Magnetic proximity sensor, security switch, and method of detecting an actuator
AssigneeMagnasphere Corporation
InventorsJoseph C. Hedeen, Ronald Sayles, Randall Woods
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A security switch for detecting an actuator comprises a magnetic field source, a magnetically susceptible object, and a circuit. The magnetic field source is configured to produce a magnetic field gradient. The magnetically susceptible object is suspended at a first position at least in part due to the magnetic field gradient and shiftable to a second position when the actuator affects the magnetic field gradient. The circuit is configured to detect when the object is in the second position.
Claims47
A proximity sensor for detecting an actuator, the proximity sensor comprising:
- a magnetic field source comprising two or more source permanent magnets positioned relative to one another to produce a magnetic field gradient;
- an object suspended at a first position located at least in part within the magnetic field gradient and shiftable to a second position when the actuator affects the magnetic field gradient;
- and
- a circuit configured to detect when the object is in the second position,
- wherein the object comprises a permanent magnet.
A security switch comprising:
- a magnetic field source comprising two or more source permanent magnets positioned so that the magnetic field source produces a magnetic field gradient;
- an actuator detached from the magnetic field source and operable to affect the magnetic field gradient when positioned within a threshold distance to the magnetic field source;
- an object suspended at a first position located at least in part within the magnetic field gradient and shiftable to a second position when the actuator is within the threshold distance;
- and
- a circuit configured to detect when the object is in the second position,
- wherein the object comprises a permanent magnet.
A method of detecting an actuator, the method comprising:
- producing, via a magnetic field source comprising two or more source permanent magnets, a magnetic field gradient about a object so that the object is at a first position when the actuator is within a threshold distance to the magnetic field source and a second position when the actuator is outside the threshold distance, wherein the object comprises a permanent magnet;
- and
- detecting a position of the object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.