Abstract: A fluid pump includes a fluid pump inlet and a fluid pump outlet. A motor includes an armature and a stator such that the armature rotates about an axis. A pump section includes a pump section having a pumping element coupled to the armature such that rotation of the armature rotates the pumping element such that the pumping element pumps fluid from the fluid inlet to a pump section outlet of the pump section. A fluid passage within the fluid pump provides fluid communication from the pump section outlet to the fluid pump outlet such that the armature in part defines the fluid passage. The armature includes blades arranged in a polar array centered about the axis such that each of the blades extends in a helix about the axis and such that the blades define chambers. The chambers are in constant fluid communication with the pump section outlet.

Abstract: A fluid pump includes a fluid pump inlet and a fluid pump outlet. A motor includes an armature and a stator such that the armature rotates about an axis. A pump section includes a pump section having a pumping element coupled to the armature such that rotation of the armature rotates the pumping element such that the pumping element pumps fluid from the fluid inlet to a pump section outlet of the pump section. A fluid passage within the fluid pump provides fluid communication from the pump section outlet to the fluid pump outlet such that the fluid passage is radially between the armature and the stator. The armature includes a surface of which faces toward the pump section and includes a plurality of recesses extending thereinto.

Abstract: A fluid pump includes a fluid pump inlet and a fluid pump outlet. A motor includes an armature and a stator such that the armature rotates about an axis. A pump section includes a pump section having a pumping element coupled to the armature such that rotation of the armature rotates the pumping element such that the pumping element pumps fluid from the fluid inlet to a pump section outlet of the pump section. A fluid passage within the fluid pump provides fluid communication from the pump section outlet to the fluid pump outlet such that the fluid passage is radially between the armature and the stator. The armature includes a surface of which faces toward the pump section and includes a plurality of recesses extending thereinto.

Abstract: A fluid pump includes a fluid pump inlet and a fluid pump outlet. A motor includes an armature and a stator such that the armature rotates about an axis. A pump section includes a pump section having a pumping element coupled to the armature such that rotation of the armature rotates the pumping element such that the pumping element pumps fluid from the fluid inlet to a pump section outlet of the pump section. A fluid passage within the fluid pump provides fluid communication from the pump section outlet to the fluid pump outlet such that the armature in part defines the fluid passage. The armature includes blades arranged in a polar array centered about the axis such that each of the blades extends in a helix about the axis and such that the blades define chambers. The chambers are in constant fluid communication with the pump section outlet.

Abstract: A fuel supply system includes a fuel tank for holding a volume of fuel and a fuel reservoir disposed within the fuel tank. A fuel pump is provided for pumping fuel from the fuel reservoir to a fuel consuming device. A jet pump is provided in selective fluid communication with the fuel pump through a jet pump line to selectively aspirate fuel from the fuel tank into the fuel reservoir. A fuel level indicator is provided which is responsive to the level of fuel within the fuel reservoir and a valve which is responsive to the fuel level indicator closes the jet pump line when the fuel level indicator indicates that the fuel level reservoir contains a predetermined amount of fuel.

Abstract: A fuel level sensor assembly includes a magnetic sensor for sensing a magnetic field corresponding to fuel level. The magnetic sensor includes a magnetic sensing element packaged within a hermetically sealed non-magnetic metal case. The magnetic sensing element may be a Hall effect, giant magnetoresistive (GMR), or anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensor. The case may correspond to the dimensions of a standard transistor outline (TO) package such as TO-3, TO-5, TO-8, TO-18, TO-39, TO-46, TO-52, or TO-72.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus for determining a property of a fuel such as a gasoline and ethanol blend known as flex fuel includes an acetal plastic tube with an inlet, an outlet and a fuel passage in between. One property of the fuel is a dielectric constant. A pair of sensing plates are placed on opposite sides of the tube leaving the fuel passage unobstructed. A processing circuit on a printed circuit board (PCB) is located near to and is connected with the sensing plates. The circuit applies an excitation signal, senses a capacitance, and generates an output signal indicative of a property of the fuel. The sensed capacitance will increase with increasing concentration of ethanol in the fuel flowing through the passage. A shield for reducing EMI surrounds and encloses the sensing plates and the PCB. An interface connector allows the sensing apparatus to output the capacitance indicative signal to an engine controller or the like.

Abstract: A position sensor has opposed parallel flux concentrators with a gap between them, and permanent magnets are disposed between the concentrators at the ends of the concentrators in the gap. A magnetic sense element is disposed in the gap between the magnets. The magnets with flux concentrators do not move relative to each other, and may be coupled to a moving part whose position is sought to be measured, whereas the sense element may be coupled to a stationary part.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus for determining a property of a fuel such as a gasoline and ethanol blend known as flex fuel includes an acetal plastic tube with an inlet, an outlet and a fuel passage in between. One property of the fuel is a dielectric constant. A pair of sensing plates are placed on opposite sides of the tube leaving the fuel passage unobstructed. A processing circuit on a printed circuit board (PCB) is located near to and is connected with the sensing plates. The circuit applies an excitation signal, senses a capacitance, and generates an output signal indicative of a property of the fuel. The sensed capacitance will increase with increasing concentration of ethanol in the fuel flowing through the passage. A shield for reducing EMI surrounds and encloses the sensing plates and the PCB. An interface connector allows the sensing apparatus to output the capacitance indicative signal to an engine controller or the like.

Abstract: A fuel sensor includes a cylindrical, one-piece plastic body that has an inlet, an outlet and a fuel passage in between. The body further includes three sensing, thin-walled plate holders that extend from the cylindrical body into and across the fuel passage. Three parallel sensing plates are disposed in the holders for use in forming a pair of parallel plate devices. The thin-walled plate holders surrounding the plates provide isolation of the plates from contact with the fuel. The body also includes a cavity to house a printed circuit board (PCB), which includes signal processing circuitry. The PCB is also isolated from exposure to the fuel. The sensing plates have leads that extend into the cavity for connection to the PCB. An interface connector for connection to an engine controller is also provided. The sensor achieves isolation from exposure to fuel without the use of any coatings.

Abstract: A non-contacting, magnet-based, rotary and linear travel absolute position sensor each include a stationary galvanomagnetic sensing element disposed in an air gap or slot of a movable magnet/flux concentrator assembly. The assembly has a first flux concentrator comprising ferromagnetic material having opposing magnet ends, and a second flux concentrator also comprising ferromagnetic material having opposing magnet ends but that is spaced apart from the first flux concentrator by a pair of magnets to form the air gap or slot. The magnet ends of each flux concentrator have a respective magnet area configured to engage a corresponding magnet and is configured in size and shape to cover the magnet. Additionally, the flux concentrators are configured in geometry to decrease in cross-sectional area from the inboard side of the magnet ends towards the center region of the concentrators, specifically the center of travel together provide improved linearity and signal to noise ratio of the output position signal.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser system includes an oil control spool valve having two opposing springs to center the spool at a rest position to lock the phaser rotor by blocking supply/vent to both the C1 and C2 chambers, obviating a conventional locking pin mechanism. A double-acting solenoid actuator moves the spool to first and second positions, supplying or venting C1 and C2, respectively. The rotor may be locked hydraulically at any position between full advance and full retard. A system for monitoring the rotational positions of the crankshaft and camshaft includes magnets disposed on opposite sides of the shaft axis. A magnetic sensing element senses the rotational direction of the magnetic field for each position of the shaft. An engine control module uses the position signal and an algorithm to lock the rotor at a desired position.

Abstract: A sensor assembly with a universal sensor module for sensing angular position of a rotatable object is provided. The universal sensor module includes a module housing. The sensor module further includes a rotatable assembly in the module housing configured to define a bore for interchangeably receiving one of the following: the rotatable object, and an interface adaptor for receiving the rotatable object. A bearing device allows rotational movement between a stationary assembly and the rotatable assembly. The sensor assembly is configured to accommodate an array of diverse sensing applications with the universal sensor module.

Abstract: An arc magnet assembly with a virtual radial magnetization is established by placing a series of small trapezoidal-shaped magnet segments having axial magnetizations side by side to form an arc. The arc magnet assembly may be affixed to a rotating component in, e.g., a vehicle to yield a substantially linear magnetic sensor output that represents the speed and/or direction of rotation and/or position of the rotating component.

Abstract: A sensor assembly with a universal sensor module for sensing angular position of a rotatable object is provided. The universal sensor module includes a module housing. The sensor module further includes a rotatable assembly in the module housing configured to define a bore for interchangeably receiving one of the following: the rotatable object, and an interface adaptor for receiving the rotatable object. A bearing device allows rotational movement between a stationary assembly and the rotatable assembly. The sensor assembly is configured to accommodate an array of diverse sensing applications with the universal sensor module.

Abstract: Sensor and method for encoding and detecting a plurality of discrete positions are provided. The sensor comprises an array of electromagnetic assemblies. Each assembly may be made up of a magnet, and a flux-sensing switch electromagnetically coupable to the magnet to generate a signal having a respective logical state in response to the presence or absence of flux from the magnet. A flux mask is movably interposed between each magnet and flux-sensing switch. The flux mask includes a window array configured to pass or block flux from each magnet. The window array is further configured so that each flux-sensing switch can generate in response to whether or not flux passes therethrough, a signal set encoded to uniquely identify each of the discrete positions as the flux mask is set at any of the discrete positions.

Abstract: A contactless latch engagement detector for a mechanical fastening system operating on the principle of magnetosensitivity. A magnetosensitive switch composed of a magnetosensitive device and at least one biasing magnet adjacent the magnetosensitive device are located in a buckle. Within or external to the buckle is an electronic circuit for driving the magnetosensitive device, and a flux bar composed of a ferromagnetic material having a high magnetic permeability is associated with a movable component of the system. In operation, the electronic circuit drives the magnetosensitive device, wherein its output is responsive to position of the flux bar relative to the magnetosensitive device. The flux bar moves responsive to position of a tongue within the buckle, whereby the fastened state of the mechanical (ie., seat belt) fastening system is detected when a predetermined output occurs.

Abstract: A self-compensating control circuit for use with a magneto-resistive sensor. The control circuit includes a first stage amplification and offset function that removes a DC component from the input signal and maximizes an AC component of the input signal within the dynamic range of the control circuit. Subsequent stages remove the remaining DC component, if any, and provide suitable additional amplification. A comparator provides a digital output based on the processed input signal and a threshold signal.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive sensor for outputting a signal representative of torque on a shaft includes one or more excitation coils that generate magnetic flux which permeates the shaft and pickup coils that detect the flux after the flux passes through the shaft. Torque on the shaft affects the magnetic flux passing through the shaft. A coupling member such as plural rollers or powder metal poles are disposed in the flux path and touch the shaft such that no air gap exists in the flux path. Consequently, the sensor is comparatively sensitive, and is not unduly effected by shaft run-out.

Abstract: A combustible gas sensor that uses a resistively heated, noble metal-coated, micromachined polycrystalline Si filament to calorimetrically detect the presence and concentration of combustible gases. The filaments tested to date are 2 .mu.m thick.times.10 .mu.m wide.times.100, 250, 500, or 1000 .mu.m-long polycrystalline Si; some are overcoated with a 0.25 .mu.m-thick protective CVD Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 layer. A thin catalytic Pt film was deposited by CVD from the precursor Pt(acac).sub.2 onto microfilaments resistively heated to approximately 500.degree. C.; Pt deposits only on the hot filament. Using a constant-resistance-mode feedback circuit, Pt-coated filaments operating at ca. 300.degree. C. (35 mW input power) respond linearly, in terms of the change in supply current required to maintain constant resistance (temperature), to H.sub.2 concentrations between 100 ppm and 1% in an 80/20 N.sub.2 /O.sub.2 mixture. Other catalytic materials can also be used.