Abstract: A low profile non-contacting position sensor for rotational engagement with a shaft. A pole piece has a first and a second piece. A backstrap retains the first and second pieces in parallel and opposing relationship. A shaft passes through at least one of the pieces. The pole piece is held to the shaft by a shaft retainer. A first and second magnet is disposed on the first and second pieces, respectively. A magnetic sensor is positioned between the first and second magnets. A magnetic field sensor such as a hall effect sensor is positioned in an gap and operates to provide an output signal representative of the field strength of the magnet as the shaft rotates. The output signal changes magnitude in relation to the relative position of the magnet with respect to the magnetic field sensor.

Abstract: A dual-axes position sensor 10 having an outer housing 12, an actuator 40, a linear Hall effect sensor assembly 20 for detecting position changes along a first (y) axis, and a linear Hall effect sensor assembly 30 for detecting position changes along a second (x) axis is disclosed. The housing 12 is preferably made out of a non-magnetic material such as plastic. Actuator 40 is rod shaped and coupled to a movable device or shaft (not shown) that is to have its position sensed. The linear Hall effect sensor assembly 20 is unattachably positioned to set on lip 52 of the housing 12, and includes a magnetically conducting pole piece 26, a magnet assembly 24 comprising an upper magnet 21 and a lower magnet 23 that are separated by an air gap 25. Magnet assembly 24 and pole piece 26 are positioned around a Hall sensor device support 14 in a“U” shaped configuration or form. Hall sensor device support 14 is fixedly attached to housing 12 via attachment area 54.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a ladder filter (400) incorporating same. The filter (400) includes a substrate and a first series resonator (100, 403) disposed on the substrate and electrically coupled in series between the first electrical port (401) and a first node. The first series resonator (100, 403) includes a first series acoustic reflector (115), a first series gap (112), a first series transducer (105, 403), a second series gap (112) and a second series acoustic reflector (115′) collectively disposed in an in-line configuration along a principal axis of the substrate. The filter (400) also includes a first shunt resonator (100, 404) disposed on the substrate and electrically coupled in shunt between the first node and ground. The first shunt transducer (105, 404) and the first series transducer (105, 403), if reflectors (115, 115′) are included, have an optimized number of reflective elements (116, 116′) included therein.

Abstract: Quartz crystal resonators 30 with a first angle of rotation having an X-axis 17 and Z′-axis 19 lying within a plane corresponding to an AT-cut and a second angle of rotation 34 within the plane of the AT-cut and lying within a range of about ±1° to about ±11.5° from the Z′-axis of the AT-cut. The resonators includes substantially opposing electrodes 36 disposed on major faces of the quartz crystal plate 32. The second angle of rotation 34 results in quartz crystal resonators 30 being produced with a more uniform distribution of temperature performances.

Abstract: An oscillator circuit suppresses unwanted oscillation frequencies and allows oscillation in the selected frequency band. The circuit has less sensitivity to aging of components that cause a shift in operating frequency. The oscillator includes a first and second inverting amplifier that each have an input terminal and an output terminal. A crystal resonator is connected between the input terminal of the first amplifier and the output terminal of the second amplifier. A suppression trap is connected between the first and second amplifier for suppressing oscillation outside the desired range of frequencies. The trap includes a parallel tank circuit that is connected between the output terminal of the first amplifier and the input terminal of the second amplifier. A capacitor is connected between the input terminal of the second amplifier and a ground.

Abstract: A vehicle seat weight sensor for sensing the weight of an occupant in a vehicle seat. The sensor includes a substrate that has a first and second end. The substrate is located between the seat bottom and the vehicle floor. Strain gauge resistors are located on the substrate for generating an electrical signal in response to the substrate being stressed by the weight of the seat occupant. The electrical signal changes as a function of the weight of the seat occupant. Several mounting configurations to the vehicle seat are shown.

Abstract: A variable resistor useful for automotive type fuel senders has a cermet film fired upon a refractory substrate. The cermet film is burnished to reduce asperity of the fired film. The resulting resistor element works with existing mechanical float type senders to provide a reliable and long lasting sender.

Abstract: A contacting position sensor that has a carbon fiber contactor tip design for long life and low wear characteristics. The position sensor has a housing and a resistive element and is located on a substrate mounted within the housing. A carbon fiber contactor is mounted within the housing and has a first and second beam and carbon fibers attached to an end of each of the beams. The carbon fibers are in electrical contact with the resistive element. The carbon fibers are attached to the beam by a conductive epoxy or the carbon fibers are attached to the beam by a crimping. The contactor is attached to a rotor or a drive arm.

Abstract: A pointing device for controlling the positioning, movement and operation of a cursor on the display screen. Specifically, the device has a base with an end of a shaft mounted therein. Resistors and conductive pads are mounted on the base. A cable is provided with several electrical conductors and an interposer is mounted between the cable and the base for electrically connecting the resistors and the pads to the conductors. The interposer provides an electrical path between the resistors and the conductors. The interposer can be a conductive film adhesive or a pressure sensitive adhesive having vias filled with a conductive epoxy.

Abstract: A low profile integrated oscillator operable to provide an oscillator signal includes a thermally conductive substrate having a cavity and a ledge. A crystal or other resonator is located in the cavity and mounted to the ledge. The resonator stabilizes the oscillator signal. An electrical circuit is mounted to the substrate and electrically connects to the resonator to condition the oscillator signal. A cover seals the resonator in the cavity. A via electrically connects the resonator to the electrical circuit. A heater is mounted to the substrate, outside the cavity, for elevating the temperature inside the cavity and a temperature sensor is mounted to the substrate to monitor the oscillator temperature. The substrate is surrounded by an insulation and mounted within a housing. The housing has a connector for connecting to an external electrical circuit.

Abstract: A fuel level indicator system that utilizes a resistor card having an arc-shaped resistive path with a first set of spaced apart conductor lines and an arc-shaped resistive ink material overlying the first set of conductor lines. The first conductor lines are formed at an angle with respect to a radial line drawn from the center of the resistive path arc. The resistor card also has an arc-shaped continuously solid conductor base and a second set of spaced apart conductor lines extending from the base at an angle with respect to a radial line drawn from the center of the arc-shaped conductor base. The system includes a wiper assembly having a pair of spaced apart arms. Each arm has a plurality of parallel fingers extending from one end. One of the fingers on a first arm engages a conductor line on the resistive path and a second finger on the first arm engages an adjacent conductor line along the resistive path.

Abstract: A heater control system for ovenized oscillators that is capable of changing the relative influence of multiple temperature sensors in order to keep a uniform temperature profile across the oscillator enclosure. A resonator is located near a heater in an enclosure. Several temperature sensors are located in proximity to the resonator for sensing temperature. One of the sensors is closer to the heater and another sensor is closer to an outer wall of the enclosure. A control circuit is connected between the sensors and the heater to provide a control signal to the heater, in response to the sensors. An adjustment circuit is connected to each of the sensors, for adjusting the relative influence that each sensor has on the control circuit.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a zero-speed rotary pulse generator is disclosed. The zero-speed rotary pulse generator detects and counts shaft rotation of DC motors. The invention measures the rotation of a shaft by being coupled to a disc-shaped magnet having alternating polarity on its face. The magnet rotates at the same speed as the motor. Positioned close to the rotating magnet is a Hall effect device that can sense the alternating magnet polarity as the shaft rotates. The Hall effect device provides a digital output based upon the direction and the strength of the magnetic field it senses.

Abstract: A linear analog rotary 360 degree magnetic position sensor assembly for sensing the position of rotating objects. A magnet having a varying width is mounted to a magnet disc. A flux return disc is mounted on a shaft opposed to the magnet disc. The magnet generates a magnetic field in an air gap between the discs. A magnetic field sensor such as a hall effect sensor is positioned in the gap and operates to provide an output signal representative of the magnetic field density as the shaft and disc rotate. The output signal changes magnitude in relation to the relative position of the magnet with respect to the magnetic field sensor.

Abstract: A magnet molding tool for controlling the orientation of magnetic particles in a polymer bonded magnet during injection molding. A magnet mold has a mold cavity. A flux generator is connected to the magnet mold for applying a magnetic field in the cavity. An upper plate is attached to the magnet mold to modify the magnetic field in the cavity such that the orientation of the magnetic particles varies proportionally to the dimensions of the plate.

Abstract: A pointing stick 10 for controlling the positioning, movement and operation of a cursor 209 on the display screen 213. The pointing stick 10 includes a solid structure 20 having a base 24 and a shaft 22 integrally formed with and perpendicular to the base. A film 30 is mounted on the base and a sensor 32 is mounted on the film. The sensor is capable of sensing strains on the base that are indicative of the direction that the shaft is being forced. The sensor functions by using strain sensitive resistors that change resistance based upon the amount of strain that they are subject to. The strain sensitive resistors are coupled to circuitry that will produce signals in response to the strain on the gages. The resulting signals are used to either control the movement of the cursor around the display screen, or to do what is commonly called "clicking" a mouse button for selection of items or dragging of items on the display screen.

Abstract: A multilayered gas sensor for detecting the presence of gases in air. In particular, sensors are described for sensing hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. An additional feature of the invention is to provide a device that is suitable for sensing gases in the harsh environment of an automobile exhaust system. The device features a ceramic substrate and a glass layer to adhere a catalyst support to the substrate. A catalyst layer of either platinum or rhodium is deposited on the catalyst support and a thermally sensitive resistor element detects reactions of hydrocarbons or nitrogen oxides on the corresponding catalyst.

Abstract: A magnet molding tool for controlling the orientation of magnetic particles in a polymer bonded magnet during injection molding. The tool has magnet mold having a mold cavity. A flux generator is connected to the magnet mold. The flux generator applies a magnetic field in the cavity. A non-magnetic cap is attached to the magnet mold and is dimensioned to modify the magnetic field in the cavity such that the orientation of the magnetic particles in the cavity varies proportionally to the dimensions of the non-magnetic cap. In an alternative embodiment, a slot is formed in the magnet mold and dimensioned to modify the magnetic field in the cavity.

Abstract: A high purity dielectric ceramic composition is disclosed. This composition provides improved electrical properties in the form of ultra-high electrical Q, a low (T.sub.f) property and a high dielectric constant (K). This composition is also amenable to large scale manufacturing processes and operations. The composition provides a multi-oxide dielectric with BaO--Nd.sub.2 O--Sm.sub.2 O.sub.3 --TiO.sub.2 --La.sub.2 O.sub.3 Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 and ZnO as constituents. The composition materials effectively provide these desirable properties in a custom composition of various oxide materials advantageously including samarium oxide (Sm.sub.2 O.sub.3).

Abstract: A fluid level detector according to the invention comprises a substrate formed of a heat-insulative material and one or more thermoresistive sensor elements located on the substrate that is adapted to be immersed in a fluid. A current source is connected to the sensor element for producing a current through the sensor element during a predetermined time period. The current heats the sensor element and causes a change in voltage across the sensor element at least during the time period. The amount of change in voltage during the time period is reflective of the fluid level, since the fluid serves as a heat sink for the sensor element. The voltage is measured across the sensor element and a voltage slope is determined. The determined voltage slope is indicative of fluid level.