Use of Magneto-Impedance on a Contactless Position Sensor and Corresponding Sensor

A method of sensing position employing magnetoimpedance on a contactless position sensor, the method comprising:

• subjecting a portion of an electrical conductor, said electrical conductor having a first end, a second end, and a magnetically sensitive surface, to a magnetic effect of a permanent magnet, an area of the surface of said portion subjected to said magnetic effect varying with a relative position of the magnet with respect to the conductor;
• varying said relative position of the magnet wherein at least one physical characteristic of the electrical conductor is caused to vary;
• and
• recording said variation of said at least one physical characteristic of the electrical conductor obtained during said varying step, said variation being in correlation with the position of the magnet.

A position sensor, comprising:

• a conducting track area having a surface sensitive to a magnetic field and at least two terminals;
• a permanent magnet for generating said magnetic field on the surface;
• a power source for creating an AC voltage across said terminals of the conducting track area;
• displacement means for varying a relative position between the magnet and the sensitive surface;
• and
• recording means for recording a variation in at least one physical characteristic of the conducting track area generated by said variation in said relative position.