Patents by Inventor Marshall E. Smith, Jr.
Marshall E. Smith, Jr. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7191078Abstract: A position sensor monitors relatively fast moving objects with signal conditioning for reduced power and reduced wiring. A transducer and related circuitry generate a dynamic signal proportional to a position of a moving object and also generate one or more low frequency or static (DC or zero frequency) error signals. The low or zero frequency error signals are removed and a position signal is generated using only two connections to a remote sensor monitor, thus allowing ease in multiplexing and reduced wiring.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Wolff Controls CorporationInventors: Marshall E. Smith, Jr., Richard W. Stettler
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Patent number: 6962069Abstract: A sensor monitoring system and associated methods are provide that preferably include a plurality of sensors connected in parallel across a single pair of wires that include resistances of equal value placed in series between each sensor. This allows each sensor to measure the voltage dropped between itself and the monitoring system to determine its relative placement on the bus to autonomously assign itself a number to delineate to the monitoring system its relative location on the equipment or item being monitored. The sensors modulate their internal resistance to change the current on the bus to transmit their status to the monitoring system.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2003Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: Wolff Controls CorporationInventors: Marshall E. Smith, Jr., Richard W. Stettler
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Patent number: 6933716Abstract: A proximity sensor is carried within a small diameter package and includes a magnet for providing a desirable magnetic field for operation of proximity sensing circuitry carried along a central axis to allow for a maximum sensor signal output with no change due to a relative rotation angle between the sensor and a target being monitored. Electrical contact pins include an offset positioned near the central axis for permitting a desirable small gauge insulated wire to be connected the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2004Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Wolff Controls CorporationInventors: Richard W. Stettler, Marshall E. Smith, Jr.
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Patent number: 6927465Abstract: A sensing apparatus having a sensor formed in a monolithic semiconductor substrate and oriented orthogonally to a signal conditioner is provided. The sensor generates a sensing signal in response to a predetermined physical stimulus. A signal conditioner electrically connected and responsive to the sensor conditions the sensing signal. The sensor and signal conditioner are formed on wafer surfaces of a single semiconductor substrate cut from a semiconductor wafer. The substrate is separated, one portion having the sensor formed on therein and the other having formed therein the signal conditioner. The portions are oriented and rejoined to form a monolithic semiconductor substrate. The resulting monolithic substrate has, then, a sensor and signal conditioner formed therein and angled relative to each other at a predetermined angle.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2002Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Wolff Controls CorporationInventors: Marshall E. Smith, Jr., Richard W. Stettler, Peter U. Wolff
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Patent number: 6600202Abstract: A compact sensing apparatus having reduced cross section and methods are provided for sensing the magnitude and direction of an electrical or magnetic field. The compact sensing apparatus and method preferably provide one of two transducer orientations in relation to the direction of the field arranged in the sensor apparatus to provide the smallest possible cross section. The compact sensing apparatus preferably includes a plurality of mounting pins. Each of the plurality of mounting pins preferably includes a first pin portion and a second pin portion connected to the first pin portion at a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is preferably less than 180 degrees and more preferably in the range of about 70-110 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2000Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Wolff Controls CorporationInventors: Marshall E. Smith, Jr., Peter U. Wolff, Richard W. Stettler
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Patent number: 6590390Abstract: A compact sensing apparatus having reduced cross section and methods are provided for sensing the magnitude and direction of an electrical or magnetic field. The compact sensing apparatus and method preferably provide one of two transducer orientations in relation to the direction of the field arranged in the sensor apparatus to provide the smallest possible cross section. The compact sensing apparatus preferably includes a plurality of mounting pins. Each of the plurality of mounting pins preferably is formed of a magnetic material and includes a first pin portion and a second pin portion connected to the first pin portion at a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is preferably less than 180 degrees and more preferably in the range of about 70-110 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2002Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Wolff Controls CorporationInventors: Marshall E. Smith, Jr., Peter U. Wolff, Richard W. Stettler
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Patent number: 6346811Abstract: A compact sensing apparatus having reduced cross section and methods are provided for sensing the magnitude and direction of an electrical or magnetic field. The compact sensing apparatus and method preferably provide one of two transducer orientations in relation to the direction of the field arranged in the sensor apparatus to provide the smallest possible cross section. The compact sensing apparatus preferably includes a plurality of mounting pins. Each of the plurality of mounting pins preferably is formed of a magnetic material and includes a first pin portion and a second pin portion connected to the first pin portion at a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is preferably less than 180 degrees and more preferably in the range of about 70-110 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1999Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: Wolff Controls Corp.Inventors: Marshall E. Smith, Jr., Peter U. Wolff, Richard W. Stettler
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Patent number: 6187609Abstract: A compact sensing apparatus having reduced cross section and methods are provided for sensing the magnitude and direction of an electrical or magnetic field. The compact sensing apparatus and method preferably provide one of two transducer orientations in relation to the direction of the field arranged in the sensor apparatus to provide the smallest possible cross section. The compact sensing apparatus preferably includes a plurality of mounting pins. Each of the plurality of mounting pins preferably includes a first pin portion and a second pin portion connected to the first pin portion at a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is preferably less than 180 degrees and more preferably in the range of about 70-110 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1999Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: Wolff Controls CorporationInventors: Marshall E. Smith, Jr., Peter U. Wolff, Richard W. Stettler
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Compact sensing apparatus having transducer and signal conditioner with a plurality of mounting pins
Patent number: 6002252Abstract: A compact sensing apparatus having reduced cross section and methods are provided for sensing the magnitude and direction of an electrical or magnetic field. The compact sensing apparatus and method preferably provide one of two transducer orientations in relation to the direction of the field arranged in the sensor apparatus to provide the smallest possible cross section. The compact sensing apparatus preferably includes a plurality of mounting pins. Each of the plurality of mounting pins preferably includes a first pin portion and a second pin portion connected to the first pin portion at a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is preferably less than 180 degrees and more preferably in the range of about 70-110 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1997Date of Patent: December 14, 1999Assignee: Wolff Controls CorporationInventors: Marshall E. Smith, Jr., Peter U. Wolff, Richard W. Stettler -
Patent number: 5738071Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for sensing movement of a fuel injector valve of a fuel injection system. The apparatus preferably includes a fuel pump for pumping fuel to flow to a combustion chamber of an engine and a first valve positioned in fluid communication with the fuel pump for allowing fuel to flow directly into the combustion chamber when in an open position. A second valve is positioned in fluid communication with the first valve and the fuel pump for allowing fuel to flow to the first valve when in an open position. A second valve actuator is positioned responsive to desired fuel injection for actuating the second valve. A sensor is positioned to sense movement of the first and second valves and the actuation of the second valve actuator. A movement differentiator is preferably positioned responsive to the sensor for differentiating a time of moving of the first valve from the time of moving of the second valve and the actuation of the second valve actuator.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1996Date of Patent: April 14, 1998Assignee: Wolff Controls CorporationInventors: Marshall E. Smith, Jr., Peter U. Wolff, Richard W. Stettler
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Patent number: 5670886Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing proximity of an object using near-field effects or magnetic effects. The sensor chips are designed to accommodate numerous sensing elements. In the electromagnetic sensor, radio frequency energy is fed to an antenna. The antenna radiates this radio frequency energy to charge the surface of an object. When the position of the object changes, the impedance of the antenna due to near-field effects changes. This impedance change is detected to provide an indication of the object's movement. In the magnetic sensor, the sensing element is placed at a right angle to the sensor electronics to provide a smaller surface area across the diameter of the sensor. The magnet that charges the object to be detected is manufactured as a part of the sensor encapsulant. The sensing device may be packaged to be inserted into a wall to provide a sensor having a leak-free seal.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: September 23, 1997Assignee: Wolf Controls CorporationInventors: Peter U. Wolff, Marshall E. Smith, Jr.
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Patent number: 5633593Abstract: An apparatus for sensing the proximity of a moving target is provided which includes a sensor for sensing a range of distances between a reference point and a moving target. The sensor preferably has a detector for detecting a distance signal representative of a range of distances between a reference point and a moving target and a maximum and minimum generator responsive to the detector for generating a maximum distance range DC voltage signal representative of a maximum distance range value between a reference point and a moving target and for generating a minimum distance range DC voltage signal representative of a minimum distance range value between a reference point and a moving target.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1995Date of Patent: May 27, 1997Inventors: George D. Wolff, Marshall E. Smith, Jr., George T. Ruck
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Patent number: 5459405Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing proximity of an object using near-field effects. Modulated radio frequency energy is fed to an antenna. The antenna radiates this modulated radio frequency energy to charge the surface of an object. When the position of the object changes, the impedance of the antenna due to near-field effects changes. This impedance change is detected to provide an indication of the object's movement. The sensing device may be packaged to be inserted into a wall to provide a sensor having a leak-free seal.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1991Date of Patent: October 17, 1995Assignee: Wolff Controls Corp.Inventors: George D. Wolff, Marshall E. Smith, Jr., George T. Ruck