Cts Corporation

Ronald C Nonnenmacher

Craig Allen Jarrard

John Zdanys

Robert L Newman

David S Pfaffenberger

James E White

Jeffrey L McCurley

John S Duesler

Thomas R Olson

David J Miller

Patrick B Blakesley

James M Newcomer

Bret W Shriver

A weight sensor for measuring a weight applied to the sensor. The sensor includes a substrate that has a center section that is adapted to flex in response to the applied weight and a step section that is attached to the center section. The step section concentrates the weight onto to the center section. Strain gage resistors are mounted on the center section of the substrate for generating an electrical signal in response to the substrate being flexed. A wing section is attached to the center section. The wing section is out of the weight path and does not flex. The wing section contains signal conditioning electronics operative to condition the electrical signal.

Strain gage having an attached unstrained area for the mounting of signal conditioning components

A non-contacting position sensor having radial bipolar tapered magnets. The sensor has a semicircular first plate and a second plate. Four semicircular magnets are affixed to the first plate and second plate. Each magnet has a thick end and a thin end. Two magnets generate a linearly varying magnetic field having a first polarity, while the other two magnets generate a linearly varying magnetic field having a second polarity. An air gap is formed in the space between the four magnets. A magnetic flux sensor is positioned within the air gap. The object whose position is to be monitored is rigidly attached to the magnet assembly, causing the magnetic flux sensor to move relative to the magnets within the air gap as the component moves. A varying magnetic field is detected by the magnetic flux sensor, resulting in an electrical signal from the magnetic flux sensor that varies according to its position relative to the four magnets.

Non-contacting position sensor using radial bipolar tapered magnets

In accordance with the present invention, a non-contacting position sensor using bipolar tapered magnets is provided. A non-contacting position sensor in accordance with the preferred embodiment uses a pole piece having a first plate and a second plate. Four magnets are affixed to the first plate and second plate. Each magnet has a thick end and a thin end. Two magnets generate a linearly varying magnetic field having a first polarity, while the other two magnets generate a linearly varying magnetic filed having a second polarity. An air gap is formed in the space between the four magnets. A magnetic flux sensor is positioned within the air gap. The component whose position is to be monitored is rigidly attached to either the pole piece or the magnetic flux sensor, causing the magnetic flux sensor to move relative to the magnets within the air gap as the component moves. A varying magnetic field is detected by the magnetic flux sensor, resulting in a signal from the magnetic flux sensor that varies according to its position relative to the four magnets. The signal from the magnetic flux sensor is used to provide an indication of the position of the component to be monitored.

Magnetic position sensor having opposed tapered magnets

A dual-axes position sensor,having an outer housing,, an actuator,, a linear Hall effect sensor assembly,for detecting position changes along a first (y) axis, and a linear Hall effect sensor assembly,for detecting position changes along a second (x) axis is disclosed. The housing,is preferably made out of a non-magnetic material such as plastic. Actuator,is rod shaped and coupled to a movable device or shaft (not shown) that is to have its position sensed. The linear Hall effect sensor assembly,is unattachably positioned to set on lip,of the housing,, and includes a magnetically conducting pole piece,, a magnet assembly,comprising an upper magnet,and a lower magnet,that are separated by an air gap,. Magnet assembly,and pole piece,are positioned around a Hall sensor device support,in a&ldquo;U&rdquo; shaped configuration or form. Hall sensor device support,is fixedly attached to housing,via attachment area,. Linear Hall effect sensor assembly,also includes a positionally fixed Hall effect sensor element,attached to Hall sensor device support,on surface,. Linear Hall effect sensor assembly,is positioned approximately 90 degrees from and to linear Hall effect sensor assembly

Two axis position sensor using sloped magnets to generate a variable magnetic field and hall effect sensors to detect the variable magnetic field

A dual positional hall effect sensor 10 having an outer housing 12, an actuator 14, a linear movement sensor 20, and a rotational movement sensor device 22. The housing 12 includes a lower chamber 24 and an upper chamber 26, with a barrier wall 28 separating therebetween. The actuator 14 is made up of a coupling 32 for coupling to a movable device (not shown) that is to have its position sensed, a rod 34 that extends from the lower to the upper chamber, a collar 36 for retaining the actuator 14 within the lower chamber, and a key 38. The linear motion sensor 20 is unattachably positioned to set on collar 36, and includes a magnetically conducting pole piece 42 and a left and right magnets 44. The magnets 44 and pole piece 42 are positioned around the rod 34 in a 'U' shaped configuration. The lower chamber 24 also includes a positionally fixed hall effect sensor 46 and a spring 48 positioned between the barrier wall 28 and the collar 36. The rotational movement sensor 22, located in the upper chamber 26, includes a sensor housing structure 52 that has a groove or slide 54 for insertion and sliding of the key 38. The sensor 22 further includes a magnetically conducting pole piece 56 and a top and bottom magnet 58. A hall sensor 60 is positioned between the two parts of the magnet 58 and fixed in position relative to any rotational movement of the rotational sensor 22.

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Elkhart, IN, United States of America

Ronald C Nonnenmacher