Magnetic position sensor having shaped pole pieces to provide a magnetic field having a varying magnetic flux density field strength

A magnetic sensor, comprising:

• first and second magnets separated by a space;
• first and second shaped pole pieces at least partially disposed within said space and positioned adjacent respective ones of said first and second magnets, said shaped pole pieces being spaced apart to define an air gap, at least one of said shaped pole pieces including a portion of varying thickness, said magnets and said shaped pole pieces cooperating to provide a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density that varies along a length of said air gap adjacent said portion of varying thickness;
• and
• a magnetic flux sensor positioned within said magnetic field and operable to sense a varying magnitude of said magnetic flux density along said length of said air gap and to generate an output signal representative of a position of said magnetic flux sensor relative to said magnetic field.

A magnetic sensor, comprising:

• at least two magnets;
• at least two shaped pole pieces positioned adjacent respective ones of said magnets, said at least two shaped pole pieces being spaced apart to define a first air gap and a second air gap, said at least two magnets and said at least two shaped pole pieces cooperating to provide a first magnetic field having a magnetic flux density that varies along a length of said first air gap and to provide a second magnetic field having a magnetic flux density that varies along a length of said second air gap;
• and
• a magnetic flux sensor, including:
• a first magnetic flux sensor element positioned within said first magnetic field and operable to sense a varying magnitude of said magnetic flux density along said length of said first air gap;
• and
• a second magnetic flux sensor element positioned within said second magnetic field and operable to sense a varying magnitude of said magnetic flux density along said length of said second air gap;
• and
• wherein said first and second magnetic flux sensor elements cooperate to generate an output signal representative of a position of said magnetic flux sensor relative to said first and second magnetic fields.

A magnetic sensor, comprising:

• first and second magnets;
• first and second shaped pole pieces positioned adjacent respective ones of said first and second magnets and spaced apart to define an air gap, said magnets and said shaped pole pieces cooperating to provide a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density that varies along a length of said air gap;
• and
• a first magnetoresistive element positioned within said magnetic field to sense a varying magnitude of said magnetic flux density along said length of said air gap;
• and
• a second magnetoresistive element positioned within an auxiliary magnetic field having a substantially uniform magnetic flux density;
• and
• wherein said first and second magnetoresistive elements cooperate to generate an output signal representative of a position of said first magnetoresistive element relative to said magnetic field.