Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Cherry Corporation

Zf Friedrichshafen Ag

Franklin Grid Solutions, LLC

Itw Electronic Business Asia Co. Ltd.

Kenneth A Albrecht

Brian J Truesdale

Terence J Knowles

Charles F Bremigan, Iii

Peter D Joseph

Slawomir Kielian

Richard William Fitzgerald

Frank X Garcia

Erik W Linske

Steven C Crusius

Terrence J Knowles

YuHsun Wu

YuJen Lo

David F Schieleit

Patrick K Loewe

Vijay Matlapudi

Slawomir P Kielian

An ultrasonic sensor for detecting the presence or absence of an aerated fluid includes a probe having a first solid portion and a second hollow portion. The probe has a closed end at the hollow portion. The solid portion and the hollow portion define an interface therebetween. A transducer element is mounted to the probe at about the solid portion. The transducer element is configured to transmit an ultrasonic signal through the solid portion into the hollow portion and to receive reflections of the ultrasonic signal to determine the presence or absence of a fluid and/or an aerated fluid.

Ultrasonic level sensor for aerated fluids

A Kelvin connector assembly is provided that includes a body assembly, a first tab and a second tab. The body assembly comprises a first electrical contact surface electrically isolated from an opposing second electrical contact surface. The body assembly defines a central opening extending through the first electrical contact surface and the second electrical contact surface that is dimensioned to receive a battery post. The first tab, which is electrically connected with the first electrical contact surface, extends from the body assembly and is configured to couple with a first quick-connect connector. The second tab, which is electrically connected with the second electrical contact surface, extends from the body assembly and is configured to couple with a second quick-connect connector.

Kelvin connection mounting terminal

An ultrasonic liquid-height detector employs conductive rods extending from a housing, and corresponding transducers, into a liquid, where elastic seals surround the rods at their exit point from the housing. Acoustic crosstalk between the rods through the seals and the housing (rather than through the liquid) is minimized by displacing the seals from each other as measured through the housing to increase a path length through the housing so that the crosstalk energy is delayed with respect to the direct energy indicating liquid height. A sampling window is positioned to sample transmitted sound across the rods at a time before the arrival of the crosstalk energy.

Liquid level sensor with improved temperature range

An ultrasonic liquid sensor for detecting liquid in a tube having sidewalls includes a first intermediate mounting plate held in physical communication with a first sidewall of the tube, a second intermediate mounting plate held in physical communication with the second sidewall of the tube. The plates are configured to allow the ultrasonic signal to pass therethrough. The sensor also includes a first and a second transducer element. The first and second transducer elements are mounted to the intermediate mounting plates and are configured to receive the ultrasonic signal passing through the sidewalls of the tube as well as the intermediate mounting plates to determine the presence or absence of liquid in the tube. The sensor can be enclosed in a self-contained unit and a support assembly can be used and formed of metal material or non-metal material to interface with the sensor and a secondary circuit.

Ultrasonic flow sensor for detecting liquid in a tube including intermediate plates mounted to the tube for mounting ultrasonic transducers

A level sensor for determining the presence or absence of a liquid in contact with the sensor includes an elongate probe, a transducer operably connected to the probe and configured to produce compressional waves in the probe, and circuitry for detecting acoustic energy emitted into the liquid when liquid is in contact with the probe. A mount for the releasably holding the sensor includes a base have a receiving region formed in part by a plurality of flexible securing fingers. The fingers have locking projections extending therefrom. A contact is mounted to the base and extends into the receiving region. A cartridge supports the level sensor and is received in the receiving region. The cartridge includes a circumferential recess for receiving the securing fingers. When the level sensor is positioned in the cartridge and the cartridge is inserted into the base, the level sensor is operably connected to the contact and the cartridge is resiliently secured in the base.

Discrete fluid level sensor and mount

A fastener includes a main body having a front portion and a rear portion, a securing member engageable with the rear portion of the main body, and a light source unit securable between the securing member and the front portion of the main body, for providing light to illuminate the front portion of the main body.

Fastener with illuminator

Angled spring contacts and switches made with contactors containing angled spring contacts are disclosed. The housing for the angled spring contacts has a generally cylindrical shape. The contacts are contained within the housing with their ends extending from the housing on either side. The contacts are formed by making bullet-shaped internal contacts that are joined by a spring. The spring is mounted to the two contacts to urge the two contacts away from each other at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the housing. This angle forces contact between each contact and the housing in at least two places, thus creating redundant paths between the contacts. Switches, such as plunger switches having a normal or OFF position, and an actuated or ON position, may be made with one or more angled spring contacts. The contacts have separate surfaces for electrical conduction and for arcing.

Electrical contact with redundant paths

An accelerometer is limited to a very small displacement range, and within that range, is useful for detecting motion and change of rate of motion by optical, magnetic, or electrical means. A unique spring suspends a planar mass that is very sensitive to motion of an object in which the accelerometer is held. In one embodiment, an optical detector detects the motion of the mass by the intensity of reflected radiation. In another embodiment, a Hall-effect sensor detects the motion of the mass by a current generated by the motion of the mass in an electric field. The accelerometer may be used in a variety of automotive, appliance, and industrial applications.

Accelerometer

A solenoid-actuated latchable relay is controlled by a microprocessor that turns on at least one triac to selectively energize a solenoid coil with a desired polarity energization signal. The triac is only operated momentarily so that a single energization pulse is applied to the coil to move an associated magnetic plunger to a position corresponding to the polarity of the pulse. The magnetic plunger is latched in this position until another pulse is applied to change the position.

Growing community of inventors

Zion, IL, United States of America

Kenneth A Albrecht