The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 21, 2001
Filed:
May. 11, 1999
R. Clayton Crum, Goshen, IN (US);
Kevin D. Kurtz, Ft. Wayne, IN (US);
John Zdanys, Jr., Elkhart, IN (US);
CTS Corporation, Elkhart, IN (US);
Abstract
A throttle controller includes an electrical position sensor having a movable element and being mounted on a steering mechanism, such as a handlebar, and a mechanical interface from the position sensor to a throttle handle. The movement of the throttle handle actuates the mechanical interface which, in turn, alters the position of the movable element in the position sensor. The changeable position of the movable element thus provides an electrical indication of the position of the throttle handle suitable for controlling the internal combustion engine or electric motor. The position sensor may be a rotary position sensor having a rotor as the movable element, wherein rotating the throttle handle rotates the rotor. The throttle controller is particularly useful on a personal water craft, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, etc. Potentiometers or Hall effect devices are both suitable for use as the position sensor.