# US 10,312,907 B2 · Sensing device with magnet for extended sensing distance > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,312,907 B2 - Document ID: US10312907B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/171,644 - Filed: 2016-06-02 - Published: 2017-11-16 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2015-06-08 - Applicants: Gary W. Wineland - Inventors: Gary W. Wineland - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10312907B2 ## CPC - H03K 17/9502: {Measures for increasing reliability} - G01B 7/003: {for measuring position, not involving coordinate determination (coordinate measuring G01B7/004)} - G01B 7/023: {for measuring distance between sensor and object (G01B7/082 and G01B7/102 take precedence)} - G01D 5/2006: {by influencing the self-induction of one or more coils (G01D5/22 takes precedence)} - H03K 17/9505: {Constructional details} - H03K 17/952: {using inductive coils} - H03K 17/9525: {controlled by an oscillatory signal (H03K17/9537 takes precedence)} - H03K: PULSE TECHNIQUE (measuring pulse characteristics G01R; modulating sinusoidal oscillations with pulses H03C; transmission of digital information H04L; discriminator circuits detecting phase difference between two signals by counting or integrating cycles of oscillation H03D3/04; automatic control, starting, synchronisation or stabilisation of generators of electronic oscillations or pulses where the type of generator is irrelevant or unspecified H03L; coding, decoding or code conversion, in general H03M) - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - G01D: MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A device that will increase an inductive proximity sensor's detection distance and detection position is disclosed. The device uses a housing in combination with a sensor and axially magnetized magnet and a target magnet to achieve the increased detection distance and position. The device can be defined as universal because it allows different manufacturers and sizes of sensors to be used and calibrated. An optional threaded end section of the device allows connection of standard conduit fittings. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A proximity sensing device comprising: a housing comprising a first hole and a second hole, wherein the housing has a longitudinal axis; an inductive proximity sensor contained within the first hole; and an axially magnetized magnet mounted within the second hole, wherein: the first hole and the second hole are parallel to each other, and parallel lengthwise along the longitudinal axis of the housing, along each hole's longitudinal axis, and the inductive proximity sensor and the axially magnetized magnet are also are positioned parallel to each other along each other's longitudinal axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The proximity sensing device of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises: a set screw that locks the sensor in place in the housing; and a threaded bore that contains the set screw. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The proximity sensing device of claim 1 further comprising: a pilot light. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The proximity sensing device of claim 1 further comprising: a target magnet for interaction with the inductive proximity sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The proximity sensing device of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises: a threaded hole for receiving a conduit connector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The proximity sensing device of claim 1 wherein the inductive proximity sensor is a two wire inductive proximity sensor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The proximity sensing device of claim 1 wherein the inductive proximity sensor is a three wire inductive proximity sensor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The proximity sensing device of claim 1 wherein the inductive proximity sensor operates on AC or DC voltage. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The proximity sensing device of claim 1, wherein: the first hole is centrally located within the housing; and the second hole is located within a sidewall of the housing and is not centrally located within the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The proximity sensing device of claim 2, wherein the threaded bore that contains the set screw has a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the first hole and the second hole. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The proximity sensing device of claim 1, wherein: the second hole has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the axially magnetized magnet; and the axially magnetized magnet is press-fit within the second hole. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The proximity sensing device of claim 1, wherein: the first hole is a threaded bore; and the inductive proximity sensor includes threads that meet threads of the threaded bore. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The proximity sensing device of claim 1, wherein the first hole and the second hole are positioned in the housing to be close to each other without interfering with each other. ### Claim 14 A proximity sensing device comprising: a housing comprising a first hole and a second hole; an inductive proximity sensor contained within the first hole, wherein the inductive proximity sensor is a two wire inductive proximity sensor; and an axially magnetized magnet mounted within the second hole. ### Claim 15 A proximity sensing device comprising: a housing comprising a first hole and a second hole; an inductive proximity sensor contained within the first hole; and an axially magnetized magnet mounted within the second hole, wherein: the first hole is centrally located within the housing, and the second hole is located within a sidewall of the housing and is not centrally located within the housing. ### Claim 16 A proximity sensing device comprising: a housing comprising a first hole and a second hole; an inductive proximity sensor contained within the first hole; and an axially magnetized magnet mounted within the second hole, wherein: the second hole has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the axially magnetized magnet, and the axially magnetized magnet is press-fit within the second hole. ### Claim 17 A proximity sensing device comprising: a housing comprising a first hole and a second hole; an inductive proximity sensor contained within the first hole; and an axially magnetized magnet mounted within the second hole, wherein: the first hole is a threaded bore, and the inductive proximity sensor includes threads that meet threads of the threaded bore. ### Claim 18 A proximity sensing device comprising: a housing comprising a first hole and a second hole, wherein the first hole and the second hole are positioned in the housing to be close to each other without interfering with each other; an inductive proximity sensor contained within the first hole; and an axially magnetized magnet mounted within the second hole, wherein, during operation, the inductive proximity sensor is capable of becoming active when a target magnet is within a detection distance from the sensor, wherein the detection distance includes distances that are greater than 1 inch and that are in a range of 3 to 4 inches. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The proximity sensing device of claim 18, wherein the first hole, the second hole, or both the first hole and the second hole extend completely through a length of the housing.