Method and System for Inductive Proximity Sensing that Includes Mounting Effect Compensation

An inductive proximity sensor capable of mounting effect compensation, the sensor comprising:

• a first coil capable of providing a first output signal representative of a first electromagnetic field component influenced by a presence or position of a target;
• a second coil capable of providing a second output signal representative of a second electromagnetic field component influenced by a support structure upon which the inductive proximity sensor is mounted;
• and
• a processing component that is at least indirectly connected to the first coil and the second coil for receiving the first output signal and the second output signal,
• wherein the processing circuit is configured to utilize the second output signal to modify the first output signal to determine the presence or position of the target.

An inductive proximity sensor with mounting effect compensation comprising:

• a sensing portion including:
• a housing including a front face;
• a core positioned within and supported at least indirectly upon the housing;
• a first coil with a central axis therethrough that is directed so as to extend through the front face toward an outer region in front of the front face within which can be positioned a target, the first coil being supported upon the core;
• and
• a second coil arranged substantially along the central axis coaxially with the first coil, the second coil having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the first coil and supported at least indirectly by at least one of the core and the housing;
• and
• control circuitry for controlling excitation of the first and second coils and receiving signals from the coils representative of electromagnetic field components experienced by the first and second coils.