Magnetic rotational position sensor having dual magnetic flux sensor capabilities

A magnetic rotational position sensor for sensing each degree of rotation of a control shaft about a first axis over a definable range of rotation, said magnetic rotational position sensor comprising:

• a ring pole piece defining an air gap area;
• a magnet disposed within said air gap area to thereby generate a magnetic field within said air gap area;
• wherein said ring pole piece and ad magnet are adjoined to the control shaft to synchronously rotate said magnetic field about a second axis for each degree of rotation of the control shaft about the first axis whereby each degree of rotation of the control shaft about the first axis exclusively corresponds to a distinct degree of synchronized rotation of said magnetic field about said second axis;
• a first magnetic flux sensor operable to sense a magnitude of magnetic flux density passing through a first surface of said first magnetic flux sensor, said first magnetic flux sensor disposed within said air gap area to sense a different magnitude of magnetic flux density passing through said fist surface for each degree of synchronous rotation of said magnetic field over the definable range of rotation;
• a second magnetic flux sensor operable to sense a magnitude of magnetic flux density passing through a first surface of said second magnetic flux sensor, said second magnetic flux sensor disposed within said air gap area to sent a different magnitude of magnetic flux density passing through said first surface for each degree of synchronous rotation of said magnetic field over the definable range of rotation,
• wherein said first surface of said first magnetic flux sensor and said first surface of said second magnetic flux sensor are coplanar;
• and
• wherein each of said first and second magnetic flux sensors extend along a common axis arranged substantially parallel to said second axis;
• and
• wherein said ring pole piece includes
• a first pole segment,
• a second pole segment adjoined to said first pole segment, and
• a third pole segment adjoined to said first pole segment and spaced from said second pole segment;
• and
• wherein sad magnet includes
• a first pole surface facing said first pole segment, and
• a second pole surface facing said second pole segment and said third pole segment.

A magnetic rotational position sensor for sensing each degree of rotation of a control shaft about a first rotational axis over a definable range of rotation, comprising:

• a pole piece defining an air gap area;
• a magnet disposed within said air gap area to generate a magnetic field within said air gap area;
• said pole piece and said magnet being adjoined to the control shaft to synchronously rotate said magnetic field about a second rotational axis for each degree of rotation of the control shaft about the first rotational axis whereby each degree of rotation of the control shaft about the first rotational axis corresponds to a distinct degree of synchronized rotation of said magnetic field about the second rotational axis;
• a first magnetic flux sensor extending along a central axis and being operable to sense a magnitude of magnetic flux density passing therethrough, said first magnetic flux sensor being disposed within said magnetic field with said central axis being offset from and arranged substantially parallel to said second rotational axis to sense a different magnitude of magnetic flux density for each degree of synchronous rotation of said magnetic field over the definable range of rotation;
• and
• a second magnetic flux sensor also extending along said central axis and being operable to sense a magnitude of magnetic flux density passing there through, said second magnetic flux sensor being disposed within said magnetic field to sense a different magnitude of magnetic flux density for each degree of synchronous rotation of said magnetic field over the definable range of rotation;
• and
• wherein each of said first and second magnetic flux sensors extends along a common plane intersecting said second rotational axis, said central axis being offset from said second rotational axis in a direction along said common plane.