Position sensor apparatus and method

• US 7,191,754 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2005
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BorgWarner Incorporated
• Original Assignee: BorgWarner Incorporated
• Inventors: Pringle, Hal E., Halsig, Michael J., Keefover, Robert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huynh; Hai
• Application Number:
  US11/029,730
• Publication Number:
  US 20050183695A1
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 123/399, 123/361, 123/337, 123/520, 123/568.21, 251/305, 324/207.15
• US Class Current: 123/337
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/105 characterised by the function converting demand to actuation, e.g. a map indicating relations between an accelerator pedal position and throttle valve opening or target engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/106 Detection of demand or actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0404 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0002 Controlling intake air
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 9/1065 Mechanical control linkage between an actuator and the flap, e.g. including levers, gears, springs, clutches, limit stops of the like
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/221 specially adapted operating means therefor operating means per se F16K31/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0041 for measuring valve parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/00 Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable G01D3/00 takes precedence; specially adapted for apparatus giving results other than momentary value of variable G01D1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/145 influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields see G01R33/06
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/2073 by movement of a single coil with respect to two or more coils
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A control system having a housing with a bore formed within the housing. A valve member is associated with the bore for controlling the passage of a fluid medium through the bore. An induction sensor is aligned with the valve and facilitates determining the valve position. An inductor is connected to an end of the valve member that is in close proximity to the induction sensor. It is contemplated that this control system can be used in a number of different applications including throttle control systems, turbo actuators, canister purge systems and shift control mechanisms. However, it is within the scope of this invention to incorporate the control system on virtually any type of vehicle system where it is possible to determine the position of a valve utilizing induction sensor technology.

Claims

1. A control system comprising:

a housing;

a bore formed within said housing;

a moveable member positioned in said bore; and

an inductor connected to an end of said moveable member.

2. The control system of claim 1 further comprising an induction sensor operably configured with said inductor.

3. The control system of claim 2 wherein said induction sensor has one or more pickup coils operably configured with respect to an activation coil.

4. The control system of claim 1 further comprising:

a motor operably associated with said moveable member for effecting the movement of said moveable member; and

an electrical connector having connections with said induction sensor and said motor.

5. The control system of claim 1 further comprising:

an induction sensor operably configured with respect to said inductor;

a connector connected to said housing; and

a flexible interconnect connected between said induction sensor and said connector.

6. The control system of claim 1 wherein said inductor is formed of wire bent into a sprocket-like shape.

7. The control system of claim 1 further comprising an induction sensor having at least two sets of three pickup coils operable configured with respect to an activation coil.

8. The control system of claim 1 wherein said moveable member is a turbo actuator valve for controlling engine compression.

9. The control system of claim 1 wherein said moveable member is an exhaust gas recirculation valve.

10. The control system of claim 1 wherein said moveable member is a canister purge valve.

11. The control system of claim 1 wherein said moveable member is a throttle control valve.

12. A control system comprising:

a housing;

a bore formed within said housing;

a plate movably disposed within said bore;

a throttle shaft operably connected to said throttle plate for facilitating movement of said throttle plate;

an induction sensor operably aligned with said throttle shaft; and

an inductor connected to an end of said throttle shaft in close proximity to said induction sensor.

13. The control system of claim 12 wherein said induction sensor has one or more pickup coils operably configured with respect to an activation coil.

14. The control system of claim 12 further comprising:

a motor operably associated with said throttle shaft for effecting the movement of said throttle shaft,

an electrical connector having connections with said induction sensor and said motor.

15. The control system of claim 12 wherein said inductor is formed of wire bent into a sprocket-like shape.

16. The control system of claim 12 wherein said induction sensor has at least two sets of three pickup coils operably configured with respect to an activation coil.

17. The control system of claim 12 wherein said electronic throttle control system is used on a turbo actuator valve for controlling engine compression.

18. The control system of claim 12 wherein said electronic throttle control system is used on an exhaust gas recirculation valve.

19. The control system of claim 12 wherein said electronic throttle control system is used on a canister purge valve.

20. The control system of claim 12 wherein said electronic throttle control system is used on a throttle control valve.

21. The control system of claim 12 further comprising:

a connector connected to said housing; and

a flexible interconnect connected between said induction sensor and said connector.

22. The control system of claim 12 further comprising:

a motor operably associated with said throttle shaft for effecting the movement of said throttle shaft; and

an electrical connector having connections with said induction sensor and said motor.

23. A control system comprising:

a housing;

a bore formed within said housing;

an actuator connected to said bore;

an induction sensor aligned with the actuator;

an inductor connected to an end of said actuator in close proximity to said induction sensor.

24. The control system of claim 23 wherein said induction sensor has one or more pickup coils operably configured with respect to an activation coil.

25. The control system of claim 23 further comprising:

a motor operably associated with said actuator for effecting the movement of said actuator,

an electrical connector having connections with said induction sensor and said motor.

26. The control system of claim 23 wherein said inductor is formed of wire bent into a sprocket-like shape.

27. The control system of claim 23 wherein said induction sensor has at least two sets of three pickup coils operably configured with respect to an activation coil.

28. The control system of claim 23 wherein said actuator is a turbo actuator for controlling engine compression.

29. The control system of claim 23 wherein said actuator is an exhaust gas recirculation valve.

30. The control system of claim 23 wherein said actuator is a canister purge valve.

31. The control system of claim 23 wherein said actuator is a throttle control valve.

32. The control system of claim 23 further comprising:

a connector connected to said housing; and

a flexible interconnect connected between said induction sensor and said connector.