Inductive position sensor

An inductive position sensor, comprising:

• a first inductor having a first axial core;
• a second inductor having a second axial core;
• a third inductor having a third axial core;
• each of said first inductor, said second inductor, and said third inductor being a mechanically independent inductor structure;
• said first inductor, said second inductor, and said third inductor having the same inductance value;
• each of said first inductor, said second inductor, and said third inductor being an unshielded inductor;
• a first support coupled to said first inductor and said second inductor for separating said first inductor and said second inductor by a fixed distance with said first axial core and said second axial core maintained parallel to one another and defining a plane;
• a second support coupled to said third inductor for disposing said third inductor between said first inductor and said second inductor with said third axial core maintained parallel to said first axial core and said third axial core and lying in the plane defined by the first and second inductors;
• said first inductor, said second inductor, and said third inductor immersed in air wherein said first inductor, said second inductor, and said third inductor are inductively coupled through the air;
• and
• said first support and said second support configured for one-dimensional relative movement therebetween wherein said first axial core, said second axial core, and said third axial core remain parallel to one another during said relative movement as distance changes from said third inductor to each of said first inductor and said second inductor.