Abstract: In one embodiment, a fuel pressure regulator includes a housing defining a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, and a ball in the housing is movable between a closed configuration, wherein fluid communication between the inlet and outlet is blocked, and an open configuration, wherein fluid communication between the inlet and outlet is not blocked. Fuel pressure urges the ball toward the open configuration. A spring in the housing is engaged with the ball to urge the ball toward the closed configuration. Also, a ball holder is engaged with the ball and spring and is oriented to receive fluid pressure from the inlet when the ball is moved away from the closed configuration. Fluid pressure from the inlet acts directly against the ball holder as well as against the ball to assist moving the ball toward the open configuration.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor measures the relative angular position (within a range of?180°) of a housing or stator and a rotor. The housing carries a galvanomagnetic sensing element and is adapted for fixation to a relatively fixed portion of a host system. The rotor carrying a magnet is disposed for rotation about a fixed axis with respect to the stator and is interconnected to a relatively moving portion of the host system through intermediate linkage. The magnet is juxtaposed in substantially axial alignment with the galvanomagnetic sensing element for magnetic interaction therewith. The housing defines a cavity to receive potting material for encasing the galvanomagnetic sensing element and an adjacent buffer cavity interconnected by a weir, which diverts ant excess potting material into the buffer cavity.

Abstract: A robust, low cost, compact and highly accurate rotary position sensor is disclosed for measuring the relative angular position (within a range ?180°) of a housing or stator and a rotor. The housing carries a galvanomagnetic sensing element and is adapted for fixation to a relatively fixed portion of a host system. The rotor carrying a magnet is disposed for rotation about a fixed axis with respect to the stator and is interconnected to a relatively moving portion of the host system through intermediate linkage. The magnet is juxtaposed in substantially axial alignment with the galvanomagnetic sensing element for magnetic interaction therewith. The housing defines a cavity to receive potting material for encasing the galvanomagnetic sensing element and an adjacent buffer cavity interconnected by a weir, which diverts ant excess potting material into the buffer cavity.

Abstract: A universal anchor for a vehicle, comprising: a magnet being fixedly secured to an anchor portion defining an opening; a flux deflector movably mounted to the anchor for movement in a range defined by a first position and a second position, the flux deflector effectively blocking said opening when said flux deflector is in said first position; a magnet fixedly secured to the anchor; a sensing switch configured to detect the magnetic field of the magnet, wherein the magnetic field is increased as the flux deflector moves from the first position towards the second position, the sensing switch providing a detectable signal when the magnetic field is increased.

Abstract: A mechanical engagement system such as a seat belt assembly includes a housing and a slider slidably received within the housing, the slider is configured for movement between a first position and a second position within the housing. A single magnet is associated with the slider for slidable movement therewith while a hall effect device is fixed relative to the housing. The hall effect device is fixed relative to the housing and aligned with at the single magnet when the slider is in the second position. The hall effect device is configured to generate an output signal indicative of a latch condition of the mechanical engagement system as applied to the sensor assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing a position of an object is provided that may include a magnet having a set of magnetic flux properties, the magnet mounted for movement about an axis relative to the object and a magnetic field-sensing device mounted in fixed relation to and spaced from the magnet, the magnetic field-sensing device calibrated to sense a change in at least one magnetic flux property in response to movement of the magnet relative to the object and generate a data signal indicative of a position of the object. In one aspect the magnet is configured to have a substantially diamond shaped cross section and the magnetic field-sensing device is calibrated to sense a change in flux density distribution in response to a change in an air gap defined between an exterior surface of the magnet and the magnetic field-sensing device.

Abstract: A seat belt tension sensor assembly includes a housing and a slider slidably received within the housing, the slider is configured for movement between a first position and a second position within the housing. A first and second magnets is associated with the slider for slidable movement therewith. The first and second magnetss are positioned side by side with opposite polarization while first and second hall effect devices are fixed relative to the housing. The first hall effect device protrudes between the first and second magnetss when the slider is in the second position, the first hall effect device being configured to produce an output signal indicative of a seat belt tension of a seat belt as applied to the sensor assembly. The second hall effect device is fixed relative to the housing and aligned with at least one of the first and second magnetss when the slider is in the second position.

Abstract: A detection device for use with a universal anchor of a vehicle, comprising: a housing being configured to be fixedly secured to the universal anchor; a moveable member slidably received within said housing; and a sensing switch configured to detect the movement of said movable member, said sensing switch providing a detectable signal when said movable member is moved.

Abstract: A seat belt tension sensor assembly includes a housing, a slider slidably received within the housing, wherein the slider is configured for movement between a first position and a second position within the housing, and a first and second magnet associated with the slider for slidable movement therewith. The first and the second magnets are positioned side by side with opposite polarization. A hall effect device is fixed relative to the housing and protrudes between the first and the second magnets when the slider is in the second position. The hall effect device is configured to produce an output signal, the output signal being indicative of a seat belt tension of a seat belt as applied to the sensor assembly. A biasing member provides an urging force to the slider, the urging force urging the slider into the first position.

Abstract: A seat belt tension sensor assembly includes a housing and a slider slidably received within the housing, the slider is configured for movement between a first position and a second position within the housing. A first and second magnets is associated with the slider for slidable movement therewith. The first and second magnetss are positioned side by side with opposite polarization while first and second hall effect devices are fixed relative to the housing. The first hall effect device protrudes between the first and second magnetss when the slider is in the second position, the first hall effect device being configured to produce an output signal indicative of a seat belt tension of a seat belt as applied to the sensor assembly. The second hall effect device is fixed relative to the housing and aligned with at least one of the first and second magnetss when the slider is in the second position.

Abstract: A mechanical engagement system such as a seat belt assembly includes a housing and a slider slidably received within the housing, the slider is configured for movement between a first position and a second position within the housing. A single magnet is associated with the slider for slidable movement therewith while a hall effect device is fixed relative to the housing. The hall effect device is fixed relative to the housing and aligned with at the single magnet when the slider is in the second position. The hall effect device is configured to generate an output signal indicative of a latch condition of the mechanical engagement system as applied to the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A seat belt tension sensor assembly comprising a housing, a slider slidably received within said housing, said slider being configured for movement between a first position and a second position within said housing, a first and second magnet associated with said slider for slidable movement therewith, said first and said second magnets being positioned side by side with opposite polarization, a hall effect device being fixed relative to said housing and protruding between said first and said second magnets when said slider is in said second position, the hall effect device being configured to produce an output signal, said output signal being indicative of a seat belt tension of a seat belt as applied to said sensor assembly, and a biasing member for providing an urging force to said slider, the urging force urging said slider into said first position.

Abstract: Tilt and vibration sensor and method for forming the sensor with a piezoresistive membrane having a weight affixed proximate its center for detecting the tilt and vibration of a body. The membrane may include four piezoresistors placed proximate the edges of the membrane at the points of maximum stress when the membrane is subject to a uniform applied pressure. The piezoresistors may form a Wheatstone bridge circuit to generate a first and second output voltage in response to changes in resistance of the piezoresistors under the uniform applied pressure. The first output voltage may be indicative of the angle of inclination of a body and the second output voltage may be indicative of the vibration of the body. The membrane may be fabricated from a silicon wafer using known photolithography and etching processes. The membrane may be connected with a voltage source and secured within an appropriate housing to be placed in an operational environment.

Abstract: Tilt and vibration sensor and method for forming the sensor with a piezoresistive membrane having a weight affixed proximate its center for detecting the tilt and vibration of a body. The membrane may include four piezoresistors placed proximate the edges of the membrane at the points of maximum stress when the membrane is subject to a uniform applied pressure. The piezoresistors may form a Wheatstone bridge circuit to generate a first and second output voltage in response to changes in resistance of the piezoresistors under the uniform applied pressure. The first output voltage may be indicative of the angle of inclination of a body and the second output voltage may be indicative of the vibration of the body. The membrane may be fabricated from a silicon wafer using known photolithography and etching processes. The membrane may be connected with a voltage source and secured within an appropriate housing to be placed in an operational environment.

Abstract: Tilt sensor and method for forming the sensor with a piezoresistive membrane having a weight affixed proximate its center for detecting the tilt of a body. The membrane may include four piezoresistors placed proximate the edges of the membrane at the points of maximum stress when the membrane is subject to a uniform applied pressure. The piezoresistors may form a Wheatstone bridge circuit to generate an output voltage in response to changes in resistance of the piezoresistors under the uniform applied pressure. The output voltage may be indicative of the angle of inclination of a body. The membrane may be fabricated from a silicon wafer using known photolithography and etching processes. The membrane may be connected with a voltage source and secured within an appropriate housing to be placed in an operational environment.