Abstract: A bender configured to bend a workpiece in a bending operation and its method of use are provided. The bender includes a frame, a bending shoe assembly rotatably mounted on the frame, a control system and a driver in communication therewith, and a springback assembly in communication with the control system and configured to provide information to the control system regarding information on a bend affected to the workpiece. The bending shoe assembly includes a bending shoe into which the workpiece can be seated, and a gripping member mounted on the bending shoe and configured to grip the workpiece during the bending operation. The driver provides rotational force to the bending shoe assembly to rotate the bending shoe assembly relative to the frame.

Abstract: A movement sensor comprises a multi-pole ring magnet, a semiconductor substrate, a first magnetic sensor formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a second magnetic sensor formed on the semiconductor substrate. The first magnetic sensor is configured to produce a first output signal in response to movement of the multi-pole ring magnet, and a centroid of the first and second magnetic sensors are separate and radially aligned on the semiconductor substrate relative to the multi-pole ring magnet. The second magnetic sensor is arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to the first magnetic sensor and is configured to produce a second output signal in response to the movement of the multi-pole ring magnet. The predetermined angle is between 0° and 90° exclusive and is configured to produce a difference in phase between the first and second output signals in response to the movement of the multi-pole ring magnet.

Abstract: A cable puller adapter includes a rotatable gripping member which receives and guides a tailing portion of a pulling line coupled between a capstan of a cable puller and the gripping member, an adapter motor which applies torque to the gripping member, and a controller operatively coupled to the gripping member and configured to measure an amount of current drawn by or provided to the adapter motor, and configured to determine a rotational speed of the adapter motor or the gripping member. The controller adjusts a tailing force on a tailing portion of the pulling line by modulating an amount of current provided to the adapter motor, so as to maximize velocity of the tailing portion of the pulling line as the gripping member rotates. A method of use is also provided.

Abstract: A movement sensor comprises a multi-pole ring magnet, a semiconductor substrate, a first magnetic sensor formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a second magnetic sensor formed on the semiconductor substrate. The first magnetic sensor is configured to produce a first output signal in response to movement of the multi-pole ring magnet, and a centroid of the first and second magnetic sensors are separate and radially aligned on the semiconductor substrate relative to the multi-pole ring magnet. The second magnetic sensor is arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to the first magnetic sensor and is configured to produce a second output signal in response to the movement of the multi-pole ring magnet. The predetermined angle is between 0° and 90° exclusive and is configured to produce a difference in phase between the first and second output signals in response to the movement of the multi-pole ring magnet.

Abstract: A bender configured to bend a workpiece in a bending operation and its method of use are provided. The bender includes a frame, a bending shoe assembly rotatably mounted on the frame, a control system and a driver in communication therewith, and a springback assembly in communication with the control system and configured to provide information to the control system regarding information on a bend affected to the workpiece. The bending shoe assembly includes a bending shoe into which the workpiece can be seated, and a gripping member mounted on the bending shoe and configured to grip the workpiece during the bending operation. The driver provides rotational force to the bending shoe assembly to rotate the bending shoe assembly relative to the frame.

Abstract: A device comprises a magnetoresistive sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of a magnetic field, the signal having an angular range of 180 degrees, and a differential Hall sensor pair comprising a first Hall sensor and a second Hall sensor. The differential Hall sensor pair is configured to generate a signal indicative of a polarity of the magnetic field. A second differential Hall sensor pair can also be used. The second differential Hall sensor pair is configured to generate a signal indicative of a polarity of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprising a first assembly, a second assembly, and a magnetic sensor. The second assembly is linearly movable with respect to the first assembly such that the linear actuator is configured so as to be in one of a plurality of linear positions. The first assembly and the second assembly cooperatively define a magnetic pathway. The magnetic pathway is configured to vary in length with linear movement of the first assembly with respect to the second assembly. The magnetic sensor is configured to output a signal indicative of the magnetic field flux routed via the magnetic pathway.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for retaining a sensor package within a carrier. A sensor package assembly may comprise a sensor package comprising at least one sensor element located within a sensing face of the sensor package; and a carrier comprising retention features configured to retain the sensor package while completely exposing the sensing face of the sensor package. A method for retaining a sensor package within a carrier may comprise inserting a sensor package into a carrier, wherein inserting the sensor package displaces one or more retaining clips of the carrier; retaining the sensor package within the carrier via the retaining clips interfacing with one or more notches of the sensor package; and exposing a sensing face of the sensor package via an opening in the carrier, wherein the sensor package comprises one or more sensor elements located in the sensing face of the sensor package.

Abstract: A device comprises a magnetoresistive sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of a magnetic field, the signal having an angular range of 180 degrees, and a differential Hall sensor pair comprising a first Hall sensor and a second Hall sensor. The differential Hall sensor pair is configured to generate a signal indicative of a polarity of the magnetic field. A second differential Hall sensor pair can also be used. The second differential Hall sensor pair is configured to generate a signal indicative of a polarity of the magnetic field.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for retaining a sensor package within a carrier. A sensor package assembly may comprise a sensor package comprising at least one sensor element located within a sensing face of the sensor package; and a carrier comprising retention features configured to retain the sensor package while completely exposing the sensing face of the sensor package. A method for retaining a sensor package within a carrier may comprise inserting a sensor package into a carrier, wherein inserting the sensor package displaces one or more retaining clips of the carrier; retaining the sensor package within the carrier via the retaining clips interfacing with one or more notches of the sensor package; and exposing a sensing face of the sensor package via an opening in the carrier, wherein the sensor package comprises one or more sensor elements located in the sensing face of the sensor package.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprising a first assembly, a second assembly, and a magnetic sensor. The second assembly is linearly movable with respect to the first assembly such that the linear actuator is configured so as to be in one of a plurality of linear positions. The first assembly and the second assembly cooperatively define a magnetic pathway. The magnetic pathway is configured to vary in length with linear movement of the first assembly with respect to the second assembly. The magnetic sensor is configured to output a signal indicative of the magnetic field flux routed via the magnetic pathway.

Abstract: A movement sensor comprises a multi-pole ring magnet, a semiconductor substrate, a first magnetic sensor formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a second magnetic sensor formed on the semiconductor substrate. The first magnetic sensor is configured to produce a first output signal in response to movement of the multi-pole ring magnet, and a centroid of the first and second magnetic sensors are separate and radially aligned on the semiconductor substrate relative to the multi-pole ring magnet. The second magnetic sensor is arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to the first magnetic sensor and is configured to produce a second output signal in response to the movement of the multi-pole ring magnet. The predetermined angle is between 0° and 90° exclusive and is configured to produce a difference in phase between the first and second output signals in response to the movement of the multi-pole ring magnet.

Abstract: A magnetic sensing apparatus and method that determines the speed and direction of gears or slotted targets. A magnet can be placed proximate to the slotted target to create a magnetic field. An integrated circuit is formed on a substrate containing two or more magnetoresistive sensors occupying the same area. This integrated circuit is biased from the magnet which is placed in close proximity. The magnetoresistive sensors are intertwined with the first magnetoresistive sensor, offset from the second magnetoresistive sensor. The magnetoresistive sensors produce phase shifted output signals representing magnetic flux flowing through the magnetoresistive sensors such that the magnetoresistive sensors are reactive to gap and angular changes in the circular track of the ferrous target. The phase shift of the signals needed to determine direction is sufficiently maintained for a variety of target feature sizes and spacing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that determines the incremental speed, position and direction of rotating targets using magnetoresistive sensors. A magnet is mounted on a rotating target on the same axis of rotation such that the magnet spins with the target. A magnetoresistive sensor is positioned proximate to the magnet such that the changes in magnetic field are detected by the sensors. An interpolating integrated circuit divides signals into small angular increments and converts data to digital form. These signals can be used to determine the angular speed, position, and direction of the rotating target. This results in a much more accurate determination of angular speed, position and direction of a rotating target regardless of the composition of the target or the environment in which it operates.

Abstract: A magnetic sensing apparatus and method that determines the speed and direction of gears or slotted targets. A magnet can be placed proximate to the slotted target to create a magnetic field. An integrated circuit is formed on a substrate containing two or more magnetoresistive sensors occupying the same area. This integrated circuit is biased from the magnet which is placed in close proximity. The magnetoresistive sensors are intertwined with the first magnetoresistive sensor, offset from the second magnetoresistive sensor. The magnetoresistive sensors produce phase shifted output signals representing magnetic flux flowing through the magnetoresistive sensors such that the magnetoresistive sensors are reactive to gap and angular changes in the circular track of the ferrous target. The phase shift of the signals needed to determine direction is sufficiently maintained for a variety of target feature sizes and spacing.