Abstract: A device for detecting rotary movement has a rotary part configured to be fixedly connected to a motor shaft and rotate with the motor shaft. One or more sensors are positioned opposite the rotary part and configured to sense rotary movement of the rotary part and transmit signals derived from the rotary movement. A processing unit is connected to the sensor and receives and processes the signals transmitted by the sensor. A receptacle is provided to secure the sensor. The sensor and the receptacle have positioning elements cooperating with one, another so as to adjust a position of the sensor relative to the rotary part in a rotational direction of the rotary part. The device cooperates with a mounting device for mounting and positioning the rotary part relative to the sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic rotational position sensor for sensing the rotational position of a control shaft about a first axis over a definable range of rotation is disclosed. The magnetic rotational position sensor includes a magnetic circuit formed by a peripherally interrupted outer pole piece defining an air gap and a magnet disposed within the air gap to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic circuit is adjoined to the control shaft to synchronously rotate the magnetic field about a second axis. A magnetic flux sensor is disposed within the magnetic field to sense the rotational position of the control shaft as the control shaft is rotated about the first axis over the definable range of rotation.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a preselected area of an electrically conductive component to determine whether flaws are present. The method includes the steps of permanently mounting an eddy current element on the component over the preselected area and energizing the element to generate alternating magnetic fields proximate the component. An electrical signal generated by a secondary magnetic field formed proximate the component is detected using the element and the detected electrical signal is compared to a reference signal to determine whether the detected signal is different than the reference signal. Differences indicate the presence of a flaw in the component. Inspection apparatus for performing this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The design of an electro-magnetic radiation suppression shield and cooling housing for a computer, server or other electronic device having a computer processor may be greatly enhanced and expedited by a test apparatus that permits the placement of electro-magnetic radiation suppression plates at differing locations, spacings and alignments, which allows a variance in positioning the electro-magnetic radiation source. The test apparatus not only has an air flow cooling opening in which an electro-magnetic radiation suppression panel forms cooling air flow holes but also a fixture for disposing a second similar electromagnetic radiation suppression panel at a distance from the first electro-magnetic radiation suppression panel. Each of the panels may be substituted to test various designs.

Abstract: A magnetic effect sensor system has a target with a first set of regularly spaced tooth/slot transition target features and a second set of different tooth/slot transition target features interspersed within the regularly spaced features. The mix of target features allows a single magnetic effect sensor to output a clocking pulse train for misfire detection and an encoded pulse train for determining absolute mechanical position by utilizing two thresholds on the sensor output waveform.

Abstract: A test lead retraction system for retracting test lead cables on a spool. The test lead retraction system includes a base having an upper surface, a pillar is fixedly mounted to the upper surface, and a first bore extending through the pillar. An axle having a first end and a second end is fixedly mounted in the first bore. A first spool and a second spool are rotatably mounted on the axle between the pillar and the first end and the second end, respectively, of the axle. First and second biasing mechanisms rotationally bias the first spool and the second spool against rotation with respect to the axle in a first rotational direction. A first connecting cable and a second connecting cable are each wrapped about the respective first and second spools. A first linking cable links the first electrical contact and a meter. A second linking cable links the second electrical contact and the meter.

Abstract: A Hall-effect angular rotation sensor device for a throttle valve unit. The sensor includes a housing unit, a stationary unit, and a moving unit moveable relative to the stationary unit. The stationary and the moving units are at least partially enclosed by the housing unit. The stationary unit includes a first and a second partial ring stator segment that are at least partially retained in the housing unit, leaving a stator distancing gap in which at least one Hall-effect IC switch is positioned. The moving unit includes (a) a partial ring magnet segment that is at least partially distanced from the first and the second partial ring stator segments by an air gap and (b) a third partial ring stator segment positioned behind and opposite the air gap.

Abstract: This Inductive Displacement Transducer relates to a new and useful set of embodiments for a comparator-type relaxation oscillator circuit where the frequency is controlled by variable inductance. Each oscillation of said circuit discharges a fixed amount of charge such that an increase in frequency increases the total current draw of the circuit.

Abstract: This invention discloses a system for tracking one or more objects (22) within a region of interest, including at least one electromagnetic field generator (20), fixed with respect to an external frame of reference, at least one passive transponder (30), fixed to an object (22) being tracked, wherein an electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic field generator (20) causes the transponder (30) to generate electromagnetic signals and at least one electromagnetic sensor (24), fixed with respect to the external frame of reference, which receives electromagnetic signals generated by the transponder (30) and determines the three-dimensional position and three-axis rotational orientation of the object (20) using these signals. A method of tracking translation and rotation of one or more objects within a region of interest is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a sensor device including a magnetic field sensor which is arranged in stationary fashion and configured as a Hall sensor and is magnetically coupled to at least one stationary magnetic flux conductor which senses a variable magnetic field and delivers it to the Hall sensor, the Hall sensor delivering to an electronic control circuit an electrical signal which depends on the change in the magnetic field, in order to achieve a reduction in the space required for the electronic control circuit and the Hall sensors it is proposed the at least one Hall sensor, combined with at least one element of the electronic control circuit into an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), be arranged in an electronic component.

Abstract: A position sensor for non-contact position measurement includes a sensor magnet and a sensor body. The sensor body is formed from a magneto-resistive material and is given a two or three dimensional geometrical shape to achieve a desired sensitivity function. The desired sensitivity function results from a variation in one or more of the sensor body dimensions. By forming the sensor body of magneto-resistive material into different geometrical shapes like a simple wedge, a double wedge, a circular tapered form or an arbitrary shape, a desired sensitivity function is obtained.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the relative displacement between two rotating shafts. The sensor can sense a torque applied to the steering wheel of a vehicle. The sensor has a housing that has apertures at each end. The rotating shafts pass into the housing. A sensor assembly is located in the housing and connected to the shafts. The sensor assembly generates an electrical signal that is proportional to the relative rotational displacement between the shafts. An electrical connector is located in the housing and electrically connects with the sensor assembly. The sensor assembly has a planetary gear assembly that is connected to the shafts. A variable magnetic field generator is connected to the planetary gear assembly and moves proportional to the relative rotational displacement of the shafts. A magnetic field sensor is located adjacent the variable magnetic field generator and generates the electrical signal as the variable magnetic field generator moves.

Abstract: An inductive angle sensor with an exciting coil and several receiving coils displaced with respect to each other by a predetermined angle. A rotor element, a position of which is to be determined by the angle sensor, has an inductive coupling element that couples signals into the receiving coils which are essentially sinusoidally affected by the position of the rotor element. Output signals of various receiving coils are phase-shifted with respect to each other. In order to establish a linear interrelationship between the position of the rotor element and the sensor output signals, on the one hand, and to achieve a greatest possible measurement accuracy, on the other hand, the angle sensor has a selection device that selects to evaluate a respective output signal whose nearly linear part of its sine function is in a vicinity of its zero crossing.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor which can be used as an active antenna is disclosed that is capable of small size, ultrawideband operation, and high efficiency. The sensor includes a multiplicity of magnetic field transducers, e.g., superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) or Mach-Zehnder modulators, that are electrically coupled in a serial array. Dummy SQUIDs may be used about the perimeter of the SQUID array, and electrically coupled to the active SQUIDs for eliminating edge effects that otherwise would occur because of the currents that flow within the SQUIDs. Either a magnetic flux transformer which collects the magnetic flux and distributes the flux to the transducers or a feedback assembly (bias circuit) or both may be used for increasing the sensitivity and linear dynamic range of the antenna.

Abstract: An analog gauge includes a coil assembly and a permanent magnet fixedly attached to a rotatable shaft whereby magnetically orthogonal stator coils are disposed about the permanent magnet. The shaft is fixedly attached to a pointer arm that moves over a dial face. As electrical current passes through the coils, electromagnetic fields are induced which, when summed, comprise a magnetic force which is followed by the permanent magnet, shaft, and pointer arm. With reduced-parts circuitry, the flat zone responsiveness of the circuit is delayed until a zener diode is forward biased, yielding increased control over the flat zone responsiveness, without reliance upon the voltage drop across a diode connected between ground and the coil located furthest from the power source.

Abstract: A golf-cart speedometer/odometer has a rotation-mark collar (1) on a cart-wheel rim (2) that signals rotation to a rotation sensor (4) on a housing extension (5) from a cart-axle housing (6). Measurement of rotation of the rotation-mark collar from rotation of the cart-wheel rim is communicated electrically from the rotation sensor to a readout console (8) having a speedometer (10), a resettable long-distance odometer (11) in metric or English and a resettable short-distance odometer (12) in metric or English readout. Rotation-marking of the rotation-mark collar is preferably with a plurality of magnets (3). Optionally, the rotation-marking of the rotation-mark collar can utilize a plurality of four magnetic-material markers for a rotation-sensor magnet to decrease magnetic field that could damage computers or medical equipment in the vicinity. Further optional, the rotation-marking of the rotation-mark collar can utilize a plurality of four mechanical trippers (31) and trippets (32).

Abstract: A method is provided for determining magnetic characteristics of an electrically controlled solenoid. The method includes providing an electronically controlled solenoid having an armature, a stator and a coil operatively associated with the stator. The armature, stator and coil define a magnetic circuit. The armature is spaced from the stator to define an air gap between the armature and the stator. Current to the coil is ramped in a generally linear manner over a period of time to define a known current curve. A resulting rate of change of flux in the magnetic circuit is observed and recorded at certain points along the current curve. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, flux in the magnetic circuit is ramped in a generally linear manner over a period of time to define a known flux curve. A resulting current in the coil is observed and recorded at certain points along the flux curve.

Abstract: A vehicle speed sensor includes a hollow generally cylindrical sensor housing with an open proximal end. Within the interior of the sensor housing is a sensing structure having a base and a coil. A shunt resistor and two terminals are insert molded into the base of the sensing structure, with the resistor disposed between the terminals. Two electrical leads, that are electrically connected to the coil, are wrapped around each end of the shunt resistor and the immediately adjacent terminal. The electrical lead not only electrically connects the terminals to the coil, but it also electrically connects the shunt resistor to the terminals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic-field sensor using a magnetic substance. In the magnetic-field sensor, a transmission-line element constituted of a conductor layer, dielectric layer and a magnetic layer is inserted in a feedback circuit of a phase-shift type oscillation circuit using an open-loop operational amplifier as an amplifier. An output of the operational amplifier is fed back to an input thereof through the transmission-line element. Thus, a variation in oscillation frequency depending upon the intensity of an external magnetic field is detected as an output of the sensor.

Abstract: The magnetoresistive detector of the present invention uses magnetoresistive elements for detecting changes in the magnetic field of a moving magnet 3 which changes a magnetic field, wherein bias magnets (21, 22, 23, 24) can be mounted without using positioning jigs, errors in mounting are prevented, and the mounting density of components on a printed circuit board (4) is improved, whereby improved quality and compactness of the magnetoresistive detector can be achieved. For that purpose, the shape and dimensions of magnetoresistive detector elements (11, 12, 13, 14) are made identical to the shape and dimensions of the bias magnets (21, 22, 23, 24), and on the printed circuit board (4), positioning sections (41) for simultaneously positioning the magnetoresistive detector elements (11, 12, 13, 14) and bias magnets (21, 22, 23, 24) are provided.