Non-contact magnetically variable differential transformer

Abstract

A magnetically variable differential transformer, comprising: a primary winding; a first secondary winding; a second secondary winding; a non-movable permeable core disposed within the primary winding, the first secondary winding and the second secondary winding; and a movable magnet configured for movement about the primary winding, the first secondary winding and the second secondary winding, wherein movement of the movable magnet causes magnetic saturation of portions of the non-movable permeable core.

1 . A magnetically variable differential transformer, comprising: 
 a primary winding;    a first secondary winding;    a second secondary winding;    a non-movable permeable core disposed within said primary winding, said first secondary winding and said second secondary winding and wherein said primary winding said first secondary winding, said second secondary winding and said non-movable permeable core are sealed within a non-magnetic housing; and    a movable magnet, comprising a pair of magnets, encased in a ring of plastic having an inner opening configured to allow said non-magnetic housing to pass therethrough in a non-contacting manner and wherein movement of said movable magnet causes magnetic saturation of portions of said non-movable permeable core.    
   
   
       2 . (Cancelled)  
   
   
       3 . The magnetically variable differential transformer as in  claim 1 , wherein said first secondary winding and said second secondary winding are connected to each other and have induced voltages which cancel each other out when said movable magnet is in a center position with respect to said non-movable permeable core and said primary winding is connected to a source of excitation.  
   
   
       4 . (Cancelled)  
   
   
       5 . The magnetically variable differential transformer as in  claim 1 , wherein said movable magnet is secured to a connecting member adapted to translate movement to said movable magnet.  
   
   
       6 . The magnetically variable differential transformer as in  claim 5 , wherein said connecting member depends away from said movable magnet in a direction that is not parallel to the direction of movement of said movable magnet.  
   
   
       7 . The magnetically variable differential transformer as in  claim 5 , wherein said connecting member depends away from said movable magnet in a direction that is orthogonal to the direction of movement of said movable magnet.  
   
   
       8 . The magnetically variable differential transformer as in  claim 1 , wherein said non-movable permeable core is a ferrite material.  
   
   
       9 . A method for tracking the movement of a movable object with a variable differential transformer, comprising: 
 providing an excitation to a primary winding disposed between a first secondary winding and a second secondary winding, said primary winding, said first secondary winding and said second secondary winding are each disposed about a non-moveable permeable core and are each sealed within a non-magnetic housing along with the non-moveable permeable core, wherein said first secondary winding and said second secondary winding are connected to each other and provide an output corresponding to voltages induced within said first secondary winding and said second secondary winding by said primary winding; and    coupling a movable magnet to the movable object by a connecting member that depends away from said movable magnet in a direction that is not parallel to the direction of movement of said movable magnet, wherein said movable magnet is configured to move about said non-magnetic housing in a non-contacting manner, and wherein said movable magnet saturates portions of said non-moveable permeable core thereby modifying the output corresponding to voltages induced within said first secondary winding and said second secondary winding by said primary winding.    
   
   
       10 . (Cancelled)  
   
   
       11 . The method as in  claim 9 , wherein said connecting member depends away from said movable magnet in a direction that is orthogonal to the direction of movement of said movable magnet.  
   
   
       12 . (Cancelled)