Abstract: A weight sensor for measuring a weight applied to the sensor. The sensor includes a substrate that has a center section that is adapted to flex in response to the applied weight and a step section that is attached to the center section. The step section concentrates the weight onto to the center section. Strain gage resistors are mounted on the center section of the substrate for generating an electrical signal in response to the substrate being flexed. A wing section is attached to the center section. The wing section is out of the weight path and does not flex. The wing section contains signal conditioning electronics operative to condition the electrical signal.

Abstract: A weight sensor for measuring a weight applied to the sensor. The sensor includes a substrate that has a center section that is adapted to flex in response to the applied weight and a step section that is attached to the center section. The step section concentrates the weight onto to the center section. Strain gage resistors are mounted on the center section of the substrate for generating an electrical signal in response to the substrate being flexed. A wing section is attached to the center section. The wing section is out of the weight path and does not flex. The wing section contains signal conditioning electronics operative to condition the electrical signal.

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 dual-axes position sensor 10 having an outer housing 12, an actuator 40, a linear Hall effect sensor assembly 20 for detecting position changes along a first (y) axis, and a linear Hall effect sensor assembly 30 for detecting position changes along a second (x) axis is disclosed. The housing 12 is preferably made out of a non-magnetic material such as plastic. Actuator 40 is rod shaped and coupled to a movable device or shaft (not shown) that is to have its position sensed. The linear Hall effect sensor assembly 20 is unattachably positioned to set on lip 52 of the housing 12, and includes a magnetically conducting pole piece 26, a magnet assembly 24 comprising an upper magnet 21 and a lower magnet 23 that are separated by an air gap 25. Magnet assembly 24 and pole piece 26 are positioned around a Hall sensor device support 14 in a“U” shaped configuration or form. Hall sensor device support 14 is fixedly attached to housing 12 via attachment area 54.

Abstract: A dual positional hall effect sensor 10 having an outer housing 12, an actuator 14, a linear movement sensor 20, and a rotational movement sensor device 22. The housing 12 includes a lower chamber 24 and an upper chamber 26, with a barrier wall 28 separating therebetween. The actuator 14 is made up of a coupling 32 for coupling to a movable device (not shown) that is to have its position sensed, a rod 34 that extends from the lower to the upper chamber, a collar 36 for retaining the actuator 14 within the lower chamber, and a key 38. The linear motion sensor 20 is unattachably positioned to set on collar 36, and includes a magnetically conducting pole piece 42 and a left and right magnets 44. The magnets 44 and pole piece 42 are positioned around the rod 34 in a "U" shaped configuration. The lower chamber 24 also includes a positionally fixed hall effect sensor 46 and a spring 48 positioned between the barrier wall 28 and the collar 36.

Abstract: A variable power resistor includes a heat sink having a front face and a back face with an electrically insulating, thermally conductive ceramic coating bonded directly onto the front face such that the ceramic coating is in direct thermal contact with the heat sink. A plurality of discrete thick film conductive circuit pads are positioned on the electrically insulating, thermally conductive ceramic coating and a thick film resistive layer is positioned over portions of the conductive circuit pads such that the pads are electrically connected in series. The variable power resistor also includes a moveable contactor capable of contacting the circuit pads in order to vary the resistance of the resistor and an electrical connection between the resistor and an electrical circuit. The electrically insulating, thermally conductive ceramic coating may be plasma sprayed onto the heat sink, while the resistive circuit may be screen printed onto the ceramic coating.

Abstract: A variable power resistor includes a heat sink having a front face and a back face with an electrically insulating, thermally conductive ceramic coating bonded directly onto the front face such that the ceramic coating is in direct thermal contact with the heat sink. A plurality of discrete thick film conductive circuit pads are positioned on the electrically insulating, thermally conductive ceramic coating and a thick film resistive layer is positioned over portions of the conductive circuit pads such that the pads are electrically connected in series. The variable power resistor also includes a moveable contactor capable of contacting the circuit pads in order to vary the resistance of the resistor and an electrical connection between the resistor and an electrical circuit. The electrically insulating, thermally conductive ceramic coating may be plasma sprayed onto the heat sink, while the resistive circuit may be screen printed onto the ceramic coating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for measuring the hysteresis error of a position sensor for a reciprocating element, such as the sensor for determining piston TDC in a reciprocating engine. The sensor is of the proximity type and has a sensing region past which a vane relatively moves. Event timing signals are provided by voltage transitions occasioned by the leading and trailing edges respectively of the vane passing the sensor. The method includes moving a pair of test vanes in opposite directions past the sensor to simulate two passes thereby of a reciprocating vane to generate the event timing signals from the sensor. This may be done by mounting the test vanes on a pair of rotating discs. Independently of the sensor, reference timing signals are generated which are accurately indicative of the positioning of the leading and trailing edges of the one or more test vanes. These reference timing signals may be determined optically.