Abstract: A magnetoresistive (MR) sensor module includes a MR sensor array including a plurality of MR sensors/bridge circuits. A first group of bridge circuits has an output coupled to a first signal conditioning circuit and a second group of bridge circuits has an output coupled to a second signal conditioning circuit. A first electrical connector is coupled to one end of the module and a second electrical connector is coupled to its opposite end. The pins include a pin for providing signal coupling between adjacent modules and a Vsupply pin for coupling Vsupply to adjacent modules. Signals from the second signal conditioning circuit are coupled to the first signal conditioning circuit which determines a position of a magnetic target. The first signal conditioning circuit communicates the position to the controller which outputs a single sensor module signal that includes the position of the magnetic target.

Abstract: Multiple magnetic sensing transducers can detect the position of a target. For example, a linear array of transducers can detect a target's linear position. A master and slave arrangement can reduce the cost and size of a system containing multiple magnetic sensing transducers. The master contains circuitry for voltage regulation and processing logic as well as a magnetic sensing transducer. The slaves contain a magnetic sensing transducer and little else. As such, the slave units are small and inexpensive. The slaves obtain power from the master, produce detection signals, and pass the detection signals to the master. The master interprets the detection signals along with an internal detection produced by the master's internal magnetic sensing transducer to produce a position signal.

Abstract: A mass airflow sensor is provided with a system of conduits and ports which connect the mass airflow sensor to a main fluid flow channel. Pairs of ports connect the plurality of fluid interconnection conduits with the main fluid flow conduit being monitored. The mass airflow sensing apparatus is adapted to receive a mass airflow sensor in fluid communication with its system of conduits. First and second pairs of ports are disposed upstream from a third and fourth pair of ports. The first and second pairs of ports are connected to each other in a way which provides an average flow from each of the pairs to an inlet of the mass airflow sensor. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outlet of the mass airflow sensor is connected to an arrangement of conduits and ports that is a mirror image of the upstream arrangement of conduits and ports.

Abstract: A mass air flow sensor having a tubular probe body located within and aligned with a venturi passageway. The probe body has a channel therethrough connecting openings located at high and low pressure regions in the venturi passageway. The openings are configured to cause at least a 90 degree change in direction of air flowing therethrough from the venturi passageway to protect a fragile flow sensor in the channel from damage by suspended contaminants.