Abstract: A process for forming magnetic target tracks for position and speed sensors. The tracks are formed from a paste comprising a magnetic powder material and a hardenable carrier. The tracks can be formed within trenches in a substrate or on the substrate surface.

Abstract: A process for forming magnetic targets for position and speed sensors, and magnetic targets formed according to the process. The targets are formed on a conductor-clad substrate by first applying a layer of photoresist material and then patterning and etching the photoresist to form trenches defining the shape and dimensions of the targets. Magnetic material is formed in the trenches and magnetized to form the targets.

Abstract: A tire pressure sensor array includes a control module to which a receiver is connected. Four tire pressure sensors communicate with the control module via the receiver. Each tire pressure sensor includes a pressure switch that is electrically connected to a digital state machine. The digital state machine is connected to a transmitter and communicates pressure information to the transmitter. In turn, the transmitter communicates the pressure information to the receiver which communicates the pressure information to the control module.

Abstract: A process for forming magnetic target tracks for position and speed sensors. The tracks are formed from a paste comprising a magnetic powder material and a hardenable carrier. The tracks can be formed within trenches in a substrate or on the substrate surface.

Abstract: A process for forming magnetic targets for position and speed sensors, and magnetic targets formed according to the process. The targets are formed on a conductor-clad substrate by first applying a layer of photoresist material and then patterning and etching the photoresist to form trenches defining the shape and dimensions of the targets. Magnetic material is formed in the trenches and magnetized to form the targets.

Abstract: A tire pressure sensor array includes a control module to which a receiver is connected. Four tire pressure sensors communicate with the control module via the receiver. Each tire pressure sensor includes a pressure switch that is electrically connected to a digital state machine. The digital state machine is connected to a transmitter and communicates pressure information to the transmitter. In turn, the transmitter communicates the pressure information to the receiver which communicates the pressure information to the control module.

Abstract: A device for determining the viscosity of a liquid has a temperature sensor and a heater disposed in spaced relation within a channel. When the device is immersed in a liquid, the heater heats the liquid and the temperature sensor detects the change in temperature of the liquid in response to heating of the liquid by the heater. A controller coupled with the temperature sensor receives a signal corresponding to the temperature of the liquid and determines an index value corresponding to the change in temperature with respect to time. The index value may be compared with a stored value to evaluate the relative change in viscosity, or it may be used to determine an actual value of viscosity of the liquid.

Abstract: An evaporative control valve includes a plunger reciprocable between a valve stop and a valve seat to open and close a controlled port. The plunger has a body, a flexible support member mounted on one end of the body and a resilient tip positioned on the support member for sealing engagement with the valve seat. When the resilient tip of the plunger impacts the valve seat, the flexible support member absorbs substantially all of the force of impact by deflecting in the direction opposite the plunger movement, increasing impact time and reducing noise which may be generated. The resilient tip may be positioned on the flexible support member to further define a stop cushion to further reduce impact of the plunger against the valve stop.

Abstract: An algorithm by which a time normalized oil condition trend (OCT) is developed. During engine off periods, while the engine is cooling, the vehicle's main computer program implements the trend algorithm according to the present invention by which engine oil conductivity (oil sensor output voltage) and temperature data are obtained in a specified temperature range, and are then input into a cool down equation to determine its coefficients using nonlinear regression. This cool down equation models oil conductivity as a function of temperature and is used at a specified time during an engine-on period to calculate an OCT point. Collectively, these OCT points determine the oil condition trend that is analyzed by a procedure called from the vehicle's main computer program to determine when an oil change is necessary.

Abstract: An oil level sensor for a vehicle includes a receiver tube oriented upright in the oil pan of the vehicle. A level tube is disposed in the receiver tube and below the level tube is a reference tube. A circuit is electrically connected to the tubes for outputting a signal representative of oil level in the oil pan. As the engine oil level decreases within the level tube, the output of the sensor drops. When the engine oil level is below the bottom of the level tube but higher than the top of the reference tube, the output reaches the lowest value. As the engine oil level continuous decreasing (below the top of the reference tube), the output increases for a first circuit configuration (i.e., level with reference tube), and will stay constant for the second configuration level.

Abstract: A solenoid valve includes an outlet tube and a plunger stop. A plunger is slidably disposed within the solenoid valve between the outlet tube and the plunger stop. The plunger is movable between a closed position wherein the plunger engages the outlet tube to block fluid flow through an outlet passage formed in the outlet tube and an open position wherein the plunger is distanced from the outlet tube to permit fluid flow through the outlet passage. The solenoid valve also includes a coil that is energizable to bias the plunger between the closed position and the open position. The plunger stop is configured so that the magnitude of the force of attraction between the plunger and the plunger stop is linearly proportional to the magnitude of the current applied to the coil. Moreover, the magnitude of the force of attraction between the plunger and the plunger stop is independent of the position of the plunger.

Abstract: A solenoid valve includes a plunger that includes a conical plunger tip and an outlet tube that is formed with an outlet passage. The outlet passage includes a first frusto-conical portion into which the plunger tip fits. The plunger is movable between a closed configuration wherein the plunger engages the outlet tube to block fluid flow through the outlet passage and an open configuration wherein the plunger is distanced from the outlet tube to permit fluid flow through the outlet passage. As the plunger moves, there is only one restriction of flow between the plunger and the outlet tube for each position of the plunger. As such, the flow through the valve is linear with respect to the motion of the plunger and the solenoid valve can be used to easily and accurately control the flow rate of fluid therethrough.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic particle sensor includes a housing having a first electromagnet and a second electromagnet attached to the interior surface thereof. A mass sensitive surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor is disposed between the electromagnets. The sensor is submerged in lubricating fluid and as the electromagnets are energized they produce magnetic forces that draw fluid-borne ferromagnetic particles past the SAW sensor. The SAW sensor is used measure the mass of the ferromagnetic particles and determine when the volume of particles in the lubricating fluid increases.

Abstract: The Solenoid Valve For A Vehicle Carbon Canister includes a housing with an outlet end and a inlet end. A portion of the inlet end of the housing extends around an inlet port formed in the inlet end to create an air inlet tube. Inserted in the outlet end of the housing is an end cap formed with an outlet port. The end cap extends around the outlet port to form an air outlet nipple having an internal portion and an external portion. Formed around the internal portion of the air outlet nipple is an annular cavity. Disposed within the housing is a solenoid mechanism slightly smaller than the housing to form an annular air passage having sufficient area to provide the proper air flow, but also having a thickness small enough to prevent carbon particles from passing through the annular air passage. A continuous air passage is formed by the air inlet tube, the annular air passage, and the air outlet nipple. A plunger is included to block the flow of air through the air outlet nipple.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive sensor for outputting a signal representative of torque on a shaft includes one or more excitation coils that generate magnetic flux which permeates the shaft and pickup coils that detect the flux after the flux passes through the shaft. Torque on the shaft affects the magnetic flux passing through the shaft. A coupling member such as plural rollers or powder metal poles are disposed in the flux path and touch the shaft such that no air gap exists in the flux path. Consequently, the sensor is comparatively sensitive, and is not unduly effected by shaft run-out.