Patents by Inventor Daniel J. Mattson

Daniel J. Mattson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Dual axis magnetic field detector and magnets therefor
    Patent number: 7782047
    Abstract: A dual axis magnetic field detector is able to detect the presence of a magnetic field in two axes, such as a rotary axis and a linear axis. The detector includes a magnet for generating a magnetic field and two magnetic field sensors for detecting the strength and angle of the magnetic field as the magnet moves. The sensors may detect the axial and rotary displacement of an object, such as a shaft, to which the magnet is affixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Daniel J. Mattson
  • Dual axis magnetic field detector
    Publication number: 20080174301
    Abstract: A dual axis magnetic field detector is able to detect the presence of a magnetic field in two axes, such as a rotary axis and a linear axis. The detector includes a magnet for generating a magnetic field and two magnetic field sensors for detecting the strength and angle of the magnetic field as the magnet moves. The sensors may detect the axial and rotary displacement of an object, such as a shaft, to which the magnet is affixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Daniel J. Mattson
  • System for detecting and releasing a person locked in the trunk of a vehicle
    Patent number: 7109853
    Abstract: A vehicle safety system automatically detects the presence of a person sealed in the trunk of an automobile by sensing the CO2 respiration of the person. Visible, audio and radio alarms are generated in response to the detection of a person in the trunk. If the vehicle is stopped, the trunk will automatically open and allow the person to escape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Cherry Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Mattson, Kerry S. Berland, Kenneth C. Kunin
  • Seat for sensing a load
    Patent number: 7043997
    Abstract: An automotive seat includes optical sensors for determining a load on the seat, such as a person. The sensors may be used with a computer and computer software to analyze data from the sensors in determining a weight of the load, and the sensors may also be used to determine a shape of the load. From the weight and shape of the load, the computer may decide whether the load is suitable for safe deployment of an automatic restraining device, such as an airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Cherry Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Mattson, William G. Rodseth, Thomas C. Herrmann, James E. Mraz
  • Angular position sensor
    Patent number: 6960973
    Abstract: An angular position sensor employs a pair of magnets that are disposed on a rotating cylinder at opposite ends of a diameter of the cylinder. A hall-effect flux sensor is fixed within the cylinder and offset from a line of geometric and magnetic symmetry between the magnets. The offset sensor detects a linear change in flux of the magnets as the magnets rotate with the cylinder over a predetermined angular distance and thereby determines the angular position of the cylinder. The offset of the sensor is adjusted to reduce the sensing error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: The Cherry Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Mattson, Peter D. Joseph
  • Angular position sensor
    Publication number: 20040257067
    Abstract: An angular position sensor employs a pair of magnets that are disposed on a rotating cylinder at opposite ends of a diameter of the cylinder. A hall-effect flux sensor is fixed within the cylinder and offset from a line of geometric and magnetic symmetry between the magnets. The offset sensor detects a linear change in flux of the magnets as the magnets rotate with the cylinder over a predetermined angular distance and thereby determines the angular position of the cylinder. The offset of the sensor is adjusted to reduce the sensing error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: The Cherry Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Mattson, Peter D. Joseph