US 11,674,828 B2
Molded in magnetic sensor and systems, assemblies, components, and methods thereof
Ananda S. Ponnusamy, Naperville, IL (US); Kurt S. Goslovich, Naperville, IL (US); and Satish B. Nutakki, Chicago, IL (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Dec. 15, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/122,687.
Prior Publication US 2022/0187106 A1, Jun. 16, 2022
Int. Cl. G01D 5/48 (2006.01); F15B 15/28 (2006.01); G01D 11/24 (2006.01)
CPC G01D 5/485 (2013.01) [F15B 15/2861 (2013.01); G01D 11/245 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hydraulic cylinder comprising:
an elongate body defining an internal cavity that extends along a longitudinal axis of the elongate body;
a pair of end cap at opposite ends of the elongate body;
a piston and rod assembly at least partially in the internal cavity, the piston and rod assembly being movable in a direction of the longitudinal axis;
a position sensor and a sensor rod in the internal cavity, the sensor rod extending along the longitudinal axis; and
a sensor retainer assembly in the internal cavity, the sensor retainer assembly being coaxial with the sensor rod and adapted to retain the sensor rod at the longitudinal axis, the sensor retainer assembly including:
an annular body defining a bore extending from opposite ends of the annular body, the bore being adapted to receive the sensor rod such that the sensor rod extends from the opposite ends of the annular body,
a magnet ring disposed in the bore at an inner wall of the annular body, the magnet ring being radially outward of the sensor rod, and
one or more magnets fixedly disposed between the annular body and the magnet ring in a radial direction of the annular body, the one or more magnets being radially outward of the sensor rod, and the magnet ring being between the one or more magnets and the sensor rod in the radial direction of the annular body such that the one or more magnets do not contact the sensor rod and metal-to-metal contact between the one or more magnets and the sensor rod is prevented in order to prevent damage to either the sensor rod or the one or more magnets.