Abstract: A magnetic position sensor comprises a first magnetic rod including a first end and a second end, and a second magnetic rod including a third end and a fourth end, the first end and the third end at a first distance, the second end and the fourth end at a second distance greater than the first distance. The magnetic position sensor further includes a magnet configured to travel relative to the first magnetic rod and the second magnetic rod along a first axis, and one or more magnetic sensors communicatively coupled to the magnet.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting a position on a path extending in a path direction, includes a transmitter element having at least one centrally arranged magnet and two magnets arranged at the edge in front of and behind the centrally arranged magnet. The magnetic poles of the magnets are aligned transversely with respect to the path direction to emit a magnetic field which varies in the path direction. The sensor includes a measurement transducer arranged to output a measurement signal dependent on the magnetic field. The transmitter element and the measurement transducer are movable with respect to one another. The sensor includes an evaluation device set up to output, based on the measurement signal, a sensor signal dependent on the relative position between the measurement transducer and the transmitter element. The centrally arranged magnet is arranged to excite a greater magnetic flux than the magnets arranged at the edge.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a torque and angle sensing device. A sensor and a processing circuit are integrated into the device. The sensor is configured to generate a first signal indicative of a first angle and/or speed. The device includes an input contact configured to receive a second reference signal indicative of a second reference angle and/or speed. The processing circuit is configured to generate an indication of torque based on at least the first signal and the second signal. In certain applications, the processing circuit is capable of pre-programming and/or learning and storing the reference information and generating an indication of torque based on the first signal generated internally and the reference information. An output contact of the device can provide the indication of torque. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an electrical device can include a body having a shape that extends along a longitudinal direction, and a set of electrodes implemented on the body at different locations along the longitudinal direction and configured to allow the electrical device to be positioned and mounted to a surface. The set of electrodes can include first and second electrodes configured to provide first and second engagements with the surface, respectively, and to allow a settling motion when the electrical device is positioned on the surface. The set of electrodes can further include a selected electrode having a side configured to allow the settling motion and an engagement portion configured to stop the settling motion and thereby provide a third engagement with the surface.

Abstract: A control input device can include a housing defining an inner volume with a floor, and a shaft having an axis, a manipulating portion, and a sensing end. The control input device can further include a magnet mounted on the sensing end of the shaft such that the magnet is within the inner volume of the housing, and a movement mechanism configured to allow the manipulating portion of the shaft to be moved with respect to the housing such that the movement of the manipulating portion results in corresponding movement of the magnet. The control input device can further include a magnetic sensor at least partially embedded in the floor of the housing and configured to sense the movement of the magnet.

Abstract: A protective circuit can include an AC line configured to provide power from an AC source, and a first protection circuit coupled to the AC line and implemented to be electrically parallel with a load circuit. The first protection circuit can be configured to be in an inactive state to be substantially non-conducting when a voltage across the load circuit is in a normal range or an active state to be substantially conducting when the voltage across the load circuit has an overvoltage value greater than the normal range to shunt power away from the load circuit. The protective circuit can further include a second protection circuit implemented to be electrically between the AC source and the load circuit. The second protection circuit can be configured to block power from the AC source in response to a condition resulting from the first protection circuit being in the active state.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a gas discharge tube (GDT) can include first and second electrodes each including an edge and an inward facing surface, such that the inward facing surfaces of the first and second electrodes face each other. The GDT can further include a sealing portion implemented to join and seal the edge portions of the inward facing surfaces of the first and second electrodes to define a sealed chamber between the inward facing surfaces of the first and second electrodes. The GDT can further include an electrically insulating portion implemented to provide a surface in the sealed chamber and to cover a portion of the inward facing surface of each of at least one of the first and second electrodes such that a leakage path within the sealed chamber includes the surface of the electrically insulating portion.

Abstract: Gas discharge tube having glass seal. In some embodiments, a gas discharge tube can include an insulator layer having first and second sides and defining an opening, and first and second electrodes that cover the opening on the first and second sides of the insulator layer, respectively. The gas discharge tube can further include a first glass layer implemented between the first electrode and the first side of the insulator layer, and a second glass layer implemented between the second electrode and the second side of the insulator layer, such that the first and second glass layers provide a seal for a chamber defined by the opening and the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A temperature-sensitive battery connector is disclosed. The connector can include a connector body and at least one conductor mounted to the connector body and configured to convey a current signal used to measure voltage from a battery pack or battery cell to a battery management system (BMS). The connector can include a thermal switching device mounted to the connector body and thermally coupled to a terminal of a battery pack or a battery cell. The thermal switching device can be configured to provide an overtemperature signal to the BMS by changing or interrupting a current conducted by at least one conductor when a temperature of the battery pack or battery cell exceeds a threshold temperature.

Abstract: A low-profile high minimum creepage housing for electronic components such as transformers is provided. The housing can include a body and a lid. The lid can have attachment members that secure the lid to the body, after an electronic component is installed into the body. The attachment members of the lid may also secure a wire routed along the outside of the body against the body. The lid may include protruding portions that extend into the body, thereby elongating a minimum creepage path.

Abstract: A connector for providing electronic communication with an electronic device is disclosed. The connector can comprise a substrate comprising layers of non-conductive material and conductive material. The connector can include an interface member mounted to the substrate and electrically connected with the conductor. A positive temperature coefficient (PTC) fuse can be embedded in the substrate and electrically connected with the conductor and the interface member. At least a portion of the PTC fuse can be disposed directly below the interface member.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a chassis supported by wheels for moveably carrying the chassis in a driving direction, a steering wheel for turning a steering column around a rotation axis, and a steering angle sensor for measuring a rotation angle of the steering column with an encoder that is stationary to the steering column and with a magnet sensor that is disposed axially displaced from the encoder on the rotation axis. The encoder includes a first magnet with a top side directed to the magnet sensor and a second magnet attached to the first magnet opposite to the top side. The first magnet includes a recess starting from the top side, and each magnet is magnetized orthogonal to the rotation axis. The first magnet and the second magnet are displaced against each other in rotation direction. The recess has a depth lower than an axial thickness of the first magnet.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating gas discharge tubes. In some embodiments, a method for fabricating a gas discharge tube (GDT) device can include providing or forming an insulator substrate having first and second sides and defining an opening. The method can further include providing or forming a first electrode and a second electrode. The method can further include forming a first glass seal between the first electrode and the first side of the insulator substrate, and a second glass seal between the second electrode and the second side of the insulator substrate, such that the first and second glass seals provide a hermetic seal for a chamber defined by the opening and the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: Glass sealed gas discharge tubes. In some embodiments, a gas discharge tube (GDT) can include an insulator substrate having first and second sides and defining an opening. The GDT can further include a first electrode implemented to cover the opening on the first side of the insulator substrate, and a second electrode implemented to cover the opening on the second side of the insulator substrate. The GDT can further include a first glass seal implemented between the first electrode and the first side of the insulator substrate, and a second glass seal implemented between the second electrode and the second side of the insulator substrate, such that the first and second glass seals provide a hermetic seal for a chamber defined by the opening and the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying a fault (96) in an angle sensor (24) which is designed to determine the angular position (18) of a shaft (14) based on an angular position difference (56) between a first output gear (32), which is driven by the shaft (14), and a second output gear (34), which is driven by the shaft (14), the output gears differing in respect of their diameter (34, 36), said method comprising: determining a reference value (18, 52) for the angular position (18) of the shaft (14) based on the angular position (42) of the first output gear (32), determining a comparison value (18?, 52?) for the angular position (18) of the shaft (14) based on the angular position (46) of the second output gear (34) and a transmission ratio (90) between the first output gear (32) and the second output gear (34), and identifying the fault (96) when a comparison (93, 94) of the reference value (18, 52) and the comparison value (18?, 52?) satisfies a predetermined condition (95).

Abstract: Electromechanical circuit breakers are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the breakers can be integrated into battery management systems to simplify battery management circuitry and/or to provide redundancy to the battery management systems. In some embodiments, the breakers can be provided to reduce damage to the battery management systems during hot-swapping of a battery cell. The breakers can be automatically resettable or not automatically resettable in various embodiments.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a vehicle including a chassis that is moveable in a driving direction, two rear wheels moveably carrying the chassis on the rear side seen in the driving direction, two front wheels moveably carrying the chassis on the front side seen in the driving direction, a steering wheel for turning a steering column around a rotation axis for steering the front wheels, and a steering angle sensor for measuring a rotation angle of the steering column around the rotation axis with an encoder that is stationary to the steering column and with a magnet sensor that is disposed axially displaced distance from the encoder on the rotation axis.

Abstract: A system for detecting a characteristic of a fluid. In one example, the system includes a tube, a float, a sensor, and a controller. The tube is configured to receive the fluid. The float is located within the tube. The sensor is configured to sense a position of the float. The controller is configured to receive, from the sensor, the position of the float, and determine a characteristic of the fluid based on the position of the float. The characteristic may be a density or a concentration.

Abstract: A fluid sensor including a guide, a float, a permanent magnet, and a magnetic angle sensor. In one example, the float is constrained at least in part by the guide to move along a vertical axis. The permanent magnet is mechanically coupled to the float. The magnetic angle sensor is configured to measure an angle of a magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet and is positioned such that movement of the float along the vertical axis varies the angle of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet through the magnetic angle sensor.

Abstract: A stator to guide a location-dependent magnetic field around a rotation axis including a first stator ring and a second stator ring arranged concentrically to the first stator ring. First claws project axially from the first stator ring in the direction of the second stator ring and are arranged circumferentially around a rotation axis and at a distance with the first claw gaps engaging in second claw gaps between second claws which are arranged circumferentially around the rotation axis, and protrude axially in the direction of the first stator ring at a distance to the second claw gaps. Each of the first and second claws includes a claw head. In at least one of the first claw gaps and in one of the second claw gaps relative to the corresponding claw head, a stator fastening element is arranged to fasten the first and second stator rings.