Patents by Inventor David S. Pfaffenberger

David S. Pfaffenberger 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).

  • Patent number: 6809512
    Abstract: A pedal and sensor assembly for mounting to a vehicle. The assembly has a pedal arm having a first end and a second end. A magnetic field generator is connected to the second end to generate a variable magnetic field as the pedal moves. A housing is attached to the vehicle and has the second end and the magnetic field generator contained therein. A magnetic field sensor is located adjacent to the magnetic field generator and detects the variable magnetic field such that as the pedal arm rotates the magnetic field sensor generates an electrical signal proportional to the strength of the variable magnetic field and that is indicative of the position of the pedal arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Pfaffenberger, Robert L. Newman
  • Publication number: 20030112003
    Abstract: A pedal and sensor assembly for mounting to a vehicle. The assembly has a pedal arm having a first end and a second end. A magnetic field generator is connected to the second end to generate a variable magnetic field as the pedal moves. A housing is attached to the vehicle and has the second end and the magnetic field generator contained therein. A magnetic field sensor is located adjacent to the magnetic field generator and detects the variable magnetic field such that as the pedal arm rotates the magnetic field sensor generates an electrical signal proportional to the strength of the variable magnetic field and that is indicative of the position of the pedal arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: David S. Pfaffenberger, Robert L. Newman
  • Patent number: 6515473
    Abstract: A pedal and sensor assembly for mounting to a vehicle. The assembly has a pedal arm having a first end and a second end. A magnetic field generator is connected to the second end to generate a variable magnetic field as the pedal moves. A housing is attached to the vehicle and has the second end and the magnetic field generator contained therein. A magnetic field sensor is located adjacent to the magnetic field generator and detects the variable magnetic field such that as the pedal arm rotates the magnetic field sensor generates an electrical signal proportional to the strength of the variable magnetic field and that is indicative of the position of the pedal arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Pfaffenberger, Robert L. Newman
  • Patent number: 6500018
    Abstract: A printed circuit board retainer for holding a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board retainer includes a plate having opposing surfaces. Several slots extend through the plate. A latch assembly extends from another surface. The latch assembly has the printed circuit board mounted to it. Several terminals are mounted to the printed circuit board and extend through the slots. A lock is mounted to the latch assembly to prevent the latch assembly from releasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Pfaffenberger, Markus C. Carrison
  • Publication number: 20020175676
    Abstract: A pedal and sensor assembly for mounting to a vehicle. The assembly has a pedal arm having a first end and a second end. A magnetic field generator is connected to the second end to generate a variable magnetic field as the pedal moves. A housing is attached to the vehicle and has the second end and the magnetic field generator contained therein. A magnetic field sensor is located adjacent to the magnetic field generator and detects the variable magnetic field such that as the pedal arm rotates the magnetic field sensor generates an electrical signal proportional to the strength of the variable magnetic field and that is indicative of the position of the pedal arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: David S. Pfaffenberger, Robert L. Newman
  • Patent number: 6426619
    Abstract: A pedal and sensor assembly for mounting to a vehicle. The assembly has a pedal arm having a first end and a second end. A magnetic field generator is connected to the second end to generate a variable magnetic field as the pedal moves. A housing is attached to the vehicle and has the second end and the magnetic field generator contained therein. A magnetic field sensor is located adjacent to the magnetic field generator and detects the variable magnetic field such that as the pedal arm rotates the magnetic field sensor generates an electrical signal proportional to the strength of the variable magnetic field and that is indicative of the position of the pedal arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Pfaffenberger, Robert L. Newman
  • Patent number: 6222359
    Abstract: A non-contacting position sensor having radial bipolar tapered magnets. The sensor has a semicircular first plate and a second plate. Four semicircular magnets are affixed to the first plate and second plate. Each magnet has a thick end and a thin end. Two magnets generate a linearly varying magnetic field having a first polarity, while the other two magnets generate a linearly varying magnetic field having a second polarity. An air gap is formed in the space between the four magnets. A magnetic flux sensor is positioned within the air gap. The object whose position is to be monitored is rigidly attached to the magnet assembly, causing the magnetic flux sensor to move relative to the magnets within the air gap as the component moves. A varying magnetic field is detected by the magnetic flux sensor, resulting in an electrical signal from the magnetic flux sensor that varies according to its position relative to the four magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Duesler, Craig A. Jarrard, Robert L. Newman, Ronald C. Nonnenmacher, David S. Pfaffenberger, David J. Miller
  • Patent number: 6211668
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a non-contacting position sensor using bipolar tapered magnets is provided. A non-contacting position sensor in accordance with the preferred embodiment uses a pole piece having a first plate and a second plate. Four magnets are affixed to the first plate and second plate. Each magnet has a thick end and a thin end. Two magnets generate a linearly varying magnetic field having a first polarity, while the other two magnets generate a linearly varying magnetic filed having a second polarity. An air gap is formed in the space between the four magnets. A magnetic flux sensor is positioned within the air gap. The component whose position is to be monitored is rigidly attached to either the pole piece or the magnetic flux sensor, causing the magnetic flux sensor to move relative to the magnets within the air gap as the component moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: CTS
    Inventors: John S. Duesler, Craig A. Jarrard, Robert L. Newman, Ronald C. Nonnenmacher, David S. Pfaffenberger, David J. Miller
  • Patent number: 5905198
    Abstract: The rotor of a rotary position sensor mounts directly upon the rotary shaft to be sensed. The rotor prior to installation is retained in position by a pair of small protrusions extending from the rotor that cooperatively engage a pair of small indentations formed in a pair of supporting arms. During the installation process, the rotor is slipped onto the shaft and the protrusions are released from the engaged position. During operation of the position sensor, the rotor is free from direct contact with either the supporting arms or any other stationary part of the position sensor. Only the contactors engage the stationary components. This design eliminates the need for bearings and return springs prevalent in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: David S. Pfaffenberger
  • Patent number: 5661890
    Abstract: The rotor of a rotary position sensor mounts directly upon the rotary shaft to be sensed. The rotor prior to installation is retained in position by a pair of small protrusions extending from the rotor that cooperatively engage a pair of small indentations formed in a pair of supporting arms. During the installation process, the rotor is slipped onto the shaft and the protrusions are released from the engaged position. During operation of the position sensor, the rotor is free from direct contact with either the supporting arms or any other stationary part of the position sensor. Only the contractors engage the stationary components. This design eliminates the need for bearings and return springs prevalent in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: David S. Pfaffenberger
  • Patent number: 5539373
    Abstract: A rotor for use in a rotary position sensor includes an opening designed to receive a shaft having a flat. The rotor has a wedge within the opening designed to engage the shaft firmly but minimize insertion forces. Several troughs running parallel to the shaft and adjacent to the wedge aid in retention by adding a controlled amount of resilience to the rotor. On a shaft receiving end of the rotor there is an additional taper to help with coaxial alignment of the rotor opening and the shaft. On the shaft exiting end there is a half-moon like configuration designed to provide a force opposing surface during shaft insertion while not adversely impacting either the full insertion of the shaft or potential drag between the rotor and the sensor housing. The rotor is designed to offer unique advantage in insertion force to install the rotor on the shaft, while retention force and potential drag against the position sensor housing are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignees: CTS Corporation, General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Pfaffenberger, Cameron B. Erekson, Donald G. Witzel
  • Patent number: 5520044
    Abstract: The rotor of a rotary position sensor mounts directly upon the rotary shaft to be sensed. The rotor prior to installation is retained in position by a pair of small protrusions extending from the rotor that cooperatively engage a pair of small indentations formed in a pair of supporting arms. During the installation process, the rotor is slipped onto the shaft and the protrusions are released from the engaged position. During operation of the position sensor, the rotor is free from direct contact with either the supporting arms or any other stationary part of the position sensor. Only the contactors engage the stationary components. This design eliminates the need for bearings and return springs prevalent in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: David S. Pfaffenberger
  • Patent number: 5460035
    Abstract: The rotor of a rotary position sensor mounts directly upon the rotary shaft to be sensed. The rotor prior to installation is retained in position by a pair of small protrusions extending from the rotor that cooperatively engage a pair of small indentations formed in a pair of supporting arms. During the installation process, the rotor is slipped onto the shaft and the protrusions are released from the engaged position. During operation of the position sensor, the rotor is free from direct contact with either the supporting arms or any other stationary part of the position sensor. Only the contactors engage the stationary components. This design eliminates the need for bearings and return springs prevalent in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: David S. Pfaffenberger