Abstract: A valve actuator includes a motor coupled to an output shaft that in turn can be coupled to valve elements in a vehicle air passage to move the elements. A position sensing component is provided to produce feedback of actuator motion, and limits of actuator travel for any particular application can be learned in a learning mode and subsequently used in an operating mode to satisfy commands of an engine control module (ECM).

Abstract: A non-contact pressure switch assembly for sensing pressure in, e.g., a vehicle. A piston with integrated magnet in a sensor body is moved under fluid pressure to change a magnetic field in which a Hall sensor is disposed inside the sensor body. The field changes polarity at the Hall sensor at a predetermined piston position.

Abstract: The rate of motion of a vehicle air intake valve is measured and used to control the algorithm that controls the valve, such that the control algorithm adapts to the actual conditions in the vehicle as reflected in the actual rate of motion of the valve.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is disclosed for measuring the position of a target object as it traverses a linear path of travel within a defined range of measurement. The sensor assembly comprises a ferromagnetic magnetic flux concentrator assembly. The flux concentrator assembly is configured as a generally u-shaped structure including a permanent magnet with elongated ferromagnetic flux concentrator elements affixed at the poles thereof and extending in substantially parallel fashion there from. A galvanomagnetic sensing element is disposed within an air gap between the free end portions of the flux concentrator elements and is displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the flux concentrator assembly. The galvanomagnetic sensing element is configured to provide an output signal indicative of the measured linear position as it travels along the longitudinal axis of the flux concentrator assembly.

Abstract: A non-contact linear absolute position sensor includes a first magnetic encoder having n+1 pole pairs, a second magnetic encoder having n pole pairs and located and aligned with the first magnetic encoder so as to cover a linear distance. The magnetic encoders are affixed to a traveling body. Two pairs of Hall Effect sensors are located near each of the first and second magnetic encoders and are configured to generate linear position signals. A processor is provided to process the linear position signals to generate an output signal indicative of a linear absolute position of the traveling body.

Abstract: A non-contact linear absolute position sensor includes a first magnetic encoder having n+1 pole pairs, a second magnetic encoder having n pole pairs and located and aligned with the first magnetic encoder so as to cover a linear distance. The magnetic encoders are affixed to a traveling body. Two pairs of Hall Effect sensors are located near each of the first and second magnetic encoders and are configured to generate linear position signals. A processor is provided to process the linear position signals to generate an output signal indicative of a linear absolute position of the traveling body.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is disclosed for measuring the position of a target object as it traverses a linear path of travel within a defined range of measurement. The sensor assembly comprises a ferromagnetic magnetic flux concentrator assembly. The flux concentrator assembly is configured as a generally u-shaped structure including a permanent magnet with elongated ferromagnetic flux concentrator elements affixed at the poles thereof and extending in substantially parallel fashion there from. A galvanomagnetic sensing element is disposed within an air gap between the free end portions of the flux concentrator elements and is displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the flux concentrator assembly. The galvanomagnetic sensing element is configured to provide an output signal indicative of the measured linear position as it travels along the longitudinal axis of the flux concentrator assembly.

Abstract: An improved conventional steering wheel position sensor including a housing, a main gear, an auxiliary gear enmeshed with the main gear and a ring shield at the auxiliary gear. A ring shield wall of the ring shield has a low rise portion adjacent the main gear and a high rise portion distally therefrom. A truncated plate is connected to the high rise portion, and the auxiliary gear is bearingly mounted to an axle of the truncated plate so as to be rotatable without contacting the ring shield.

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 mechanism for de-lashing a gear assembly includes a first gear rotatable about a first axis and a first center rotatably fixed to the first axis and a first conical teeth portion. The gear assembly includes a second gear rotatable about a second axis and a second center rotatably fixed to said second axis and a second conical teeth portion configured to meshingly engage first conical teeth portion when the first and second gears are aligned substantially coplanarly. A biasing means operably biases the second conical teeth portion of the second gear against the first conical teeth portion of the first gear to reduce any lash therebetween. The biasing means is configured to bias the second gear in an axial direction while maintaining a fixed center distance between the first and second axes. The first gear is rotatably fixed about the fixed first axis such that the first gear is prevented from translation along the fixed first axis.

Abstract: An improved conventional steering wheel position sensor including a housing, a main gear, an auxiliary gear enmeshed with the main gear and a ring shield at the auxiliary gear. A ring shield wall of the ring shield has a low rise portion adjacent the main gear and a high rise portion distally therefrom. A truncated plate is connected to the high rise portion, and the auxiliary gear is bearingly mounted to an axle of the truncated plate so as to be rotatable without contacting the ring shield.

Abstract: A mechanism for de-lashing a gear assembly includes a first gear rotatable about a first axis and a first center rotatably fixed to the first axis and a first conical teeth portion. The gear assembly includes a second gear rotatable about a second axis and a second center rotatably fixed to said second axis and a second conical teeth portion configured to meshingly engage first conical teeth portion when the first and second gears are aligned substantially coplanarly. A biasing means operably biases the second conical teeth portion of the second gear against the first conical teeth portion of the first gear to reduce any lash therebetween. The biasing means is configured to bias the second gear in an axial direction while maintaining a fixed center distance between the first and second axes. The first gear is rotatably fixed about the fixed first axis such that the first gear is prevented from translation along the fixed first axis.

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 mechanism for de-lashing a gear assembly includes a first gear rotatable about a first axis and a first center rotatably fixed to the first axis and a first conical teeth portion. The gear assembly includes a second gear rotatable about a second axis and a second center rotatably fixed to said second axis and a second conical teeth portion configured to meshingly engage first conical teeth portion when the first and second gears are aligned substantially coplanarly. A biasing means operably biases the second conical teeth portion of the second gear against the first conical teeth portion of the first gear to reduce any lash therebetween. The biasing means is configured to bias the second gear in an axial direction while maintaining a fixed center distance between the first and second axes. The first gear is rotatably fixed about the fixed first axis such that the first gear is prevented from translation along the fixed first axis.