Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an inductive sensor assembly is provided. The inductive sensor assembly includes a sensor assembly and a shaft. The sensor assembly include a transmitter coil and a two-part receiver coil. The shaft includes a first end. The first end includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface. The second planer surface extends from the first planar surface. A target is formed from the first planar surface and the second planar surface. When the target is moved about a shaft axis, the first planar and second planar surfaces modify an inductive coupling between the transmitter coil and the two-part receiver coil.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to a system having a processor and a bridge circuit. The bridge circuit includes a pair of differential voltage sources, a first pair of sensing elements and a second pair of sensing elements. The first pair of sensing elements generate a pair of measurement signals. The pair of measurement signals are independent of one another and based on the respective sensing element. The second pair of sensing elements communicatively coupled to first pair of sensing elements. The second pair of sensing elements define a first divider. The pair of measurement signals are input into the respective second sensing element of the second pair of sensing elements. The first divider is configured to output a first output signal to the processor. The first output signal is a first differential signal of the first pair of sensing elements.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to a system having a processor and a bridge circuit. The bridge circuit includes a pair of differential voltage sources, a first pair of sensing elements and a second pair of sensing elements. The first pair of sensing elements generate a pair of measurement signals. The pair of measurement signals are independent of one another and based on the respective sensing element. The second pair of sensing elements communicatively coupled to first pair of sensing elements. The second pair of sensing elements define a first divider. The pair of measurement signals are input into the respective second sensing element of the second pair of sensing elements. The first divider is configured to output a first output signal to the processor. The first output signal is a first differential signal of the first pair of sensing elements.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an inductive sensor assembly is provided. The inductive sensor assembly includes a sensor assembly and a shaft. The sensor assembly include a transmitter coil and a two-part receiver coil. The shaft includes a first end. The first end includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface. The second planer surface extends from the first planar surface. A target is formed from the first planar surface and the second planar surface. When the target is moved about a shaft axis, the first planar and second planar surfaces modify an inductive coupling between the transmitter coil and the two-part receiver coil.

Abstract: The present current steering bridge may be used as a sensor for detecting a level of fluid within a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs. The sensor is a modified LC oscillator with a four-megahertz exciting signal creating a low impedance output and has ratio-metric processing capabilities. Because of the low impedance output, a high signal to noise ratio is achievable. This high signal to noise ratio enables accurate measurement of small changes of liquid level. Further, ratio-metric processing permits the analysis of the ratio of current reference to signal output. As such, this arrangement provides an output that is independent of temperature, EMC, aging and other environmental noises. Further, the sensor references the existing environment, and is fluid independent within a specified range of dielectric constant. As such, feedback can compensate for dielectric constant changes of the liquid, allowing the same sensor to work in different liquids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pedal pad force sensing assembly having a force sensing capacitor. The force sensing capacitor includes an upper plate which is overmolded into the pad body and a lower plate supported on the pedal arm. A sensing module includes an electronic circuitry to determine change of capacitance when pressure is placed on an upper surface of the pad. The sensing assembly may advantageously include a reference capacitor which is mounted near the sensing capacitor but not subjected to pressure.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor assembly for determining a fluid level within a fluid reservoir sensing through impedance change due to capacitive element driven by radio frequency differential voltage source. The chip is supplied with a pair of voltage sources having opposite phases and similar magnitude, a resultant capacitance changes being represented as a changing voltage output via a capacitive voltage divider arrangement. A feedback loop with an LC circuit is also applied to the received voltages maintains the same value to compensate for measuring different fluid with the same sensor configuration or aging/acidization changes in the dielectric constant of the oil as it ages.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor having a transmitter coil excited by a high frequency signal source. A first and second receiver coil, each having at least two oppositely wound loops, are rotatably positioned electrically 90 degrees relative to each other. The receiver coils are positioned so as to be inductively coupled with the transmitter coil while a coupler constructed of an electrically conductive material is rotatably positioned over and inductively coupled with the first and second receiver coils. The outputs from the first and second receiver coils are coupled through a high pass filter and a low pass filter, respectively, thus creating a 90° phase shift in the resultant signals. These signals are summed together and coupled as an input signal to a PWM circuit together with a signal from the transmitter coil.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor having a transmitter coil energized by a high frequency current source. A first receiver coil includes an even number N of loops wherein adjacent loops of the first receiver coil are oppositely wound. A second receiver coil also includes N loops where adjacent loops are oppositely wound. Furthermore, the second receiver coil is angularly offset from the first receiver coil by 180/N degrees. A noncircular coupler constructed of an electrically conductive material is rotatably mounted relative to the coils so that the coupler element overlies at least a portion of the first and second receiver coils. A circuit processes the output signals from the first and second receiver coils and generates an output signal representative of the rotational position of the coupler.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a signal related to a position of a part comprises an exciter coil, and a receiver coil disposed proximate to the exciter coil. The exciter coil generates magnetic flux when the exciter coil is energized by a source of electrical energy, such as an alternating current source. The receiver coil generates a receiver signal when the exciter coil is energized, due to an inductive coupling between the receiver coil and the exciter coil. The receiver coil has a plurality of sections, the inductive coupling tending to induce opposed voltages in at least two of the sections. Embodiments of the present invention include linear sensors, rotational sensors, and novel configurations for improved ratiometric sensing.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor having a transmitter coil excited by a high frequency signal source. A first and second receiver coil, each having at least two oppositely wound loops, are rotatably positioned electrically 90 degrees relative to each other. The receiver coils are positioned so as to be inductively coupled with the transmitter coil while a coupler constructed of an electrically conductive material is rotatably positioned over and inductively coupled with the first and second receiver coils. The outputs from the first and second receiver coils are coupled through a high pass filter and a low pass filter, respectively, thus creating a 90° phase shift in the resultant signals. These signals are summed together and coupled as an input signal to a PWM circuit together with a signal from the transmitter coil.

Abstract: A linear position sensor having a transmitter coil which generates electromagnetic radiation when excited by a source of electrical energy and wound in a first direction. A receiver coil is contained within the transmitter coil and the receiver coil includes both a first loop wound in a first direction and a second loop wound in the opposite direction. A coupler element linearly moves along a first direction relative to the transmitter coil which varies the inductive coupling between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil as a function of the linear position of the coupler element to thereby vary the electrical output signal from the receiver coil when excited by the transmitter coil. The first and second loops of the receiver coil are linearly aligned with each other along the first direction.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor having a transmitter coil energized by a high frequency current source. A first receiver coil includes an even number N of loops wherein adjacent loops of the first receiver coil are oppositely wound. A second receiver coil also includes N loops where adjacent loops are oppositely wound. Furthermore, the second receiver coil is angularly offset from the first receiver coil by 180/N degrees. A noncircular coupler constructed of an electrically conductive material is rotatably mounted relative to the coils so that the coupler element overlies at least a portion of the first and second receiver coils. A circuit processes the output signals from the first and second receiver coils and generates an output signal representative of the rotational position of the coupler.

Abstract: An emergency automotive braking system in which a vehicle brake is movable between a braking position and a non braking position. An electrically powered actuator is mechanically coupled to the vehicle brake and, when energized, moves the vehicle brake from the non braking and to the braking position. A charging circuit electrically charges a capacitor bank. A collision avoidance system generates a trigger output signal upon detection of a potential vehicle collision to a control system which, in response to the trigger signal, electrically connects the capacitor bank to the actuator to energize the actuator.

Abstract: A position sensor having a transmitter coil with both an outer loop portion and an inner loop portion. A receiver coil is disposed in close proximity to the transmitter coil and the receiver coil includes a first loop and an oppositely wound second loop. The receiver coil generates an electrical output signal when the transmitter coil is excited due to the inductive coupling between the transmitter and receiver coils. A movable coupler element varies the inductive coupling between the transmitter coil and the loops of the receiver coil as a function of the position of the coupler element.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a signal related to a position of a part comprises an exciter coil, and a receiver coil disposed proximate to the exciter coil. The exciter coil generates magnetic flux when the exciter coil is energized by a source of electrical energy, such as an alternating current source. The receiver coil generates a receiver signal when the exciter coil is energized, due to an inductive coupling between the receiver coil and the exciter coil. The receiver coil has a plurality of sections, the inductive coupling tending to induce opposed voltages in at least two of the sections. Embodiments of the present invention include linear sensors, rotational sensors, and novel configurations for improved ratiometric sensing.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a signal related to a position of a part comprises an exciter coil, and a receiver coil disposed proximate to the exciter coil. The exciter coil generates magnetic flux when the exciter coil is energized by a source of electrical energy, such as an alternating current source. The receiver coil generates a receiver signal when the exciter coil is energized, due to an inductive coupling between the receiver coil and the exciter coil. The receiver coil has a plurality of sections, the inductive coupling tending to induce opposed voltages in at least two of the sections. Embodiments of the present invention include linear sensors, rotational sensors, and novel configurations for improved ratiometric sensing.

Abstract: A linear position sensor having a transmitter coil which generates electromagnetic radiation when excited by a source of electrical energy and wound in a first direction. A receiver coil is contained within the transmitter coil and the receiver coil includes both a first loop wound in a first direction and a second loop wound in the opposite direction. A coupler element linearly moves along a first direction relative to the transmitter coil which varies the inductive coupling between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil as a function of the linear position of the coupler element to thereby vary the electrical output signal from the receiver coil when excited by the transmitter coil. The first and second loops of the receiver coil are linearly aligned with each other along the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining an angular position of a shaft, such as a steering column, comprises a coil assembly, a coil support, and a coupler element having a coupler angular position correlated with the angular position of the shaft. The coil assembly includes a transmitter coil and at least one receiver coil, the coupler element modifying an inductive coupling between the transmitter coil and at least one receiver coil. A signal processing circuit receives coil signals from the coil assembly and determines the angular position using a receiver signal, and a reference signal that is correlated with an axial displacement but otherwise substantially independent of angular position. The reference signal can be used for ratiometric sensing, to substantially eliminate common mode factors, and also to determine the number of revolutions of the shaft. A combined angle and torque sensor further determines a twist angle across a torsion bar.

Abstract: An inductive position sensor for position sensing includes a transmitter coil and a receiver coil, the receiver coil generating a receiver signal when the transmitter coil is excited by an alternating current source. A moveable coupler element modifies the inductive coupling between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil so that the receiver signal is sensitive to the coupler element position. For example, the coupler element may rotate about a common central axis of the transmitter coil and receiving coil. In further examples, a reference coil is configured so that a provided reference signal is substantially insensitive to variations in the angular position of the coupler element. A ratio between the receiver signal and the reference signal is sensitive to the coupler element position, but substantially insensitive to common mode factors that influence the reference signal and receiver signal to a substantially equal degree.