Abstract: Example apparatus for absolute position detection are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a housing and digit gears coupled to the housing to rotate about respective parallel axes. Each digit gear has a first portion including a first set of teeth disposed about an entire circumference of the first portion and a second portion including a second set of teeth disposed about only a portion of a circumference of the second portion. Each digit gear is to correspond to a respective digit in a code representing an absolute position of a shaft. A respective idler gear between each adjacent pair of the digit gears is to be intermeshed with the first set of teeth of one of the digit gears and the second set of teeth of the other one of the digit gears.

Abstract: Example apparatus for absolute position detection are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a housing and digit gears coupled to the housing to rotate about respective parallel axes. Each digit gear has a first portion including a first set of teeth disposed about an entire circumference of the first portion and a second portion including a second set of teeth disposed about only a portion of a circumference of the second portion. Each digit gear is to correspond to a respective digit in a code representing an absolute position of a shaft. A respective idler gear between each adjacent pair of the digit gears is to be intermeshed with the first set of teeth of one of the digit gears and the second set of teeth of the other one of the digit gears.

Abstract: A force transfer apparatus includes a housing, a shaft, a plunger, a retention plate, and a force sensor. The housing defines a cavity and a sidewall with an aperture. The shaft is supported in the cavity for rotation about a first axis that is a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The plunger is disposed in the aperture and has a first and second ends. The first end is operably coupled to the shaft such that the plunger can slide along a second axis that is transverse to the first axis in response to rotation of the shaft. The retention plate is fixed to the sidewall outside of the cavity adjacent to the aperture. The force sensor is disposed between the second end of the plunger and the retention plate. As such, the force sensor can detect the amount of force applied to the plunger by the rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A force transfer apparatus includes a housing, a shaft, a plunger, a retention plate, and a force sensor. The housing defines a cavity and a sidewall with an aperture. The shaft is supported in the cavity for rotation about a first axis that is a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The plunger is disposed in the aperture and has a first and second ends. The first end is operably coupled to the shaft such that the plunger can slide along a second axis that is transverse to the first axis in response to rotation of the shaft. The retention plate is fixed to the sidewall outside of the cavity adjacent to the aperture. The force sensor is disposed between the second end of the plunger and the retention plate. As such, the force sensor can detect the amount of force applied to the plunger by the rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A system comprising a local site served by at least one remote site in digital logic communication therewith, the system further comprising mode selection logic including a hierarchy that prioritizes modes available at the local site. The hierarchical priority of a particular mode that may be selected at the local site or at any one of the remote sites determines the mode in which the local site will operate, further depending on the current mode selection state at other remote or local sites. A presently preferred embodiment of the invention is a valve actuator having three-way local mode selection capability (local/remote/off), where such mode control is additionally served by at least one remote site connected via a serial link to the local site of the actuator. In this exemplary embodiment, a hierarchy prioritizes these modes in the following order of high priority to low priority: (1) off; (2) local; (3) remote.

Abstract: An absolute position detector that interprets, rather than avoids, abnormal sensory states. Different combinations of sensors in an array are activated as a marker travels along a path. The current activation/deactivation state of the array is converted into a digital signal that is reliably indicative of the current absolute position of the marker along the path. In a preferred embodiment, a dynamic magnetic field is provided whose current condition represents the current absolute position of a moving marker. As the marker moves, the condition of the field changes to activate different groups of Hall Effect devices in an array. The activated groups may comprise one or more Hall Effect devices in the array, depending on the condition of the field as created by the position of the marker. The current activation/deactivation state of the array is then converted, advantageously via truth table logic, into a digital signal representative of the current position of the marker.

Abstract: An inventive encoding system that expects, accepts and interprets both normal and abnormal states of a sensor array, and that preferably further recognizes a zero state as a malfunction. The system is “absolute,” in that it allows detection of the best fit detectable position of a movable object with an accuracy equal to the resolution which is equal to one-half the physical displacement of sensors or sources in an array. Such absolute references may be used to define a position detector which properly detects the position of an object after power is applied, even though the object may have moved further after power is removed. As a result, the inventive encoder does not require a battery back-up to detect position accurately after a power failure. This functionality is highly advantageous when detecting shaft position of a multi-turn shaft. The inventive encoding system is also scalable so that there are few limitations in deployment.

Abstract: A system comprising a local site served by at least one remote site in digital logic communication therewith, the system further comprising mode selection logic including a hierarchy that prioritizes modes available at the local site. The hierarchical priority of a particular mode that may be selected at the local site or at any one of the remote sites determines the mode in which the local site will operate, further depending on the current mode selection state at other remote or local sites. A presently preferred embodiment of the invention is a valve actuator having three-way local mode selection capability (local/remote/off), where such mode control is additionally served by at least one remote site connected via a serial link to the local site of the actuator. In this exemplary embodiment, a hierarchy prioritizes these modes in the following order of high priority to low priority: (1) off; (2) local; (3) remote.

Abstract: An inventive encoding system that expects, accepts and interprets both normal and abnormal states of a sensor array, and that preferably further recognizes a zero state as a malfunction. The system is “absolute,” in that it allows detection of the best fit detectable position of a movable object with an accuracy equal to the resolution which is equal to one-half the physical displacement of sensors or sources in an array. Such absolute references may be used to define a position detector which properly detects the position of an object after power is applied, even though the object may have moved further after power is removed. As a result, the inventive encoder does not require a battery back-up to detect position accurately after a power failure. This functionality is highly advantageous when detecting shaft position of a multi-turn shaft. The inventive encoding system is also scalable so that there are few limitations in deployment.

Abstract: An absolute position detector that interprets, rather than avoids, abnormal sensory states. Different combinations of sensors in an array are activated as a marker travels along a path. The current activation/deactivation state of the array is converted into a digital signal that is reliably indicative of the current absolute position of the marker along the path. In a preferred embodiment, a dynamic magnetic field is provided whose current condition represents the current absolute position of a moving marker. As the marker moves, the condition of the field changes to activate different groups of Hall Effect devices in an array. The activated groups may comprise one or more Hall Effect devices in the array, depending on the condition of the field as created by the position of the marker. The current activation/deactivation state of the array is then converted, advantageously via truth table logic, into a digital signal representative of the current position of the marker.

Abstract: An oven controller having a microprocessor for a microwave oven has a first dial for entering time cook data in one embodiment and time or temperature cook data in other embodiments and a second dial for entering duty cycle power data. Analog signals are derived from the dials which are converted into digital signals for entering into the processor using either discrete components, separate integrated circuits or the microprocessor itself. A servo mechanism is shown in one embodiment to rotate the dials in a prescribed manner to display cook data in either time remaining or actual temperature. In other embodiments a digital display is used to provide this information.

Abstract: An oven controller having a microprocessor for a microwave oven has a first dial for entering time cook data in one embodiment and time or temperature cook data in other embodiments and a second dial for entering duty cycle power data. Analog signals are derived from the dials which are converted into digital signals for entering into the processor using either discrete components, separate integrated circuits or the microprocessor itself. A servo mechanism is shown in one embodiment to rotate the dials in a prescribed manner to display cook data in either time remaining or actual temperature. In other embodiments a digital display is used to provide this information.