Abstract: A timing apparatus, system, and method are provided to determine a position of a rotating object in a device, such as an engine, and control the device according to the determined position of the rotating object. Light is emitted from a light source onto a reflecting region on a portion of the rotating object. Light is reflected off the reflecting region of the rotating object and detected as the rotating object rotates. Intensity of the reflected light is measured, via a microcontroller, and the position of the rotating object is determined according to the intensity of the detected light. A signal is generated that corresponds to the intensity of the detected light associated with the determined position of the rotating shaft. The reflecting region has a feature configured to effect a change in the intensity of the reflected light as the rotating object rotates.

Abstract: A system determines a position of a rotating object in a device and controls the device according to the determined position of the rotating object. The system includes a reflecting region on the rotating object and a light source located in the device. Emitted light is emitted by the light source onto the reflecting region and reflected light is reflected off the rotating object. The reflected light has an intensity. The system also includes a detector that detects the reflected light and measures the intensity of the reflected light. The reflecting region has a feature configured to effect a change in the intensity of the reflected light as the rotating object rotates. The change in the intensity of the reflected light corresponds to a change in a signal associated with a determined position of the rotating object. The device is controlled according to the determined position of the rotating object.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method for detecting position of a movable object in a device and using the same for controlling the device. A distance and/or an intensity of emitted light may be measured by using a sensor to emit light and detect light to determine the location of the movable object. The movable element absorbs emitted light from the sensor. The sensor determines and/or measures an intensity of the emitted light from the sensor which is not absorbed by the movable object. The intensity of emitted light is related to the position of the movable object in the device. A microprocessor may determine the position of the movable object based on the intensity of emitted light detected by the sensor. The position of a rotating object on a crankshaft in an engine may be detected.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method for detecting position of a movable object in a device and using the same for controlling the device. A distance and/or an intensity of emitted light may be measured by using a sensor to emit light and detect light to determine the location of the movable object. The movable element absorbs emitted light from the sensor. The sensor determines and/or measures an intensity of the emitted light from the sensor which is not absorbed by the movable object. The intensity of emitted light is related to the position of the movable object in the device. A microprocessor may determine the position of the movable object based on the intensity of emitted light detected by the sensor. The position of a rotating object on a crankshaft in an engine may be detected.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method obtain, transmit and/or provide transportation information. A microprocessor is configured to receive and/or transmit real time information concerning the operation of a vehicle. Real time information, such as, for example, a weight of a vehicle, an air pressure of tires, a location of the truck and the trailer, brake wear of brakes of the truck and/or the trailer, and/or engine measurements may be obtained. The real time information may be encrypted and may be transmitted to a central location using Wi-Fi communication, a cellular telephone network, radio transmission, a transponder, and/or the like. The real time information may be accessed by a terminal communicatively linked to the microprocessor and/or the central location. The signal may indicate vehicle compliance and/or non-compliance with a private commercial requirement and/or state and federal regulations.

Abstract: A portable device, a system and a method measure a volume of a vessel, such as, for example, an expandable bag and/or a pressurized vessel, using a light-emitting diode (LED) located within the portable device. A shaft which may extend from the portable device may be introduced into the vessel. The light emitted by the LED may travel through the shaft into the vessel, and light reflected by the interior of the vessel may travel through the shaft into the portable device. The shaft may be introduced into a container in which at least a portion of the vessel is located. The light emitted by the LED may travel through the shaft into the container, and light reflected by the interior of the container and/or the exterior of the vessel may travel through the shaft into the portable device.

Abstract: A system and/or a method read, measure and/or control intensity of light emitted from a light-emitting diode (LED). A light detector may be located in a position adjacent to the LED for reading and/or measuring the intensity of light emitted from the LED. The LED and the light detector may be located in a cavity which may limit exposure of the LED and the light detector to ambient light. The cavity may have an aperture for allowing light emitted from the LED to exit the chamber to illuminate an environment in which the chamber is located. The aperture may be located between the cavity and a compartment, and the LED may emit light through the aperture into the compartment. An additional detector may be located in the compartment and/or may extend from the cavity through an additional aperture into the compartment.

Abstract: A system and/or a method reads, measures and/or controls intensity of light emitted from a light-emitting diode (LED). The system and/or the method have a light intensity detector adjacent to the LED for reading and/or measuring the intensity of light emitted from the LED. The system and/or the method have a control circuit that may be electrically connected to both the detector and/or the LED for measuring and/or for controlling an intensity of light emitted from the LED. A housing surrounds the light detector and/or the LED. The housing has a pathway that allows only light emitted from the LED to reach the light detector. The LED has a finish and/or a coating that eliminates and/or retards absorption of light by internal components of the LED. The finish and/or the coating eliminates and/or retards reflection of the light by the LED.

Abstract: A system and/or a method reads, measures and/or controls intensity of light emitted from a light-emitting diode (LED). The system and/or the method have a light intensity detector adjacent to the LED for reading and/or measuring the intensity of light emitted from the LED. The system and/or the method have a control circuit that may be electrically connected to both the detector and/or the LED for measuring and/or for controlling an intensity of light emitted from the LED. A housing surrounds the light detector and/or the LED. The housing has a pathway that allows only light emitted from the LED to reach the light detector. The LED has a finish and/or a coating that eliminates and/or retards absorption of light by internal components of the LED. The finish and/or the coating eliminates and/or retards reflection of the light by the LED.

Abstract: A programmable cylinder, a system and a method change a velocity of a machine element within a compartment. A light detector within the compartment determines that the machine element is located at a first position or at a second position and/or is moving at a first velocity or at a second velocity. Switches determine that the machine element may be located at the first position or at the second position and/or is moving at the first velocity or at the second velocity. A microprocessor transmits a control signal to a transducer to alter an electrical current of the transducer to move valves of the compartment between an open position and a closed position. A compressed fluid within the interior of the compartment is changed via the valves. The machine element is accelerated and/or is decelerated to the first velocity or to the second velocity via the compressed fluid.

Abstract: A system and/or a method for reads, measures and/or controls intensity of light emitted from a light-emitting diode (LED). The system and/or the method have a light intensity detector adjacent to the LED for reading and/or measuring the intensity of light emitted from the LED. The system and/or the method have a control circuit that may be electrically connected to both the detector and/or the LED for measuring and/or for controlling an intensity of light emitted from the LED. A housing surrounds the light detector and/or the LED. The housing has a pathway that allows only light emitted from the LED to reach the light detector. The LED has a finish and/or a coating that eliminates and/or retards absorption of light by internal components of the LED. The finish and/or the coating eliminates and/or retards reflection of the light by the LED.

Abstract: A system and a method detect a position of a movable element within the interior of the compartment via a light source and/or a light sensor. The light sensor is connected to a platform and/or to a film for detecting an intensity of a light within the interior of the compartment. The film, a bottom surface of an end cap and/or a surface of the movable element and/or the compartment attenuate light within the interior of the compartment and/or within an interior of the end cap. The intensity of the light detectable by the light sensor corresponds to the position of the movable element within the interior of the compartment. The position of the movable element within the interior of the compartment is detected by the light sensor via the intensity of the light detectable by the light sensor.

Abstract: A system and a method emit and/or detect light within a compartment via one or more lenses. A light source emits the light in an interior of the compartment via one or more lenses and/or an optical fiber. Further, the system and the method may provide a light sensor for measuring and/or for detecting an intensity of the light within the interior of the compartment via one or more lenses. A movable element is located within the interior of the compartment which moves inwardly and/or outwardly with respect to the light source, the light sensor and/or one or more lenses. A surface of the movable element, a shaft attachable to the movable element and/or the compartment absorbs an amount of the emitted light. The amount of the emitted light absorbed by the surface of the movable element, the shaft of the movable element and/or the compartment is based on the position of the movable element within the interior of the compartment.

Abstract: A collar, a system and a method detect a mark on a rod within an interior of the collar. The mark and the rod move from a first position to a second position within an interior of the collar between a first end and a second end of the collar. A light emitter and/or a light detector is connected to the collar for determining the first position and/or the second position of the mark and/or of the rod within the interior of the collar. An exterior surface of the rod and/or a mark on the rod absorb an amount of light emitted from the light emitter within the interior of the collar. The light detector measures and/or detects an intensity of light within the interior of the collar which is not be absorbed by the mark and/or by the exterior surface of the rod.

Abstract: A system and a method detect that a movable element within an interior of a compartment is at an end of a stroke and/or a beginning of the stroke within the interior of the compartment. A switch and/or an electrical circuit is connected to the compartment for detecting that the movable element may be at the beginning of and/or at the end of the stroke. A microprocessor is connected to the switch or to the electrical circuit for detecting that the movable element is at the end of and/or at the beginning of the stroke within the interior of the compartment. An end cap having a light detector is connected to the compartment to measure an intensity of the light within an interior of the end cap which is attenuated by and/or is diffused by a surface of the movable element and/or of the compartment. The intensity of the light within the interior of the end cap corresponds to a position of the movable element within the interior of the compartment.

Abstract: A system and a method detect an intensity of light within an interior of a compartment and/or of an end cap to locate a position of a movable element within the interior of the compartment. A platform is attached to interior walls of the end cap for positioning a light source within the interior of the compartment and a first light detector within the interior of the end cap. A second light detector is attached to the interior walls of the end cap which is adjacent to the platform. The platform is located between the light source and the first light detector and/or the second light detector to prevent light transmitted by the light source from being directed inwardly with respect to the first light detector and/or the second light detector. A bottom surface of the end cap reflects or diffuses light within the interior of the end cap inwardly with respect to the first light detector and/or the second light detector.

Abstract: A system and a method detect a position of a movable element within an interior of a compartment. The interior of the compartment has a light source, a light sensor, a base, a support and/or a movable element. The base is located between and/or is connected to the light source, the light sensor and/or the interior surface of the compartment. The base prevents the light source from being directed towards the light sensor. The light sensor detects an intensity of an emitted light in the interior of the compartment. The intensity of the emitted light detected by the light sensor corresponds to a position of the movable element within the interior of the compartment. The light sensor detects, measures, calculates and/or determines the position of the movable element based on the intensity of the emitted light within the interior of the compartment.

Abstract: A light pipe, a system and a method measure light attenuation from an optical fiber connected to a light source. The optical fiber transmits light from the light source to a light detector to determine a distance between the optical fiber and the light detector. The optical fiber attenuates light outwardly with respect to the fiber. A layer receives the optical fiber to reflect and/or to refract light transmitted by the optical fiber inwardly. A rod prevents light from attenuating from the optical fiber. A microprocessor may be connected to the light detector for determining the amount of light attenuated from the optical fiber. The microprocessor determines the distance between the light detector and the optical fiber based on the amount of light transmitted from the optical fiber to the light detector. The microprocessor transmits an output signal to a transducer for activating an arm to move an end of the layer inwardly or outwardly with respect to an end of the optical fiber.