Abstract: A fuel level sensor having a magnetic position sensor connected to an arm for attachment to a float, wherein the magnetic position sensor comprises a stator and a movable part, the stator having two soft magnetic pieces defining an air gab, which contains a magnetoresistive probe for measuring the variation in induction in the gap, the moveable part comprising a yoke of soft magnetic materiel displaceable parallel to the magnetic pieces of the stator, and a magnet partly embedded in a cavity in the yoke facing the stator, the poles of the magnet being polarized perpendicularly to direction of movement of the moveable part relative to the stator.

Abstract: A fuel level sensor having a magnetic position sensor connected to an arm for attachment to a float, wherein the magnetic position sensor comprises a stator and a movable part, the stator having two soft magnetic pieces defining an air gab, which contains a magnetoresistive probe for measuring the variation in induction in the gap, the moveable part comprising a yoke of soft magnetic materiel displaceable parallel to the magnetic pieces of the stator, and a magnet partly embedded in a cavity in the yoke facing the stator, the poles of the magnet being polarized perpendicularly to direction of movement of the moveable part relative to the stator.

Abstract: A torque sensor comprising a shaft of magnetostrictive material; a pair of magnets having oppositely sensed poles positioned circumferentially around the shaft so as to induce a localized magnetic field in the shaft between the poles. A torque applied to the shaft is sensed by a flux detector positioned circumferentially between the magnet poles so as to detect a component of the localized magnetic field which escapes from the shaft as a result of the torque. With this design, there is no need to permanently magnetize the shaft or a collar attached to the shaft, as in the prior art. The prior art manufacturing step of permanently magnetizing the collar or its shaft is also thus eliminated, greatly simplifying the manufacturing.

Abstract: Various improvements are disclosed for an inertia switch device. The device includes an inertia body, a casting forming a compartment for the inertia body and providing a rest position therefor, and a toggle operable by the inertia body when it is disturbed from its rest position from a first to a second toggle position. A member mounted in the casing is operable for moving the toggle from its second to its first position. The member may be biased to a rest position in the casing which is independent of the toggle position. There may be three contacts the first of which is electrically connected only to the second when the toggle is in its first position and only to the third when the toggle is in its second position.

Abstract: An electrical switch has a movable contact 15 and a fixed contact 14. A member 26 can move the contact 15 to make or break the switch. A latch including a movable device controls the initial movement of member 26 but the member 26 then moves independently of the latch. The device can be moved to release the latch either manually (by 31) or by another mechanism. This other mechanism can be an electromagnet 41; it also can be an inertia body 51 releasable from a rest position in response to excessive acceleration.

Abstract: A sensing device conveniently and accurately produces electrical signal representative of the direction in which he steerable wheels (10 and 11) of a vehicle are pointing and the rate of change of the direction of the steerable wheels. The device includes a circular or donut-shaped magnet (26) that is attached to the pinion (12) of a rack and pinion steering gear (6). The magnet has a plurality of magnetic poles (28) spaced around its circumference and preferably extending axially through the magnet. As the magnetic poles rotate past a plurality of sensors (36 and 38) that are located in quadrature positioning relative to the magnetic poles and to each other, the sensors generate electrical signals that are processed to determine the rotation direction of the pinion and the rate of such rotation.

Abstract: An electric switch 11 has contacts 12 and 13 which are initially closed by activating means 14. The invention provides urging means 22 to bias the switch against reopening of the contacts during at least an initial period which is useful if the activating means does not operate for long enough for the electric switch to assume its stable closed position. The urging means is responsive to current carried through the contacts. It is possible to provide a plurality of switches responsive to the same urging means, different switches being provided for different electrical circuits and possibly energised from different sources.

Abstract: An acceleration responsive circuit is provided including an electronic accelerometer having an analog electrical signal output representative of detected acceleration which signal is inputted into an analog/digital converter to provide a digital signal in response to the accelerometer output together with an integrator for integrating the digital signal and, in the event a threshold acceleration has been exceeded, an operating circuit is energized to activate selected equipment such as, for example, the inflator for an airbag.

Abstract: An inertia body moves from a rest position in response to an applied acceleration and in so doing operates an electrical switch remote from the rest position. The body moves on spaced rails of a track arranged in a plane, with an aperture between the rails so that the body can extend below the running surfaces of the rails. The plane may be inclined and/or the rails may be non-parallel so that the center of gravity of the body rises as it moves from the rest position.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic ball is mounted between dished first and second contacts and subjected to magnetic restraint tending to retain the ball in its central, rest position by means of a rare earth type magnet which is accurately positioned relative to the ball by a polyester shim clamped between the first contact and the magnet as a result of resilient deformation of an annular portion of a cap attached to a housing member enclosing the first and second contacts. Lugs extending from the first and second contacts pass through openings in the housing member and through apertures in a printed circuit board to which the sensor is attached by dowels. The lugs are then attached to the printed circuit board by soldering.

Abstract: Movement of an inertia mass (4) from a rest position as a result of acceleration or deceleration in excess of a given threshold value causes a hinge-like assembly (8) having two parts (9 and 10) to pivot between two overcenter positions on either side of a center position in which the two parts (9 and 10) occupy a common plane to thereby cause movable electrical contacts (14 and 15) forming part of the hinge-like assembly (8) to engage or separate from further electrical contacts (31 and 32).

Abstract: The inertia switch device (1) comprises an inertia mass (6) which is movable from a rest position when the device is subjected to an applied acceleration or deceleration in a horizontal plane, a first electrical contact (5) movable between a first stable position in which it engages a second electrical contact (3) and a second stable position in which it no longer engages the second electrical contact, and support means (4) having a bifurcated portion (24) for carrying a bifurcated portion of the first electrical contact (5). An operating means (27) is struck by the inertia mass (6), when the applied acceleration or deceleration exceeds a threshold value and moves the first electrical contact (5) from the first to the second stable position. The operating means (27) has a first limb (31) which is struck by the inertia mass and a second limb (28) with a bifurcated portion which is pivotally mounted on the support means.