A position sensor system includes a magnetic source for generating a magnetic field, and a position sensor device movable relative to the magnetic source, or vice versa. The position sensor device comprises at least three magnetic sensor elements for measuring at least three magnetic field values of the magnetic field, and a processing circuit configured for determining at least two magnetic field gradients or magnetic field differences based on the at least three magnetic field values, and for deriving from the at least two magnetic field gradients or differences a first value indicative of a position of the position sensor device, and for deriving from the at least two magnetic field gradients or differences a second value indicative of integrity of the position sensor system.

A blade angle feedback assembly for a variable-pitch rotor of an aircraft engine, the rotor rotatable about an axis and having rotor blades rotatable about respective spanwise axes to adjust a blade angle thereof, is provided. A sensor is configured to provide feedback on the blade angle of the rotor blades by detecting a relative movement between the sensor and a feedback device having at least one position marker thereon. The sensor comprises a magnet having a magnetic field and a first pole and a second pole opposite the first pole. A magnetic shield is configured to define a magnetic return path for at least a portion of a magnetic flux of the magnetic field exiting from the first pole of the magnet toward the second pole, the magnetic shield comprising at least one wall member spanning a distance of relative displacement between the feedback device and the sensor.

A power generating system using magnetic induction and a method of operating same are disclosed. The power generating system includes at least one stationary electromagnet receiving an excitation voltage from a power supply. The at least one stationary electromagnet has a north pole, a south pole and a magnetic field. The system also includes at least one stationary coil positioned inside the magnetic field and intersected by magnetic field lines of the at least one electromagnet such that when the at least one electromagnet is excited, an electromotive force (EMF) is induced in the at least one stationary coil. The power supplied may be AC or DC. The system also includes a frequency modulator for changing the rate of electric current introduced to the at least one electromagnet so that the change of current rate will cause an EMF to be induced in the coil.

The magnetic detection device includes: a first magnetic rotary body which rotates about a rotation shaft and has an outer circumferential portion which is a magnetic body; a second magnetic rotary body has an outer circumferential portion which is a magnetic body; a magnet which has a magnetization direction along the axial direction; a first magneto-resistive element provided on another side in the axial direction of the magnet; a second magneto-resistive element provided on one side in the axial direction of the magnet; a first magnetic guide provided between the magnet and the first magneto-resistive element; and a second magnetic guide provided between the magnet and the second magneto-resistive element, wherein the outer circumferential portion of the first magnetic rotary body and the outer circumferential portion of the second magnetic rotary body cause different magnetic fields between the magnet and the respective outer circumferential portions.

Methods of determining movement and devices that can be configured to function as an accelerometer, a gyroscope or a magnetometer and is comprised of a sensing element suspended by acoustic waves, and a measurement system capable of determining the position, or rotation of the sensing element without introducing any residual force on the sensing element. The acoustic suspension of the sensing element provides a virtually friction, and torque free method of constraining the sensing element, but not hindering its ability to sense accelerations, rotations or magnetic fields.

Methods of determining movement and devices that can be configured to function as an accelerometer, a gyroscope or a magnetometer and is comprised of a sensing element suspended by acoustic waves, and a measurement system capable of determining the position, or rotation of the sensing element without introducing any residual force on the sensing element. The acoustic suspension of the sensing element provides a virtually friction, and torque free method of constraining the sensing element, but not hindering its ability to sense accelerations, rotations or magnetic fields.

A device and a method for detecting a defect contour with omnidirectionally equal sensitivity based on magnetic excitation are provided. The device includes a magnetic sensor array arranged in a spatially uniform magnetic field and configured to collect a magnetic field signal, and a data analysis module configured to analyze the magnetic field signal, extract a distorted magnetic field signal, and obtain an image of the defect contour based on the distorted magnetic field signal.

A device and a method for detecting a defect contour with omnidirectionally equal sensitivity based on magnetic excitation are provided. The device includes a magnetic sensor array arranged in a spatially uniform magnetic field and configured to collect a magnetic field signal, and a data analysis module configured to analyze the magnetic field signal, extract a distorted magnetic field signal, and obtain an image of the defect contour based on the distorted magnetic field signal.

A magnetic substance detection sensor includes a support substrate, a semiconductor chip provided on the support substrate and having a magnetic field detection element, a permanent magnet provided on the support substrate, and a resin encapsulation layer covering the semiconductor chip and the permanent magnet. The resin encapsulation layer has a first resin layer exposing the permanent magnet and covering the semiconductor chip, and a second resin layer continuously covering the permanent magnet and the first resin layer, and stress caused by curing contraction of the second resin layer is smaller than that of the first resin layer.

A magnetic substance detection sensor includes a support substrate, a semiconductor chip provided on the support substrate and having a magnetic field detection element, a permanent magnet provided on the support substrate, and a resin encapsulation layer covering the semiconductor chip and the permanent magnet. The resin encapsulation layer has a first resin layer exposing the permanent magnet and covering the semiconductor chip, and a second resin layer continuously covering the permanent magnet and the first resin layer, and stress caused by curing contraction of the second resin layer is smaller than that of the first resin layer.