Abstract: An inductive position sensing system including an inductive position sensor and an electromagnetic barrier positioned adjacent the sensor to shield the sensor from induced electromagnetic field interference. The electromagnetic barrier is formed of a soft magnetic composite material comprising a soft magnetic filler material dispersed within a non-magnetic matrix or binder material. In one embodiment, the non-magnetic matrix material comprises a non-metallic material, and more specifically comprises a polymeric material. In another embodiment, the soft magnetic filler material comprises an iron-based material, and more specifically comprises powder particles formed of iron or an iron alloy dispersed within the non-magnetic matrix material.

Abstract: A system for use in association with a mechanical transmission, including a gear selector lever movable between a plurality of shift positions corresponding to respective transmission settings, an inductive position sensor that senses a shift position of the gear selector lever, and a visual indicator that provides a visual indication of the selected transmission setting. The position sensor includes inductive sensor elements electromagnetically coupled together and sensor circuitry integrated onto a circuit board which generates a sensor output signal corresponding to the shift position of the gear selector lever.

Abstract: A magnetic rotational position sensor comprising a magnetic circuit including a loop pole piece and a magnet, and a magnetic flux sensor adapted to sense varying magnitudes of magnetic flux density associated with the magnetic circuit. The loop pole piece has a peripheral outer wall defining an inner air gap, with the outer wall including an inwardly projecting portion extending into the air gap. The magnet is positioned within the air gap generally opposite the inwardly projecting portion of the loop pole piece. The magnet and the loop pole piece cooperate to generate a magnetic field within the air gap. The magnetic circuit is rotatable about a rotational axis to correspondingly rotate the magnetic field about the rotational axis. The magnetic flux sensor is disposed within the magnetic field to sense a different magnitude of magnetic flux density in response to rotation of the magnetic field about the rotational axis.

Abstract: A magnetic position sensor including a pair of magnets of opposite polarity which are spaced apart to define an air gap extending along an axis, and a pair of shaped pole pieces at least partially disposed within the air gap and positioned adjacent respective ones of the magnets. The pole pieces are formed of a composite material comprising a non-magnetic material and a magnetizable material. The pole pieces cooperate with the magnets to generate a magnetic field that is substantially symmetrical relative to the axis and which has a magnetic flux density that linearly varies along the axis. A magnetic flux sensor is positioned within the magnetic field to sense varying magnitudes of magnetic flux density along the axis through a sensing plane oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis. The magnetic flux sensor generates an output signal uniquely representative of a sensed magnitude of the magnetic flux density.

Abstract: A magnetic incremental motion detection system (110) for outputting a plurality of voltage and/or current signals in digital form wherein the voltage and/or current signals are a collective representation of any incremental rotational, linear, or pivotal movement of an object. A target (120) of the system (110) is adjoined to an object to synchronously move with the object. A plurality of indications (121c, 121d) are adjoined to the target (120), and uniformly and serially disposed along an area (121a) of a surface (121) of the target (120). The system further comprises one or more magnetic sensors (80, 180) spatially positioned from the area of the surface to define air gap areas therebetween. Each of the magnetic sensors (80, 180) are operable to output an analog signal in response to a synchronous movement of the target with the object, and one of two digital circuits (85, 185) output a digital signal in response to the analog signal.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor is provided which includes a pair of magnets and a pair of shaped pole pieces positioned adjacent respective ones of the magnets and spaced apart to define an air gap therebetween. The magnets and the shaped pole pieces cooperate to provide a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density that varies along a length of the air gap. A magnetic flux sensor is positioned within the magnetic field to sense varying magnitudes of magnetic flux density along the length of the air gap and to generate an output signal representative of a position of the magnetic flux sensor relative to the magnetic field. In one embodiment, the air gap defines a varying width to provide varying magnitudes of magnetic flux density along the length. In another embodiment, the shaped pole pieces include portions of varying thickness to provide varying magnitudes of magnetic flux density along the length.

Abstract: A magnetic rotational position sensor comprising a magnetic circuit including a loop pole piece and a magnet, and a magnetic flux sensor adapted to sense varying magnitudes of magnetic flux density associated with the magnetic circuit. The loop pole piece has a peripheral outer wall defining an inner air gap, with the outer wall including an inwardly projecting portion extending into the air gap. The magnet is positioned within the air gap generally opposite the inwardly projecting portion of the loop pole piece. The magnet and the loop pole piece cooperate to generate a magnetic field within the air gap. The magnetic circuit is rotatable about a rotational axis to correspondingly rotate the magnetic field about the rotational axis. The magnetic flux sensor is disposed within the magnetic field to sense a different magnitude of magnetic flux density in response to rotation of the magnetic field about the rotational axis.

Abstract: A magnetic position sensor including a pair of magnets of opposite polarity which are spaced apart to define an air gap extending along an axis, and a pair of shaped pole pieces at least partially disposed within the air gap and positioned adjacent respective ones of the magnets. The pole pieces are formed of a composite material comprising a non-magnetic material and a magnetizable material. The pole pieces cooperate with the magnets to generate a magnetic field that is substantially symmetrical relative to the axis and which has a magnetic flux density that linearly varies along the axis. A magnetic flux sensor is positioned within the magnetic field to sense varying magnitudes of magnetic flux density along the axis through a sensing plane oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis. The magnetic flux sensor generates an output signal uniquely representative of a sensed magnitude of the magnetic flux density.

Abstract: A magnetic position sensor including a pair of magnets of opposite polarity which are spaced apart to define an air gap extending along an axis, and a pair of shaped pole pieces at least partially disposed within the air gap and positioned adjacent respective ones of the magnets. The pole pieces are formed of a composite material comprising a non-magnetic material and a magnetizable material. The pole pieces cooperate with the magnets to generate a magnetic field that is substantially symmetrical relative to the axis and which has a magnetic flux density that linearly varies along the axis. A magnetic flux sensor is positioned within the magnetic field to sense varying magnitudes of magnetic flux density along the axis through a sensing plane oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis. The magnetic flux sensor generates an output signal uniquely representative of a sensed magnitude of the magnetic flux density.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor is provided which includes a pair of magnets and a pair of shaped pole pieces positioned adjacent respective ones of the magnets and spaced apart to define an air gap therebetween. The magnets and the shaped pole pieces cooperate to provide a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density that varies along a length of the air gap. A magnetic flux sensor is positioned within the magnetic field to sense varying magnitudes of magnetic flux density along the length of the air gap and to generate an output signal representative of a position of the magnetic flux sensor relative to the magnetic field. In one embodiment, the air gap defines a varying width to provide varying magnitudes of magnetic flux density along the length. In another embodiment, the shaped pole pieces include portions of varying thickness to provide varying magnitudes of magnetic flux density along the length.

Abstract: A magnetic position sensor including a pair of magnets of opposite polarity which are spaced apart to define an air gap extending along an axis, and a pair of shaped pole pieces at least partially disposed within the air gap and positioned adjacent respective ones of the magnets. The pole pieces are formed of a composite material comprising a non-magnetic material and a magnetizable material. The pole pieces cooperate with the magnets to generate a magnetic field that is substantially symmetrical relative to the axis and which has a magnetic flux density that linearly varies along the axis. A magnetic flux sensor is positioned within the magnetic field to sense varying magnitudes of magnetic flux density along the axis through a sensing plane oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis. The magnetic flux sensor generates an output signal uniquely representative of a sensed magnitude of the magnetic flux density.

Abstract: A magnetic rotational position sensor for sensing each rotational position of a control shaft about a first axis over a definable range of rotation. The position sensor generally includes a magnetic circuit and a pair of magnetic flux sensors. The magnetic circuit is comprised of a ring pole piece defining an air gap area and a magnet disposed within the air gap area. The ring pole piece and the magnet cooperate to produce a magnetic field within the air gap area. The magnetic circuit is adjoined to the control shaft to synchronously rotate the magnetic field about a second axis. The pair of magnetic flux sensors are disposed within the magnetic field to sense each rotational position of the control shaft as the control shaft is rotated about the first axis over the definable range of rotation.

Abstract: A magnetic incremental motion detection system (110) for outputting a plurality of voltage and/or current signals in digital form wherein the voltage and/or current signals are a collective representation of any incremental rotational, linear, or pivotal movement of an object. A target (120) of the system (110) is adjoined to an object to synchronously move with the object. A plurality of indications (121c, 121d) are adjoined to the target (120), and uniformly and serially disposed along an area (121a) of a surface (121) of the target (120). The system further comprises one or more magnetic sensors (80, 180) spatially positioned from the area of the surface to define air gap areas therebetween. Each of the magnetic sensors (80, 180) are operable to output an analog signal in response to a synchronous movement of the target with the object, and one of two digital circuits (85, 185) output a digital signal in response to the analog signal.

Abstract: A magnetic rotational position sensor for sensing the rotational position of a control shaft about a first axis over a definable range of rotation is disclosed. The magnetic rotational position sensor includes a magnetic circuit formed by a peripherally interrupted outer pole piece defining an air gap and a magnet disposed within the air gap to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic circuit is adjoined to the control shaft to synchronously rotate the magnetic field about a second axis. A magnetic flux sensor is disposed within the magnetic field to sense the rotational position of the control shaft as the control shaft is rotated about the first axis over the definable range of rotation.

Abstract: An ignition coil is disclosed that includes a primary coil, a secondary coil and a core about which the primary and secondary coil are disposed. The secondary coil has in inner diameter greater than the diameter of the primary coil. The primary coil is disposed on the core and the secondary coil is disposed about the primary coil. The secondary coil includes a spiral-back pyramid winding configuration which results in a desired distributed capacitance for the secondary windings thereby providing desired electrical characteristics for a resonant circuit. The winding layers of the secondary coil decrease in the number of turns as the coil is wound to achieve a desired distributed capacitance of the coil. A spiral-back winding technique decreases adjacent winding layer voltages so that the inter-layer insulation requirements are reduced to a lower value thereby decreasing the insulation thickness of the secondary coil.

Abstract: A rotary shaft position sensor includes a stator and a rotor and produces a linear output signal in accordance with the rotational position of a shaft coupled to the rotor. The rotor rotates about an axis of rotation. The stator includes stationary pole pieces having stationary pole faces situated perpendicular to the axis of rotation and spaced a predetermined distance apart to define an air gap therebetween. A Hall effect device is situated-in the air gap. The Hall device produces an output signal corresponding to the level of magnetic flux in the air gap. One or more magnets are attached to the rotating pole piece. The magnetic poles of the magnets are situated parallel with and spaced a predetermined distance from the stationary pole faces. Lines of magnetic flux originating from the magnets are situated in a direction perpendicular to the stationary pole face. The rotating pole piece rotates in close proximity to the stationary pole pieces.

Abstract: A low cost Hall effect position sensor is disclosed which includes a Hall effect integrated circuit disposed in close proximity to a metallic target device. The Hall device is mounted in a slotted flux dispersion pole piece. The slotted magnetic flux dispersion pole piece is designed to disperse a highly concentrated magnetic flux field from a magnet, typically an Alnico or rare earth magnet, into a low intensity magnetic flux field which is compatible with the Hall effect device as well as constant and evenly dispersed across the face of the slotted pole piece. The slotted pole piece is designed so that the magnetic flux differential in an air gap between the dispersion pole piece and a ferrous target is increased when compared to the magnetic flux differential of a non-recessed dispersion pole piece.

Abstract: A low cost Hall effect position sensor is disclosed which includes a Hall effect integrated circuit disposed in close proximity to a metallic target device. The Hall device is mounted on a flanged flux dispersion pole piece. The opposite end of the pole piece is attached to a rare earth or Alnico magnet. The flanged magnetic flux dispersion pole piece is designed to disperse a highly concentrated magnetic flux field from a magnet, typically an Alnico or rare earth magnet, into a low intensity magnetic flux field which is compatible with the Hall effect device as well as constant and evenly dispersed across the face of the flanged pole piece. The area of the dispersion flange face is designed so measured magnetic field in an air gap between the dispersion pole piece and a ferrous target is increased by a factor of 3 when compared to an open circuit field intensity field measurement at the surface of the dispersion pole piece.

Abstract: A low cost Hall effect position sensor is disclosed which includes a Hall effect integrated circuit disposed in close proximity to a metallic target device. The Hall device is mounted on a flanged flux dispersion pole piece. The opposite end of the pole piece is attached to a rare earth or Alnico magnet. The flanged magnetic flux dispersion pole piece is designed to disperse a highly concentrated magnetic flux field from a magnet, typically an Alnico or rare earth magnet, into a low intensity magnetic flux field which is compatible with the Hall effect device as well as constant and evenly dispersed across the face of the flanged pole piece. The area of the dispersion flange face is designed so measured magnetic field in an air gap between the dispersion pole piece and a ferrous target is increased by a factor of 3 when compared to an open circuit field intensity field measurement at the surface of the dispersion pole piece.

Abstract: A high torque rotary solenoid is disclosed employing attracting and repelling forces of permanent magnets to induce rotary motion is disclosed. Four arrays of magnets are located on a stator and rotor and are arranged along the axis of rotation of a shaft. Two magnet arrays are located on the stator, and two magnet arrays are located on the rotor. Each of the magnet arrays on the stator is arranged to come in close proximity to one of the magnet arrays on the rotor when the rotary shaft is positioned to the clockwise or counterclockwise rotary motion limits. The rotary solenoid has two rotational positions, each position corresponding to the mechanical limits of rotational movement.