Patents Assigned to American Electronic Components
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Publication number: 20090174468Abstract: Methods, systems and thermal sensing apparatus are provided that use bandgap voltage reference generators that do not use trimming circuitry. Further, circuits, systems, and methods in accordance with the present invention are provided that do not use large amounts of chip real estate and do not require a separate thermal sensing element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2009Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicants: Toshiba American Electronic Components, Inc., International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Munehiro Yoshida, David William Boerstler
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Patent number: 7524108Abstract: Methods, systems and thermal sensing apparatus are provided that use bandgap voltage reference generators that do not use trimming circuitry. Further, circuits, systems, and methods in accordance with the present invention are provided that do not use large amounts of chip real estate and do not require a separate thermal sensing element.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2003Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignees: Toshiba American Electronic Components, Inc., International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Munehiro Yoshida, David William Boerstler
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Patent number: 6911817Abstract: A wheel-speed sensor for generating signals representative of the wheel-speed of an individual wheel on a vehicle. Unlike known wheel-speed sensors, the wheel-speed sensor in accordance with the present invention is readily serviceable without disassembly of major components of the wheel assemblies and is relatively simple, and thus less expensive to manufacture, than known wheel-speed sensors. Two embodiments of the wheel-speed sensor in accordance with the present invention are disclosed. One embodiment relates to a “between-the-rows” wheel-speed sensor which includes a magnetic exciter ring that is adapted to be affixed to a rotating axle between rolling element rows of a wheel bearing. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the wheel-speed sensor is configured to form a grease seal which typically inserts into the end of an axle tube. A wheel-speed sensor utilizes a multiple pole magnetic exciter ring that is adapted to be attached to a rotating axle shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2002Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: American Electronics Components, Inc.Inventor: Edward Russell Clark
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Publication number: 20040119465Abstract: A wheel-speed sensor for generating signals representative of the wheel-speed of an individual wheel on a vehicle. Unlike known wheel-speed sensors, the wheel-speed sensor in accordance with the present invention is readily serviceable without disassembly of major components of the wheel assemblies and is relatively simple, and thus less expensive to manufacture, than known wheel-speed sensors. Two embodiments of the wheel-speed sensor in accordance with the present invention are disclosed. One embodiment relates to a “between-the-rows” wheel-speed sensor which includes a magnetic exciter ring that is adapted to be affixed to a rotating axle between rolling element rows of a wheel bearing. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the wheel-speed sensor is configured to form a grease seal which typically inserts into the end of an axle tube. A wheel-speed sensor utilizes a multiple pole magnetic exciter ring that is adapted to be attached to a rotating axle shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Applicant: American Electronic Components, Inc.Inventor: Edward Russell Clark
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Patent number: 6714003Abstract: A compensation circuit for compensating for switching point errors in rotating target or gear tooth sensors. The compensation circuit may include a processing unit and a persistent storage device, such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), for storing compensation values that are used to provide automatic compensation of the rotating target sensor after the sensor module is installed by the end user. The actual and compensation values may be determined and stored as linear functions in the form of mX+b, where X is the frequency of the rotating target, m is the slope and b is the y-intercept. In order to provide compensation, the actual slope value m is multiplied by a compensation value. The y intercept (i.e. b) is selected, for example, to be the maximum speed in a given application. The compensation values (i.e.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2002Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: American Electronic Components, Inc.Inventor: Brian George Babin
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Patent number: 6710593Abstract: A rotary position sensor is formed with a self-lubricating bearing. The rotary position sensor includes a race which forms one bearing surface. A drive arm assembly forms a bearing element forming two mating bearing surfaces. For applications in which the bearing may be subjected to environmental conditions that could result in corrosion, one bearing surface may be formed from a corrosion resistant metal, such as stainless steel, while the mating bearing surface is homogeneously formed with the bearing element from a composite material which includes PFTE or Teflon. By homogeneously forming the bearing element from a composite material which includes Teflon, wear of the bearing element will not effect lubrication of the bearing.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2001Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: American Electronic Components, Inc.Inventors: Brian George Babin, Todd Anthony Brown
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Patent number: 6703828Abstract: A rotary position sensor which includes a molded housing with a central aperture forming a drive arm cavity, a drive arm assembly and a rotor plate. The drive arm assembly carries a circular magnet and a shunt ring and is rotatably received within the drive arm cavity. The drive arm assembly is formed with an extending stud for connection to an external mechanical lever. The rotor plate is used to close the drive arm cavity and carries a magnetic flux responsive element and one or more flux concentrators and optional flux shunt. The molded housing, drive arm assembly and rotor plate are configured to minimize air space within the drive arm cavity after the sensor is assembled. By minimizing air spaces within the drive arm cavity, the amount of ice build up within the drive arm cavity is minimized. In addition, to further prevent a condition of ice lock of the drive arm assembly relative to the molded housing, all surfaces within the drive arm cavity are formed as smooth surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: American Electronic Components, Inc.Inventors: Brian George Babin, Todd Anthony Brown
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Patent number: 6703827Abstract: An electronic circuit for automatically compensating for errors in the output signal of a displacement sensor. The electronic circuitry includes an analog to digital converter for converting an analog output signal from a linear displacement type sensor. The digital output signal from the sensor is processed by a microcontroller which automatically compensates for errors in the output signal. Ideal values, stored in an electronic memory, are used for compensation.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: American Electronics Components, Inc.Inventors: Ronald J. Wolf, Martin James Lynch
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Publication number: 20040031344Abstract: A transmission shift position sensor that is adapted to provide an indication of the position of a transmission shift lever. The transmission shift position sensor includes a rotary position sensor and a rooster comb formed as an assembly. The direct coupling of the sensor to the rooster comb provides a positive indication of the automatic transmission shift sensor without the need for compensating for tolerances in mechanical linkages.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2003Publication date: February 19, 2004Applicant: American Electronic Components, Inc.Inventors: Brian George Babin, Norman Thomas Freda, Todd Anthony Brown
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Patent number: 6658960Abstract: A transmission shift position sensor that is adapted to provide an indication of the position of a transmission shift lever. The transmission shift position sensor includes a rotary position sensor and a rooster comb formed as an assembly. The direct coupling of the sensor to the rooster comb provides a positive indication of the automatic transmission shift sensor without the need for compensating for tolerances in mechanical linkages.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: American Electronic Components, Inc.Inventors: Brian George Babin, Norman Thomas Freda, Todd Anthony Brown
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Publication number: 20030160606Abstract: A self-lubricating bearing and more particularly to a self-lubricated bearing which includes a race and a bearing element forming two mating bearing surfaces. For applications in which the bearing may be subjected to environmental conditions that could result in corrosion, one bearing surface may be formed from a corrosion resistant metal, such as stainless steel, while the mating bearing surface is homogeneously formed with the bearing element from a composite material which includes PFTE or Teflon. By homogeneously forming the bearing element from a composite material which includes Teflon, wear of the bearing element will not effect lubrication of the bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2001Publication date: August 28, 2003Applicant: American Electronic ComponentsInventors: Brian George Babin, Todd Anthony Brown
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Publication number: 20030159534Abstract: A transmission shift position sensor that is adapted to provide an indication of the position of a transmission shift lever. The transmission shift position sensor includes a rotary position sensor and a rooster comb formed as an assembly. The direct coupling of the sensor to the rooster comb provides a positive indication of the automatic transmission shift sensor without the need for compensating for tolerances in mechanical linkages.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2002Publication date: August 28, 2003Applicant: American Electronic ComponentsInventors: Brian George Babin, Norman Thomas Freda, Todd Anthony Brown, Ray Siciak, Matthew Robert DeFore
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Publication number: 20030141864Abstract: A compensation circuit for compensating for switching point errors in rotating target or gear tooth sensors. The compensation circuit may include a processing unit and a persistent storage device, such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), for storing compensation values that are used to provide automatic compensation of the rotating target sensor after the sensor module is installed by the end user. The actual and compensation values may be determined and stored as linear functions in the form of mX+b, where X is the frequency of the rotating target, m is the slope and b is the y-intercept. In order to provide compensation, the actual slope value m is multiplied by a compensation value. The y intercept (i.e. b) is selected, for example, to be the maximum speed in a given application. The compensation values (i.e.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2002Publication date: July 31, 2003Applicant: American Electronic ComponentsInventor: Brian George Babin
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Patent number: 6566864Abstract: A rotary position sensing assembly (10) includes a sensor (12) that monitors angular position, and which is fixedly attached to a first member (14), and a first arm (16) having a first end (18) pivotally attached to the sensor (12) and a second end (22) including a first portion (24) of a universal joint (26). The rotary position sensing assembly (10) also includes a second arm (28) having a first end (30) that includes a second portion (32) of the first universal joint (26) pivotally attached to the first portion (24) of the first universal joint (26), and a second end (34), including a first portion (36) of a second universal joint (38). The rotary position sensor assembly (10) further includes a second portion (40) of the second universal joint (38) fixedly attached to a second member (42) and pivotally attached to the first portion (40) of the second universal joint (38).Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, L.L.C., American Electronic ComponentsInventors: Todd A. Brown, Duncan Wang
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Publication number: 20030056614Abstract: A transmission shift position sensor that is adapted to provide an indication of the position of a transmission shift lever. The transmission shift position sensor includes a rotary position sensor and a rooster comb formed as an assembly. The direct coupling of the sensor to the rooster comb provides a positive indication of the automatic transmission shift sensor without the need for compensating for tolerances in mechanical linkages.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2001Publication date: March 27, 2003Applicant: American Electronic ComponentsInventors: Brian George Babin, Norman Thomas Freda, Todd Anthony Brown
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Publication number: 20030019323Abstract: A mechanical linkage assembly, which includes one or more mechanical devices, such as ball joint assemblies, over molded around one or both opposing ends of a connecting rod. The connecting rod is formed with a reduced diameter portion to enable the mechanical device to rotate relative thereto, while limiting axial movement therebetween. In such a configuration, the same tooling can be used even though the length of the connecting rod changes, since the mechanical devices can be molded one after the other on the ends of the connecting rod which reduces the cost and complexity of manufacturing the assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2001Publication date: January 30, 2003Applicant: American Electronic ComponentsInventors: Brian George Babin, Todd Anthony Brown, Ronald Jay Wolf
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Publication number: 20030020464Abstract: A rotary position sensor which includes a molded housing with a central aperture forming a drive arm cavity, a drive arm assembly and a rotor plate. The drive arm assembly carries a circular magnet and a shunt ring and is rotatably received within the drive arm cavity. The drive arm assembly is formed with an extending stud for connection to an external mechanical lever. The rotor plate is used to close the drive arm cavity and carries a magnetic flux responsive element and one or more flux concentrators and optional flux shunt. The molded housing, drive arm assembly and rotor plate are configured to minimize air space within the drive arm cavity after the sensor is assembled. By minimizing air spaces within the drive arm cavity, the amount of ice build up within the drive arm cavity is minimized. In addition, to further prevent a condition of ice lock of the drive arm assembly relative to the molded housing, all surfaces within the drive arm cavity are formed as smooth surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2001Publication date: January 30, 2003Applicant: American Electronic ComponentsInventors: Brian George Babin, Todd Anthony Brown
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Patent number: 6340884Abstract: An electronic circuit for automatically compensating for errors in the output signal of a displacement sensor. The electronic circuitry includes an analog to digital converter for converting an analog output signal from a linear displacement type sensor. The digital output signal from the sensor is processed by a microcontroller which automatically compensates for errors in the output signal. Ideal values, stored in an electronic memory, are used for compensation.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2000Date of Patent: January 22, 2002Assignee: American Electronic ComponentsInventors: Ronald J. Wolf, Martin James Lynch
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Patent number: 6285958Abstract: An electronic circuit dynamically compensates a sensor output signal subject to varying conditions. In particular, the circuitry dynamically determines the DC offset level of an incoming sensor analog output signal. The DC amplitude or offset level varies as a result of changing conditions, such as speed, airgap, alignment and temperature. The circuitry compares the DC offset level with the original sensor analog output signal by way of a comparator to provide a digital output signal with a zero DC offset, which compensates for the varying conditions.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1998Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: American Electronic Components, Inc.Inventors: Ronald J. Wolf, Mark William Austin
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Patent number: 6274939Abstract: The present invention is directed to a resin ceramic composition that includes a ceramic filler in an amount effective for providing a single composition with a magnetic field of at least one gauss.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1999Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: American Electronic ComponentsInventor: Ronald J. Wolf