Magneto-electric sensor device and sensing method using a sensor element comprising a 2-phase decomposed microstructure
AssigneeAmerican Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Bell Laboratories
InventorsSungho Jin, Richard C. Sherwood, Thomas H. Tiefel, Robert B. van Dover
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Abstract
Devices such as, e.g., switches, flowmeters, and proximity sensors, as well as implant devices are made comprising an elongated ferromagnetic element. When the element is exposed to a variable magnetic field an electrical signal is obtained between contact points of the element in response to a change in the magnetic field. Preferred elongated elements have a helically deformed microduplex structure as may be produced by heat treatment and plastic twisting of a body of an alloy such as, e.g., an iron-nickel alloy.
Claims10
Device comprising means for producing an electrical signal in response to a change in a magnetic field,
- said means comprising a body of a ferromagnetic alloy,
- said body having a major dimension in a direction which here is designated as a major axis,
- said body having electrical contact points which are spaced apart in a direction which has a substantial component in the direction of said major axis,
- the microstructure of said body comprising a 2-phase decomposed microstructure comprising elongated, substantially aligned particles which are helically arranged in the absence of externally applied elastic stress, the helical axis having a substantial component in the direction of said major axis.
Method of producing an electrical signal inside an organism,
- said method comprising implanting an elongated body of a ferromagnetic alloy in said organism,
- said body having a major dimension in a direction which here is designated as a major axis,
- said body having electrical contact points which are spaced apart in a direction which has a substantial component in the direction of said major axis,
- the microstructure of said body comprising a 2-phase decomposed microstructure comprising elongated, subtantially aligned particles which are helically arranged in the absence of externally applied elastic stress, the helical axis having a substantial component in the direction of said major axis,
- said method comprising changing a magnetic field external to said organism to produce an electrical signal between said contacts, and
- said method comprising utilizing said electrical signal between said contact points.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.