Magnetic Sensor Temperature Compensation for Position Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic field sensing devices face reduced precision in position and displacement measurements due to temperature effects and gradients, particularly in level measurement devices where temperature variations along the fluid depth are not known, leading to inaccurate readings.
Innovation Solution
A temperature compensation method that selects magnetic sensors not substantially actuated by the magnetic field, estimates temperature distribution using dedicated sensors and characteristic correlations, and applies filtering functions to determine temperature-compensated amplitudes or values for accurate position determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnetic sensors are used to detect position and displacement, then measurement capability is provided, but temperature effects reduce measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic sensors serve dual purposes: detecting magnetic field signals for position measurement and simultaneously sensing temperature effects through their signal characteristics. By analyzing the signal profile and identifying sensors not substantially actuated by the magnetic field, the system uses the sensors themselves to provide temperature information, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensors and enabling self-compensation of temperature effects
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the signal profiles from all magnetic sensors, identifies temperature-affected sensors versus magnetically-actuated sensors, and uses this feedback to dynamically compensate for temperature effects. The compensation process adjusts the position measurement based on the detected temperature distribution, creating a closed-loop system that maintains precision despite temperature variations
2Measurement precision
If temperature compensation is implemented using dedicated temperature sensors, then temperature measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic sensors are designed to perform multiple functions: primary position/displacement detection through magnetic field sensing and secondary temperature sensing through analysis of their signal characteristics. By making the magnetic sensors universal, the system eliminates dedicated temperature sensors, reduces device complexity, and maintains temperature measurement capability through the existing sensor infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the temperature sensing function with the magnetic field sensing function by using the same magnetic sensors for both purposes. The signal processing methodology combines magnetic field detection and temperature detection into a unified approach, where the same hardware infrastructure serves both measurement needs, thereby simplifying the overall device architecture
3Measurement precision
If all magnetic sensors are used for position detection, then measurement coverage is maximized, but temperature gradient effects distort the signal profile
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the magnetic sensors into two distinct groups: sensors substantially actuated by the magnetic field (used for position detection) and sensors not substantially actuated by the magnetic field (used for temperature sensing). This segmentation allows the signal processing to separately handle position information and temperature information, preventing temperature effects from corrupting the position measurement while maintaining comprehensive sensor utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The sensors not substantially actuated by the magnetic field serve as intermediaries for temperature detection. These sensors act as mediators that provide temperature information without being directly influenced by the magnetic field, thereby allowing the system to separate temperature effects from position information and maintain accurate position measurements despite temperature gradients
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method improves the accuracy of position and displacement measurements by compensating for temperature effects, reducing errors and enhancing precision in level measurement devices, especially in environments with temperature gradients.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic field sensing devices are widely used for contactless measurements of position and/or displacement... by sensing the magnetic field created by the movable element
Implementation Method 2
The effect of temperature on the sensing signal may then reduce the precision of the position and/or displacement measurement... many of the conventional techniques employ magnetic sensors of magneto-resistive type having a field response that depends on the applied magnetic field but that may also depend on the sensor temperature
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a temperature compensation method of compensating for an effect of temperature over a set of magnetic sensors configured to sense a magnetic actuator that can move along a sensing path and to provide sensing signals indicative of a position and/or displacement of the magnetic actuator relative to the sensing path. The temperature compensation method comprises: selecting one or more magnetic sensors from the set of magnetic sensors for use as temperature sensors; estimating a temperature distribution over at least a portion of the sensing path based on sensing signals output by the selected one or more magnetic sensors; and compensating for the effect of temperature on the sensing signals output by one or more magnetic sensors of the set of magnetic sensors using the estimated temperature distribution. The present invention also provides a magnetic field sensing apparatus for detecting position and/or displacement of a magnetic actuator that uses the temperature compensation method, such as level measurement device and position measurement device, and a computer-readable medium comprising instructions executable by a processor for carrying out the temperature compensation method.