公开(公告)号：US5389889A

公开(公告)日：1995-02-14

申请号：US119851

申请日：1993-09-10

申请人： Jay M. Towne ,  Ravi Vig ,  Paul W. Latham, II

发明人： Jay M. Towne ,  Ravi Vig ,  Paul W. Latham, II

IPC分类号： G01R33/07 ,  G05F3/26 ,  H03F15/00

CPC分类号： G01R33/07 ,  G05F3/265

摘要： A temperature-compensated current source energizes a Hall element. The current source includes a voltage divider across the DC voltage supply busses and a differential amplifier arranged as a voltage follower which develops the output voltage across a reference resistor, creating a reference current which is amplified to generate a Hall energizing current. This results in a Hall element gain which is controllable over temperature. The temperature coefficient of the resistor can be chosen to compensate for the sensitivity temperature coefficient of a Hall element powered by a constant current source. Additionally, the temperature coefficient of the resistor may be chosen to compensate for the temperature coefficient of a magnet used to generate the magnetic field which the Hall element is intended to detect. The magnitude of the Hall current, and thus the Hall element gain, is directly proportional to the magnitude of the DC voltage supply. A trimmable current amplifier is used to compensate for the effects of manufacturing tolerances on the magnitude of the Hall current.

摘要翻译： 温度补偿电流源激励霍尔元件。 电流源包括直流电压源总线上的分压器和布置为电压跟随器的差分放大器，其在参考电阻器两端产生输出电压，产生被放大以产生霍尔通电电流的参考电流。 这导致可以在温度下控制的霍尔元件增益。 可以选择电阻器的温度系数来补偿由恒流源供电的霍尔元件的灵敏度温度系数。 此外，可以选择电阻器的温度系数来补偿用于产生霍尔元件旨在检测的磁场的磁体的温度系数。 霍尔电流的大小以及霍尔元件的增益与直流电压的幅度成正比。 可调节电流放大器用于补偿制造公差对霍尔电流幅度的影响。

公开(公告)号：US5619137A

公开(公告)日：1997-04-08

申请号：US600380

申请日：1996-02-12

申请人： Ravi Vig ,  Teri Tu ,  Paul W. Latham, II

发明人： Ravi Vig ,  Teri Tu ,  Paul W. Latham, II

IPC分类号： G01R33/07 ,  H03K3/0233 ,  G01R33/06 ,  G01R33/025 ,  H03K3/38

CPC分类号： G01R33/07 ,  H03K3/02337

摘要： A low power magnetic-field detector, of the kind for detecting an ambient magnetic field that is greater than a predetermined field strength, is comprised of a Hail element, a transducer-voltage amplifier, and a zero-crossing comparator, all connected in tandem. A clock and switch are used to chop the energizing current to the Hall element. Alternatively, the amplifier and comparator are also chopped to further reduce power consumption. A clockable flip flop is synchronously enabled for an instant at the end of each period of energizing the Hall element. The comparator output signal is transferred to the flip flop Q output and held there during each period of not energizing the Hall element. A Positive-feedback hysteresis circuit adds a bias voltage to the amplified Hall voltage and is applied to the comparator input to effect comparator hysteresis with memory covering clock-period portions when the Hall element is not energized. The comparator is thus transformed into a Schmitt trigger circuit having hysteresis memory, making it possible to chop the Hall element to substantially reduce the detector power consumption without loosing the hysteresis feature.

摘要翻译： 用于检测大于预定场强的环境磁场的低功率磁场检测器由Hail元件，传感器电压放大器和过零比较器组成，全部以串联方式连接 。 时钟和开关用于将激励电流切断到霍尔元件。 或者，放大器和比较器也被切碎以进一步降低功耗。 时钟触发器在霍尔元件通电的每个周期结束时立即同时使能。 比较器输出信号被传送到触发器Q输出并且在不给霍尔元件通电的每个周期期间保持在其中。 正反馈迟滞电路向放大的霍尔电压增加偏置电压，并将其施加到比较器输入，以在霍尔元件未通电时覆盖时钟周期部分的存储器来实现比较器滞后。 因此，比较器被转换成具有滞后存储器的施密特触发电路，使得可以将霍尔元件切断以显着降低检测器的功耗，而不会失去滞后特性。

公开(公告)号：US07026808B2

公开(公告)日：2006-04-11

申请号：US10948808

申请日：2004-09-23

申请人： Ravi Vig ,  Jay M. Towne ,  Glenn Forrest

发明人： Ravi Vig ,  Jay M. Towne ,  Glenn Forrest

IPC分类号： G01P3/66 ,  G01B7/14

CPC分类号： G01D5/24457 ,  G01D5/145 ,  G01P3/488 ,  H03K5/082

摘要： A method and apparatus for providing information from a speed and direction sensor is disclosed. The method and apparatus detect the presence of a ferromagnetic object as it moves past a sensor. The sensor determines speed and direction information regarding the ferromagnetic object, and further provides information relating to the environment surrounding the sensor or object, such as the status of an air gap between the sensor and the moving object, and the temperature of the environment in which the sensor or object is disposed.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种从速度和方向传感器提供信息的方法和装置。 该方法和装置在铁磁物体移动经过传感器时检测其存在。 传感器确定关于铁磁物体的速度和方向信息，并且还提供与传感器或物体周围的环境有关的信息，例如传感器和移动物体之间的气隙的状态，以及环境的温度，其中 设置传感器或物体。

公开(公告)号：US6091239A

公开(公告)日：2000-07-18

申请号：US387683

申请日：1999-08-31

申请人： Ravi Vig ,  Jay M. Towne ,  Kristann L. Moody ,  Teri L. Tu

发明人： Ravi Vig ,  Jay M. Towne ,  Kristann L. Moody ,  Teri L. Tu

IPC分类号： F02P17/02 ,  G01B7/14 ,  G01B7/30 ,  G01P3/48 ,  G01P3/489 ,  H03G1/00

CPC分类号： H03K5/082 ,  G01R33/0041 ,  H03G3/001 ,  H03K17/9517 ,  H03K5/153

摘要： A detector for detecting passing magnetic articles including a magnetic-field-to-voltage transducer having an output at which an analog voltage Vsig is generated, with the Vsig voltage being commensurate to the strength of the ambient magnetic field and having at least one peak. An analog-to-digital converter coupled to the output of the transducer is operative to convert to a corresponding digital signal at least a portion of the Vsig voltage, which portion includes the peak and a circuit coupled to the analog-to-digital converter is operative to generate an output signal indicative of the occurrence of the times t.sub.xpk when the difference between Vsig and said peak of Vsig has exceeded a predetermined amount.

摘要翻译： 一种用于检测通过的磁性制品的检测器，包括具有产生模拟电压Vsig的输出的磁场 - 电压换能器，其中Vsig电压与环境磁场的强度相当并具有至少一个峰值。 耦合到换能器的输出的模数转换器可操作以将Vsig电压的至少一部分转换成对应的数字信号，该部分包括峰值，并且耦合到模数转换器的电路是 用于当Vsig与所述Vsig的峰值之间的差超过预定量时，产生指示时刻txpk的出现的输出信号。

公开(公告)号：US5729130A

公开(公告)日：1998-03-17

申请号：US587405

申请日：1996-01-17

申请人： Kristann L. Moody ,  Ravi Vig ,  Jay M. Towne ,  Teri L. Tu

发明人： Kristann L. Moody ,  Ravi Vig ,  Jay M. Towne ,  Teri L. Tu

IPC分类号： G01B7/00 ,  G01D5/14 ,  G01D5/244 ,  G01D5/245 ,  G01V3/08 ,  H03K17/95 ,  G01B7/14 ,  G01N27/72 ,  G01R33/00

CPC分类号： H03K17/9517 ,  G01D5/145

摘要： In a proximity-detector, a Hall transducer produces a signal Vsig. Two counters, P-counter and N-counter count pulses from a clock and produce count signals respectively to two DACs, PDAC and NDAC. The DACs output signals track and hold, respectively, the positive pulses and negative pulses in Vsig. These output signals are compared with Vsig to produce a proximity-detector binary output voltage Vout that becomes high when a tracking voltage V.sub.DAC-P produced by PDAC rises to each peak positive voltage V.sub.pk in Vsig, and that becomes low when a tracking voltage V.sub.DAC-P falls to each peak negative voltage in Vsig. The peak V.sub.DAC-P is held until Vsig drops by a fixed amount below V.sub.pk to produce an output pulse that resets the counter connected to PDAC at a time shortly following the actual peak in Vsig. Similarly, the peak V.sub.DAC-N is held until Vsig rises a fixed amount above V.sub.DAC-N to produce an output pulse that resets the counter connected to NDAC. The N-counter is reset at t.sub.npk by the negative-peak indicating signal V.sub.Ncomp and is enabled at t.sub.ppk by the positive-peak indicating signal V.sub.Pcomp, while the P-counter reset by the positive peak indicating signal V.sub.Pcomp and enabled by V.sub.Ncomp. This proximity detector detects articles passing at rates down to zero.

摘要翻译： 在接近检测器中，霍尔传感器产生信号Vsig。 两个计数器，来自时钟的P计数器和N计数器计数脉冲，并分别产生计数信号到两个DAC，PDAC和NDAC。 DACs输出信号分别跟踪和保持Vsig中的正脉冲和负脉冲。 将这些输出信号与Vsig进行比较，以产生当由PDAC产生的跟踪电压VDAC-P上升到Vsig中的每个峰值正电压Vpk时变为高的接近检测器二进制输出电压Vout，并且当跟踪电压VDAC- P降至Vsig中的每个峰值负电压。 峰值VDAC-P保持直到Vsig下降到低于Vpk的固定量，以产生输出脉冲，该脉冲在与Vsig实际峰值之后不久的时间重置连接到PDAC的计数器。 类似地，保持峰值VDAC-N直到Vsig上升到高于VDAC-N的固定量以产生输出脉冲，其复位与NDAC连接的计数器。 N计数器在tnpk处由负峰指示信号VNcomp复位，并在tppk由正峰指示信号VPcomp使能，而P计数器由正峰值指示信号VPcomp复位并由VNcomp使能。 该接近检测器检测以低至零的速率通过的物品。

公开(公告)号：US5694038A

公开(公告)日：1997-12-02

申请号：US587406

申请日：1996-01-17

申请人： Kristann L. Moody ,  Ravi Vig ,  P. Karl Scheller ,  Jay M. Towne ,  Teri L. Tu

发明人： Kristann L. Moody ,  Ravi Vig ,  P. Karl Scheller ,  Jay M. Towne ,  Teri L. Tu

IPC分类号： G01B7/00 ,  G01D3/02 ,  G01D5/14 ,  G01D5/244 ,  G01D5/245 ,  G01V3/08 ,  H03K17/95 ,  H03M1/30 ,  G01B7/30 ,  F02P17/02 ,  G01P3/489 ,  H03G1/00

CPC分类号： G01D5/2448 ,  G01D3/02 ,  G01D5/145 ,  H03M1/303

摘要： A magnetic-field-to-voltage transducer includes a Hall element and a digitally gain-controlled Hall-voltage amplifier that produces an analog voltage Vsig having excursions of one polarity corresponding to the passing of magnetic articles. Vsig is applied to the input of a signal-manipulating circuit that generates a proximity- detector binary output voltage, Vout, having transitions of one direction each time a predetermined point is reached in Vsig. A digitally gain-controlled gain amplifier is connected to the Hall element. A comparator circuit generates a binary signal Vbig (or V.sub.toobig) that changes from one to another binary level each time that Vsig exceeds a DC target voltage, V.sub.TG. The AGC circuit senses and counts gain counter excursions of one polarity in Vsig, and produces a binary count output signal at the input of the gain amplifier at each of the counted excursions in Vsig, incrementally changing the transducer gain in the direction to bring the peaks in Vsig to just below the target value T.sub.TG. This AGC feature prevents saturating the amplifier and quickly renders a Vsig of essentially constant amplitude so that either the peak excursion values or predetermined threshold levels in Vsig, at which transitions in the proximity detector output voltage Vout are caused to occur, provide greater accuracy and stability in the correlation between detection-approach and -withdrawal distances and transitions in Vout.

摘要翻译： 磁场电压换能器包括霍尔元件和数字增益控制的霍尔电压放大器，其产生具有与磁性物品通过相对应的一个极性的偏移的模拟电压Vsig。 Vsig被施加到信号处理电路的输入端，该信号处理电路产生接近检测器二进制输出电压Vout，每当Vsig达到预定点时具有一个方向的转变。 数字增益控制增益放大器连接到霍尔元件。 比较器电路每当Vsig超过DC目标电压VTG时产生从一个到另一个二进制电平的二进制信号Vbig（或Vtoobig）。 AGC电路感测并计数Vsig中的一个极性的增益计数器偏移，并且在Vsig的每个计数偏移量的增益放大器的输入处产生二进制计数输出信号，在方向上递增地改变换能器增益以使峰值 在Vsig中低于目标值TTG。 该AGC功能可防止放大器饱和，并快速渲染基本上恒定幅度的Vsig，使得导致接近检测器输出电压Vout发生转换的Vsig中的峰值偏移值或预定阈值电平提供更高的精度和稳定性 在Vout中的检测方法与取出距离和转换之间的相关性。

公开(公告)号：US5264783A

公开(公告)日：1993-11-23

申请号：US823094

申请日：1992-01-21

申请人： Ravi Vig ,  Mark C. Hopkins ,  Jay M. Towne

发明人： Ravi Vig ,  Mark C. Hopkins ,  Jay M. Towne

IPC分类号： G05F1/635 ,  H03K17/90

CPC分类号： G05F1/635

摘要： An electrical power controller includes an integrated circuit having a Hall element, a Hall voltage amplifier, a ramp signal generator, and a voltage comparator. The output of the ramp generator is connected to one input of the voltage comparator and the output of the Hall voltage amplifier is connected to the outer comparator input. During intervals when the amplified Hall voltage exceeds the ramp voltage, the output of the comparator changes from one binary state to the other such that a stream of pulses is generated at the output of the comparator. Thus as a magnetic field at the Hall element increases, the Hall voltage increases and the width of each pulse in the stream of pulses grows proportionally. Mechanical means is provided for manually moving and guiding the pole of a magnet along a path toward the integrated circuit. Constructions of such controllers adapted for use as lamp dimmers and DC motor speed controllers are described.

摘要翻译： 电力控制器包括具有霍尔元件，霍尔电压放大器，斜坡信号发生器和电压比较器的集成电路。 斜坡发生器的输出连接到电压比较器的一个输入端，霍尔电压放大器的输出端连接到外部比较器输入。 在放大的霍尔电压超过斜坡电压的间隔期间，比较器的输出从一个二进制状态变为另一个，使得在比较器的输出端产生脉冲流。 因此，当霍尔元件的磁场增加时，霍尔电压增加，并且脉冲流中的每个脉冲的宽度成比例地增长。 提供了用于沿着朝向集成电路的路径手动地移动和引导磁体的磁极的机械装置。 描述适用于灯调光器和直流电动机速度控制器的这种控制器的结构。

公开(公告)号：US06297627B1

公开(公告)日：2001-10-02

申请号：US09239023

申请日：1999-01-27

申请人： Jay M. Towne ,  Ravi Vig ,  P. Karl Scheller

发明人： Jay M. Towne ,  Ravi Vig ,  P. Karl Scheller

IPC分类号： G01P348

CPC分类号： H03K5/082 ,  G01R33/0041 ,  H03G3/001 ,  H03K5/153 ,  H03K17/9517

摘要： A proximity detector for sensing a magnetic field includes a magnetic-field-to-voltage transducer for generating a signal voltage Vsig that is proportional to the magnetic field, a peak-to-peak percentage threshold detector coupled to the magnetic-field-to-voltage transducer to receive the signal voltage Vsig and for providing an output signal voltage Vout and a forcing circuit coupled to the peak-to-peak percentage threshold detector for forcing and maintaining the value of the output signal voltage Vout at a predetermined value during an initial startup interval of the proximity detector. The proximity detector may further include an automatic gain control circuit coupled to the forcing circuit to provide a proximity detector capable of operating in a peak-to-peak percentage threshold detector mode with automatic gain control.

摘要翻译： 用于感测磁场的接近检测器包括用于产生与磁场成比例的信号电压Vsig的磁场 - 电压转换器，耦合到磁场 - 电压 - 电压传感器以接收信号电压Vsig，并用于提供输出信号电压Vout和耦合到峰 - 峰百分比阈值检测器的强制电路，用于在初始期间将输出信号电压Vout的值强制并保持在预定值 接近检测器的启动间隔。 接近检测器还可以包括耦合到强制电路的自动增益控制电路，以提供能够以具有自动增益控制的峰 - 峰百分比阈值检测器模式操作的接近检测器。

公开(公告)号：US06232768B1

公开(公告)日：2001-05-15

申请号：US08852856

申请日：1997-05-07

申请人： Kristann L. Moody ,  Ravi Vig ,  P. Karl Scheller ,  Jay M. Towne ,  Teri L. Tu

发明人： Kristann L. Moody ,  Ravi Vig ,  P. Karl Scheller ,  Jay M. Towne ,  Teri L. Tu

IPC分类号： G01B730

CPC分类号： G01D3/02 ,  G01D5/145 ,  G01D5/2448 ,  H03M1/303

摘要： A magnetic-field-to-voltage transducer includes a Hall element and a digitally gain-controlled Hall-voltage amplifier that produces an analog voltage Vsig having excursions of one polarity corresponding to the passing of magnetic articles. Vsig is applied to the input of a peak-referenced-threshold signal detector that generates a binary proximity-detector output voltage, Vout, having transitions of one direction upon approaches of gear teeth down to zero speed. A digitally gain-controlled amplifier is connected to the Hall element. A comparator circuit generates a binary signal Vbig (or Vtoobig) that changes from one to another binary level each time that Vsig exceeds a DC target voltage, VTG. The AGC circuit incrementally changes the transducer gain in the direction to bring the peaks in Vsig to just below the target value TTG. Reference voltages VP2 and VN2 are generated that are equal respectively to the most recent peak positive and negative going excursion in Vsig. DC off-set-limit voltages VA and VB are provided that are respectively above and below the center of the dynamic voltage range of the detector, and the entire signal Vsig at the output of the amplifier is biased in a negative direction when the median value, Vos, of Vsig is greater than VA and moving the entire signal Vsig in a less positive direction when Vos is less than VB to keep Vos within the range from VB to VA.

摘要翻译： 磁场电压换能器包括霍尔元件和数字增益控制的霍尔电压放大器，其产生具有与磁性物品通过相对应的一个极性的偏移的模拟电压Vsig。 Vsig被施加到峰值参考阈值信号检测器的输入端，该检测器产生二进制接近检测器输出电压Vout，在齿轮齿接近零速度时具有一个方向的转变。 数字增益控制放大器连接到霍尔元件。 比较器电路每当Vsig超过DC目标电压VTG时产生从一个到另一个二进制电平的二进制信号Vbig（或Vtoobig）。 AGC电路逐渐改变传感器增益的方向，使Vsig中的峰值刚好低于目标值TTG。 产生参考电压VP2和VN2，其分别等于Vsig中最近的峰值正负偏移。 提供分别在检测器的动态电压范围的中心上方和下方的直流偏置电压VA和VB，并且当放大器的输出处的中值的偏移为放大器的输出端的整个信号Vsig时 ，Vsig的Vos大于VA，并且当Vos小于VB时将整个信号Vsig移动到较小的正方向，以将Vos保持在从VB到VA的范围内。

公开(公告)号：US5917320A

公开(公告)日：1999-06-29

申请号：US847703

申请日：1997-04-28

申请人： P. Karl Scheller ,  Ravi Vig ,  Jay M. Towne ,  Hitoshi Yabusaki

发明人： P. Karl Scheller ,  Ravi Vig ,  Jay M. Towne ,  Hitoshi Yabusaki

IPC分类号： G01B7/00 ,  G01B7/30 ,  G01D3/02 ,  G01D5/14 ,  G01D5/244 ,  G01D5/245 ,  G01P3/488 ,  G01R33/02 ,  G01V3/08 ,  H03K5/08 ,  H03K17/95 ,  H03M1/30 ,  G01P3/48 ,  G01B7/14 ,  G01P3/489

CPC分类号： G01D3/02 ,  G01D5/145 ,  G01D5/24476 ,  G01D5/2448 ,  G01V3/081 ,  H03M1/303

摘要： A method for detection of passing magnetic articles which includes an initial step of sensing an ambient magnetic field and generating a voltage, Vsig, proportional to the magnetic field. A threshold voltage is generated as a percentage of the peak-to-peak voltage of Vsig. The method further includes the step of generating a proximity detector output voltage that becomes one binary level when Vsig rises to exceed the threshold voltage and another binary level when Vsig falls to below the threshold voltage. The threshold voltage is periodically updated to remain the percentage, within a predetermined tolerance, of the peak-to-peak voltage of Vsig in response to changes that may occur in the peak voltages of Vsig. In one embodiment, the threshold voltage is at a first level corresponding to a first percentage of the peak-to-peak voltage of Vsig when Vsig exceeds the threshold voltage and is at a second level corresponding to a second percentage of the peak-to-peak voltage of Vsig when Vsig is less than the threshold voltage.

摘要翻译： 用于检测通过磁性制品的方法，其包括感测周围磁场并产生与磁场成比例的电压Vsig的初始步骤。 产生阈值电压作为Vsig的峰 - 峰电压的百分比。 该方法还包括以下步骤：当Vsig升高到超过阈值电压时，产生接近检测器输出电压，该电压变为一个二进制电平，当Vsig下降到阈值电压以下时，产生另一个二进制电平。 周期性地更新阈值电压，以便在Vsig的峰值电压中可能发生的变化的情况下，保持在Vsig的峰 - 峰电压的预定容限内的百分比。 在一个实施例中，当Vsig超过阈值电压时，阈值电压处于对应于Vsig的峰 - 峰电压的第一百分比的第一电平，并且处于对应于峰 - 峰电压的第二百分比的第二电平， 当Vsig小于阈值电压时，Vsig的峰值电压。