Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to measuring position and displacement of a 2D surface magnet array of at least three adjacent magnetic north and south tracks with an acute angle versus its motion displacement relative to a magnetic field sensor (e.g., magnetic sensing probe). In an illustrative example, the geometry of the 2D surface magnet array may be planar with adjacent and alternating north and south pole regions. In some embodiments, the 2D surface magnet array geometry may take the form of (1) an axial cylindrical helical multipole magnet array having individually magnetized layers that are oriented in helical shape, or (2) a radial disk spiral multipole magnet array with at least three adjacent north and south tracks oriented as a spiral shape.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to measuring position and displacement of a 2D surface magnet array of at least three adjacent magnetic north and south tracks with an acute angle versus its motion displacement relative to a magnetic field sensor (e.g., magnetic sensing probe). In an illustrative example, the geometry of the 2D surface magnet array may be planar with adjacent and alternating north and south pole regions. In some embodiments, the 2D surface magnet array geometry may take the form of (1) an axial cylindrical helical multipole magnet array having individually magnetized layers that are oriented in helical shape, or (2) a radial disk spiral multipole magnet array with at least three adjacent north and south tracks oriented as a spiral shape.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to measuring position and displacement of a 2D surface magnet array of at least three adjacent magnetic north and south tracks with an acute angle versus its motion displacement relative to a magnetic field sensor (e.g., magnetic sensing probe). In an illustrative example, the geometry of the 2D surface magnet array may be planar with adjacent and alternating north and south pole regions. In some embodiments, the 2D surface magnet array geometry may take the form of (1) an axial cylindrical helical multipole magnet array having individually magnetized layers that are oriented in helical shape, or (2) a radial disk spiral multipole magnet array with at least three adjacent north and south tracks oriented as a spiral shape.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to measuring position and displacement of a 2D surface magnet array of at least three adjacent magnetic north and south tracks with an acute angle versus its motion displacement relative to a magnetic field sensor (e.g., magnetic sensing probe). In an illustrative example, the geometry of the 2D surface magnet array may be planar with adjacent and alternating north and south pole regions. In some embodiments, the 2D surface magnet array geometry may take the form of (1) an axial cylindrical helical multipole magnet array having individually magnetized layers that are oriented in helical shape, or (2) a radial disk spiral multipole magnet array with at least three adjacent north and south tracks oriented as a spiral shape.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to measuring position and displacement of a 2D surface magnet array of at least three adjacent magnetic north and south tracks with an acute angle versus its motion displacement relative to a magnetic field sensor (e.g., magnetic sensing probe). In an illustrative example, the geometry of the 2D surface magnet array may be planar with adjacent and alternating north and south pole regions. In some embodiments, the 2D surface magnet array geometry may take the form of (1) an axial cylindrical helical multipole magnet array having individually magnetized layers that are oriented in helical shape, or (2) a radial disk spiral multipole magnet array with at least three adjacent north and south tracks oriented as a spiral shape.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to measuring position and displacement of a 2D surface magnet array of at least three adjacent magnetic north and south tracks with an acute angle versus its motion displacement relative to a magnetic field sensor (e.g., magnetic sensing probe). In an illustrative example, the geometry of the 2D surface magnet array may be planar with adjacent and alternating north and south pole regions. In some embodiments, the 2D surface magnet array geometry may take the form of (1) an axial cylindrical helical multipole magnet array having individually magnetized layers that are oriented in helical shape, or (2) a radial disk spiral multipole magnet array with at least three adjacent north and south tracks oriented as a spiral shape.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a housing having a deformable membrane configured to interface with a programming module of an industrial product, where the deformable membrane includes a waved surface designed to deform under the finger pressure of a human user. In an illustrative example, the housing may be formed of a rigid material (e.g., polyamide) to serve as a protective barrier for the industrial product. The waved surface may have one or more waves (e.g., 7) that may possess certain dimensions and deformation parameters that are designed to allow a user to engage a programming switch via the deformable membrane. A user may advantageously provide input to the programming module via the deformable membrane without having to access the internal areas of the industrial product, thus avoiding the risk of damaging or interfering with the internal mechanisms and systems of the industrial product.

Abstract: A measurement assembly for determining a torque applied to a shaft including a disk coupled to a motor such that the motor is to drive rotation of the disk about a central axis. The measurement assembly also includes a first ring and second ring coupled to the disk and the shaft, respectively, and a sensor unit to measure a rotational displacement between the first and second rings about the central axis. The measurement assembly further includes one or more deformable members coupled between the disk and the shaft, each including a pair of ends and a body extending therebetween. For each deformable member, one of the ends is coupled to the shaft and the other end is coupled to the disk such that a rotation of the shaft relative to the disk about the central axis is to cause the deformation of the body.

Abstract: A torque measurement system for measuring a torque acting on a rotatable shaft is provided. The torque measurement system includes a first housing portion having a first end adapted to be fixedly coupled to the rotatable shaft and a second end. The torque measurement system includes a second housing portion having a first end spaced apart from the second end of the first housing portion so as to define a gap between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. The second housing portion is adapted to be fixedly coupled to the rotatable shaft. The torque measurement system includes at least one sensor that observes at least one of the second end of the first housing portion, the first end of the second housing portion and the gap and generates sensor signals based on the observation. The sensor signals are indicative of a torque acting on the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A measurement assembly for determining a torque applied to a shaft including a disk coupled to a motor such that the motor is to drive rotation of the disk about a central axis. The measurement assembly also includes a first ring and second ring coupled to the disk and the shaft, respectively, and a sensor unit to measure a rotational displacement between the first and second rings about the central axis. The measurement assembly further includes one or more deformable members coupled between the disk and the shaft, each including a pair of ends and a body extending therebetween. For each deformable member, one of the ends is coupled to the shaft and the other end is coupled to the disk such that a rotation of the shaft relative to the disk about the central axis is to cause the deformation of the body.

Abstract: A torque measurement system for measuring a torque acting on a rotatable shaft is provided. The torque measurement system includes a first housing portion having a first end adapted to be fixedly coupled to the rotatable shaft and a second end. The torque measurement system includes a second housing portion having a first end spaced apart from the second end of the first housing portion so as to define a gap between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. The second housing portion is adapted to be fixedly coupled to the rotatable shaft. The torque measurement system includes at least one sensor that observes at least one of the second end of the first housing portion, the first end of the second housing portion and the gap and generates sensor signals based on the observation. The sensor signals are indicative of a torque acting on the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an autonomous controllable valve system for providing turbulent flow to a cleaning solution during a valve-cleaning operation, the valve system includes a valve and a valve controller, the valve has an MR sensor array arranged to receive a magnetic field from a magnet coupled to the valve stem, the MR sensor array generating signals indicative of a valve stem position, the valve controller receiving the position signals and generating a control signal for a valve actuator to move the valve stem to a cleaning position between a closed position and a maximal-open position. The cleaning position may be less than twenty percent of a distance between the closed position and the maximal open position. In an illustrative embodiment, the cleaning position may be predetermined to cause a turbulent flow of the cleaning solution.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a Metered-Commodity Consumption Meter (MCCM) utilizing a rotationally occluded optical beam to simultaneously measure flow/consumption and verify operational integrity. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an existing MCCM may be retrofit by sealably attaching a module containing an optical system which may generate one or more optical beams. Each optical beam may have a defined optical path originating from an optical source and terminating at an optical sensor within the module. In an exemplary embodiment, a Rotational Retrofit Member (RRM) may be attachable to a rotational metering gear responsive to a flow/consumption of the metered commodity. The RRM may have an occluding blade which may partially occlude the optical beams periodically when the RRM rotates. In various embodiments, the MCCM may be retrofit to make the measurement of the metered commodity impervious to external magnetic fields.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a Metered-Commodity Consumption Meter (MCCM) utilizing a rotationally occluded optical beam to simultaneously measure flow/consumption and verify operational integrity. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an existing MCCM may be retrofit by sealably attaching a module containing an optical system which may generate one or more optical beams. Each optical beam may have a defined optical path originating from an optical source and terminating at an optical sensor within the module. In an exemplary embodiment, a Rotational Retrofit Member (RRM) may be attachable to a rotational metering gear responsive to a flow/consumption of the metered commodity. The RRM may have an occluding blade which may partially occlude the optical beams periodically when the RRM rotates. In various embodiments, the MCCM may be retrofit to make the measurement of the metered commodity impervious to external magnetic fields.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an autonomous controllable valve system for providing turbulent flow to a cleaning solution during a valve-cleaning operation, the valve system includes a valve and a valve controller, the valve has an MR sensor array arranged to receive a magnetic field from a magnet coupled to the valve stem, the MR sensor array generating signals indicative of a valve stem position, the valve controller receiving the position signals and generating a control signal for a valve actuator to move the valve stem to a cleaning position between a closed position and a maximal-open position. The cleaning position may be less than twenty percent of a distance between the closed position and the maximal open position. In an illustrative embodiment, the cleaning position may be predetermined to cause a turbulent flow of the cleaning solution.

Abstract: A device comprises a fuel line that carries a combustible fuel including gasoline, a first optical channel that evaluates a degree of absorption at a first wavelength spectrum of light transmitted through the combustible fuel within the fuel line, and a second optical channel that evaluates a degree of absorption at a second wavelength spectrum. The first and second wavelength spectrums consists of wavelengths of between about 800 nanometers (nm) and about 1200 nm. The device further comprises a controller configured to receive inputs from the first and second optical channels representing the degrees of absorption at the first and second wavelength spectrums, correlate the degrees of absorption with proportions of ethanol and water in the combustible fuel, and output data corresponding to the proportions of ethanol and water to a controller of a combustion engine fed with the combustible fuel.

Abstract: A drive wheel for integration into a clock movement, in particular into the clock movement of wristwatches, with at least a dented section by whose teeth a downstream wheel is rotatably drivable and at least a non-dented section which has a diameter chosen in such a manner that the part-circular circumference of the drive wheel in the non-dented section blocks the downstream wheel against rotation while the teeth of the downstream wheel face this section. The non-dented section of the drive wheel includes at least a flexible element that is arranged, seen in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the drive wheel, immediately after the dented section and that includes an elasticity essentially directed in radial direction of the drive wheel for the change of the diameter of the non-dented section of the drive wheel in the range of the flexible element.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a case for screening magnetic fields, comprising at least two parts, and more particularly a lower part (4, 5) and a bell-shaped upper part (3). These parts are of a shape such that they are able to envelop a movement (1) of a timepiece. The upper part (3), moreover, is attached in such a way that while attached to the movement, it is able to move in a plane parallel to the movement (1) while it is essentially immobile in a direction normal to this plane.

Abstract: Passive entry sensor systems and associated sensors are disclosed. The system sensor is locatable in the handle of a door and can provide an electromagnetic radiation beam transmitted either along the length of the handle between opposite ends thereof or between the handle and the door such that the sensor can detect at least a partial interruption of the beam by a user actuating the handle. The system can include an independent optical locking switch for actuation by a user to lock the door which locking switch comprises a shutter for intercepting the beam so as to flag the sensor. The system can include a power-up switch for actuation by a user to power-up the system, back-up switches for detecting a pull on the handle, indicators for indicating system status to the user, and backlight and ground light lighting.

Abstract: Passive entry sensor systems and associated sensors are disclosed. The system sensor is locatable in the handle of a door or like structure and can provide an electromagnetic radiation beam transmitted either along the length of the handle between opposite ends thereof or between the handle and the door such that the sensor can detect at least a partial interruption of the beam by a user actuating the handle. The system can include an independent optical locking switch for actuation by a user to lock the door which locking switch comprises a shutter for intercepting the beam so as to flag the sensor. The system can include a power-up switch for actuation by a user to power-up the system, back-up switches for detecting a pull on the handle, indicators for indicating system status to the user, and backlight and ground light lighting.