Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for inputting and controlling driving state information of a billiard ball for playing a billiard game in cyberspace and, more specifically, to a device for inputting and controlling driving state information of a billiard ball, in which an actual billiard ball is fixedly mounted on a standard table, wherein the billiard ball is mounted to be freely rotatable, and is hit by an actual billiard cue stick to receive the billiard ball's effecto information, rotation speed, and rotation direction, as well as driving state information for hitting strength and movement direction, and the received information is processed through driving state information processing software to display an image result reflecting the billiard ball's movement direction and movement amount on the actual billiard table, thereby making it possible to enjoy a billiard game in cyberspace as though a real game were being played.

Abstract: In a firearm, the ammunition magazine has an enhanced body, display, and circuitry to provide indication of the when there is ammunition loaded in the magazine or when there is no ammunition in the magazine. Additionally, or alternatively, the firearm has an enhanced body, display, and circuitry to provide indication of when there is ammunition in the chamber, when there is no ammunition in the chamber, or other warnings such as a malfunction or jam.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter for measuring flow of fluid flowing in a conduit of the electromagnetic flowmeter, wherein the electromagnetic flowmeter includes: a coil attached to an inner surface of the conduit; a movable magnetic ring having segments of magnetic materials that is magnetically coupled with the coil to generate an electromagnetic field to interact with the fluid flowing through the conduit wherein the conduit is provided with an insulating liner. A pair of electrodes mounted on the conduit for measuring potential difference generated by the interaction of the electromagnetic field in the fluid. Wherein the segments of magnetic materials are having varying magnetic properties arranged to have an orderly varying electromagnetic field in the conduit adjustable by rotating the movable magnetic ring. The movable magnetic ring is positioned between the at least one coil and the insulating liner.

Abstract: A cable with sensor, including a cable, and a sensor section provided at an end of the cable. The sensor section includes a plurality of magnetic sensors each including a detection section that includes a magnetism detection element and a cover covering the magnetism detection element, and a housing portion coating the plurality of magnetic sensors and the cable. The cable is extending out of the housing portion. The respective detection sections are arranged to be aligned with each other in a direction intersecting with an extending direction of the cable from the housing portion of the cable.

Abstract: A method for determines the drive train sensitivity of a drive train of a motor vehicle. A vehicle body is placed in longitudinal oscillations in the direction of travel and a parameter for the drive train sensitivity is determined as a function of the determined longitudinal accelerations of the vehicle body and the resultant angular accelerations of a transmission input shaft of a transmission of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: In one aspect, a sensor system for advanced smart weapons barrels includes one or more sensors, the sensors connected to a processor by way of conductive elements. The smart weapons barrel system may include one or more barrel segments, such segments being removably attached to each other. In certain embodiments, the sensors are positioned along the barrel segments and generate an electrical signal in response to a projectile being fired by the host firearm as the projectile moves past the respective sensor. The processor receives raw data from the sensor signal and may extrapolate and/or calculate further information in order to determine any number of a variety of metrics or other data analysis, including, but not limited to, round count projectile velocity, rate of fire, etc.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring motion properties of a movable object, such as a sporting device, wherein the movable object has an embedded magnetized unit creating a magnetic field. A measurement device, having a first magnetic field sensor positioned a known distance away from a second magnetic field sensor, is positioned in the vicinity of the movable object's trajectory, whereby the first and second magnetic field sensors output signals when the movable object passes within their respective proximities. A control module, that is responsive to the output signals created by the magnetic field sensors, is configured to record the times of output signal events. The control module is further configured to calculate motion properties, such as the speed and rate of spin, of the movable object based upon the recorded times of various sensor output events and the known distance between the first and second magnetic field sensors.

Abstract: A motor control unit includes a sensing unit and a driver unit. The sensing unit includes a sensor magnet to rotate in synchronization with a rotation of a rotor included in a motor, and a first sensor element and a second sensor element to convert a signal caused by a rotation of the sensor magnet into a digital signal. The driver unit controls the motor based on output signals of the elements. The sensor magnet includes a first magnetization belt and a second magnetization belt where a plurality of magnetic poles is arranged in a peripheral direction of the rotor. The belts are concentrically disposed to cause arrangements of the magnetic poles to be shifted by a predetermined angle in a peripheral direction. The elements are arranged in a radial direction of the rotor.

Abstract: A method for determining the speed of a rail-bound vehicle, includes the following method steps: detection of a reference element, wherein the first detection device generates a first detection signal when the reference element passes the first detection device; detection of the reference element, wherein the second detection device generates a second detection signal when the reference element passes the second detection device; conversion of the detection signals into digital detection pulses; determining the time difference between the two detection pulses; wherein an XOR signal is generated in an XOR gate by linking the first and the second detection pulse using an XOR logic; and the duration of the XOR signal is determined; and wherein the time difference between the two detection pulses is determined by halving the duration of the XOR signal. The speed can be measured with higher accuracy when using an existing infrastructure without additional assembly work.

Abstract: In a magnetic material detection device comprising: at least two magnetic sensors; and a control device detecting a magnetic material by using output values of the magnetic sensors, the magnetic sensors are arranged at an interval of a predetermined distance from each other such that a subject is located outside a space therebetween, and the control device detects the magnetic material by comparing time change amounts of output values of the magnetic sensors resulting from a change in relative position between the subject and each of the magnetic sensors, with utilizing that an absolute value of the time change amount becomes larger in one of the magnetic sensors close to the subject as compared to another of the magnetic sensors far from the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cartridge-in-chamber detection system for firearms which makes it possible to reliably detect the presence or non-presence of a cartridge in the chamber whilst making it possible to supply this information to the user intuitively and comprising at least two plates wherethrough it is possible to determine the variation of the electrical capacity between two possible states of the system, when there is no cartridge in the chamber and when there is a cartridge in the chamber.

Abstract: A muzzle-mounted chronograph for measuring velocities of projectiles launched from firearms. The chronograph includes a sensor module and a controller. The sensor module includes a first and second coils and a device for applying a stable magnetic field to the first and second coils. The controller determines a velocity of a projectile passing by the first and second coils based on detected variations in magnetic fields at the first and second coils.

Abstract: Systems to measure muzzle exit conditions of for ammunition improve fire control solutions and reduce shot-to-shot dispersion in both conventional and air-burst programmable ammunition. A first system measures muzzle velocity and, when firing “post-shot” programmable ammunition, the system calculates a unique time-of-flight optimized for the actual muzzle velocity and transmits the time to detonate signal by using either optically or radio-frequency signals that represent an optimized time of burst to a projectile. A second system measures muzzle velocity coupled to a ballistic calculator and, when used with ammunition having ferrous characteristics, the force is applied to exiting ammunition to slow or increase the muzzle velocity to a consistent, standardized target velocity. The systems are separately or in combination incorporated into kits that readily improve the performance of weapon systems.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a lightning current detection sensor that has a configuration resistant to high voltage and high current in a lightning strike and has high sensitivity and high resolution. In a lightning current detection sensor 10, an insulation-coated wire 22 wound in multiple turns is collectively covered with a base tape 21 and a cover tape 23. Thus, even when the insulation-coated wire 22 is wound in multiple turns to increase sensitivity, a minute area can be detected to increase resolution. Also, with the base tape 21 and the cover tape 23 covering the insulation-coated wire 22 and also a shield portion 12 made of an insulating material and a gap 40 formed between the shield portion 12 and the coil portion 20, a sufficient shielding property is ensured and detection with high accuracy can be performed against high current and high voltage without capacitative coupling.

Abstract: The present specification provides a method, apparatus and system for sensing a signal with automatic adjustments for changing signal levels. A novel fractional peak discriminator circuit is provided which can be incorporated into a system for measuring periodic signals from moving elements. The circuit can be used regardless of whether the periodic signals are detected using optics, magnetic detector or other methods.

Abstract: A movement warning system for notifying a proximal entity of the approach of a vehicle comprising a sensor system, a controlling mobile device, and a signal generator system. The sensor system generates motion data indicative of movement of the vehicle. The controlling mobile device generates at least one warning signal based on the motion data. The signal generator system generates at least one warning based on the to at least one warning signal. The signal generator generates the warning such that the proximal entity perceives the warning.

Abstract: An embodiment of a magnetic-field sensor includes a magnetic-field sensor arrangement and a magnetic body which has, for example, a non-convex cross-sectional area with regard to a cross-sectional plane running through the magnetic body, the magnetic body having an inhomogeneous magnetization.

Abstract: Magnetic position sensors, systems and methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, a position sensing system includes a magnetic field source with a dipole moment in a direction along a z-axis; and a sensor module spaced apart from a center of the dipole moment a distance y0 along a y-axis and spaced apart a distance z0 from a center of the dipole moment along a z-axis, at least one of the magnetic field source or the sensor module configured to move relative to the other along a path in the y=y0 plane, the sensor module configured to determine a relative position of the magnetic field source to the sensor module with respect to the path from a ratio of a gradient dBz/dx to a gradient dBz/dy, where Bz is a magnetic field component associated with the permanent magnet, and where an x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis are at right angles.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor that has a free layer with a face centered cubic, 100 crystal orientation formed on an underlayer structure that has been deposited in the presence of nitrogen. The free layer can be constructed of CoFe, Co2(Mn(1-y)Fey)X (where 0?y?1 and X is Si, Ge, Sn, Al, Ga, or a combination thereof), CoFeX (where X is Si, Ge, Sn, Al, Ga, or a combination thereof). The under-layer can include a layer of Ta, a Cu layer formed over the layer of Ta and deposited using a process gas comprising about 20 percent nitrogen and a layer of Ag deposited over the layer of Cu and deposited using a process gas comprising about 50 to 100 percent nitrogen.

Abstract: A control system for use in safety critical human/machine control interfaces is described, more particularly a joystick type control system and particularly a joystick type control system utilizing magnetic positional sensing. The control system provides a control input device having a movable magnet, a pole-piece frame arrangement positioned about the magnet, at least three magnetic flux sensors being positioned in said pole-piece frame arrangement and a monitoring arrangement for monitoring the output signal of each of said at least three sensors.

Abstract: A railway positioning system provides an on-board speed measurement device (6) inducing eddy currents in the wayside structure at two spots along the travelling direction, measuring the variations of the magnetic field emitted by the wayside structure and determining position and speed by correlating the 2 measured signals known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,177 and a wayside coded tag (1) providing a coding recognizable by the onboard speed measurement device (6). The coded tag (1) consists of a bar (4) with several slots (3) in which metal blocks (2) of different sizes are mounted. The block sizes and positions are selected to represent a coding according to Quadrature Amplitude Modulation.

Abstract: A rotation speed information detection apparatus, including: a wheel sensor for detecting passage of teeth of a gear provided in association with tires of a vehicle; a number-of-teeth calculation means for calculating the number of teeth of the gear passed per a sampling cycle set in advance; and a wheel speed calculation means for regularly calculating rotation speed information of the tire with using the number of teeth calculated. The number-of-teeth calculation means is configured to use a ratio between time information at the point and a remaining time until the time at which the next sampling cycle is started is reached to thereby calculate the number of remaining teeth to calculate the number of teeth passed during the sampling cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring linear velocity of a movable element relative to a stationary element includes a magnetic element fixed in relation to the stationary element. A soft-magnetic yoke is fixed in relation to the movable element to move with the movable element and is in non-contact relation with the magnetic element. A yoke pole is positioned proximate to the magnetic element and spaced therefrom by an air gap. The pole is magnetically coupled to the magnetic element so that a magnetic flux is generated in the air gap substantially orthogonal to the axis of motion. A conductive coil is coiled around a coil axis and is fixed in relation to the stationary element with the coil axis substantially parallel to the axis of movement. The coil is in non-contact relation with the yoke and resides between the magnetic element and the pole of the yoke in the magnetic flux.

Abstract: A wheel suspension for a vehicle which includes a wheel (8) and at least one suspension arm (2) that connects the wheel (8) to the body (7) of the vehicle. The arm (2) is pivotally mounted to the body (7) by an inner part (9) of a bearing (3) such that the arm (2) pivots about an axis (6). An angle measuring device senses rotation of the arm (2) about the pivot axis (6) relative to the body (7) and includes a signal generator (25) and a sensor (18). One of the signal generator (25) and the sensor (18) is attached to an outside of the arm (2) while the other is rigidly attached, via a bracket (15), to the body (7) at a distance from the suspension arm (2).

Abstract: An angular position sensor and method that relies on a stationary circular array of Hall sensors and a rotatable circular array of magnets arranged about a common axis. A periodic and simultaneous reading of all of the Hall sensor outputs is used to determine angular velocity.

Abstract: A pulse generator wheel has a cylindrical wall provided with windows distributed about a circumference of the cylindrical wall and closed axially at a first end by a ring. The ring is made of circumferentially extending profiled sections of profiled parts that are separated from one another. The pulse generator wheel is made by stamping in a round sheet metal about the circumference profiled parts each having at least one profiled section extending in the circumferential direction for forming windows between the profiled parts. The profiled sections are spaced from one another in the circumferential direction. The profiled parts are erected and the profiled sections then form a circumferential ring delimiting the windows axially.

Abstract: In order to measure a speed of a vehicle having an antenna and travelling on a track formed by two rails, first and second discontinuities are detected. The first discontinuity is detected in a current or voltage of a signal generated by an antenna when the vehicle passes a first tuning block of an electric joint. The second discontinuity is detected in a current or voltage of a signal generated by the antenna when the vehicle passes a second tuning block of the electric joint. The detected discontinuities are used to measure the speed of the vehicle travelling on a track divided in track sections separated by electric joints. Each electric joint includes two tuning blocks and a predetermined length of a track section, wherein each of the tuning blocks allows power coupling between adjacent track sections.

Abstract: A current sensor includes a sensing circuit for sensing current and supplying indications thereof. The current sensor also includes two or more output terminals coupled to the sensing circuit that alternately supply respective indications of the sensed current according to control signals supplied to the current sensor.

Abstract: At least one waveform characteristic of a vehicular sensor waveform is reported in a wireless vehicular sensor network. The vehicular sensor waveform results a vehicle's presence near a wireless vehicular sensor node. The waveform characteristic may be rising edge, falling edge, waveform duration and/or waveform midpoint of vehicular sensor waveform. Report transmission uses at least one wireless physical transport. Transmitting the report may initiate a response across the wireless physical transport, preferably from an access point, an acknowledgement of receiving the report. The transmitted report may be received by an access point in the wireless vehicular sensor network. The wireless vehicular sensor network may create any of a vehicular traffic report, a vehicular parking report, and/or a vehicular speeding report, based upon the received vehicular sensor waveform report.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for lightning strike protection and verification are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one fastener extending through both the structure and substructure to secure the structure and substructure together. The apparatus also includes an insert disposed between the substructure and at least a portion of the fastener, where the insert includes dielectric and magnetizable material such that the insert is capable of reducing the incidence of sparking between at least one component associated with the fastener and the substructure.

Abstract: An input shaft rotating speed detector detects an input shaft rotating speed Nin of an automatic transmission based on output signals from a resolver within a predetermined time period ?t1. An output shaft rotating speed detector calculates the number of pulse signals output from an electromagnetic pickup sensor within the predetermined time period ?t1, to detect an output shaft rotating speed Nout of the automatic transmission based on the time length of pulse intervals in the calculated number of pulse signals. With this configuration, the number of pulse signals used for calculating the output shaft rotating speed Nout can be changed, to thereby make a detection period of the output signals from the resolver used for calculating the input shaft rotating speed Nin be consistent with that of the pulse signals used for calculating the output shaft rotating speed Nout.

Abstract: A method and a system for measuring the velocity of a projectile. The method and system employ sensors that uses magnetoresistive sensing elements to measure the velocity of a projectile. Two magnetoresistive based sensors may be used to sense a time at which a projectile crosses a sense path associated with each of the sensors. Because the sensors employ magnetoresistive sensing elements, high quality voltage signals are produced, allowing accurate time measurements to be calculated. Accordingly, the velocity of the projectile can be determined by using these time measurements along with a measured spacing distance between the sensors.

Abstract: A method for determining a location and characterization of an object using a magnetic gradient tensor measurement of the object is provided. The method includes determining an object magnetic field candidate predicted from one of an object measured magnetic field gradient and an assumed object magnetic moment magnitude, and determining an object vector location and an object vector magnetic moment by combining the object magnetic field candidate with an object measured magnetic field.

Abstract: In a magnetic rotor, a rotatable shaft is received through a holder. A positioner is made of a magnetic material and is fitted into at least one of an outer peripheral wall of the rotatable shaft and an inner peripheral wall of the holder to position the holder relative to the rotatable shaft in a circumferential direction. An annular magnet is fixed to the holder and surrounds the rotatable shaft. The annular magnet has two magnetic poles of different polarities, which are magnetized in a magnetization direction that coincides with a radial direction of the annular magnet. The positioner is displaced around a rotational axis of the rotatable shaft from the magnetization direction of the annular magnet by about 90 degrees in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying a magnetic mark to a rotatable article (1) to be positioned, to a corresponding device and to a system (2) consisting of a device for applying a magnetic mark and a device (25) for determining the angle of rotation. In the region that comprises magnetizable material of the rotatable article to be positioned and is selected for determining the angle of rotation, a magnetic dipole is generated as a magnetic mark by a magnetic field, by means of the device for applying a magnetic mark. Said mark is used for determining the angle of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A permanent magnet brushless (PMBL) servo motor test apparatus and method allow testing of a motor in place. A set of static and dynamic tests is performed to determine proper motor operation of armature windings and rotor feedback devices. The test system of the present invention displaces the motor drive system. The test system comprises an armature driver, a feedback device input, and a system controller. The armature windings of the motor-under-test are driven in a polarity sequence according to a test sequence, whereby the rotor is driven in a series of rotations. Angle feedback is tested at a plurality of said rotations. Rotor velocity outputs are tested during said rotations. Armature current and voltage are determined at a plurality of said rotations and winding balance is tested. Said power switch is also operative to apply a voltage between the armature windings and the motor case to test for fault current flow.

Abstract: Device for determining the position of the rotor in an electric motor comprises a detector, which is mounted on the electric motor and which is sensitive to the passage of the rotor through a reference position, and comprises a phase-locking loop, which can be synchronized with the output signal of the detector and which furnishes an output signal representative of the position of the rotor. The moments when the rotor passes through a reference position are detected, the period of the oscillator is adapted in such a manner that the reference position passages occur at a predetermined phase of the oscillator, and the position of the rotor is derived from the oscillation of the oscillator between the reference position passages.

Abstract: Presented is an exhaust gas turbocharger. The turbocharger includes a compressor, a turbine, a compressor wheel mounted rotatably in the compressor, a rotatably mounted turboshaft, a device for detecting the rotational speed of the turboshaft, an element for varying a magnetic field, and a turbine wheel mounted rotatably in the turbine. The compressor wheel is mechanically connected to the turbine wheel via the turboshaft. The device for detecting the rotational speed includes the element for varying the magnetic field which is disposed on or in the turboshaft in the region between the compressor wheel and the turbine wheel. The variation of the magnetic field occurring as a function of the rotation of the turboshaft. The turbocharger further includes a sensor element, which detects the variation of the magnetic field and converts it into signals which can be evaluated electrically, arranged in proximity to the element for varying the magnetic field.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a vehicle door is provided. The drive assembly includes a motor having a driving member. The drive assembly further includes a housing having a shaft rotatably received therein. The drive assembly further includes an input member being rotatably received upon the shaft. The input member is operatively associated with the driving member. The drive assembly further includes a rotor fixedly secured to the shaft. The drive assembly further includes first and second Hall effect sensor modules mounted to the housing in a facing spaced relationship with respect to the plurality of teeth of the rotor that generate first and second signals, respectively. The first and second signals have a quadrature relationship with respect to one another and indicate a rotational direction of the rotor when the plurality of teeth are rotating past the first and second Hall effect sensor modules.

Abstract: A sensitizing ring for sensors having a reduced manufacturing cost and an improved profile shape manufacture with a diameter of 120 mm or less. The sensitizing ring of the present invention is used to measure the rate of rotation and position of a rotating element. The sensitizing ring of the present invention is usable in more applications, especially in the automotive industry. The sensitizing ring comprises a body, a plurality of teeth provided on an outer periphery thereof, and a plurality of gaps interposed between the teeth. The body is made of a polymeric material interspersed with a ferromagnetic material. Alternately, the body is made of a polymeric material having a coating layer of ferromagnetic material. In a further embodiment, the body includes ferromagnetic material in the polymeric material forming the teeth but does not include ferromagnetic material in the polymeric material forming the gaps.

Abstract: A rotation state detecting device capable of detecting the direction of rotation of a rotating body includes first and second bridge circuits made up of magneto-resistance effect elements, a first comparator for detecting the increasing/decreasing direction of the center point voltage of the first bridge circuit, a second comparator for detecting the increasing/decreasing direction of the center point voltage of the second bridge circuit, a third comparator for detecting the difference between the center point voltage of the first bridge circuit and the center point voltage of the second bridge circuit, and logic value information deriving means for outputting “1” when the logic values of the outputs of the first comparator and the second comparator are both “1”, outputting “0” when they are both “0”, and continuing to output the previous value at other times, the direction of rotation of the rotating body being determined on the basis of a combination of the outputs of the first, second and third comparators

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving speed measurement quality in systems having multi-pole machines is taught. The method compensates for pole misalignment by computing speed based upon moving average techniques. In one embodiment, a moving average speed averaged over a complete interval of rotation is determined, based upon measurements of one or more magnetic pole position sensors for magnetic pole location. In another embodiment, a time interval between two poles is averaged over one or more rotational periods, and the average time interval is used to determine the moving average speed. Computation of the moving average speed reduces errors in speed measurements due to pole misalignment and may provide for smaller control adjustment times for controlling motor speed variability. In one embodiment, the speed measurement system includes a multi-pole rotor, and a controller having a capture timer and a buffer.

Abstract: A tone ring preferably for use in a braking system of a vehicle has a first pattern of excitation indicative of speed of rotation of the tone ring, and a second pattern of excitation including frequency variations that is indicative of direction of rotation of the tone ring. The tone ring is rotated past a sensor, preferably a 2-wire passive sensor. A series of events are sensed during rotation of the tone ring past the sensor. The timing of occurrence of the events is detected and, on the basis of the timing detection, the direction of rotation of the tone ring is determined.

Abstract: A gyroscope (10) for determining rate of rotation includes a giant magnetoresistor (GMR) (14) attached to a mass (12) oscillating along a first axis. When the gyroscope (10) is rotated, the mass (12) also oscillates along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. A magnetic element (16), which includes of a strip of magnetic bits (18), is disposed along the first axis, the second axis, or both. The magnetic bits (18) supply discrete magnetic fields. The GMR (14) changes in electrical resistance when exposed to these magnetic fields. A voltage sensor (20) and processor (34) are then utilized to calculate the rate of rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting rotation of a bicycle part comprises a casing member comprising a generally annular body structured to be mounted to the bicycle part so that the annular body is incapable of rotating relative to the bicycle part as the bicycle part rotates in opposite directions around a rotational axis. The annular body includes a plurality of circumferentially disposed exposed magnet mounting portions that are concentric with respect to the rotational axis, and a cover member is detachably mounted to the annular body for blocking the plurality of magnet mounting portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing information from a speed and direction sensor is disclosed. The method and apparatus detect the presence of a ferromagnetic object as it moves past a sensor. The sensor determines speed and direction information regarding the ferromagnetic object, and further provides information relating to the environment surrounding the sensor or object, such as the status of an air gap between the sensor and the moving object, and the temperature of the environment in which the sensor or object is disposed.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor for a rotor (2) and method of determining angular velocity in which the position at which event generation means (4) pass sensing means (5) is determined using information from the times at which the event generation means (4) passed the sensing means (5) during at least one previous complete revolution to of the rotor (2). Especially applicable to use of Hall Effect Sensors to detect commutation points of a brushless permanent magnet rotor in an Electric Power Assisted Steering apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a clocking system such that the magnetic sensor can detect the external magnetic field from the magnetic member that is rather far apart therefrom without increasing the sensitivity of the magnetic sensor excessively and without making the magnet constructing the magnetic member strong excessively.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detection of the presence of a train wheel on a train track that overcomes problems associated with previously known detectors. The invention includes a method for detecting the presence of a train wheel on a train track.

Abstract: A sensor package produces a signal in conjunction with an exciter. The sensor package includes a housing and a first, discrete resistive element positioned toward a sensing tip of the housing. The discrete resistive element is also positioned within a sensing range of a target. A resistive module electrically communicates with the discrete resistive element for detecting a magnetoresistive effect.