Abstract: A rotary position sensor for sensing the angular position of a pivotally mounted device, such as a throttle valve. The rotary position sensor includes a generally circular magnet with a central aperture. A magnetic sensing element, such as a Hall effect integrated circuit (IC) is disposed within the aperture to reduce the overall size of the sensor. In order to improve performance of the sensor, one or more flux concentrators are disposed adjacent the magnetic sensing element within the central aperture of the magnet, while keeping the overall size of the sensor to a minimum to enable the sensor to be utilized in applications where space requirements are generally critical, such as automotive applications.

Abstract: A smart angular position sensor includes electronic circuitry for automatically compensating for errors in the output signal of the sensor. The electronic circuitry includes an electronic memory for storing predetermined compensation values used to compensate the output signal of the sensor. The predetermined compensation values are determined by comparing the output signal of the sensor with ideal values at predetermined angular positions. The deviation of the actual values relative to the ideal values is used in determining the compensation values. The compensation values are stored in the electronic memory and are used to automatically compensate the output signal of the sensor.

Abstract: A proximity sensor which includes a bar magnet having opposing North and South poles and two magnetic responsive sensors disposed on a lateral face of the magnet between the opposing North and South poles and a pair of corresponding flux concentrators, configured such that the magnetic responsive sensors are sandwiched between the magnet and the flux concentrators along a lateral face of the magnet between opposing pole faces forming a dual-element sensor assembly. In one embodiment the dual-element sensor assembly is adapted to be utilized with a two-channel ferrous target, a target wheel having ferrous targets that are axially separated to correspond to the two-channel sensor assembly. In this embodiment the sensors are configured such that the longitudinal axis of the sensor is generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the ferrous target wheel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable reluctance sensor which includes a coil of wire defining a pair of output terminals, one or more stators or pole pieces, and an injection molded bobbin formed from a magnetic material and a polymer binder for carrying the coil wire. The injection molded bobbin magnet enables the size and, thus, the strength of the magnet to be increased while not increasing the overall space requirements of the sensor. In addition, the injection molding enables the inner diameter of the bobbin to be formed in the image of the toothed target wheel relatively easily and inexpensively to additionally improve the output voltage of the sensor. In order to facilitate assembly of the sensor, the bobbin can be formed with integral tabs adapted to be received in corresponding notches formed in the stators, which allows for relatively quick and easy orientation of the stator relative to the bobbin.

Abstract: An angular position sensor for sensing the angular position of a pivotally mounted device includes a magnetically sensitive device, such as a Hall effect IC, and a plurality of flux concentrators, rigidly disposed relative to the Hall effect IC, forming an assembly. The assembly is disposed in a housing a fixed distance from a rotatably mounted standard magnet defining a fixed air gap therebetween. The magnet is disposed in rotatably mounted magnet holder which also acts as a drive arm that is adapted to be mechanically coupled to a pivotally mounted device. The configuration of the flux concentrators assembled to the magnetically sensitive device cause the output of the Hall effect IC to be generally linear. In order to avoid problems associated with electrically adjustable angular position sensors, the angular position sensor in accordance with the present invention is adjusted mechanically. In particular, a flux concentrator, preferably having a halo shape, is disposed adjacent the magnet.

Abstract: An angular position sensor for sensing the angular position of a pivotally mounted device includes a magnetically sensitive device, such as a Hall effect IC, and a plurality of flux concentrators, rigidly disposed relative to the Hall effect IC, forming an assembly. The assembly is disposed in a housing a fixed distance from a rotatably mounted standard magnet defining a fixed air gap therebetween. The magnet is disposed in rotatably mounted magnet holder which also acts as a drive arm that is adapted to be mechanically coupled to a pivotally mounted device. The configuration of the flux concentrators assembled to the magnetically sensitive device cause the output of the Hall effect IC to be generally linear. In order to avoid problems associated with electrically adjustable angular position sensors, the angular position sensor in accordance with the present invention is adjusted mechanically. In particular, a flux concentrator, preferably having a halo shape, is disposed adjacent the magnet.

Abstract: A ferrous object sensor assembly is capable of sensing the presence or absence of an object of high magnetic permeability, such as a tooth or notch on a rotatably mounted ferrous wheel at zero speed and immediately upon power-up and, thus, may also be used as a proximity sensor. The ferrous object sensor assembly is comprised of a permanent magnet and a magnetic flux responsive sensor having a sensing plane which produces an electrical output signal which varies as a function of the change in magnetic flux density. The ferrous body sensor assembly does not rely upon pole face magnetism as some known conventional sensors but, rather, relies upon a the radial component of magnetic flux density emanating from a lateral surface of the magnet, intermediate opposing pole faces. Since the ferrous object sensor assembly does not rely on pole face magnetism, its electrical output signal is relatively stable over a relatively wide temperature range.

Abstract: A capacitor discharge ignition system is provided with an improved control circuit to achieve predetermined ignition timing characteristics over the range of engine speed operation. In one arrangement the improved control circuit provides engine speed control by introducing a relatively abrupt or stepped ignition timing retard characteristic when a predetermined engine speed is exceeded. If the engine speed increases above the predetermined speed at which the ignition retard characteristic is introduced, additional retarding of the ignition timing is provided. In another arrangement, the control circuit provides an abrupt or stepped ignition timing advance characteristic when a predetermined ignition speed is exceeded. In yet another arrangement, the control circuit first provides the stepped advance as a first predetermined speed is exceeded and then provides a retard characteristic as a second predetermined speed is exceeded greater than the first predetermined speed.

Abstract: A capacitor discharge ignition system is provided with a control arrangement to prevent operation of an engine at excessive speeds. For example, when the engine exceeds a predetermined speed of operation, the control arrangement is effective to terminate the generation of the ignition firing pulses to the spark plug of the engine. The control arrangement includes a capacitor connected at one end to the cathode of an SCR switching device that controls the discharge of a charging capacitor into an ignition coil. The other end of the capacitor is connected in the triggering circuit of the SCR. The capacitor discharge ignition system is arranged to charge the charging capacitor during a first half cycle of operation of one polarity and subsequently to discharge the capacitor into the ignition coil by triggering the SCR during the following half cycle of operation of opposite polarity.

Abstract: A capacitor discharge ignition system is provided in a self-contained hermetically sealed housing having improved component packaging. The capacitor discharge ignition system includes an ignition coil and an auxiliary coil for charging a capacitor of the capacitor discharge ignition system in response to a rotating magnetic field. The auxiliary coil is fabricated with a coil shape factor having a greater height and lower mean turn diameter than conventional auxiliary coils. The lower mean turn diameter of the auxiliary coil provides space within the housing for circuit components of the capacitor discharge ignition system to be placed between the auxiliary coil and the inner wall of the housing. Thus, the circuit components are removed from the conventional location between the primary and secondary windings of the ignition coil.

Abstract: A capacitor discharge ignition system is provided in a self-contained hermetically sealed housing having improved component packaging. The capacitor discharge ignition system includes an ignition coil and an auxiliary coil for charging a capacitor of the capacitor discharge ignition system in response to a rotating magnetic field. The auxiliary coil is fabricated with a coil shape factor having a greater height and lower mean turn diameter than conventional auxiliary coils. The lower mean turn diameter of the auxiliary coil provides space within the housing for circuit components of the capacitor discharge ignition system to be placed between the auxiliary coil and the inner wall of the housing. Thus, the circuit components are removed from the conventional location between the primary and secondary windings of the ignition coil.

Abstract: A capacitor discharge ignition system is provided in a self-contained hermetically sealed housing having improved component packaging. The capacitor discharge ignition system includes an ignition coil and an auxiliary coil for charging a capacitor of the capacitor discharge ignition system in response to a rotating magnetic field. The auxiliary coil is fabricated with a coil shape factor having a greater height and lower mean turn diameter than conventional auxiliary coils. The lower mean turn diameter of the auxiliary coil provides space within the housing for circuit components of the capacitor discharge ignition system to be placed between the auxiliary coil and the inner wall of the housing. Thus, the circuit components are removed from the conventional location between the primary and secondary windings of the ignition coil.

Abstract: A capacitor discharge ignition system is provided with an ignition timing stabilization arrangement to achieve substantially constant ignition timing characteristics over a wide range of engine speeds. The capacitor discharge ignition system is positioned adjacent a rotating permanent magnet that is rotated over a path in synchronism with the operation of an engine to be controlled.The capacitor discharge ignition system includes a stator core having disposed thereon an ignition coil and a control coil assembly. The control coil assembly includes a control winding and a timing stabilization winding. As a first pole of the magnet passes the stator core, a voltage and current of a first polarity is induced in the control winding to charge a storage capacitor.