Abstract: A pedal and sensor assembly for mounting to a vehicle. The assembly has a pedal arm having a first end and a second end. A magnetic field generator is connected to the second end to generate a variable magnetic field as the pedal moves. A housing is attached to the vehicle and has the second end and the magnetic field generator contained therein. A magnetic field sensor is located adjacent to the magnetic field generator and detects the variable magnetic field such that as the pedal arm rotates the magnetic field sensor generates an electrical signal proportional to the strength of the variable magnetic field and that is indicative of the position of the pedal arm.

Abstract: A pedal and sensor assembly for mounting to a vehicle. The assembly has a pedal arm having a first end and a second end. A magnetic field generator is connected to the second end to generate a variable magnetic field as the pedal moves. A housing is attached to the vehicle and has the second end and the magnetic field generator contained therein. A magnetic field sensor is located adjacent to the magnetic field generator and detects the variable magnetic field such that as the pedal arm rotates the magnetic field sensor generates an electrical signal proportional to the strength of the variable magnetic field and that is indicative of the position of the pedal arm.

Abstract: A pedal and sensor assembly for mounting to a vehicle. The assembly has a pedal arm having a first end and a second end. A magnetic field generator is connected to the second end to generate a variable magnetic field as the pedal moves. A housing is attached to the vehicle and has the second end and the magnetic field generator contained therein. A magnetic field sensor is located adjacent to the magnetic field generator and detects the variable magnetic field such that as the pedal arm rotates the magnetic field sensor generates an electrical signal proportional to the strength of the variable magnetic field and that is indicative of the position of the pedal arm.

Abstract: A pedal and sensor assembly for mounting to a vehicle. The assembly has a pedal arm having a first end and a second end. A magnetic field generator is connected to the second end to generate a variable magnetic field as the pedal moves. A housing is attached to the vehicle and has the second end and the magnetic field generator contained therein. A magnetic field sensor is located adjacent to the magnetic field generator and detects the variable magnetic field such that as the pedal arm rotates the magnetic field sensor generates an electrical signal proportional to the strength of the variable magnetic field and that is indicative of the position of the pedal arm.

Abstract: A pedal and sensor assembly for mounting to a vehicle. The assembly has a pedal arm having a first end and a second end. A magnetic field generator is connected to the second end to generate a variable magnetic field as the pedal moves. A housing is attached to the vehicle and has the second end and the magnetic field generator contained therein. A magnetic field sensor is located adjacent to the magnetic field generator and detects the variable magnetic field such that as the pedal arm rotates the magnetic field sensor generates an electrical signal proportional to the strength of the variable magnetic field and that is indicative of the position of the pedal arm.

Abstract: A non-contacting position sensor having radial bipolar tapered magnets. The sensor has a semicircular first plate and a second plate. Four semicircular magnets are affixed to the first plate and second plate. Each magnet has a thick end and a thin end. Two magnets generate a linearly varying magnetic field having a first polarity, while the other two magnets generate a linearly varying magnetic field having a second polarity. An air gap is formed in the space between the four magnets. A magnetic flux sensor is positioned within the air gap. The object whose position is to be monitored is rigidly attached to the magnet assembly, causing the magnetic flux sensor to move relative to the magnets within the air gap as the component moves. A varying magnetic field is detected by the magnetic flux sensor, resulting in an electrical signal from the magnetic flux sensor that varies according to its position relative to the four magnets.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a non-contacting position sensor using bipolar tapered magnets is provided. A non-contacting position sensor in accordance with the preferred embodiment uses a pole piece having a first plate and a second plate. Four magnets are affixed to the first plate and second plate. Each magnet has a thick end and a thin end. Two magnets generate a linearly varying magnetic field having a first polarity, while the other two magnets generate a linearly varying magnetic filed having a second polarity. An air gap is formed in the space between the four magnets. A magnetic flux sensor is positioned within the air gap. The component whose position is to be monitored is rigidly attached to either the pole piece or the magnetic flux sensor, causing the magnetic flux sensor to move relative to the magnets within the air gap as the component moves.

Abstract: A combustible gas detector or sensors having a multi-level sensitivity circuitry. The gas detector has a bridge circuit for outputing voltages indicative of gas concentrations contacting the bridge circuit. There is a power supply node electrically coupled to one end of the bridge circuit. There is also a voltage control circuit, coupled between the bridge circuit and the power supply node, for controlling when at least a low and high input voltage level is supplied to the bridge circuit so that the bridge circuit has at least two levels of gas concentration discernability. The bridge circuit outputs distinguishable voltage levels for high gas concentrations in response to receiving the low voltage level. Additionally, the bridge circuit outputs distinguishable voltage levels for low gas concentrations in response to receiving the high voltage level.

Abstract: A gas sensor for being placed into a gas stream such that the gas sensor is insensitive to any specific rotational orientation about a longitudinal axis of the sensor within the gas stream. The sensor includes 1) a base having an axis that is perpendicular to the gas stream, 2) a sensor element on the base, 3) a catalyzed sensor element on the base proximate the sensor element, for creating an exothermic reaction upon contacting the gas stream thereby forming a heated gas stream portion, and 4) the catalyzed sensor element and the sensor element are positioned on the base with a sufficient axial separation therebetween so that as the base rotates about the axis, the heated gas stream portion will not contact the sensor element. In particular, the base has a second axis being perpendicular to the axis and separating the sensor element from the catalyzed sensor element.

Abstract: A combustible gas detector or sensor having catalytic coated resistance sensing elements that uses a wheatstone bridge to sense the presence and concentration of any combustible gases in a gas stream that chemically react with such catalytic coatings. Wherein there is a power supply node electrically coupling one end of a first and second bridge of the wheatstone bridge. There is a ground node electrically coupling the first and second bridge at another end. There is a first and second metered node located on the first and second bridge respectively. There is a first catalytic sensor element, located on the first bridge between the power node and first metered node. There is a second catalytic sensor element, located on the second bridge between the ground node and second metered node. There is a first reference sensor element, located on the first bridge and in series with the first catalytic sensor element, and coupled between the first metered node and the ground node.

Abstract: A PTC device having a PTC material sandwiched between a pair of metal plates includes a plurality of spaced-apart legs extending outwardly from the plates for reception in circuit board slots. Certain legs terminate in transverse hook portions for retaining same in a circuit board slot.

Abstract: A thin PTC device that includes a layer of PTC material sandwiched between a pair of metal plates is provided with an increased effective thickness by outwardly extending flanges on at least one of the metal plates. This allows a close fit of the PTC device in a pocket that otherwise would be too large for holding the PTC device properly.

Abstract: The temperature of each heating element among a plurality of heating elements is regulated by opening and closing a relay associated with each heating element in response to the monitored temperature of each heating element. The voltage across all of the relays is interrupted simultaneously at predetermined intervals, and each relay is opened or closed only when the voltage is interrupted. This permits the use of relays having lower current ratings and also extends relay life.

Abstract: The temperature of a glass cooktop is sensed by an elongated thermistor rod positioned below the cooktop. The thermistor rod has a negative temperature coefficient of electrical resistance and is connected in a control circuit for the cooktop heater. The opposite end portions of the thermistor rod are located outside of the housing for the cooktop heater so that electrical connections to such end portions are not exposed to extremely high temperatures.

Abstract: The temperature of a glass cooktop is sensed by an elongated thermistor rod positioned below the cooktop. The thermistor rod has a negative temperature coefficient of electrical resistance and is connected in a control circuit for the cooktop heater. The opposite end portions of the thermistor rod are located outside of the housing for the cooktop heater so that electrical connections to such end portions are not exposed to extremely high temperatures.

Abstract: A printed circuit board holder wherein several boards are securely held in place in a fixture by force exerting devices pushing against the board edges. The fixture includes recessed openings where the boards are located and force exerting devices positioned between pairs of the openings. The force exerting devices include an elliptical member which is mounted flush with the boards and is rotatable to push the two adjacent boards apart from each other. Contact is made only with the board edges to provide a smooth surface across the force exerting means, the circuit boards, and the fixture.

Abstract: A thermal protector using a polymeric PTC element, with broad upper and lower surfaces, sandwiched between and held in intimate mechanical and electrical contact over substantially its entire broad surfaces with inner broad surfaces of upper and lower plate-terminals. Electrical insulation between the upper and lower plate-terminals outside the areas of contact of the plate-terminals and the PTC element electrically insulates the upper and lower plate-terminals from one another. The plate-terminals are clamped mechanically, preferably in such a way that the PTC element is biased continuously against the broad surfaces of the plate-terminals.