Honeywell International Inc.

Edward L Stern

Michael G Marchini

Robert E Bicking

Kent E Van Ostrand

Methods and systems for actuating a negative rate switch. A negative rate switch comprising a plunger and a resilient actuator thereof can be provided, wherein a highest plunger force occurs at a free position and a lowest plunger force occurs at a full over travel position. The negative rate switch can be configured such that when the resilient actuator provides resilient actuating force to overcome a free position force associated with the free position, the plunger moves without interruption through a total range of travel thereof and when the resilient actuating force drops slightly below a full over-travel plunger force associated with the full over travel position, the negative rate switch overcomes the resilient actuating force to return the plunger to the free position thereof without interruption.

Negative rate switch methods and systems for resilient actuating device

A negative rate snap-acting switch apparatus and method is disclosed, which generally includes a plunger associated with an actuating lever, a stationary anchor, a moveable contact, and at least two stationary contacts. The negative rate snap-acting switch apparatus also includes a snap-spring assembly reactive to the actuating lever, wherein the snap-spring assembly is assembled into the stationary anchor and the actuating lever to form a spring-anchor-lever assembly thereof including a central spring member loaded into an axial compression and persuaded to bend into a post-buckled elastic mode shape thereof to form a negative rate snap-acting switch apparatus in which the moveable and the stationary contacts are responsive to an actuating force derived from the snap-spring assembly.

Negative rate snap-acting switch apparatus and method

A method and system for sensing linear position utilizing a magnetoresistive bridge circuit. A permanent magnet is provided having a gap formed therein. The magnetoresistive bridge circuit is generally located within the gap of the permanent magnet. The magnetoresistive bridge circuit includes a plurality of magnetoresistors. The magnet can be positioned in proximity to the ferrous target, which is associated with a slider that moves along a shaft. The magnetoresistive bridge circuit is generally biased by a magnetic field of the magnet. The magnetic field can saturate the magnetoresistive bridge circuit and a response of the magnetoresistors thereof. An output signal of the magnetoresistive bridge circuit can then be detected such that the output signal is produced by a change in an angle of the magnetic bias field. The output signal determines a target position with respect to a torque applied to the shaft.

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Lanark, IL, United States of America

Edward L Stern