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 providing a signal related to a position of a coupler element comprises an exciter coil and a receiver coil, the apparatus being operable to provide a signal correlated with the position of the coupler element using a receiver signal generated when the exciter coil is energized due to an inductive coupling between the receiver coil and the exciter coil. In some examples, the receiver coil has first and second sections generating a first section signal and a second section signal respectively, and an electronic circuit is operable to generate a position-independent signal using the first section signal and the second signal. This position-independent signal may then be subtracted from a baseline voltage to provide an improved reference signal for ratiometric position 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: 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 providing a signal related to a position of a coupler element comprises an exciter coil and a receiver coil, the apparatus being operable to provide a signal correlated with the position of the coupler element using a receiver signal generated when the exciter coil is energized due to an inductive coupling between the receiver coil and the exciter coil. In some examples, the receiver coil has first and second sections generating a first section signal and a second section signal respectively, and an electronic circuit is operable to generate a position-independent signal using the first section signal and the second signal. This position-independent signal may then be subtracted from a baseline voltage to provide an improved reference signal for ratiometric position sensing.

Abstract: An inductive position sensor for rotary motion 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 movable 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. The ratio between the receiver signal and the reference signal is sensitive to the coupler element position, but substantially insensitive to common mode factors. The angular or positional range of the position sensor can be increased using a plurality of receiver coils.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for providing an output signal correlated with a part position for a moveable part over a positional range, the apparatus includes a transmitter coil, the transmitter coil producing an electromagnetic field when excited by an exciter signal; a receiver coil located proximate to the transmitter coil, the receiver coil generating a receiver signal when the transmitter coil is excited due to inductive coupling between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil, the receiver signal being sensitive to the part position; a reference coil, providing a reference signal substantially independent of the part position; a signal conditioner receiving the receiver signal and the reference signal, the signal conditioner including an analog divider generating a ratio signal from the receiver signal and the reference signal, the output signal being obtained from the ratio signal.

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.

Abstract: An inductive position sensor for rotary motion 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. The ratio between the receiver signal and the reference signal is sensitive to the coupler element position, but substantially insensitive to common mode factors. The angular or positional range of the position sensor can be increased using a plurality of receiver coils.

Abstract: An apparatus for allowing electronic engine speed control comprises a transmitter coil, a receiver coil providing a receiver signal when the transmitter coil is excited due to an inductive coupling to the transmitter coil, and a coupler element mechanically associated with a pedal arm so that the coupler position is correlated with the pedal position. The coupler element modifies the inductive coupling between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil so that the receiver signal is correlated with the pedal arm position.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a sintered Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -TiC system containing Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 is described in which TiC has been treated, in the presence of a mixed gas of nitrogen and oxygen, to provide a TiO.sub.2 layer on the TiC particles.