Abstract: A magnetic sensing system includes a sensor and three magnets. The sensor is located within an appliance housing, the appliance having three moving components. The first magnet is disposed in a first orientation adjacent the first moving component, with the position of the first magnet changing in concert with movement of the first moving component. The second magnet is disposed in a second orientation adjacent the second moving component, with the position of the second magnet changing in concert with movement of the second moving component. The third magnet is disposed in a third orientation adjacent the third moving component, with the position of the third magnet changing in concert with movement of the third moving component. The sensor detects displacement of the first moving component, the second moving component, or the third moving component.

Abstract: A magnetic sensing system includes a sensor and three magnets. The sensor is located within an appliance housing, the appliance having three moving components. The first magnet is disposed in a first orientation adjacent the first moving component, with the position of the first magnet changing in concert with movement of the first moving component. The second magnet is disposed in a second orientation adjacent the second moving component, with the position of the second magnet changing in concert with movement of the second moving component. The third magnet is disposed in a third orientation adjacent the third moving component, with the position of the third magnet changing in concert with movement of the third moving component. The sensor detects displacement of the first moving component, the second moving component, or the third moving component.

Abstract: An omnipolar sensor is provided. The sensor may include a plurality of omnipolar switches disposed adjacent to one another, and a permanent magnet assembly disposed adjacent the plurality of omnipolar switches. The permanent magnet assembly is operable to move axially relative to the plurality of omnipolar switches, wherein the plurality of omnipolar switches are responsive to a magnetic field produced by the permanent magnet assembly, and wherein the permanent magnet axially magnetized.

Abstract: A linear positioning system including a pair of magnets disposed adjacent one another and defining a gap therebetween, the magnets having common poles facing one another, and first, second, and third magnetic sensors disposed within a housing and oriented orthogonally with respect to one another for detecting linear motion along X, Z, and Y axes of a Cartesian coordinate system, respectively, the housing being movable along an axis passing through the gap.

Abstract: A unipolar resistive ladder fluid-level sensor is provided. The sensor may include a tube immersed in a fluid, the tube containing a plurality of unipolar switches, and a float concentrically surrounding the tube. The float is configured to float in the fluid and to move relative to the tube in an axial direction as a height of the fluid level changes. The fluid-level sensor may further include a permanent magnet coupled to the float, wherein the plurality of unipolar switches are responsive to a magnetic field produced by the permanent magnet, and wherein the permanent magnet is one of: radially magnetized, and axially magnetized. In some approaches, the unipolar sensor is either a south-pole or north-pole activated sensor. In some approaches, at least one of the unipolar switches changes position in response to a negative magnetic field in an activation range of less than 1.0 millimeter.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance including a frame defining a refrigeration compartment, a door connected to the frame and having a door gasket with a magnet disposed therein, the door movable between an open position in which the refrigeration compartment is accessible and a closed position in which the door covers the refrigeration compartment, and a tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) door sensor disposed within the frame, wherein the magnet is positioned adjacent the TMR door sensor when the door is in the closed position.

Abstract: A gear absolute position sensor (GAPS) is provided. In some embodiments, a gear position sensor assembly includes a transmission shaft of a transmission, and a pair of magnets coupled to the transmission shaft. A first magnet of the pair of magnets may have a first magnetization direction, and a second magnet of the pair of magnets may have a second magnetization direction different (e.g., opposite) than the first magnetization direction. The gear position sensor may further include at least one magnetic sensor disposed adjacent the pair of magnets, the magnetic sensor capable of sensing three-dimensional motion of the pair of magnets and providing an output indicating movement, such as translation and rotation, of the transmission shaft. In some embodiments, each of the magnets is cuboid-shaped.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the location of each of a plurality of tires that are selectively and rotatably attached to a vehicle. A plurality of monitors are placed on the vehicle either within the air compartment of tire or proximate to the tire, monitoring either the air pressure or rotation of one of the plurality of tires, and transmitting the monitoring data to a receiving module in the vehicle. The receiving module determines if a tire attachment location-changing event has occurred on the vehicle based upon a change in tire pressure or a predetermined sequence of tire rotation, and preferably requests input of new tire locations on the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the location of each of a plurality of tires that are selectively and rotatably attached to a vehicle. A plurality of monitors are placed on the vehicle either within the air compartment of tire or proximate to the tire, monitoring either the air pressure or rotation of one of the plurality of tires, and transmitting the monitoring data to a receiving module in the vehicle. The receiving module determines if a tire attachment location-changing event has occurred on the vehicle based upon a change in tire pressure or a predetermined sequence of tire rotation, and preferably requests input of new tire locations on the vehicle.