Abstract: A travel limit arrangement is disclosed that limits the travel of a magnet which indicates position in a magnetostrictive detector.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive system is shown wherein there is included a wave guide but no return wire. The wave guide is folded and acts as the completed wire (whether solid or hollow) for conducting current for the current input pulse.

Abstract: A circuit is shown which outputs a pulse width having a duty cycle of less than 50% and the circuit having an oscillator providing a desired repetition rate controlled by a changing RC time constant.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension strut is disclosed that includes a housing having a chamber and a piston slidably disposed in the chamber. A piston rod is connected to the piston and extends out of the housing. The piston rod includes a bore extending longitudinally therein. A magnetostrictive transducer provides an output signal indicative of the piston position with respect to the housing. The magnetostrictive transducer includes a magnetostrictive waveguide disposed in the bore and a magnet joined to the housing that is operably coupled to the magnetostrictive waveguide and the magnetostrictive waveguide abruptly terminates at one end.

Abstract: An oscillating circuit is disclosed which is responsive to frequency variations caused by parameter changes in an associated slow wave structure sensitive element. A local oscillator and mixer circuit is used to subtract an offset frequency output to reset the oscillation frequency of the slow wave structure so that the output frequency will be in a range starting substantially at zero.

Abstract: An oscillating circuit is disclosed which is responsive to frequency variations caused by parameter changes in an associated slow wave structure sensitive element. A local oscillator and mixer circuit is used to subtract an offset frequency output to reset the oscillation frequency of the slow wave structure so that the output frequency will be in a range starting substantially at zero.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension strut is disclosed that includes a housing having a chamber and a piston slidably disposed in the chamber. A piston rod is connected to the piston and extends out of the housing. The piston rod includes a bore extending longitudinally therein. A magnetostrictive transducer provides an output signal indicative of the piston position with respect to the housing. The magnetostrictive transducer includes a magnetostrictive waveguide disposed in the bore and a magnet joined to the housing that is operably coupled to the magnetostrictive waveguide and the magnetostrictive waveguide abruptly terminates at one end.

Abstract: A magnetic-based sensor is disclosed which can detect a linear and rotary position of a shaft whose movement is to be measured. Such sensor can operate to yield linear displacement as well as rotation. A position magnet is mounted on the shaft for measuring linear motion. A spirally wound magnet is mounted on the shaft to detect rotational motion. Both of such motions are detected by a single magnetic-based sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring one or more parameters of a variable physical structure, such as liquid level, is disclosed. The method and apparatus includes an electrodynamic element placed in proximity to a monitored structure and exciting within said element an alternating electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field should be at a frequency at which the electromagnetic field penetrates into the monitored structure and then variations of the electromagnetic field parameters are measured for the element caused by a variation in the structure. The exciting of the electrodynamic element is by an electromagnetic field in the form of at least one slowed electromagnetic wave having suitable energy distribution of the electric and magnetic fields for the measuring of the electromagnetic field parameters.

Abstract: A steering angle sensing system 1, 26 for measuring the angle position of a vehicle steering wheel is disclosed which uses at least one position magnet 7, 8, G1, G2, G3 coupled to the rotary movement of the steering wheel 2′ as a transducer, and a magnetostrictive transducer 4, 35 as a measuring device and a second measuring device 70, 90 for measuring the angular movement of the vehicle wheels. Magnetostrictive transducer 4, 35 includes an elongated, magnetostrictive waveguide 9, 33 extending over a defined arc section, with mode converter 10, 35 for detecting magnetostrictively generated voltage pulses at one end. The waveguide 9, 33 is stationary related to the rotary movement of at least one position magnet 7, 8, G1, G2, G3 so that, when turning the steering wheel 2′, the magnet field of one position magnet 7, 8, G1, G2, G3 is applied to waveguide 9,33 in different positions dependent of the position of the steering wheel 2′.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring one or more parameters of a variable physical structure, such as liquid level, is disclosed. The method and apparatus includes an electrodynamic element placed in proximity to a monitored structure and exciting within said element an alternating electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field should be at a frequency at which the electromagnetic field penetrates into the monitored structure and then variations of the electromagnetic field parameters are measured for the element caused by a variation in the structure. The exciting of the electrodynamic element is by an electromagnetic field in the form of at least one slowed electromagnetic wave having suitable energy distribution of the electric and magnetic fields for the measuring of the electromagnetic field parameters.

Abstract: A steering angle sensing system 1, 26 for measuring the angle position of a vehicle steering wheel is disclosed which uses at least one position magnet 7, 8, G1, G2, G3 coupled to the rotary movement of the steering wheel 2′ as a transducer, and a magnetostrictive transducer 4, 35 as a measuring device and a second measuring device 70, 90 for measuring the angular movement of the vehicle wheels. Magnetostrictive transducer 4, 35 includes an elongated, magnetostrictive waveguide 9, 33 extending over a defined arc section, with mode converter 10, 35 for detecting magnetostrictively generated voltage pulses at one end. The waveguide 9, 33 is stationary related to the rotary movement of at least one position magnet 7, 8, G1, G2, G3 so that, when turning the steering wheel 2′, the magnet field of one position magnet 7, 8, G1, G2, G3 is applied to waveguide 9, 33 in different positions dependent of the position of the steering wheel 2′.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for monitoring an angular displacement, such as angle position and the direction of displacement. The method and apparatus includes at least one resonator placed in proximity to a electrodynamic profile and exciting within said resonator an alternating electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field should be at a frequency at which the electromagnetic field contacts the electrodynamic profile and then variations of the electromagnetic field parameters are measured for the resonator caused by rotating the electrodynamic profile. Excitation of the resonator is by an electromagnetic field in the form of at least one slowed electromagnetic wave having a suitable energy distribution of the electric and magnetic fields for measuring the electromagnetic field parameters.

Abstract: A steering angle sensing system 1 for measuring the angle position of a vehicle steering wheel is disclosed which uses at least one position magnet 7, 8 coupled to the rotary movement of the steering wheel as a transducer, and a magnetostrictive transducer 4 as a measuring device. Magnetostrictive transducer 4 includes an elongated, magnetostrictive waveguide 9 extending over a defined arc section, with mode converter 10 for detecting magnetostrictively generated voltage pulses at one end. The waveguide 9 is stationary related to the rotary movement of at least one position magnet; 7, 8, so that, when turning the steering wheel, the magnet field of one position magnet 7, 8 is applied to waveguide 9 in different positions dependent of the position of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension apparatus according to the invention includes a vehicle suspension strut and a continuous position sensor coupled to the vehicle suspension strut and adapted to provide information indicative of a continuous position of a first portion of the vehicle suspension strut relative to a second portion of the vehicle suspension strut. The continuous position sensor includes a magnet coupled to the first portion of the vehicle suspension strut and a sensing mechanism coupled to the second portion of the vehicle suspension strut and responsive to the magnet to provide an output indicative of the continuous position of the first portion relative to the second portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for monitoring an angular displacement, such as angle position and the direction of displacement. The method and apparatus includes at least one resonator placed in proximity to a electrodynamic profile and exciting within said resonator an alternating electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field should be at a frequency at which the electromagnetic field contacts the electrodynamic profile and then variations of the electromagnetic field parameters are measured for the resonator caused by rotating the electrodynamic profile. Excitation of the resonator is by an electromagnetic field in the form of at least one slowed electromagnetic wave having a suitable energy distribution of the electric and magnetic fields for measuring the electromagnetic field parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for monitoring an angular displacement, such as angle position and the direction of displacement. The method and apparatus includes at least one resonator placed in proximity to a electrodynamic profile and exciting within said resonator an alternating electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field should be at a frequency at which the electromagnetic field contacts the electrodynamic profile and then variations of the electromagnetic field parameters are measured for the resonator caused by rotating the electrodynamic profile. Excitation of the resonator is by an electromagnetic field in the form of at least one slowed electromagnetic wave having a suitable energy distribution of the electric and magnetic fields for measuring the electromagnetic field parameters.

Abstract: A magnetic-based sensor is disclosed which can detect a linear and rotary position of a shaft whose movement is to be measured. Such sensor can operate to yield linear displacement as well as rotation. A position magnet is mounted on the shaft for measuring linear motion. A spirally wound magnet is mounted on the shaft to detect rotational motion. Both of such motions are detected by a single magnetic-based sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring one or more parameters of a variable physical structure, such as liquid level, is disclosed. The method and apparatus includes an electrodynamic element placed in proximity to a monitored structure and exciting within said element an alternating electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field should be at a frequency at which the electromagnetic field penetrates into the monitored structure and then variations of the electromagnetic field parameters are measured for the element caused by a variation in the structure. The exciting of the electrodynamic element is by an electromagnetic field in the form of at least one slowed electromagnetic wave having suitable energy distribution of the electric and magnetic fields for the measuring of the electromagnetic field parameters.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a housing having a chamber and a piston slidably disposed in the chamber. A piston rod is connected to the piston and extends out of the housing. The piston rod includes a bore extending longitudinally therein. A magnetostrictive transducer provides an output signal indicative of the piston with respect to the housing. The magnetostrictive transducer includes a magnetostrictive waveguide disposed in the bore and a magnet joined to the housing that is operably coupled to the magnetostrictive waveguide.