With Direction Indicator Patents (Class 324/165)
  • Patent number: 11237203
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing an inversion of a crankshaft sensor includes the following steps: acquiring a signal by way of the crankshaft sensor, at each detection of a tooth, determining a tooth time elapsed since the previous tooth detection, at each detection of a tooth, calculating a ratio Ri of the tooth times according to the formula Ri=(Ti?1)2/(Ti*Ti?2), where Ri is the ratio, Ti is the last tooth time, Ti?1 is the penultimate tooth time, and Ti?2 is the tooth time preceding the penultimate tooth time, comparing the ratio Ri with a low threshold Sb, indicative of a turn marker, and a high threshold Sh, indicative of an absence of inversion, a ratio Ri between the two thresholds Sb, Sh being indicative of an inversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Stéphane Eloy, Fabien Joseph
  • Patent number: 11085797
    Abstract: A rotation detecting device includes a magnet, a first magnetic sensing assembly and a second magnetic sensing assembly. The magnet is rotatable about a rotation axis. As the magnet is rotated for one turn, a magnetic characteristic of the magnet is correspondingly changed for a cycle. The first magnetic sensing assembly is located over the magnet, wherein the rotation axis of the magnet passes through the first magnetic sensing assembly. A first lengthwise direction of the first magnetic sensing assembly is in parallel with a rotation radius direction of the magnet. The second magnetic sensing assembly is arranged beside the first magnetic sensing assembly. A second lengthwise direction of the second magnetic sensing assembly is in parallel with a rotation tangential direction of the magnet. An included angle between the second lengthwise direction and the first lengthwise direction is (90+?) degrees, wherein ?30???30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Horng-Jou Wang
  • Patent number: 11005344
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a rotor position detecting apparatus and a motor and a motor-driven steering apparatus comprising same, the rotor position detecting apparatus comprising: a substrate, a magnetic Hall-signal element mounted on the substrate, and a first ground pattern disposed on one side of the substrate and electrically connected to the magnetic Hall-signal element. As a result, the motor can reduce probability of faults due to electromagnetic waves or static electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jin Su Pyeon
  • Patent number: 10837800
    Abstract: Magnetic field sensors can sense speed of movement and direction of movement of a ferromagnetic object. The magnetic field sensors employ both planar Hall effect elements and vertical Hall effect elements to generate two-state signals in two different signal paths with relative phases that are ninety degrees apart, the ninety degrees having sufficient margin to aid in detection of the direction of motion. Other magnetic field sensors use at least four vertical Hall effect elements to identify a speed of rotation and a direction of rotation of a moving ferromagnetic object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Ravi Vig, Paul A. David, Eric G. Shoemaker
  • Patent number: 10808834
    Abstract: An axle system and a method of control. The axle system may include an axle controller that may be directly electrically connected to a first speed sensor and a second speed sensor. The axle controller may control movement of a shift collar that may be selectively engageable with first and second gear ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Rodrigo Soffner, Mark Smith, Chetankumar Ghatti
  • Patent number: 10658906
    Abstract: A servo motor system and method has been developed to provide speed, orientation, location, and/or direction detection using a single inductive sensor. Direction, orientation, speed, and/or location detection are detected using a single channel inductive sensor in a servo motor control system. Mechanical control systems using servo motors are easily upgraded with added safety, precision control, and automation using the inductive sensor system described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Inventor: Milton D. Olsen
  • Patent number: 10495485
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method provide an output signal indicative of a speed of rotation and/or a direction of movement of a ferromagnetic object having ferromagnetic features and capable of moving. A variety of signal formats of the output signal are described, each of which have pulses at a rate faster than the ferromagnetic features pass by the magnetic field sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Burdette, Paul A. David, Christine M. Graham, Seth Prentice
  • Patent number: 10473678
    Abstract: Wireless transmission of wheel rotation direction is disclosed. A disclosed apparatus includes a tone ring exhibiting a rotational asymmetry and a detector to measure a rotational direction of a wheel of a vehicle based on the rotational asymmetry and to measure a rotational speed of the wheel, where the detector or the tone ring is operatively coupled to the wheel. The disclosed apparatus also includes a wireless transmitter to transmit the rotational direction and the rotational speed to a receiver proximate or within an engine compartment of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hans Gangwar, William Falconer
  • Patent number: 10298142
    Abstract: A power supply that includes a first current generator circuit that is coupled to a first transformer and generates a first waveform and a second current generator circuit that is coupled to a second transformer, and generates a second waveform that is out of phase with the first waveform. The first and second waveforms are rectified and combined into a DC output signal. The power supply includes a first coupling circuit that couples the first current generator circuit to the first transformer and a second coupling circuit that couples the second current generator circuit to the second transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: THX Ltd.
    Inventors: Owen Jones, Andrew Mason, Lawrence R. Fincham
  • Patent number: 10161764
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods have been developed to provide speed, location, and direction detection of a moving object or moving component using a single inductive sensor system. Direction detection, speed detection, and location detection may be provided by the same inductive sensor and used as feedback in a motion control systems. Control systems of tractors, draglines, power shovels, and cranes may be easily upgraded with added safety, precision control, and automation using the inductive sensor system described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: Milton D. Olsen
  • Patent number: 9874460
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for detection of a direction of movement of a component using a single inductive sensor. The component may be a rotational component such as a motor, shaft, gear, or the like. An ON and/or OFF time of the inductive sensor is measured as north and south poles of one or more magnets are moved past a face of the inductive sensor. A directional correlation is established which allows for determination of an unknown direction of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Inventor: Milton D. Olsen
  • Patent number: 9829502
    Abstract: Deriving a clean timing signal from a waveform is disclosed. A sensor-of-interest (SOI) sample set and a waveform sample set that correspond to the SOI sample set in time is collected. The waveform sample set is partitioned into a plurality of waveform sample subsets, and the SOI sample set is partitioned into a plurality of SOI sample subsets, each SOI sample subset corresponding to one of the plurality of waveform sample subsets. A plurality of waveform sample subset angular speeds is determined, wherein each waveform sample subset angular speed corresponds to a different waveform sample subset. An aggregate mean angular speed based on the plurality of waveform sample subset angular speeds is determined. Each SOI sample subset is resampled to the aggregate mean angular speed based on the corresponding waveform sample subset angular speed to generate a plurality of resampled SOI subsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Richard M. Hall, Sreerupa Das
  • Patent number: 9817082
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor arrangement for determining information indicative of characteristics of a mechanical component has a first magnetic sensor to sense a signal associated with a periodic changing magnetic field generated by relative movement of the mechanical component and the magnetic sensor arrangement, a second magnetic sensor to sense that signal, wherein the first sensor is arranged a fixed distance from the second sensor, and a determination unit coupled to the first and second sensors to receive output signals of the first and second sensors. The output signal of the first sensor is phase-shifted to the output signal of the second sensor, to compare the output signals for determining the absolute phase of the signal associated with the periodic changing magnetic field, and to determine information indicative of characteristics of the mechanical component based on the determined absolute phase of the signal associated with the periodic changing magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Fabio Sebastiano, Robert Hendrikus Margaretha Van Veldhoven
  • Patent number: 9680402
    Abstract: A control circuit for an induction motor operates to determine whether the inductor motor is of the three-phase type or single-phase type. If three-phase, a variable frequency drive operation is implemented. If single-phase, a closed loop current control process is implemented. The closed loop current control process includes an operation by the control circuit to measure winding resistances and determine a turns ratio for the main and auxiliary motor windings. The turns ratio is used in the closed loop current control process to scale a measurement of current in the auxiliary winding for the purpose of generating the control voltage for the auxiliary winding. Phase of the current in the windings is further processed to generate a phase control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Everette Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Arash Hassanpour Isfahani
  • Patent number: 9285244
    Abstract: An interface for processing a variable reluctance sensor signal provided by a variable reluctance sensor including an integrator, an arming comparator and a detect circuit. The integrator includes an input for receiving the variable reluctance sensor signal and an output providing an integrated signal indicative of total flux change of the variable reluctance sensor. The arming comparator compares the integrated signal with a predetermined arming threshold and provides an armed signal indicative thereof. The detect circuit provides a reset signal after the armed signal is provided to reset the integrator. A corresponding method of processing the variable reluctance sensor signal is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: John M. Pigott, Fred T. Brauchler, William E. Edwards, Mike R. Garrard, Randall C. Gray, John M. Hall
  • Patent number: 9103744
    Abstract: Redundant detection of a rotational direction of a body having a rotary axis, in particular of a drive shaft of a turbine, is performed using at least one evaluation unit designed for evaluating at least three signals from three sensors arranged offset around the rotary axis. One period of a flank signal of a signal used as the primary signal is evaluated with the applied signal of one (Digital2) of the two signals not used as the primary signal for detecting the rotational direction. An error detection unit is designed for detecting the number of flanks of the signal initially used for detecting the rotational direction during the period. In the event of an error detection, the further rotational direction is detected in the evaluation unit on the basis of the other (Digital3) of the two signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: epro Gmbh
    Inventor: Ernst Schophuis
  • Patent number: 9062955
    Abstract: A moving object detection apparatus includes a current mirror circuit including first and second transistors connected in parallel between a power source and ground and having gates connected to a ground-side terminal of the first transistor, first and second magnetoresistive elements having pin layers and respectively arranged between the first and second transistors and the ground, a constant voltage circuit, a voltage output circuit having third and fourth transistors respectively arranged between the first and second transistors and the first and second magnetoresistive elements and respectively applying constant voltages to the first and second magnetoresistive elements based on output of the constant voltage circuit when the output of the constant voltage circuit is applied to gates of the third and fourth transistors, and a fifth transistor arranged between the second and fourth transistors to operate according to a potential of a power-source-side terminal of the fourth transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Norihiro Kurumado
  • Patent number: 9062989
    Abstract: A sensor circuit is configured for operation under conditions susceptible to misalignment or movement. In connection with various example embodiments, an alignment-tolerant sensor arrangement includes a reference component and first and second magnetic sensors. The reference component influences a magnetic field as a function of a position of the reference component, such as via the positioning of a magnetic type of component. The first magnetic sensor is aligned with a first magnetic field sensitivity direction, and exhibits an electrical response to the presence of the magnetic field. The second magnetic sensor is aligned with a first magnetic field sensitivity direction and is configured to exhibit an electrical response to the presence of the magnetic field. The first and second magnetic field sensitivity directions being offset from one another to facilitate detection of magnetic fields at different relative alignments between the reference component and the first and second magnetic sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Robert Hendrikus Margaretha van Veldhoven
  • Patent number: 8818685
    Abstract: A rotation detecting device and a rotation detecting method determines normal rotation/reverse rotation of a rotating shaft based on a rotation signal different between the normal rotation and the reverse rotation of the rotating shaft. The rotation signal is set to have a pulse width different between the normal rotation and the reverse rotation of a crankshaft that is an output shaft of an internal combustion engine. By determining whether or not the pulse width is greater than a threshold value, the normal rotation or the reverse rotation of the crankshaft is detected. Whether or not the crankshaft is rotating normally is determined based on engine rotating speed, a cylinder in which a piston is in a predetermined position, an engine load, a starter switch, intake pressure, battery voltage, and the like. When the condition for the normal rotation is satisfied, the threshold of the pulse width is set based on a pulse width of a rotation signal measured at this time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8575919
    Abstract: An inclination detection method is disclosed, which uses a pair of electrodes placed so as to face each other and having a fixed positional relation and an electric conductor which can move between the pair of electrodes, wherein the pair of electrodes is in either a conducting state or a nonconducting state depending on the position of the movable electric conductor, the conducting state in a predetermined period is expressed as any one of a plurality of level values, and a movement state of the pair of electrodes is estimated based on which of the plurality of level values the conducting state takes on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Yamada, Michihiro Nagaishi
  • Patent number: 8531182
    Abstract: A control system for use in safety critical human/machine control interfaces is described, more particularly a joystick type control system and particularly a joystick type control system utilizing magnetic positional sensing. The control system provides a control input device having a movable magnet, a pole-piece frame arrangement positioned about the magnet, at least three magnetic flux sensors being positioned in said pole-piece frame arrangement and a monitoring arrangement for monitoring the output signal of each of said at least three sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Penny & Giles Controls Limited
    Inventor: Dev Kumar Banerjee
  • Patent number: 8330451
    Abstract: A measurement of a lower and a higher speed of rotation is taking place via the inductive sensor. A sensor unit, which comprises a pulse generator, a transmitter side and a receiver side, is used for determining the speed of rotation, whereby the transmitter side comprises a transmitter inductor connected with an oscillator, and the receiver side comprises two receiving inductors. The signal, which is generated by the two receiver inductors and transmitted along each of the signal paths, is forwarded to two signal processing units. Through each of the two signal paths, for lower and higher speed of rotation, the processed signal is forwarded to a logic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Schunk, Matthias Trescher
  • Patent number: 8324887
    Abstract: A device for determining the rotational speed of a transmission shaft (12). The device includes a rotational speed indicator (3) connected, in a rotationally fixed manner, to the transmission shaft (12) and at least one rotation speed sensor (2) including at least one sensor element (10). By way of the sensor element (10), the speed of the transmission shaft (12) is detected via the speed indicator (3). The speed sensor (2) is attached to a shifting element (5) for actuating a sliding sleeve (4) of a clutch device (1) that is connected to the transmission shaft (12) in such a manner that the sliding sleeve (4) axially movable on but fixed so as not to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Kim Fuhrer
  • Patent number: 8248062
    Abstract: A rotational direction detector is specified which is provided for mounting to a circumferential segment of a wheel having at least one sensor, wherein a change in the output signal of the sensor occurs when the circumferential segment enters and/or leaves the wheel contact area. Furthermore a method is specified for determining the direction of rotation of a wheel, wherein the signal change is determined and a rotational direction signal is derived therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Gilles Dulac, Alexander Fink, Thomas Haas, Gregor Kuchler
  • Patent number: 8169214
    Abstract: An angular position sensor and method that relies on a stationary circular array of Hall sensors and a rotatable circular array of magnets arranged about a common axis. A periodic and simultaneous reading of all of the Hall sensor outputs is used to determine angular velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Zak
  • Patent number: 8022689
    Abstract: A battery connection detecting device includes a connecting unit, to which a battery is connected, a voltage detecting unit that detects a voltage value of the connecting unit, the voltage value detected by the voltage detecting unit being a detection voltage value, a switching unit that switches supply of charging power to the battery connected to the connecting unit based on the detection voltage value, and a connection detecting unit that compares at least one predetermined voltage value with at least one of the detection voltage value before the switching unit switches the supply of the charging power and the detection voltage value after the switching unit switches the supply of the charging power in order to detect whether or not the battery is connected to the connecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7956604
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are related to integrated sensor and magnetic concentrator devices and methods. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit comprises a sensor device and a magnetic field concentrator. The sensor device comprises a first sensor element, a second sensor element, and a third sensor element, the first sensor element spaced apart from the third sensor element by a first gap, and the second sensor element spaced apart from the third sensor element by a second gap. The magnetic field concentrator comprises a first magnetic element disposed in the first gap and a second magnetic element disposed in the second gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies, AG
    Inventor: Udo Ausserlechner
  • Patent number: 7928724
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a directional movement of an object such as a wheeled vehicle. The system includes a magnet having a north pole and a south pole mounted to the object, a single magnetic sensor positioned such that the sensor can individually detect each magnetic pole as the object moves, the sensor configured to produce a first characteristic signal when a north pole is detected and a second characteristic signal when a south pole is detected, and a processing device in signal communication with the sensor, the processing device configured to determine a directional movement of the object based on a configuration of a signal doublet that includes the first and second characteristic signals. The methods include sensing the north and south poles as they pass the magnetic sensor and determining a direction based on an order in which the north and south poles are sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Toan Vu, Tom Judd, Ron Fang, Bruce Graham
  • Patent number: 7915886
    Abstract: A first magnetic sensor produces a first output signal in response to movement of a target such as a multi-pole ring magnet, and a second magnetic sensor produces a second output signal in response to movement of the target. The first and second magnetic sensors may be corresponding magnetoresistor sensors, the first and second magnetic sensors may be intertwined, the first and second magnetic sensors may be oriented at an angle with respect to one another so as to produce a difference in phase between the first and second output signals, the first and second magnetic sensors may be arranged so as to produce a 90° phase difference between the first and second output signals, and/or the first and second magnetic sensors may be formed on a semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Joel D. Stolfus, Jason M. Chilcote
  • Patent number: 7891078
    Abstract: A method of improving efficiency of manufacturing a vacuum electronic device, includes placing sensors on the device's interior during its construction and obtaining a first measured characteristic value; comparing the first measured characteristic value with a desired characteristic value; determining whether the first measured characteristic value is within a predetermined percentage of the desired characteristic value; adjusting a component of the device and measuring the characteristic of the device to obtain a second measured characteristic, comparing the second measured characteristic value with a desired characteristic value, determining whether the second measured characteristic value is within a predetermined percentage of the desired characteristic value; and repeating the previous step until the second measured characteristic value is within the predetermined percentage of the desired characteristic value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Ayax D. Ramirez, Stephen D. Russell
  • Patent number: 7872470
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a vehicle door is provided. The drive assembly includes a motor having a driving member. The drive assembly further includes a housing having a shaft rotatably received therein. The drive assembly further includes an input member being rotatably received upon the shaft. The input member is operatively associated with the driving member. The drive assembly further includes a rotor fixedly secured to the shaft. The drive assembly further includes first and second Hall effect sensor modules mounted to the housing in a facing spaced relationship with respect to the plurality of teeth of the rotor that generate first and second signals, respectively. The first and second signals have a quadrature relationship with respect to one another and indicate a rotational direction of the rotor when the plurality of teeth are rotating past the first and second Hall effect sensor modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: STRATTEC Power Access LLC
    Inventors: Thomas L. Booth, Kevin P. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 7835630
    Abstract: An integrated circuit for controlling a DC motor is disclosed. The integrated circuit includes at least one digital position and speed circuit (DPS) for providing measurements of speed, position, and direction of the motor, the DPS being in signal communication with the motor for receiving a pair of signals having a quadrature relationship; and at least one programmable gain amplifier (PGA) electrically coupled to the motor, the PGA being configured to receive a feedback signal indicative of current flowing through the motor and to apply a second signal to the motor for adjusting the speed of the motor; and at least two analog-to-digital converters (A/D), one A/D being used to quantize the output of the PGA for an off-chip processor; and another A/D to provide motor reference position from an analog sensor, such as a potentiometer; and at least two digital-to-analog converters (D/A), one D/A used to set the motor voltage; and another D/A used to set the motor current limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Peter Kazanzides, Ndubuisi John Ekekwe, Ralph Etienne-Cummings
  • Patent number: 7834616
    Abstract: A first magnetic sensor is formed on a semiconductor substrate, and the first magnetic sensor produces a first output signal in response to movement of a multi-pole magnet. A second magnetic sensor is formed on the semiconductor substrate so as to be intertwined with the first magnetic sensor and so as to be at a predetermined angle with respect to the first magnetic sensor. The second magnetic sensor produces a second output signal in response to movement of the multi-pole magnet. The predetermined angle is between 0° and 180° exclusive, and the predetermined angle is sufficient to produce a difference in phase between the first and second output signals. An output signal converter converts the first and second output signals to a linear signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Joel D. Stolfus, Jason M. Chilcote
  • Patent number: 7821416
    Abstract: The invention relates to a goods transport vehicle including a detector system for detecting the direction in which an item passes through a loading/unloading door on the vehicle, the detector system including: a first read-interrogate element including a first antenna having a first detection lobe, the first read-interrogate element monitoring a first region situated on one side of the loading/unloading door; a second read-interrogate element including a second antenna having a second detection lobe that does not overlap the first detection lobe, the second read-interrogate element monitoring a second region situated on the other side of the loading/unloading door; and processor means connected to the first and second read-interrogate elements, the processor means determining the direction in which the item passes through as a function of the order in which the two regions are crossed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: NEOPOST Technologies
    Inventors: Guy Venture, Jérôme Lievre
  • Patent number: 7797127
    Abstract: A method for determining two pseudo-sinusoidal signals in quadrature from a pseudo-sinusoidal signal transmitted by an encoder is provided. The method using a sensor arranged within reading distance of the encoder, which sensor includes at least four sensing elements which are linearly equally distributed. The sensing elements are each capable of delivering a signal Si representative of the signal transmitted by the encoder. The method measuring the signals Si and combining the signals Si in order to form the signals U=(S1?S2)?(S3?S4) and V=(S2?S3), which signals U and V are in quadrature. A system for determining by implementing such a method, as well as a bearing including such a determination system, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: SNR Roulements
    Inventors: Pascal Desbiolles, Christophe Duret
  • Patent number: 7750623
    Abstract: Method and device for locating the right or left position of a wheel of a vehicle. The wheel has a magnetic measuring component including a core of ferromagnetic material on which are arranged, crosswise, two windings presenting maximum sensitivity axes extending in a plane intersecting the rotational axis of the wheel, and offset from each other, in this intersecting plane, by an angle ?, and on movements of the vehicle, a measurement is taken of a signal generated by the variation of a magnetic field at the terminals of each of the windings so as to deliver two periodic signals phase-shifted from each other by (+ or ?) ?, the direction of rotation of the wheel is determined from this phase difference and, from this direction of rotation and from the direction of movement of the vehicle, the location of the right or left position of the wheel is deduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive France
    Inventor: Gilles Dulac
  • Patent number: 7679360
    Abstract: An increment sensor assembly inquires an microcontroller as to the last known increment when a vehicle is started. The last known increment data is used to rotate the sensor backward to reach a lower mechanical stop position or forward to reach an upper mechanical stop position. A timer tracks the sensor to ensure that one of the known stop positions is reached within a predetermined time period or performs a system check to determine what error has occurred. Once the sensor reaches one of the known stop positions an increment counter is reset and the sensor assembly begins normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Schmidt, Mark Cronmiller
  • Publication number: 20100060262
    Abstract: A rotational direction detector is specified which is provided for mounting to a circumferential segment of a wheel having at least one sensor, wherein a change in the output signal of the sensor occurs when the circumferential segment enters and/or leaves the wheel contact area. Furthermore a method is specified for determining the direction of rotation of a wheel, wherein the signal change is determined and a rotational direction signal is derived therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicants: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE
    Inventors: Gilles Dulac, Alexander Fink, Thomas Haas, Gregor Kuchler
  • Patent number: 7535215
    Abstract: An apparatus for the determination of a momentary relative direction of an indicator object depending on a magnetic field influenced or generated by the indicator object includes first means for sensing a course of a first magnetic field component of the magnetic field, second means for sensing a course of a second magnetic field component of the magnetic field, and means for evaluating the course of the first magnetic field component and the second magnetic field component in order to determine the momentary, relative direction of the indicator object, the first magnetic field component and the second magnetic field component being offset in angle with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Forster
  • Patent number: 7378721
    Abstract: A sensor package apparatus includes a lead frame substrate that supports one or more electrical components, which are connected to and located on the lead frame substrate. A plurality of wire bonds are also provided, which electrically connect the electrical components to the lead frame substrate, wherein the lead frame substrate is encapsulated by a thermoset plastic to protect the plurality of wire bonds and at least one electrical component, thereby providing a sensor package apparatus comprising the lead frame substrate, the electrical component(s), and the wire bonds, while eliminating a need for a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) or a ceramic substrate in place of the lead frame substrate as a part of the sensor package apparatus. A conductive epoxy can also be provided for maintaining a connection of the electrical component(s) to the lead frame substrate. The electrical components can constitute, for example, an IC chip and/or a sensing element (e.g., a magnetoresistive component) or sense die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Frazee, Wayne A. Lamb, John S. Patin, Peter A. Schelonka, Joel D. Stolfus
  • Patent number: 7345468
    Abstract: Detecting the rotational direction of a rotor is feasible by allowing a constant current source to supply a constant current flowing from an electric potential supply line to the earth in response to a turning-on action of a switch. Accordingly, detecting both the rotational speed and the rotational direction of the rotor is feasible by using three wiring cables of a power source line, an earth line, and a signal line outputting a pulse signal in accordance with the rotation of the gear. Using such a one-stage voltage adjustment enables the detection signal processing circuit to reduce electric power consumption compared with a system requiring a two-stage voltage adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Okada, Mikio Sugiki, Yasuaki Makino
  • Patent number: 7285074
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a motor vehicle drive train determine the direction of rotation of the drive train by evaluating sensor signals of a first sensor unit on the output side of the drive train. The first sensor unit includes a sensor wheel fastened to a rotatable component on the output side of the drive train and two rotational speed sensors which are fixed with respect to a housing and are placed circumferentially next to one another. In order to speed up the determination of the direction of rotation, the sensor signal of a second sensor unit on the input side of the drive train is evaluated. The second sensor unit includes a sensor wheel that is fastened to a rotatable component on the input side of the drive train and a rotational speed sensor that is fixed with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Volker Gärtner, Armin Tonn, Alwin Becher, Klaus Leipnitz, Edgar Bothe
  • Patent number: 7216030
    Abstract: A method and a device for determining the angular position of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, especially when shutting down the internal combustion engine, using an angle sensor, the passing by being recorded of incremental angle marks on a signal-generating wheel that is connected to the crankshaft in a rotatably fixed manner, and being transmitted in the form of signals to an engine control unit. The signals include data on the direction of rotation of the crankshaft, and the direction of rotation data is evaluated in the engine control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Kassner
  • Patent number: 7123998
    Abstract: An automated transmission system includes a transmission brake which is used to apply a braking torque to the transmission, while the engine torque is negative and a transmission clutch is disengaged to effect a gear downshift, in order to avoid acceleration of the vehicle when the clutch is released and abrupt deceleration of the vehicle upon completion of the gear downshift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Ian Richard Joseph Bates, Burkhard Pollak, In Ho Song, Youngkeun Park, Christian Rieger
  • Patent number: 7084619
    Abstract: An arrangement for determining the direction of movement of a motion sensor element, requiring only two sensor elements, which, in a first zone having a first pitch and extending in the form of strips along a motion co-ordinate describing a movement of the motion sensor element, comprises periodically recurrent areas alternately influencing a first magnetic field, and, in a second zone having a second pitch and extending in the form of strips along the motion co-ordinate, comprises periodically recurrent areas alternately influencing a second magnetic field, the arrangement comprising a first sensor element for detecting the influence on the first magnetic field by the first zone of the motion sensor element, and a second sensor element for detecting the influence on the second magnetic field by the second zone of the motion sensor element, the first pitch of the first zone being in an odd, integral ratio to the second pitch of the second zone, such as 1:3, 1:5, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Phillips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Stefan Butzmann
  • Patent number: 7009384
    Abstract: A target wheel sensor assembly includes a target wheel, a magnet, and two or more sensing elements placed therebetween. The magnet and the sensing elements are configured so that as the target wheel rotates each of the sensing elements outputs a respective asymmetric signal relative to the direction of rotation of the target wheel or an object mechanically connected to the wheel. Each of these asymmetric signals is differentially combined with one another to determine the direction of motion of the target wheel, and, if optionally desired, the position of the target wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Pierre Heremans, Bruno P. B. Lequesne, Thaddeus Schroeder, Avoki M. Omekanda
  • Patent number: 6956367
    Abstract: To provide a compact bearing assembly equipped with a rotation sensor capable of detecting not only pulse signals for detecting the number of revolution, but also a home position signal, the bearing assembly equipped with the rotation sensor includes a rotatable member (2) and a non-rotatable member (3) with rolling elements (4) interposed between the rotatable and non-rotatable members (2) and (3) to permit the rotatable member (2) to be rotatable relative to the non-rotatable member (3). The rotatable member (2) is provided with a magnetic encoder (7) and the non-rotatable member (3) is provided with magnetic sensors (8A) to (8C). The magnetic encoder (7) includes first and second to-be-detected elements (7A) and (7B) each having a plurality of equally spaced, opposite magnetic poles defined therein so as to alternate with each other in a direction circumferentially thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Fujikawa, Toru Takahashi, Yoshitaka Nagano, Takashi Koike, Kenichi Iwamoto
  • Publication number: 20040239311
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing provided with an annular means generating magnetic pulses and with a device for detecting these pulses, wherein the detection device comprises a plurality of aligned sensitive elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Alfred John Santos, Mark E. LaCroix, Pascal Desbiolles
  • Patent number: 6810724
    Abstract: A system for detecting reverse rotation of a 4-cycle, internal combustion engine with three or more cylinder for an outboard motor mounted on a boat, whose output is connected to a propeller such that the boat is propelled forward or reverse. In the system, it is determined whether a counted value of crank angle signals generated once every 30 crank angles is a multiple of a predetermined number (e.g., four in six cylinders), when the cylinders are identified and it is determined that engine rotates reverse when the counted value is determined to be not the multiple and the engine is immediately stopped. With this, it becomes possible to accurately detect the reverse rotation of the engine and prevent its further reverse rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichi Kimata, Kazuhiro Satoh, Nobuhiro Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20040189282
    Abstract: A method is described for determining a rotation speed and a rotation direction of a component (2), in particular a transmission output shaft, with a sensor device (1). In the sensor device (1), as a function of a rotation speed and direction of the component (2), a first sensor signal and a second sensor signal are generated, which are phase shifted relative to one another and each of which, on reaching an upper switching threshold or a lower switching threshold in the sensor device (1), triggers a switching signal. When there are alternating, consecutive switching signals of the two sensor signals, the sensor device (1) emits a pulse signal as a function of which a variation of a sensor signal is generated, which is used to determine a rotation speed of the component (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schmid, Uwe Ruhringer, Gerold Kloos