Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.

T K Holdings, Inc.

William Merrick

Leonard Steven Cech

Timothy J Bomya

William Todd Watson

Richard W Smith

Hiroshi Aoki

Scott Eugene Bauer

W Todd Watson

James D Baal

A magnetic field generated by at least one coil operatively associated with a first portion of a vehicle responsive to a first signal from a signal source causes an eddy current in at least one conductive element operatively associated with or at least a part of a second portion of the vehicle. In one aspect, a circuit operatively coupled to the at least one coil generates a second signal responsive to a self-impedance of the at least one coil, wherein the second signal is at least partially in-phase with the first signal. In another aspect, a magnetic sensor is responsive to an eddy current in the at least one conductive element. In yet another aspect, the at least one conductive element comprises a metal sheet, film or coating of paramagnetic or diamagnetic material that is relatively highly conductive.

Eddy current magnetic crash sensor

A time-varying signal is applied to at least one coil in magnetic communication with at least a portion of a vehicle susceptible to deformation responsive to a crash. A sense resistor in series with the at least one coil provides for detecting a current therethrough responsive to a voltage thereacross. The current is responsive to a magnetic condition affecting the magnetic field generated by the at least one coil, responsive to the reluctance of a magnetic circuit with which the at least one coil is in magnetic communication, and responsive to associated eddy currents in proximal conductive elements, responsive to the magnetic field generated by the at least one coil.

Magnetic crash sensor

A first magnetic field generated by a first coil operatively associated with a first portion of a vehicle interacts with at least one conductive element operatively associated with or at least a part of a second portion of the vehicle so as to generate an eddy current in the conductive element, which affects the magnetic field sensed by a magnetic sensor. A conductive element operatively coupled to a portion of the vehicle susceptible to a crash, e.g. a bumper or a door, provides for sensing a crash with the signal from the magnetic sensor. In another aspect, a second magnetic field is generated in the frame of a vehicle by a second coil wherein the frame is adapted so that the reluctance of the associated magnetic circuit is responsive to a crash. Signals from the first or second coils may be used to sense the associated magnetic fields.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

William Merrick