Abstract: A side-mount bracket system for locking the sensor position with respect to a side-mount bracket once the air gap is first established by the gauging layer method, wherein the sensor may be removed and then reinstalled without use of any position setting procedure, yet the air gap is automatically precisely reset to its original value. The side-mount bracket system according to the present invention includes a washer and a side-mount bracket having an elongated slot, wherein as the washer is brought into the slot, facial interaction therebetween, eg., teeth inscribing a smooth surface, causes the washer to be positionally fixed with respect to the bracket. Alteratively, the washer may be slidably trapped onto the bracket at the slot, and a tapered bolt having a varying cross-section which causes expansion of the washer as it is threaded home, thereby affixing the washer positionally with respect to the bracket.

Abstract: A horizontal-mount bracket system for holding sensor position with respect to a horizontal-mount bracket, wherein facial interaction between the bracket and the sensor body provides automatic setting of the air gap which setting is preserved such that if the sensor is ever reinstalled, the air gap is precisely reset to its original value. A multi-component bracket has first and second bracket components which lay juxtaposed, one atop the other. The first bracket component has a first sensor opening and the second bracket component has a second sensor opening wherein initially the first and second sensor openings are mutually communicating and aligned just sufficiently so that the sensor body is free to vertically move therein. The sensor body is placed into a sensor port of an engine block so that the tip of the sensor body rests upon a surface of a reluctor.

Abstract: A two-component bracket and drive washer combination which provides secure holding of a magnetic sensor while automatically setting an optimal air gap, wherein operation is very quick, easy and reliable and wherein the air gap setting is precisely repeated each time a magnetic sensor is replaced or re-installed. A main bracket component has an aperture and a drive wall at one end of the aperture. A sensor body is connected to the main bracket component and is allowed to touch a reluctor. A reaction bracket has a reaction wall in the aperture opposite the drive wall and is restrained from moving. A drive washer is provided with teeth having a pitch whereby as the washer is pressed between the drive and reaction walls along a transverse axis, the main bracket component is forced to move along a longitudinal axis, thereby moving the sensor body in relation to the reluctor an amount precisely equal to a desired air gap.

Abstract: A horizontal-mount bracket system for holding sensor position with respect to a horizontal-mount bracket, wherein facial interaction between the bracket and the sensor body provides automatic setting of the air gap which setting is preserved such that if the sensor is ever reinstalled, the air gap is precisely reset to its original value. A multi-component bracket has first and second bracket components which lay juxtaposed, one atop the other. The first bracket component has a first sensor opening and the second bracket component has a second sensor opening wherein initially the first and second sensor openings are mutually communicating and aligned just sufficiently so that the sensor body is free to vertically move therein. The sensor body is placed into a sensor port of an engine block so that the tip of the sensor body rests upon a surface of a reluctor.

Abstract: A horizontal-mount bracket system for holding a sensor position with respect to a horizontal-mount bracket once the air gap is first established by the gauging layer method; and, in a second embodiment thereof, for locking the sensor position with respect to the horizontal-mount bracket, wherein the sensor may be removed and then reinstalled without use of any position setting procedure, yet the air gap is automatically precisely reset to its original value. First and second bracket members lay juxtaposed, wherein the first bracket member has a first sensor opening and the second bracket member has a second sensor opening. The first and second sensor openings allow free placement of the sensor body therein, and when laterally displaced, cause the sensor body to be pinched holdably to the multi-component bracket, which is attached to a flat horizontal surface of an engine.

Abstract: A bracket and sensor body of a magnetic sensor, wherein relative rotation therebetween provides precise setting of an optimal air gap, and wherein operation is very quick, easy and reliable and wherein the air gap setting is precisely repeated each time a magnetic sensor is replaced or re-installed. In a first preferred embodiment, the bracket is provided with a sensor aperture having a predetermined shape, and at least one cutting tab is provided at the sensor aperture which has a predetermined pitch angle relative to the plane of the bracket. The sensor body is composed of a relatively softer material, such as a plastic, which is cuttable by the harder material of the one or more cutting tabs, wherein the shape of the sensor body is generally complementary to the predetermined shape of the aperture. Rotation of the sensor body relative to the bracket causes the one or more cutting tabs to cut into the sensor body.

Abstract: A sensor bracket configured to provide a vertical displacement in response to a horizontal displacement. The bracket has a general U-shape including an upper bracket section, a lower bracket section and a middle bracket section therebetween. The upper and lower bracket sections are provided with upper and lower sensor apertures, wherein the upper sensor aperture is provided with serrations which are spaced in close proximity to the sensor body, yet allow easy passage of the sensor body therepast. Remote from the middle bracket section, the lower bracket section is restrained by a bolt and the upper bracket section has a toothed slot, wherein the teeth have a predetermined pitch angle. A washer carried by the bolt is inscribed by the teeth as it is pressed into the slot by the bolt, which, in turn, causes the upper bracket section to be horizontally displaced so as to result in its bending.

Abstract: A bracket and washer combination providing secure holding and positioning of a magnetic sensor, wherein an optimal air gap is automatically set as the washer is brought into a slot of the bracket due to facial interaction therebetween. In one embodiment, the sidewalls of the slot have teeth of predetermined pitch, while the washer has smooth sidewalls. In a second embodiment, the sidewalls of the washer have teeth of a predetermined pitch angle, while the sidewalls of the slot are smooth. The member having toothed sidewalls is formed of a material harder than the member having smooth sidewalls. The washer and slot are dimensioned so that the sidewalls of the washer tightly abut the sidewalls of the slot, wherein the teeth of the toothed sidewalls inscribe corresponding grooves into the smooth sidewalls as the washer is pressed into the slot along a transverse axis.

Abstract: A device is provided which is capable of generating a surface that at least partially conforms to the contour of an article. The surface is defined by the ends of a number of threaded members which are supported within a suitable support structure. The threaded members are aligned so as to be substantially parallel to and threadably engaged with each other. As a result, rotation of an individual threaded member will cause that threaded member to be longitudinally moved relative to its adjacent threaded members and the support structure, without displacing an adjacent threaded member. The surface can be readily configured manually or automatically to serve as a die or mold cavity when the entire surface has been generated to conform to the entire contour of the article. Alternatively, the surface can be generated so as to provide a suitable fixture surface for supporting and securing a workpiece during a machining or welding operation.

Abstract: A device is provided which is capable of generating a surface that at least partially conforms to the contour of an article. The surface is defined by the ends of a number of threaded members which are supported within a suitable support structure. The threaded members are aligned so as to be substantially parallel to and threadably engaged with each other. As a result, rotation of an individual threaded member will cause that threaded member to be longitudinally moved relative to its adjacent threaded members and the support structure, without displacing an adjacent threaded member. The surface can be readily configured manually or automatically to serve as a die or mold cavity when the entire surface has been generated to conform to the entire contour of the article. Alternatively, the surface can be generated so as to provide a suitable fixture surface for supporting and securing a workpiece during a machining or welding operation.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving the formability of low carbon steel sheet by heating it to a temperature above about 250.degree. C. such that the interstitial element content of the steel's ferrite matrix is in the range of from about 5 to 50 parts by weight per million parts iron; quenching the steel to retain at least 5 weight parts per million parts iron of the interstitial elements in the ferrite; and cooling the steel to a temperature below about 0.degree. C. for forming.