Illustrative embodiments of systems and methods for enhanced vibration and electrical noise performance in magnetostrictive transmitters are disclosed. In one embodiment, a signal conditioning circuit may comprise an instrumentation amplifier configured to receive and amplify an analog measurement signal, an active high pass filter configured to reduce noise in a signal output by the instrumentation amplifier, a variable gain amplifier stage configured to further amplify a signal output by the active high pass filter, a distance detection module configured to process a signal output by the variable gain amplifier stage to determine a distance measurement associated with the analog measurement signal received by the instrumentation amplifier, and a programmable control circuit configured to control a gain level of the variable gain amplifier stage and to receive data concerning the signal output by the variable gain amplifier stage, including the distance measurement, from the distance detection module.

A Halbach-based magnetic position sensor includes a Halbach magnetic element having a spatially rotating magnetization pattern along an extent, producing a focused and augmented magnetic field on a working side relative to a magnetic field on a non-working side. A sensing element on the working side is co-configured with the Halbach magnetic element for relative motion therebetween. The sensing element includes encoder circuitry and magnetic sensors that sense the working-side magnetic field and produce corresponding sensor signals. The encoder circuitry translates the sensor signals into position signals indicating relative position between the sensing element and the Halbach magnetic element. In one example the Halbach magnetic element has a closed curve (e.g., substantially circular or ring-like) configuration.

A method and apparatus for reducing magnetic tracking error in the position and orientation determined in a magnetic tracking system having a magnetic field generator. In some embodiments, the measured position and orientation of a sensor is compared to an expected theoretical position and orientation. Any error is assumed to be from “floor distortion,” i.e., eddy currents in the floor caused by the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field transmitter. The floor distortion is modeled as being caused by eddy currents caused by a second magnetic field transmitter that is a reflection of the actual transmitter. An algorithm iteratively searches over a parameter space to minimize the difference between the measured position and orientation and the theoretical position and orientation, and applies a correction to the measured position and orientation. The measurements and corrections of the position and orientation run in real-time with no additional hardware or calibration required.

Multiple floor treatment operations, such as burnishing, polishing and scrubbing, may be performed using a single floor treatment machine having a motor, the speed of which is governed by a controller that responses to sensor signals indicative of the type of floor treatments pad or pads operatively coupled to the motor.

A tunnel magnetoresistance effect (TMR) device includes an exchange coupling film having a first ferromagnetic layer, which is at least a portion of a fixed magnetic layer, and an antiferromagnetic layer laminated on the first ferromagnetic layer. The ferromagnetic layer includes an X(Cr—Mn) layer containing one or two or more elements X selected from the group consisting of the platinum group elements and Ni, and also containing Mn and Cr. The X(Cr—Mn) layer has a first region relatively near the first ferromagnetic layer, and a second region relatively far away from the first ferromagnetic layer, and the content of Mn in the first region is higher than that in the second region.

A knob assembly includes a front panel, a knob located at a front side of the front panel and configured to rotate based on operation by a user, a knob shaft that is coupled to the knob and that extends through the front panel, a supporting pipe that receives the knob shaft and that supports the knob shaft, the supporting pipe being configured to maintain a position relative to the front panel, a valve configured to control supply of gas to the appliance, a valve shaft connected to the valve and configured to control the valve to adjust a flow rate of gas based on rotation of the valve shaft, and a joint that couples the knob shaft to the valve shaft and that is configured to transfer at least one of a rotational motion or a linear motion of the knob shaft to the valve shaft.

This detection device includes a sensor electrode, a shield electrode, which has a parasitic capacitance between the sensor electrode and the shield electrode and is driven by an AC voltage, a detection circuit, which is electrically connected to the sensor electrode and the shield electrode and detects the electrostatic capacitance of the sensor electrode, a capacitor, which is connected in series between the sensor electrode and the detection circuit, and a bias unit, which biases the potential of the sensor electrode via a resistor.

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for navigating an operator of a self-propelled vehicle for coupling with an attachment implement therefor. Each one of a first set of sensing elements arranged on the vehicle coupler forms a sensing pair with a respective one of a set of second sensing elements arranged on the attachment implement. Indicia for each of the sensing pairs on a user interface is displayed to the operator, corresponding to a three-dimensional spatial orientation of the first and second sensing elements with respect to each other. The user interface may comprise respective portions for each sensing pair, each portion comprising an indicator dynamically adjusted in a crosshair corresponding to first and second dimensions of alignment of the corresponding sensing elements with respect to each other, and the indicator in each portion further dynamically adjusted in appearance corresponding to a third dimension of distance between the corresponding sensing elements.

The present disclosure is directed to an electronic deadbolt control system including a deadbolt configured to extend or retract between a locked position and an unlocked position, respectively. An output shaft connected between a final gear and the deadbolt is configured to transmit an actuation force to the deadbolt from an electric motor. A first magnet and a second magnet are associated with the final gear to define a home position for either a left hand deadbolt or a right hand deadbolt. A cam is positioned on the output shaft to engage with a switch such that, in combination with a threshold current motor output, the control system determines whether the deadbolt is in an extended position or a retracted position. A thumb-turn shaft is disengaged from the final gear in the home position to permit manual actuation of a thumb-turn.

A method for measuring a position, is performed by a vehicle assembly (VA) for alignment between a ground assembly (GA) and the VA. The method includes transmitting low frequency (LF) signals to initiate alignment with the GA and estimating a position of a vehicle using at least one sensor mounted on the vehicle. Information regarding the estimated position of the vehicle is provided to the GA and information regarding a position of the vehicle measured by LF receive antennas of the GA and an acceleration flag calculated by the GA is received. Accordingly, a transmission strength of the LF signals transmitted by the VA is adjusted based on the information regarding the position of the vehicle measured by the LF receive antennas and the acceleration flag.