Hydraulic bi-directional flow switches are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a piston disposed in a fluid channel between a first fluid connection and a second fluid connection, where the first and second fluid connections define a fluid pathway for hydraulic steering fluid. The example apparatus also includes a detector to detect a movement of the piston away from a default position of the piston, where the piston is to displace from the default position when the hydraulic steering fluid flows along the fluid pathway.

A processing system includes a master control module, an order module, a magnetic sensitive element sorting module, a pin processing module, a lead processing module, a pin lead welding module, a casing module and a glue injecting module, wherein the magnetic sensitive element sorting module is configured to grade and screen magnetic sensitive elements, the pin processing module is configured to process pins of magnetic sensitive elements, the lead processing module is configured to process wires into leads, the pin lead welding module is configured to weld leads on the pins of magnetic sensitive elements to form sensing elements, the casing module is configured to sleeve the sensing elements into the accommodating cavity of a shell, and the glue injecting module is configured to inject glue into the accommodating cavity of the shell to encapsulate the sensing elements and form magnetic switch sensors.

A rotary button system for use in a domestic apparatus, comprising: a ferromagnetic plate; a button removably mountable at a predefined first distance from said ferromagnetic plate on a first side of said plate, and rotatable about a virtual rotation axis substantially perpendicular to said plate, and comprising a permanent magnet magnetised in a direction perpendicular to said rotation axis; and a magnetic sensor device mounted at a predefined second distance from said ferromagnetic plate on a second side of said plate opposite the first side, and comprising one or more magnetic sensors for measuring one or more magnetic field components or field gradients, and configured for determining an angular position of the rotary button based on said one or more field components and/or field gradients.

A switch assembly for adapting a non-contact switch into a contact triggered switch, such that the internal electrical state of the non-contact switch can be triggered by mechanical contact with an object or surface. The switch assembly can include an adapter body coupled to the non-contact switch and an actuation body coupled to the adapter body. The actuation body can be movable relative to the adapter body to selectively position a target supported by the actuation body within a sensing region of the non-contact switch. The actuation body can be moved by an external object making contact with a portion of the actuation body.

A protective cover assembly for an electrical wall switch disposed on a wall in which the electrical wall switch has an actuator physically contactable and actuatable by a user for controlling electrical power to a load from an electrical power source. The protective cover assembly may include an enclosure and a connector for connecting the enclosure over the electrical wall switch to inhibit a user from physically contacting and actuating the actuator. A first magnetic material member is attached to or disposed in the actuator. A tool includes a second magnetic material member. When the tool is moved relative to the outer surface of the enclosure, a magnetic force acting through the enclosure is operable to move the actuator from a first position to a second position thereby moving the actuator for controlling electrical power to the electrical load.

Magnetic coupling devices are disclosed which may be configured in at least three states. The various states may be provided through one or more of altering a position of a permanent magnet relative to another permanent magnet and altering a current level in a coil surrounding a permanent magnet.

A security switch for detecting an actuator comprises a magnetic field source, a magnetically susceptible object, and a circuit. The magnetic field source is configured to produce a magnetic field gradient. The magnetically susceptible object is suspended at a first position at least in part due to the magnetic field gradient and shiftable to a second position when the actuator affects the magnetic field gradient. The circuit is configured to detect when the object is in the second position.

Magnetic coupling devices are disclosed which may be configured in at least three states. The various states may be provided through one or more of altering a position of a permanent magnet relative to another permanent magnet and altering a current level in a coil surrounding a permanent magnet.

Magnetic coupling devices are disclosed which may be configured in at least three states. The various states may be provided through one or more of altering a position of a permanent magnet relative to another permanent magnet and altering a current level in a coil surrounding a permanent magnet.

A protective cover assembly for an electrical wall switch disposed on a wall in which the electrical wall switch has an actuator physically contactable and actuatable by a user for controlling electrical power to a load from an electrical power source. The protective cover assembly may include an enclosure and a connector for connecting the enclosure over the electrical wall switch to inhibit a user from physically contacting and actuating the actuator. A first magnetic material member is attached to or disposed in the actuator. A tool includes a second magnetic material member. When the tool is moved relative to the outer surface of the enclosure, a magnetic force acting through the enclosure is operable to move the actuator from a first position to a second position thereby moving the actuator for controlling electrical power to the electrical load.