Siemens Vdo Automotive Corporation

Continental Automotive France

Siemens Automotive S.a.

Gerard Mouaici

Francois-Xavier Bernard

Isabelle McKenzie

David VanZuilen

Michel Collet

Bernard Genot

Pierre-Yves Allard

Wim Teulings

Isabelle Desmier

David M Vanzuilen

Philippe Morisset

David M Vanzullen

A device for determining an angular position of a rotating body including a generator of magnetic flux connected to the rotating body and a magnetoresistive sensor connected to the support. The magnetic flux generator takes the form of a ring or a portion of a ring and comprises alternating poles making up a series of magnets generating magnetic fluxes in substantially parallel directions.

Device for determination of the angular position of a rotating body

A pedal has a control device () including a mobile pedal (), elements for returning () the control device returning the pedal () in its idle position as well as a force-feedback mechanism () to produce a hard spot when the pedal () is depressed. The force-feedback mechanism () includes an electric motor () designed to act on the control device (), via one-way linking elements () and gear reduction elements, in the same direction as the return elements (). The one-way link prevents any action of the force-feedback mechanism () on the control device () in the direction opposite to the direction of action of the return elements () The one-way link advantageously includes a clearance which enables the electric motor () to rotate in the direction allowing it to act on the control device () without acting immediately on the device.

Immediateforce-feedback pedal

A sensor () includes a single capacitor () that operates in two different modes to obtain capacitance and conductance information when a mixture flows between the electrodes () of the capacitor. Two different oscillators () are selectively used to obtain the conductance and capacitance information. In a disclosed embodiment, a capacitor includes an outer electrode () that is received around an inner electrode () such that there is spacing between the electrodes through which the mixture flows. The mixture acts as a dielectric of the capacitor allowing the conductance and capacitance measurements to be made. A glass member () seals off the spacing between the electrodes and provides physical support to position the inner electrode to keep the electrodes electrically isolated.

Fuel sensor

A fuel sensor () includes a single capacitor () that operates in two different modes to obtain capacitance and conductance information when a fuel mixture flows between the electrodes () of the capacitor. Two different oscillators () are selectively used to obtain the conductance and capacitance information. In a disclosed embodiment, a capacitor includes an outer electrode () that is received around an inner electrode () such that there is a spacing between the electrodes through which the fuel flows. The fuel acts as a dielectric of the capacitor allowing the conductance and capacitance measurements to be made. The inventive fuel sensor can be readily incorporated into a variety of locations within a vehicle fuel supply system depending on the needs of a particular situation. In one example, a portion of the fuel rail () is used as one of the electrodes of the capacitor.

A magnetic sensor includes first and second members movable relative to each other. One of the members is secured to a movable member and the other fixed. The first member defines a magnetic circuit with an air gap provided with a detector sensitive to the magnetic induction prevailing in the air gap. The second member is a permanent magnet in magnetic coupling relation with the first member. The first member has a tubular portion and a rod-shaped portion, the portions being magnetically coupled, at one end, by the permanent magnet with radial magnetization and, at the other end, by elements for concentrating the magnetic flux in the air gap. The air gap is delimited by these concentration elements and the facing end of the rod-shaped portion of the first member.

Magnetic sensor that concentrates magnetic flux in an air gap

A sensor for measuring dielectric constant or resistivity of a flowing liquid, and especially of fuel mixtures for determining alcohol content, includes an inner tube through which the liquid flows, an outer sleeve about the inner tube in coaxial relation, holes in the inner tube to provide fluid communication at two locations to the space between the tube and the sleeve, and a partial restriction in the tube to divert some of the fluid flow into the space between the tube and the sleeve. The tube forms the inner electrode of a capacitor and the sleeve forms the outer electrode of the capacitor to measure dielectric constant. The ends of the sleeve are sealed in liquid tight fashion.

Growing community of inventors

Toulouse, France

Gerard Mouaici