Patent attributes
A magnetic sensor assembly measures changes in the position of a lever arm. The magnetic sensor assembly has a support. A lever arm can pivot about an axis of rotation or a pivot point and is attached to the support at a first end of the lever arm. A magnet produces a magnetic field adjacent the first end of the lever arm and is fixed to rotate in a predetermined arc about the pivot point or axis of rotation in response to a pivotal movement of the lever arm. A magnetic sensor is positioned in proximity to the magnet to detect changes in the magnetic field due to rotation of the magnet along a predetermined arc. Preferably the predetermined arc has a constant radius of curvature forming at least a portion of a circular arc. The magnetic sensor assembly preferably employs a magnet that is at least arcuate in shape more preferably the magnet is annular or penannular forming a ring.