Abstract: An improved magnetic switch assembly (16) has a housing (24), a first electrode (40) positioned within the housing (24), a second electrode (42), and a magnetically movable component (48) located within the housing (24) and shiftable between a first position in simultaneous contact with electrodes (40, 42), and a second position out of such simultaneous contact. The electrode (40) has a radially enlarged contact section (44, 58) adjacent the free end thereof which prevents hangup or sticking of component (48) in the first position.

Abstract: An improved magnetic switch assembly (16) has a housing (24), a first electrode (40) positioned within the housing (24), a second electrode (42), and a magnetically movable component (48) located within the housing (24) and shiftable between a first position in simultaneous contact with electrodes (40, 42), and a second position out of such simultaneous contact. The electrode (40) has a radially enlarged contact section (44, 58) adjacent the free end thereof which prevents hangup or sticking of component (48) in the first position.

Abstract: An improved magnetic switch assembly (16) has a housing (24), a first electrode (40) positioned within the housing (24), a second electrode (42), and a magnetically movable component (48) located within the housing (24) and shiftable between a first position in simultaneous contact with electrodes (40, 42), and a second position out of such simultaneous contact. The electrode (40) has a radially enlarged contact section (44, 58) adjacent the free end thereof which prevents hangup or sticking of component (48) in the first position.

Abstract: An improved magnetic switch assembly (16) has a housing (24), a first electrode (40) positioned within the housing (24), a second electrode (42), and a magnetically movable component (48) located within the housing (24) and shiftable between a first position in simultaneous contact with electrodes (40, 42), and a second position out of such simultaneous contact. The electrode (40) has a radially enlarged contact section (44, 58) adjacent the free end thereof which prevents hangup or sticking of component (48) in the first position.

Abstract: An improved magnetic switch assembly (16) has a housing (24), a first electrode (40) positioned within the housing (24), a second electrode (42), and a magnetically movable component (48) located within the housing (24) and shiftable between a first position in simultaneous contact with electrodes (40, 42), and a second position out of such simultaneous contact. The electrode (40) has a radially enlarged contact section (44, 58) adjacent the free end thereof which prevents hangup or sticking of component (48) in the first position.

Abstract: A gear tooth sensor having increased sensitivity and temperature tolerance enables relatively small ferrous targets to be detected, which lends itself for use in relatively compact applications, such as the sensing of an automotive cam shaft drive wheel. All of the embodiments include a magnet having opposing north and south pole faces and a single input Hall effect IC which defines a sensing plane, and may include one or more flux concentrators. In one embodiment the sensor is configured such that the magnet is disposed adjacent the periphery of the target wheel such that the magnetic axis is generally parallel to the direction of travel of the ferrous target at an instant when the ferrous target is adjacent the magnet. In this embodiment, the Hall effect IC and flux concentrator are disposed adjacent one side of the ferrous target wheel and at least partially below the magnet.

Abstract: An angular position sensor for sensing the angular position of a pivotally mounted device includes a magnetically sensitive device, such as a Hall effect IC, and a plurality of flux concentrators, rigidly disposed relative to the Hall effect IC, forming an assembly. The assembly is disposed in a housing a fixed distance from a rotatably mounted standard magnet defining a fixed air gap therebetween. The magnet is disposed in rotatably mounted magnet holder which also acts as a drive arm that is adapted to be mechanically coupled to a pivotally mounted device. The configuration of the flux concentrators assembled to the magnetically sensitive device cause the output of the Hall effect IC to be generally linear. In order to avoid problems associated with electrically adjustable angular position sensors, the angular position sensor in accordance with the present invention is adjusted mechanically. In particular, a flux concentrator, preferably having a halo shape, is disposed adjacent the magnet.

Abstract: An angular position sensor for sensing the angular position of a pivotally mounted device includes a magnetically sensitive device, such as a Hall effect IC, and a plurality of flux concentrators, rigidly disposed relative to the Hall effect IC, forming an assembly. The assembly is disposed in a housing a fixed distance from a rotatably mounted standard magnet defining a fixed air gap therebetween. The magnet is disposed in rotatably mounted magnet holder which also acts as a drive arm that is adapted to be mechanically coupled to a pivotally mounted device. The configuration of the flux concentrators assembled to the magnetically sensitive device cause the output of the Hall effect IC to be generally linear. In order to avoid problems associated with electrically adjustable angular position sensors, the angular position sensor in accordance with the present invention is adjusted mechanically. In particular, a flux concentrator, preferably having a halo shape, is disposed adjacent the magnet.

Abstract: A ferrous object sensor assembly is capable of sensing the presence or absence of an object of high magnetic permeability, such as a tooth or notch on a rotatably mounted ferrous wheel at zero speed and immediately upon power-up and, thus, may also be used as a proximity sensor. The ferrous object sensor assembly is comprised of a permanent magnet and a magnetic flux responsive sensor having a sensing plane which produces an electrical output signal which varies as a function of the change in magnetic flux density. The ferrous body sensor assembly does not rely upon pole face magnetism as some known conventional sensors but, rather, relies upon a the radial component of magnetic flux density emanating from a lateral surface of the magnet, intermediate opposing pole faces. Since the ferrous object sensor assembly does not rely on pole face magnetism, its electrical output signal is relatively stable over a relatively wide temperature range.