Magnetic velocity sensors

Variable-reluctance devices sense variations in flux linkage while semiconductors read variations in local flux density. The authors show how recognizing this fundamental difference leads to markedly different sensor design approaches, and propose new configurations with improved performance. The analysis of the sensors is based on a general theory developed for these sensors. The magnetic field computations use the finite-element method, which is particularly well suited to this problem involving complex airgap configurations and a need for the calculation of local flux densities and flux linkages.<>