranged substantially perpendicular to said first axis, said first overall dimension being greater than said second overall dimension to provide said loop pole piece with a rectangular configuration that is elongated along said first axis, said loop pole piece including first and second wall portions each having a substantially linear configuration and arranged generally parallel with one another;    a first magnet positioned within said inner region of said loop pole piece adjacent said first wall portion;    a second magnet positioned within said inner region of said loop pole piece adjacent said second wall portion and spaced apart from said first magnet to define an air gap, said first and second magnets cooperating with said loop pole piece to generate a magnetic field extending across said air gap and positioned along an axis of rotation; and    at least one magnetic flux sensor positioned within said magnetic field and operable to sense varying magnitudes of magnetic flux in response to relative rotational movement between said magnetic field and said at least one magnetic flux sensor about said axis of rotation.    
   
   
       43 . The magnetic rotational position sensor of  claim 42 , wherein said first and second wall portions each extend generally along said first axis.  
   
   
       44 . The magnetic rotational position sensor of  claim 42 , wherein said first magnet has a substantially planar first pole surface positioned adjacent said first wall portion, said second magnet having a substantially planar second pole surface positioned adjacent said second wall portion.  
   
   
       45 . The magnetic rotational position sensor of  claim 44 , wherein said first and second magnets each have a substantially rectangular configuration.  
   
   
       46 . The magnetic rotational position sensor of  claim 42 , wherein said first magnet has a first magnetic pole surface facing said air gap, said second magnet having a second magnetic pole surface facing said air gap, said first and second pole surfaces being of opposite polarity.