Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for providing a position sensing component are disclosed herein. An example position sensing component may comprise: a sensing coil; a moveable core disposed within the sensing coil; an oscillator circuit; and a feedback control circuit coupled to the oscillator circuit, wherein the position sensing component is configured to: maintain a fixed amplitude voltage in response to a variable current signal provided by the oscillator circuit in conjunction with the feedback control circuit, and generate an oscillator circuit output signal that is linearly proportional to a position of the moveable core with respect to the sensing coil.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for providing a position sensing component are disclosed herein. An example position sensing component may comprise: a sensing coil; a moveable core disposed within the sensing coil; an oscillator circuit; and a feedback control circuit coupled to the oscillator circuit, wherein the position sensing component is configured to: maintain a fixed amplitude voltage in response to a variable current signal provided by the oscillator circuit in conjunction with the feedback control circuit, and generate an oscillator circuit output signal that is linearly proportional to a position of the moveable core with respect to the sensing coil.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for providing a position sensing component are disclosed herein. An example position sensing component may comprise: a sensing coil; a moveable core disposed within the sensing coil; an oscillator circuit; and a feedback control circuit coupled to the oscillator circuit, wherein the position sensing component is configured to: maintain a fixed amplitude voltage in response to a variable current signal provided by the oscillator circuit in conjunction with the feedback control circuit, and generate an oscillator circuit output signal that is linearly proportional to a position of the moveable core with respect to the sensing coil.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for providing a position sensing component are disclosed herein. An example position sensing component may comprise: a sensing coil; a moveable core disposed within the sensing coil; an oscillator circuit; and a feedback control circuit coupled to the oscillator circuit, wherein the position sensing component is configured to: maintain a fixed amplitude voltage in response to a variable current signal provided by the oscillator circuit in conjunction with the feedback control circuit, and generate an oscillator circuit output signal that is linearly proportional to a position of the moveable core with respect to the sensing coil.

Abstract: A gimbal assembly includes a gimbal mechanism, an electrical connector, and a flexible substrate. The gimbal mechanism is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis and a second rotational axis that is perpendicular to the first rotational axis. The electrical connector is coupled to, and mounted on, the gimbal mechanism. The flexible substrate is coupled to the electrical connector and is adapted to be coupled to an external circuit for electrically interconnecting the electrical connector and the external circuit.

Abstract: A human-machine interface assembly is implemented with a gimbal assembly that includes a roll hub, a pitch hub, and a main hub. The gimbal assembly further includes a plurality of bearings, and is mounted via a plurality of bearing sets, that are each disposed in a free floating manner. As a result, each of the bearings is self-aligning and self-adjusting when the gimbal assembly is assembled and mounted. The gimbal assembly additionally includes a plurality of integral stops that mechanically limit movement of a user interface to predetermined pitch and roll angles.

Abstract: An active human-machine interface system includes a user interface, one or more motors, one or more motor controllers, one or more electrically controllable dampers, and one or more damper controllers. The motors are coupled to the user interface and are configured, upon being energized, to supply a haptic feedback force to the user interface. The motor controllers are coupled to, and configured to selectively energize, the motors. The electrically controllable dampers are coupled to the user interface and are configured, upon being energized, to supply a damping force to the user interface. The damper controllers are in operable communication with the motor controllers and are coupled to, and configured to selectively energize, the electrically controllable dampers.

Abstract: A human-machine interface assembly includes a user interface, a first motor, a second motor, a first sector gear, and a second sector gear. The user interface is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis and a second rotational axis that is perpendicular to the first rotational axis. The user interface is responsive to an input force to rotate about one or both of the first and second rotational axes. The first motor is disposed apart from the first rotational axis and generates a drive force about a third rotational axis that is parallel to the first rotational axis. The second motor is disposed apart from the second rotational axis and generates a drive force about a fourth rotational axis that is parallel to the second rotational axis. The first sector gear is coupled between the first motor and the user interface, and the second sector gear is coupled between the second motor and the user interface.

Abstract: A pressure switch includes a piston that is movably disposed in a sensor housing. The piston moves, in response to a media pressure being applied to a surface thereof, between at least a first piston position and a second piston position. A conical disc spring supplies a non-linear spring force to the piston, and exhibits a spring force hysteresis. A switch engages the piston and is moved between first and second switch states by the piston. The switch exhibits a switch hysteresis. The spring force hysteresis and switching hysteresis are individually adjustable and together may be used to adjust the overall hysteresis of the pressure switch.

Abstract: A gimbal assembly includes a gimbal mechanism, an electrical connector, and a flexible substrate. The gimbal mechanism is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis and a second rotational axis that is perpendicular to the first rotational axis. The electrical connector is coupled to, and mounted on, the gimbal mechanism. The flexible substrate is coupled to the electrical connector and is adapted to be coupled to an external circuit for electrically interconnecting the electrical connector and the external circuit.

Abstract: A spring-return-to-null assembly, which may be used with various types of hand controllers or other human-machine interfaces, includes a cantilever spring and a pivot assembly. The cantilever spring is adapted to be coupled to a shaft and is configured to supply a torque thereto. The pivot assembly engages the cantilever spring and is configurable to exhibit either equal or dual spring rates, depending on the direction in which the torque is supplied to the shaft.

Abstract: A shear sensor includes a stator structure, a transformer, and a ferromagnetic core. The stator structure distorts in two perpendicular axes upon application thereto of a shear force. The transformer is coupled to the stator structure, and includes a primary winding and a pair of differentially wound secondary windings. The ferromagnetic core is non-rotationally coupled to the stator structure and is at least partially surrounded by the primary and secondary windings. The core is spaced apart from the transformer stator poles to define an air gap between the core and the stator poles. The air gap varies in the two perpendicular axes upon application of the shear force to the stator structure.

Abstract: A shear sensor includes a stator structure, a transformer, and a ferromagnetic core. The stator structure distorts in two perpendicular axes upon application thereto of a shear force. The transformer is coupled to the stator structure, and includes a primary winding and a pair of differentially wound secondary windings. The ferromagnetic core is non-rotationally coupled to the stator structure and is at least partially surrounded by the primary and secondary windings. The core is spaced apart from the transformer stator poles to define an air gap between the core and the stator poles. The air gap varies in the two perpendicular axes upon application of the shear force to the stator structure.

Abstract: A pressure switch includes a piston that is movably disposed in a sensor housing. The piston moves, in response to a media pressure being applied to a surface thereof, between at least a first piston position and a second piston position. A conical disc spring supplies a non-linear spring force to the piston, and exhibits a spring force hysteresis. A switch engages the piston and is moved between first and second switch states by the piston. The switch exhibits a switch hysteresis. The spring force hysteresis and switching hysteresis are individually adjustable and together may be used to adjust the overall hysteresis of the pressure switch.

Abstract: A downhole pressure transmitter apparatus and method of making the same. A pressure fitting can be provided in association with a tube formed into a spiral shape. One end of said tube is sealed and the other end of said tube is affixed to said pressure fitting. As the tube is exposed to a differential pressure, said tube unwinds, thereby creating a rotary motion that is proportional and linear to said differential pressure sensor, thereby providing an indication of pressure within a downhole environment.

Abstract: A human-machine interface assembly is implemented with a gimbal assembly that includes a roll hub, a pitch hub, and a main hub. The gimbal assembly further includes a plurality of bearings, and is mounted via a plurality of bearing sets, that are each disposed in a free floating manner. As a result, each of the bearings is self-aligning and self-adjusting when the gimbal assembly is assembled and mounted. The gimbal assembly additionally includes a plurality of integral stops that mechanically limit movement of a user interface to predetermined pitch and roll angles.

Abstract: A human-machine interface assembly includes a user interface, a first motor, a second motor, a first sector gear, and a second sector gear. The user interface is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis and a second rotational axis that is perpendicular to the first rotational axis. The user interface is responsive to an input force to rotate about one or both of the first and second rotational axes. The first motor is disposed apart from the first rotational axis and generates a drive force about a third rotational axis that is parallel to the first rotational axis. The second motor is disposed apart from the second rotational axis and generates a drive force about a fourth rotational axis that is parallel to the second rotational axis. The first sector gear is coupled between the first motor and the user interface, and the second sector gear is coupled between the second motor and the user interface.

Abstract: An active human-machine interface system includes a user interface, one or more motors, one or more motor controllers, one or more electrically controllable dampers, and one or more damper controllers. The motors are coupled to the user interface and are configured, upon being energized, to supply a haptic feedback force to the user interface. The motor controllers are coupled to, and configured to selectively energize, the motors. The electrically controllable dampers are coupled to the user interface and are configured, upon being energized, to supply a damping force to the user interface. The damper controllers are in operable communication with the motor controllers and are coupled to, and configured to selectively energize, the electrically controllable dampers.

Abstract: A downhole pressure transmitter apparatus and method of making the same. A pressure fitting can be provided in association with a tube formed into a spiral shape. One end of said tube is sealed and the other end of said tube is affixed to said pressure fitting. As the tube is exposed to a differential pressure, said tube unwinds, thereby creating a rotary motion that is proportional and linear to said differential pressure sensor, thereby providing an indication of pressure within a downhole environment.

Abstract: A strain gage sensor having improved operational aspects and lower production costs. The strain gage sensor includes two active resistors, two passive resistors, and a structure for minimizing strain experienced by the two passive resistors. The active and passive resistors are attached in a Wheatstone bridge configuration and are Piezoresistors. The active resistors and the strain minimizing structures are mounted on the backing plate. The backing plate or the strain minimizing structure includes alumina ceramic substrate. A voltage to current converter circuit is attached to the active and passive resistors and mounted to the backing plate. Multiple Wheatstone bridge circuits or multiple Wheatstone bridge circuits with voltage to current converter circuits are manufactured on a single backing plate and separated prior to use.