Magnetically biased eddy current sensor
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsWayne Lamb, Curtis Johnson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Eddy currents arise when a conductive material moves through a magnetic field. Eddy currents, like all electric currents, generate a magnetic field. The generated magnetic field can be detected and measured through use of one or more magnetically biased GMR elements. In general, an eddy current sensor can be configured, which includes a magnet, and a first giant magnetoresistive element placed such that the magnetic field from the magnet biases the giant magnetoresistive element along its primary axis.
Claims21
An eddy current sensor comprising:
- a magnet;
- and
- a first giant magnetoresistive element placed such that the magnetic field from the magnet biases the giant magnetoresistive element along its primary axis.
An eddy current sensor comprising:
- a structural element;
- a magnet held by the structural element;
- and
- a first giant magnetoresistive element held by the structural element such that the magnetic field from the magnet biases the magnetoresistive element along the primary axis.
A method of sensing eddy currents comprising:
- placing a magnet near a place that eddy currents occur;
- and
- placing a first giant magnetoresistive element near the place that eddy currents occur and in a position that causes magnetic field created by the magnet to bias the giant magnetoresistive element along the primary axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.