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).
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Patent number: 6809512Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 3, 2003Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: CTS CorporationInventors: David S. Pfaffenberger, Robert L. Newman
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Publication number: 20030112003Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2003Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventors: David S. Pfaffenberger, Robert L. Newman
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Patent number: 6515473Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 3, 2002Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: CTS CorporationInventors: David S. Pfaffenberger, Robert L. Newman
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Patent number: 6500018Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: CTS CorporationInventors: David S. Pfaffenberger, Markus C. Carrison
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Publication number: 20020175676Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: David S. Pfaffenberger, Robert L. Newman
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Patent number: 6426619Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 8, 2000Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: CTS CorporationInventors: David S. Pfaffenberger, Robert L. Newman
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Patent number: 6222359Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 18, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: CTS CorporationInventors: John S. Duesler, Craig A. Jarrard, Robert L. Newman, Ronald C. Nonnenmacher, David S. Pfaffenberger, David J. Miller
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Patent number: 6211668Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 9, 1998Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: CTSInventors: John S. Duesler, Craig A. Jarrard, Robert L. Newman, Ronald C. Nonnenmacher, David S. Pfaffenberger, David J. Miller
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Patent number: 5905198Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 21, 1997Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignee: CTS CorporationInventor: David S. Pfaffenberger
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Patent number: 5661890Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 27, 1995Date of Patent: September 2, 1997Assignee: CTS CorporationInventor: David S. Pfaffenberger
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Patent number: 5539373Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 8, 1993Date of Patent: July 23, 1996Assignees: CTS Corporation, General Motors CorporationInventors: David S. Pfaffenberger, Cameron B. Erekson, Donald G. Witzel
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Patent number: 5520044Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 27, 1995Date of Patent: May 28, 1996Assignee: CTS CorporationInventor: David S. Pfaffenberger
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Patent number: 5460035Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 23, 1993Date of Patent: October 24, 1995Assignee: CTS CorporationInventor: David S. Pfaffenberger