A magnetism detecting element detects a leakage magnetism from a scale, on which a magnetic signal with a constant period is recorded, and a relative position between the scale and the magnetism detecting element is detected. The magnetism detecting elements are arranged, along a detection direction of the magnetic signal relative to the scale, in a pattern with a pitch of 1/2n (n is a prime number of 3 or more) of a wavelength λ′ of a signal output by the element. Furthermore, as the pattern for cancelling m odd-order harmonics, the m-th power of 2 magnetism detecting elements are arranged within a range in which a pitch distance L of the magnetism detecting element farthest in the detection direction is expressed by L=(λ′/2)×(1/3+1/5+1/7+ . . . 1/(2m+1)).

A highly accurate position detection is performed by the use of a magneto-resistance effect element such as a TMR element. At least two magnetic detecting elements 21-1 and 21-2 are provided to detect leakage magnetism from a scale 11 having a magnetic signal magnetically recorded thereon, and to output a recording signal of a position where the leakage magnetism is detected. The at least two magnetic detecting elements 21-1 and 21-2 are disposed side by side in a direction y perpendicular to a direction x of scanning the scale 11 and also disposed at positions approximately equidistant from a magnetic signal recording surface of the scale 11.

A magnetic sensor may include a first sensing element and a second sensing element. The first sensing element may be capable of sensing a first component of a magnetic field that is non-parallel to an axis formed by an intersection of a first plane and a second plane. The first plane may be a plane in which a tooth wheel rotates, and the second plane may include a first surface of the first sensing element and a second surface of the second sensing element. The first component of the magnetic field may be on the second plane. The second sensing element may be capable of sensing a second component of the magnetic field. The second component of the magnetic field may be on the second plane.

A measurement system having a first magnetic field sensor and having a magnet for generating a magnetic field, in which the magnet has a first pole face and a second pole face, wherein an axis of rotation is defined perpendicular to the first pole face and perpendicular to the second pole face, wherein the magnet is supported for rotation about the axis of rotation, in which the first magnetic field sensor is positioned facing the first pole face and at a distance from the axis of rotation, in which the magnet has a rotational asymmetry of the flux density in the region of the first pole face, wherein the flux density of the magnet in the first magnetic field sensor can be adjusted between a maximum and a minimum by rotation of the magnet about the axis of rotation.

In a scale, a reference detection pattern and a displacement detection pattern are formed. A detection head outputs a reference detection signal, a phase compensation signal, and a displacement detection signal. A signal processing unit generates a reference signal by amplifying one or both of the phase compensation signal and the reference detection signal and adding up them, and detects a position of the detection head relative to the scale. A combined light receiving grating includes a reference detection light receiving grating and a phase compensation light receiving grating disposed so as to be shifted from the reference detection light receiving grating in the measurement direction. A combined light receiving element includes a reference detection light receiving element configured to output the reference detection signal and a phase compensation light receiving element configured to output the phase compensation signal.

A sensor including: a generating unit; a detecting unit that detects the object to be detected generated by the generating unit; and a substrate at which the generating unit and the detecting unit are provided. The substrate is a flexible substrate that includes a first portion provided with the generating unit and a second portion provided with the detecting unit, the first portion and the second portion being integrated, and that takes a curved shape or a bent shape in which a surface of the first portion at which the generating unit is provided and a surface of the second portion at which the detecting unit is provided face each other. A plate support member is attached to a back-side surface of at least one of the surface of the first portion and the surface of the second portion.

A magnetic field sensor includes a plurality of magnetoresistance elements, each having at least one characteristic selected to provide a respective, different response to an applied magnetic field, wherein each of the plurality of magnetoresistance elements is coupled in parallel. Illustrative characteristics selected to provide the respective responses include dimensions and/or construction parameters such as materials, layer thickness and order, and spatial relationship of the magnetoresistance element to the applied magnetic field. A method includes providing each of a plurality of magnetoresistance elements with at least one characteristic selected to provide a respective, different response to an applied magnetic field, wherein each of the plurality of magnetoresistance elements is coupled in parallel.

An inductive sensor device has a scale with scale elements that provide a field pattern in at least one line extending in a measuring direction. The inductive sensor device contains at least one receive circuit with at least one receive coil. The receive coil and the scale are moveable relative to each other in the measuring direction. The receive coil extends from a first end to a second end in the measuring direction. It has a first end section directly adjacent to the first end and a second end section directly adjacent to the second end, and middle section. Each of the sections contains at least one loop of the receive coil. In the end sections the loop area decreases from loop to loop from the loop next to the middle section toward the respective end. Such a loop design compensates for misalignments between the receive coil and the scale.

The invention relates to a system comprising a coder that has an alternation of North and South magnetic poles separated by transitions extending along an helix of pitch p and of angle α. The invention having N.sub.pp pairs of North and South poles and a polar width L.sub.p measured along a normal (N) to the transitions which are: N.sub.pp=πa/I and L.sub.p=p.cos α. The invention also includes a sensor able to detect the period magnetic field emitted by the coder by means of at least two sensitive magnetic elements which are disposed at a radial reading distance from the magnetic track. The sensitive elements are disposed in relation to one another to deliver signals in quadrature.

Disclosed herein is a flight control cable sensor for detecting actuation of a flight control cable of an aircraft. The flight control cable sensor comprises a draw wire encoder, comprising an extendable-retractable wire. The flight control cable sensor further comprises a first connector, co-movably fixed to the extendable-retractable wire, and a second connector, co-movably fixable to the flight control cable and configured to removably co-movably engage the first connector up to a predetermined pull-off force.