Patents Assigned to CTS
  • Active Force Pedal Assembly
    Publication number: 20140260767
    Abstract: An active force pedal assembly that includes a housing for a pedal and a torque motor that is coupled to the pedal in a direct drive relationship via a shaft that extends between and is coupled directly to both the pedal and the torque motor. The drum of the pedal and the torque motor are disposed in a side-by-side relationship in which the respective longitudinal axes of the drum and the torque motor are co-linearly aligned. The torque motor generates and transfers a rotational torque force to the shaft which, in turn, applies an active force to the pedal and thus the foot of the operator of the vehicle for providing a sensory signal of a vehicular condition or event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael L. Wurn, Yulanda Wang
  • Dielectric Waveguide Filter with Direct Coupling and Alternative Cross-Coupling
    Publication number: 20140266514
    Abstract: A dielectric waveguide filter which, in one embodiment, is comprised of a plurality of monoblocks coupled together in a side-by-side relationship. In one embodiment, the waveguide filter includes two end monoblocks and two interior monoblocks each defining two resonators. First and second RF signal input/output electrodes are defined on the two end monoblocks. In one embodiment, a direct RF signal transmission path is defined in part by the combination of the resonators, RF signal transmission bridges on each of the monoblocks that interconnect the resonators on each of the monoblocks, and RF signal transmission windows between and interconnecting the resonators of adjacent monoblocks. In one embodiment, alternate or cross-coupling RF signal transmission paths are defined by external RF signal transmission lines that extend between adjacent monoblocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Alexandre Rogozine, Reddy Vangala
  • Ovenized crystal oscillator assembly
    Patent number: 8836436
    Abstract: An oscillator assembly which, in one embodiment, is an ovenized crystal oscillator assembly including an enclosure defined by a base and a lid which is seated on the base. The components of the oscillator assembly are supported by the base and located under the lid. The base and the lid together define an interior oven and are both preferably made of an insulative thermoplastic material to maximize the heat retention and oven performance of the oscillator assembly. In one embodiment, the lid and the base incorporate a clip for securing the lid to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Stolpman, James H. Pinson
  • Dielectric waveguide filter with structure and method for adjusting bandwidth
    Patent number: 8823470
    Abstract: A structure and method for adjusting the bandwidth of a ceramic waveguide filter comprising, in one embodiment, a monoblock of dielectric ceramic material defining respective steps and respective input/output through-holes extending through the monoblock and the respective steps. In one embodiment, the steps are defined by notches in the monoblock and the input/output through-holes define openings terminating in the notch. The bandwidth of the ceramic waveguide filter may be adjusted by adjusting the height/thickness and direction of the steps relative to an exterior surface of the monoblock and/or the diameter of the input/output through-holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: Reddy Vangala
  • Non-contacting sensor assembly
    Patent number: 8823366
    Abstract: A non-contacting sensor assembly including a connector assembly and a magnet assembly. The connector assembly includes a sensor coupled directly to the end of the terminals of the connector assembly. A sleeve is overmolded around and seals the sensor and the terminals. A capacitor is soldered in a recess in the terminals. The terminals include flexible regions, such as regions of reduced thickness, which reduce the effects of thermal expansion/contraction stresses on the solder. In one embodiment, the sensor assembly is a rotary position sensor assembly in which the magnet assembly is molded into a rotatable drive arm assembly located in a housing, the connector assembly is coupled to the housing, and the sensor extends into the housing and into adjacent relationship with the magnet assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: Brian G. Babin
  • Vehicle pedal assembly with hysteresis assembly
    Patent number: 8806977
    Abstract: A vehicle pedal assembly with a rotatable pedal. A hysteresis assembly includes a friction device and plunger, and first and second springs that are all separate and decoupled from each other and the pedal. The first spring exerts a force against the friction plunger that forces the friction device into frictional contact with the housing to generate and transfer a resistance force to the pedal. The first spring also exerts a force against the pedal when a foot force is removed from the pedal to return the pedal to idle with and without the movement of the friction device and without the force of the second spring. The second spring exerts a force against the friction device when the foot force is removed to return the pedal to idle without the force of the first spring. Barriers block the entry of debris into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: William S. Stewart, Robert F. Oldenburg, Murray Kaijala
  • Encapsulated ceramic element and method of making the same
    Patent number: 8802196
    Abstract: A PZT (lead zirconate titanate) element including one or more outside surfaces including a layer of encapsulation and metallization material and the method of making the same including at least the steps of providing a wafer of ceramic material including a base and one or more walls defining one or more recesses in the wafer which are filled with an encapsulation material. The encapsulation material is then cured and a layer of metallization is applied to one or more of the outside surfaces of the wafer and encapsulation material. Cuts are then made through the layer of metallization and cured encapsulation material to divide the wafer into a plurality of individual and separate ceramic elements with one or more surfaces including a layer of metallization and encapsulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Steinfeldt, Carl Jojola, Bruce Johnson
  • Linear position sensor
    Patent number: 8803514
    Abstract: A sensor used to sense the position of an attached movable object. The sensor can be mounted to a pneumatic actuator. The sensor includes a housing that has a pair of cavities or pockets separated by a wall. A magnet carrier is positioned within one of the cavities and a magnet is coupled to the magnet carrier. The magnet carrier is coupled to the moveable object. A magnetic sensor is positioned in the other of the cavities. The magnetic sensor generates an electrical signal that is indicative of a position of the movable object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Newman, William Storrie
  • Reverse battery cutoff circuit for an actuator or the like
    Patent number: 8780513
    Abstract: A reverse battery protection circuit for an actuator or the like. The circuit includes at least a first transistor and a second transistor which is coupled to both the first transistor and a voltage supply in a manner wherein the second transistor is adapted to turn the first transistor off in the event of an interruption in the voltage supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: Kristopher L. Desrochers
  • DEVICE AND METHOD OF BINARIZATION FOR PAYMENT OR ACCOUNTING DOCUMENTS
    Publication number: 20140185909
    Abstract: A binarization device for payment or accounting documents including sensitive data located in respective data window provides a primary binarized document file of the document; a memory stores identification files including identifying images and location information associated to given types of documents; the data window can be identified and localized as comparison with the identification files of the memory; the contribution of the background is subtracted from the window file, the window file is binarized and filtered for spurious pixels obtaining a binarized window file; the binarized document file and the binarized window file are merged to provide the binarized window file in the data window; the evidence of the significant pixel is obtained by sequential analysis on groups of pixels, applying morphological expansion operators on each group of pixels and following erosion of said group of pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: CTS electronics S.P.A.
    Inventors: Barbara PENNA, Patrizia UGO
  • Actuator and Sensor Assembly
    Publication number: 20140176128
    Abstract: An actuator and sensor assembly comprising respective sensor and actuator housings defining an interior chamber. Clips on the sensor housing engage the actuator housing for coupling the sensor and actuator housings together. The sensor housing includes a wall defining a pocket. A connector with a sensor couples to the sensor housing in a relationship wherein the sensor extends into the sensor housing pocket. A movable piston is located in the interior chamber and a tube thereon defines a receptacle for a magnet located adjacent the pocket. The piston is seated on a flexible diaphragm. An actuator shaft includes one end coupled to the piston and an opposite end coupled to a movable object. A plurality of pins in the actuator housing mount the assembly to a support bracket. The sensor senses changes in the magnetic field in response to changes in the position of the magnet relative to the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: CTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: William D. Storrie, Robert L. Newman, Brian G. Babin, Kevin C. Wolschlager
  • Magnetic Sensing Device
    Publication number: 20140167742
    Abstract: A magnetic sensing device including a U-shaped magnet with a pair of legs and a base defining a first interior channel and a distal plane. A sensor assembly in the first interior channel includes a sensor that extends above the distal plane. The magnet generates a first region of low or no flux above the distal plane in a first position of the magnet, a second region of low or no magnetic flux in the interior channel in a second position of the magnet, and a third region of magnetic flux above the distal plane in the second position of the magnet which causes the sensor to activate a control signal. The base includes steps and a second interior channel that opens into the first interior channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: CTS AUTOMOTIVE, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Moore, John Jablonski
  • Rotary Position Sensor
    Publication number: 20140152296
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for sensing a movable object which, in one embodiment, includes a housing defining an interior cavity. A rotor is retained in the cavity. The rotor defines a central bore and a magnet is mounted in an off-center pocket defined by the rotor. The rotor is coupled to the shaft of the movable object whose position is to be measured. A sensor is also retained in the cavity in a relationship at least partially overlying the magnet and adapted to sense at least the direction of the magnetic field generated by the magnet to generate an electrical signal indicative of the position of the movable object. In another embodiment, the rotor and sensor are mounted in separate interior housing cavities separated by an interior housing wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: CTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin C. Wolschlager, Robert L. Newman, Kim D. Cook
  • Bracket for RF Monoblock Filter and Filter-PCB Assembly Incorporating the Same
    Publication number: 20140104016
    Abstract: A combination RF filter and printed circuit board assembly wherein the RF filter is defined by a block of dielectric material including at least first and second side surfaces. A metal bracket with a plurality of fingers is secured to each of the first and second side surfaces. The fingers on the brackets extend through respective apertures in the printed circuit board and are soldered to the printed circuit board. The brackets relieve and transfer the thermal and mechanical stresses that result from use of a filter and printed circuit board that are made of materials with different thermal and mechanical characteristics and reduce the risk of cracking or damage to the filter, the printed circuit board, and the solder joints during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: CTS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jeffery J. Nummerdor
  • Rotary position sensor
    Patent number: 8692544
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for sensing a movable object which, in one embodiment, includes a housing defining an interior cavity. A rotor is retained in the cavity. The rotor defines a central bore and a magnet is mounted in an off-center pocket defined by the rotor. The rotor is coupled to the shaft of the movable object whose position is to be measured. A sensor is also retained in the cavity in a relationship at least partially overlying the magnet and adapted to sense at least the direction of the magnetic field generated by the magnet to generate an electrical signal indicative of the position of the movable object. In another embodiment, the rotor and sensor are mounted in separate interior housing cavities separated by an interior housing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Wolschlager, Robert L. Newman, Kim D. Cook
  • Vehicle Pedal with Index Assembly for Contacting Sensor
    Publication number: 20140090512
    Abstract: A vehicle pedal comprising a housing for a pedal arm with a drum, a rotor coupled to the drum and including a contactor that slides against a strip of resistive material in the housing, and an assembly for setting and locking the index position of the rotor. In one embodiment, the rotor extends through a window that is defined in the housing and limits the movement of the rotor during the index setting operation. In one embodiment, a plastic pin that is either separate from or unitary with the rotor is fitted into a slot defined in the drum. In another embodiment, a potting material is deposited and cured in the slot in the drum for locking the pin in the slot. In another embodiment, the pin is unitary with the drum of the pedal arm and is press-fitted into a slot in the rotor. In a further embodiment, the drum and rotor include respective plates and the pin is a clip that locks the plates together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: CTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Murray Kaijala, Daniel Wertman, John R Gietzen
  • Brushless direct current actuator with clip for retaining bobbins
    Patent number: 8680727
    Abstract: A brushless rotary actuator comprises a housing including a motor housing defining a cavity for a motor assembly and a cover defining a cavity for a gear assembly. The motor assembly includes a rotor and a stator with a plurality of bobbins. A clip in the form of a ring plate is seated against the bobbins for retaining the bobbins on the stator. Fingers formed on the ring plate are fitted into respective slots defined by respective bobbin terminals. A circuit board is seated in the housing against an interior shoulder of the motor housing. A plate is seated in the housing against a peripheral rim of the motor housing in a spaced relationship above the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Edward Cors, Patrick B. Blakesley, Ryan P. Garver, Derek L. Crites
  • Dielectric Waveguide Filter with Direct Coupling and Alternative Cross-Coupling
    Publication number: 20140077900
    Abstract: A dielectric waveguide filter comprising a block of dielectric material covered with an exterior layer of conductive material. A plurality of stacked resonators are defined in the block of dielectric material by one or more slots in the block of dielectric material and an interior layer of conductive material that separates the stacked resonators. First and second RF signal transmission windows in the interior layer of conductive material provide for both direct and cross-coupling RF signal transmission between the stacked resonators. In one embodiment, the waveguide filter is comprised of separate blocks of dielectric material each covered with an exterior layer of conductive material, each including one or more slots defining a plurality of resonators, and coupled together in a stacked relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: CTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexandre Rogozine, Reddy Vangala
  • Actuator and sensor assembly
    Patent number: 8664947
    Abstract: An actuator and sensor assembly comprising respective sensor and actuator housings defining an interior chamber. Clips on the sensor housing engage the actuator housing for coupling the sensor and actuator housings together. The sensor housing includes a wall defining a pocket. A connector with a sensor couples to the sensor housing in a relationship wherein the sensor extends into the sensor housing pocket. A movable piston is located in the interior chamber and a tube thereon defines a receptacle for a magnet located adjacent the pocket. The piston is seated on a flexible diaphragm. An actuator shaft includes one end coupled to the piston and an opposite end coupled to a movable object. A plurality of pins in the actuator housing mount the assembly to a support bracket. The sensor senses changes in the magnetic field in response to changes in the position of the magnet relative to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Storrie, Robert L. Newman, Brian G. Babin, Kevin C. Wolschlager
  • MOTOR VEHICLE CHASSIS SENSOR
    Publication number: 20140047913
    Abstract: A vehicle chassis sensor assembly comprising a housing member defining a sensor cartridge slot, a rotatable shaft with a magnet and retained in a sleeve, and a rotatable arm coupled to the shaft. A sensor cartridge is mounted in the slot through the interior of a connector socket and an opening between the slot and the connector socket. A plate on the sensor cartridge covers the opening. The sensor cartridge includes a terminal header and a separate board mounted to the terminal header. The board includes the sensor. Deformable posts on the terminal header and the sensor assembly extend through respective apertures in the board and the terminal header for securing the board and the sensor cartridge to the terminal header and the sensor assembly respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: CTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daryn L. Waite, Jay Lewis Hinkle