Non-contacting position sensor using radial bipolar tapered magnets

A non-contacting position sensor comprising:

• a) an air gap having a first end, a second end, and a middle;
• b) a Hall effect device movably positioned within the air gap;
• c) four magnetically polarized magnet portions positioned within the air gap each comprising:
• c1) a thick end;
• c2) a thin end;
• c3) wherein the thickness of each magnet portion increases substantially linearly from the thin end to the thick end;
• c4) wherein two magnet portions have a first polarity and extend from the first end of the airgap to the middle of the airgap, and wherein two magnet portions have a second polarity substantially opposite the first polarity and extend from the second end of the air gap to the middle of the airgap;
• and
• c5) a magnet gap located on opposite sides of the middle of the air gap.

A non-contacting position sensor, comprising:

• a) an air gap having a central air gap portion that is larger than both ends of the air gap;
• b) a first tapered magnet region having a thin portion co-extensive with the central air gap portion;
• c) a second tapered magnet region adjacent to the first tapered magnet region, the second tapered magnet region having a thin portion co-extensive with the central air gap portion, the first and second magnets generating a magnetic flux;
• d) a u-shaped plate affixed to the first and second tapered magnet regions;
• and
• e) a sensor disposed in the air gap and operable to provide an electrical output signal that is proportional to the density of the magnetic flux;
• and
• f) a magnet gap located between the thin portions of the first and second tapered magnet regions.