Abstract: A high voltage generating circuit for an automotive ignition system, wherein a current control circuit is provided in series with an automotive battery and a controlled high frequency switch to generate a high frequency, linearly increasing ignition current across the electrodes of the spark plugs of an internal combustion engine in order to accommodate shifts in the spark plug sustaining voltage which may occur due to changes in operating conditions. In a preferred embodiment, a DC-DC converter is inserted in series between the battery and the current control circuit to step-up the voltage applied to the current control circuit.

Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed which includes a separate ignition transformer for each spark plug in the engine. Each of the ignition transformers is enabled by means of signals produced by a crankshaft position sensor. Pulsating DC currents are then caused to flow in the primary windings of the ignition transformer thereby inducing a high voltage into a secondary winding of the transformer. A combination ignition transformer and spark plug cover is also disclosed.

Abstract: A torque sensor device for sensing the torque applied to a drive shaft and for producing an electrical signal representative of the applied torque. The sensor includes a non-magnetic drive shaft having a magnetic layer affixed to its outer surface. The magnetic permeability of the magnetic layer changes due to torque applied to the shaft. The permeability of the magnetic layer is detected and converted to an electrical signal representative of the torque applied to the drive shaft. The magnetic layer takes the form of one or more elongated ribbons of magnetic material helically wound about the surface of the drive shaft. Alternatively, the magnetic layer is formed from a plurality of segments of magnetic material affixed to the periphery of the shaft. Magnetically soft amorphous metal material is preferably used to form the magnetic layer.

Abstract: A position sensor for detecting a displacement of an object, comprising a movable member coupled to the object, a permanent magnet connected to the movable member, and a magnetically soft member surrounded by an electrical coil secured adjacent to a range of movement of the magnet. Voltage pulses are applied to one end of the electrical coil, the other end of which is connected in series with the resistor. For each pulse applied to the coil, a voltage drop across the resistor is detected and a time lag between the leading edge of the applied pulse and the corresponding voltage drop across the resistor is measured by a processing circuit which produces an analog voltage or a digital code indicative of the time lag. A displacement of the object produces a change in magnetic field at the magnetically soft member which results in a corresponding variation in the above-noted time lag, which is therefore indicative of the displacement of the object.

Abstract: A rotational angle sensor arrangement includes a casing, a rotary center shaft rotatably supported by the casing, a permanent magnetic secured to the casing, and at least one magnetically soft member carrying an electrical winding thereon firmly disposed in the casing. A ferromagnetic member is attached to the rotary shaft, and is capable of angular displacement above the upper ends of the permanent magnet and the magnetically soft member without making contact with the same. The angular displacement of the ferromagnetic material member causes corresponding changes in the magnetic flux provided by the permanent magnet acting on the magnetically soft member which are detected. The magnetically soft member is preferably formed from an amorphous magnetic material. Various embodiments of the rotational angle sensor device are disclosed.

Abstract: A pulse duty control system includes a pulse duty controlling element which is formed by a core of an amorphous magnetically soft material and which carries a first and a second coil thereon. A first set of pulses are applied to one end of the first coil while a constant voltage or a second set of pulses are applied to one end of the second coil. The other end of the first coil is connected to an output terminal while the other end of the second coil is connected to a current controlling transistor. An output pulse which is developed at the other end of the first coil has a rising edge which lags behind the rising edge of the first set of pulses by a time delay which corresponds to the degree of conduction of the transistor, and has a falling edge which is substantially synchronized with that of the first set of pulses.

Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed which includes a separate ignition transformer for each spark plug in the engine. Each of the ignition transformers is enabled by means of signals produced by a crankshaft position sensor. Pulsating DC currents are then caused to flow in the primary windings of the ignition transformer thereby inducing a high voltage into a secondary winding of the transformer. A combination ignition transformer and spark plug cover is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotational angle sensor device includes a casing, a movable body rotatably supported on the casing, a permanent magnet secured to the movable body, a magnetically soft member adjacent to the permanent magnet, and an electrical coil wound on the magnetically soft member. The movable body is responsive to a rotational angle or angular displacement caused by an external object, in response to which the permanent magnet moves in relation to the magnetically soft member, causing variations in the external flux. Those variations in external flux cause corresponding variations in the time interval from the instant at which a voltage is applied to the electrical coil to the instant at which the coil current reaches a certain level. The variations in the time interval are detected to determine the rotational angle caused by the external object. The magnetically soft member is preferably formed from an amorphous magnetically soft material. Various embodiments of the rotational angle sensor device are disclosed.

Abstract: A thermodetector including a ferromagnetic sensor placed on an object to be measured having a magnetic permeability which changes in relation to the temperature, and made of a ferrite material having a measurable change of magnetic permeability in a measuring temperature range. A magnetic flux generator is disposed to apply a magnetic field to the ferromagnetic member and may be a permanent magnet. A magnetically soft member made of a laminated core of thin sheets of amorphous magnetic material is placed within the magnetic field of the magnetic field generator to cooperate with at least the magnetic flux generator to form a magnetic path. An electric coil including a bobbin surrounds the magnetically soft member. The change of magnetic permeability alters the magnetic flux in the magnetically soft member and is sensed by the electric coil to give an indication of temperature.

Abstract: A deceleration sensor comprising a magnetically soft core having an electrical coil wound thereon, a permanent magnet, a spring, and a ferromagnetic member adapted to be displaced against the action of the spring in response to deceleration to thereby change the magnetic flux acting on the magnetically soft core. A pulse voltage is applied to one end of the electrical coil and a corresponding voltage drop develops across a resistor connected to the other end of the coil with a delay corresponding to a deceleration. This delay may be represented in the form of an analog voltage or digital code.

Abstract: A vibration sensor comprised of a movable body, a permanent magnet coupled to the movable body, and a displacement pulse phase conversion unit including a magnetically soft member carrying an electrical coil thereon and fixedly disposed in the vicinity of the course of movement of the permanent magnet. A pulse voltage is applied to one end of the electrical coil. A voltage drop occurs across a resistor which is connected in series with the other end of the electrical coil. A time lag of the voltage drop with respect to the pulse voltage, representing a vibrational amplitude, is provided in the form of an analog voltage.

Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a permanent magnet placed on an object whose temperature is to be measured, a magnetically soft member located within the magnetic field of the magnet and an electrical coil placed around the magnetically soft member. The electrical coil is supplied with voltage pulses at one end while the other end is connected to a resistor in series to detect a voltage drop. The time lag of the voltage drop with respect to the voltage pulse is represented by an analog voltage or a digital code. A change in temperature changes the field strength of the magnet and hence the flux in the magnetically soft member. The coil senses the change in flux as a change in the time lag and thus measures the temperature.

Abstract: A motor speed control system utilizing a pulse duty controlling element including a core of an amorphous, magnetically soft material having a first and a second coil disposed thereon. A first set of pulses are applied to one end of the first coil while a constant voltage or a second set of pulses are applied to one end of the second coil. A duty controlled pulse is outputted from the other end of the first coil for supply to an electric motor. The other end of the second coil is connected to a current level controlling transistor, the base of which is connected to speed presetting means. The output pulse appearing at the other end of the first coil has a rising edge which lags behind the rising edge of a pulse in the first set of pulses by a time delay which depends on the degree of conduction of the transistor which is in turn determined by a preset value of the speed presetting means, and has a falling edge which is substantially synchronized with the falling edge of the pulse in the first set.

Abstract: A pressure sensor comprising a pressure-displacement transducer mechanism including a movable body driven by a hydraulic pressure to be determined and spring means for urging the movable body in a direction opposite to the pressure, and a displacement-pulse phase conversion unit including a ferromagnetic member secured to the movable body, a magnetically soft member carrying an electrical coil thereon and disposed at a stationary point adjacent to the region of movement of the ferromagnetic member and a permanent magnet. A pulse voltage is applied to one end of the electrical coil, the other end of which is connected in series with a resistor. A voltage drop across the resistor is detected, and a time lag of the voltage drop with respect to the pulse voltage, representing a displacement of the ferromagnetic member in response to a change in the hydraulic pressure, is determined and provided in the form of an analog voltage or a digital code.

Abstract: A fluid flow meter comprised of a body portion having a passage therein for the fluid to flow therethrough, a movable member provided in the passage and adapted to be tiltable to open or close throttling of the passage corresponding to the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the passage, a spiral spring biasing the movable member constantly in the direction of throttling the passage, an amorphous magnetic member fixed to the movable member and provided with coils wound thereon, and a solenoid wound on the body portion to generate magnetic flux that is substantially parallel to the direction of fluid flow.

Abstract: A position sensor comprising a ferromagnetic member operatively connected to an operation means and movable in response to displacement of the operation means, a magnetically soft member surrounded by an electrical coil secured adjacent to a range of movement of the ferromagnetic member, and a displacement pulse phase conversion unit including a permanent magnet. Voltage pulses are applied to one end of the electrical coil, the other end of which is connected in series with a resistor. A voltage drop across the resistor is detected and a time lag of the resistor voltage, which time lag corresponds to displacement of the operation means, is provided in the form of an analog voltage or a digital code.

Abstract: A pressure sensor comprising a pressure-stress conversion mechanism including a movable body which is driven by a hydraulic pressure to be determined; a spring means which urges the movable body in a direction to oppose the pressure applied; a stress-pulse phase conversion unit connected to the movable body for producing a stress in accordance with the magnitude of the pressure in response to a load applied by the movable body and including a member of an amorphous, magnetically soft metal material having an electrical coil disposed thereon. A pulse voltage is applied to one end of the electrical coil, the other end of which is connected in series with a resistor in order to detect a voltage drop across the latter. The time delay of the voltage drop with respect to the pulse voltage, which depends on the magnitude of the hydraulic pressure, is indicated in the form of an analog voltage or a digital code.

Abstract: A pressure sensor comprising a pressure-displacement translating mechanism including a movable body driven by a hydraulic pressure and a spring for urging the movable body in a direction opposite the pressure, and a displacement-pulse phase conversion unit including a permanent magnet secured to the movable body and a magnetically soft member carrying an electrical coil thereon and disposed at a stationary point adjacent to the region of movement of the permanent magnet. A pulse voltage is applied to one end of the electrical coil, the other end of which is connected in series with a resistor. A voltage drop across the resistor is detected, and a time lag of the voltage drop with respect to the pulse voltage, representing a measure of hydraulic pressure, is provided in the form of an analog voltage or a digital code.

Abstract: A vibration sensor arrangement comprised of a mechanical-electrical transducer for converting mechanical changes such as displacement caused by vibrations to corresponding electrical signals such as phase-shifted pulse signals and including a body mounted on a structural block such as an engine block which is susceptible to vibrations. The body accommodates a ferromagnetic material member which is disposed on a resilient member such as a flat spring and which is capable of relative displacement in response to the vibratory movement of the block or body. At least one magnetically soft material member and a permanent magnet are both disposed adjacent to the range of the relative displacement of the ferromagnetic material member. The magnetically soft material member has an electrical coil located thereon. In the arrangement, when a pulse voltage is applied to one end of the electrical coil, a voltage drop across a resistor coupled with the other end of the coil is detected.

Abstract: A position sensor comprising a movable member functionally connected with an operative device and moving in response to a positional displacement of the operative device, a displacement-pulse phase conversion unit including a magnetically soft amorphous metal member undergoing stress variations produced by the displacement of the movable member and an electrical coil wound on the magnetically soft amorphous metal member. A pulse voltage is applied to one end of the electrical coil, the other end of which is connected in series with a resistor. A voltage across the resistor is detected, and a time lag of the resistor voltage with respect to the pulse voltage, representing a measure of displacement, is provided in the form of an analog voltage or a digital code.