System providing limit switch function with simultaneous absolute position output

A limit and position sensing system, comprising:

• a sensor assembly adapted to be coupled to a first structure, said sensor assembly including a first electrical conductor, a second electrical conductor, and ferromagnetic material arranged in electrically-isolated layers with
• (i) said first electrical conductor arranged in a first plane and having first and second ends, said first electrical conductor coiled outwardly in a clockwise fashion starting at said first end to form a first coil region, said first electrical conductor coiled outwardly in a clockwise fashion starting at said second end to form a second coil region with uniform spacing being defined between rings of said first coil region and said second coil region along an axis of said first plane,
• (ii) said second electrical conductor arranged in a second plane parallel to said first plane, said second electrical conductor forming a single coil with rings thereof being uniformly-spaced and with portions of said rings of said single coil that lie between said first end and said second end of said first electrical conductor being parallel to said axis, and
• (iii) said ferromagnetic material arranged in a third plane parallel to said first plane and said second plane, said ferromagnetic material aligned with said first coil region, said second coil region and said single coil such that said ferromagnetic material spans beyond (a) said first end and said second end of said first electrical conductor, and (b) said portions of said rings of said single coil;
• an emitter adapted to be coupled to a second structure, said emitter being spaced apart from said sensor assembly and substantially opposing said axis of said first plane, wherein said third plane of said sensor assembly is further from said emitter than said first and second planes of said sensor assembly, and wherein the first structure and the second structure are capable of relative movement therebetween along a linear direction, said emitter transmitting a periodic electromagnetic wave therefrom when activated;
• and
• said sensor assembly adapted to be positioned on the first structure such that said axis of said first plane is parallel to the linear direction of relative movement.

A limit and position sensing system, comprising:

• a sensor assembly including
• (i) an electrically non-conductive substrate having opposing first and second planar sides that are parallel to one another,
• (ii) a first electrical conductor having first and second ends, said first electrical conductor coupled to said first planar side of said substrate, said first electrical conductor coiled outwardly in a clockwise fashion starting at said first end to form a first coil region, said first electrical conductor coiled outwardly in a clockwise fashion starting at said second end to form a second coil region with uniform spacing being defined between rings of said first coil region and said second coil region along an axis that passes through center portions of said first coil region and said second coil region,
• (iii) a second electrical conductor coupled to said second planar side of said substrate, said second electrical conductor forming a single coil with rings thereof being uniformly-spaced and with portions of said rings of said single coil that lie between said first end and said second end of said first electrical conductor being parallel to said axis, and
• (iv) ferromagnetic material electrically-isolated from said first and second electrical conductors, said ferromagnetic material aligned with said first coil region, said second coil region and said single coil such that said ferromagnetic material spans beyond (a) said first end and said second end of said first electrical conductor, and (b) said portions of said rings of said single coil;
• and
• an emitter spaced apart from said sensor assembly for transmitting a periodic electromagnetic wave towards said sensor assembly to be incident on said first electrical conductor and said second electrical conductor prior to being incident on said ferromagnetic material.