Abstract: A through the hole rotary position sensor which incorporates a single ring magnet with a central aperture is disclosed. The rotating shaft whose angular position is to be sensed is adapted to be received in the central aperture. The through the hole rotary position sensor in accordance with the present invention also includes a pair of pole pieces which extend at least partially around the circular magnet. One or more magnetic flux responsive elements are disposed adjacent the pole pieces. In order to shield the sensor from undesirable magnetic flux influences through the rotatable shaft, an optional internal shunt ring may be provided around the exterior of the rotatable shaft. In order to shield the sensor from undesirable external magnetic flux influences, an optional external shunt ring and top and bottom shunt discs may also be provided. The circular magnet, pole pieces, magnetic flux responsive element, optional shunt rings and shunt discs are carried by a non-magnetic housing.

Abstract: A reaction plate (10) comprising a welded plastics planar laminate consisting of an aperture plate (12) and a film (22), the aperture plate (12) having at least one planar surface and a plurality of apertures (14) in the planar surface of the apertured plate (12) and the film (22) being attached to the planar surface of the apertured plate (12) around the or each aperture (14) by welding. A method of forming such reaction plates (10) using diode laser welding. An apparatus for handling such reaction plates (10) including performing polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) or primer extensions therewith. The welding is preferably laser or transmission welding.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for use in measuring permeability of a material. The apparatus 1 comprises a non-contact probe 6 comprising an inner pipe 8 and an outer pipe 10 which are arranged coaxially; a gas inlet for admitting a flow of gas into a first space 9 defined between the inner and outer pipes; and pressure difference measuring systems DP for measuring a pressure difference &Dgr;P between said first space (P1) and a second space (P2) comprising the interior of the inner pipe 8. The probe 6 is mounted on a moveable head assembly 11 and the apparatus 1 further includes a position control system 12, 22 for controlling the movement of the head assembly 11 so as to cause the probe 6 to scan across a surface 2 of the material to be analysed, while maintaining the probe 6 at a constant distance Z from said surface 2, and for collecting pressure difference &Dgr;P measurements, using said pressure difference measuring device DP during scanning movement of the probe 6.

Abstract: A compensation circuit for compensating for switching point errors in rotating target or gear tooth sensors. The compensation circuit may include a processing unit and a persistent storage device, such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), for storing compensation values that are used to provide automatic compensation of the rotating target sensor after the sensor module is installed by the end user. The actual and compensation values may be determined and stored as linear functions in the form of mX+b, where X is the frequency of the rotating target, m is the slope and b is the y-intercept. In order to provide compensation, the actual slope value m is multiplied by a compensation value. The y intercept (i.e. b) is selected, for example, to be the maximum speed in a given application. The compensation values (i.e.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor is formed with a self-lubricating bearing. The rotary position sensor includes a race which forms one bearing surface. A drive arm assembly forms a bearing element forming two mating bearing surfaces. For applications in which the bearing may be subjected to environmental conditions that could result in corrosion, one bearing surface may be formed from a corrosion resistant metal, such as stainless steel, while the mating bearing surface is homogeneously formed with the bearing element from a composite material which includes PFTE or Teflon. By homogeneously forming the bearing element from a composite material which includes Teflon, wear of the bearing element will not effect lubrication of the bearing.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor which includes a molded housing with a central aperture forming a drive arm cavity, a drive arm assembly and a rotor plate. The drive arm assembly carries a circular magnet and a shunt ring and is rotatably received within the drive arm cavity. The drive arm assembly is formed with an extending stud for connection to an external mechanical lever. The rotor plate is used to close the drive arm cavity and carries a magnetic flux responsive element and one or more flux concentrators and optional flux shunt. The molded housing, drive arm assembly and rotor plate are configured to minimize air space within the drive arm cavity after the sensor is assembled. By minimizing air spaces within the drive arm cavity, the amount of ice build up within the drive arm cavity is minimized. In addition, to further prevent a condition of ice lock of the drive arm assembly relative to the molded housing, all surfaces within the drive arm cavity are formed as smooth surfaces.

Abstract: A transmission shift position sensor that is adapted to provide an indication of the position of a transmission shift lever. The transmission shift position sensor includes a rotary position sensor and a rooster comb formed as an assembly. The direct coupling of the sensor to the rooster comb provides a positive indication of the automatic transmission shift sensor without the need for compensating for tolerances in mechanical linkages.

Abstract: A transmission shift position sensor that is adapted to provide an indication of the position of a transmission shift lever. The transmission shift position sensor includes a rotary position sensor and a rooster comb formed as an assembly. The direct coupling of the sensor to the rooster comb provides a positive indication of the automatic transmission shift sensor without the need for compensating for tolerances in mechanical linkages.

Abstract: A disk-shaped two-antenna assembly contains a CP ring-antenna and a linear-monopole-antenna. The bottom surface of a ring-shaped dielectric member holds a ground plane. A circular radiating element is located on a top surface of the ring-shaped dielectric member. A linear radiating element is positioned coincident with a central axis of the two-antenna assembly, and a top end thereof carries a metal disk that extends perpendicular to the central axis of the two-antenna assembly A centrally-located void lies between the ground plane and the metal disk to provide for the housing of electronic components. Metal RF shields are electrically connected to the ground plane and are located at the top portion of this void, intermediate the bottom-located ground plane and the top-located metal disk.

Abstract: Spray apparatus comprising a spray carrier or liquid reservoir (1), a loop circuit, a first pump (2) for feeding sp iquid from the liquid reservoir (1) to the loop circuit (A, B, C, D), a spray chemical reservoir (5), chemical injection means injecting spray chemical from the spray chemical reservoir (5) into the loop circuit (A, B, C, D), a spray nozzle (6), a valve selectively connecting the spray nozzle (6) to the loop circuit (A, B, C, D), and a second pump (4) in the loop circuit (A, B, C for continuously circulating spray liquid and spray chemical in the loop circuit (A, B, C, D).

Abstract: A self-lubricating bearing and more particularly to a self-lubricated bearing which includes a race and a bearing element forming two mating bearing surfaces. For applications in which the bearing may be subjected to environmental conditions that could result in corrosion, one bearing surface may be formed from a corrosion resistant metal, such as stainless steel, while the mating bearing surface is homogeneously formed with the bearing element from a composite material which includes PFTE or Teflon. By homogeneously forming the bearing element from a composite material which includes Teflon, wear of the bearing element will not effect lubrication of the bearing.

Abstract: A transmission shift position sensor that is adapted to provide an indication of the position of a transmission shift lever. The transmission shift position sensor includes a rotary position sensor and a rooster comb formed as an assembly. The direct coupling of the sensor to the rooster comb provides a positive indication of the automatic transmission shift sensor without the need for compensating for tolerances in mechanical linkages.

Abstract: A compensation circuit for compensating for switching point errors in rotating target or gear tooth sensors. The compensation circuit may include a processing unit and a persistent storage device, such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), for storing compensation values that are used to provide automatic compensation of the rotating target sensor after the sensor module is installed by the end user. The actual and compensation values may be determined and stored as linear functions in the form of mX+b, where X is the frequency of the rotating target, m is the slope and b is the y-intercept. In order to provide compensation, the actual slope value m is multiplied by a compensation value. The y intercept (i.e. b) is selected, for example, to be the maximum speed in a given application. The compensation values (i.e.

Abstract: A miniature magnetic device package for use in applications as small as 5 mm as disclosed. Three embodiments of the invention are provided. In one embodiment, a magnetic encoder includes a magnetic flux responsive element, such as a Hall effect device, sandwiched between a pair of pole pieces, forming a subassembly. A resin, such as epoxy or a thermoplastic material is overmolded over the subassembly forming a housing. The magnetic flux responsive element is configured such that its major axis is generally parallel with a major axis of the housing, thus providing a sensor package with a footprint around 5 mm. The flux concentrators may be configured in an L-shape to provide magnetic focusing adjacent a sensing face of the housing to focus flux toward the magnetic encoder and the Hall effect device. In a second embodiment of the invention, a magnetic sensor is provided. In this embodiment, a magnetic flux responsive element is sandwiched between a magnet and a flux concentrator.

Abstract: A rock-climbing structure including one or more pliable climbing matrices held under tension and a plurality of rock-climbing/gymnastic holds attached to the pliable climbing matrices. In an embodiment of the invention, a climbing matrix is, for example, a net or sheet. The plurality of holds can be attached to the one or more pliable climbing matrices by, for example, clasp rods that clamp a matrix or by clamps that engage a cord of the matrix. In an embodiment of the invention, distances between each hold of the plurality of holds vary across a climbing matrix to create a varied climbing route. The holds can include, for example, a hold edge, a jib hold, a hold hole, a hold lip, a hold crack, or a hold boss.

Abstract: A transmission shift position sensor that is adapted to provide an indication of the position of a transmission shift lever. The transmission shift position sensor includes a rotary position sensor and a rooster comb formed as an assembly. The direct coupling of the sensor to the rooster comb provides a positive indication of the automatic transmission shift sensor without the need for compensating for tolerances in mechanical linkages.

Abstract: A system and method for providing starter credit card products to selected customers of a credit card issuer is disclosed. Methods, systems and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention enable a credit card issuer to identify a group of customers that may not eligible to obtain standard credit card products offered by the credit card issuer. The credit card issuer may rank these customers and present offers for starter credit card accounts with adjusted account parameters tailored to these customers. The credit card issuer monitors the activities of each starter card account during a trial period to determine whether each respective account has met predetermined criteria. Based on the results of the monitor process, the credit card issuer may adjust the parameters associated with each starter credit card account.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor which includes a molded housing with a central aperture forming a drive arm cavity, a drive arm assembly and a rotor plate. The drive arm assembly carries a circular magnet and a shunt ring and is rotatably received within the drive arm cavity. The drive arm assembly is formed with an extending stud for connection to an external mechanical lever. The rotor plate is used to close the drive arm cavity and carries a magnetic flux responsive element and one or more flux concentrators and optional flux shunt. The molded housing, drive arm assembly and rotor plate are configured to minimize air space within the drive arm cavity after the sensor is assembled. By minimizing air spaces within the drive arm cavity, the amount of ice build up within the drive arm cavity is minimized. In addition, to further prevent a condition of ice lock of the drive arm assembly relative to the molded housing, all surfaces within the drive arm cavity are formed as smooth surfaces.

Abstract: A mechanical linkage assembly, which includes one or more mechanical devices, such as ball joint assemblies, over molded around one or both opposing ends of a connecting rod. The connecting rod is formed with a reduced diameter portion to enable the mechanical device to rotate relative thereto, while limiting axial movement therebetween. In such a configuration, the same tooling can be used even though the length of the connecting rod changes, since the mechanical devices can be molded one after the other on the ends of the connecting rod which reduces the cost and complexity of manufacturing the assembly.