Position sensor apparatus and method

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.

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 valve.    
     
     
         2 . The electronic throttle control system of  claim 1  further comprising an induction sensor operably configured with said inductor.  
     
     
         3 . The electronic throttle 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 electronic control system of  claim 1  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.    
     
     
         5 . The control system of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a connector connected to said housing; and    a flexible interconnect connected between said induction sensor and said connector.    
     
     
         6 . The electronic throttle control system of  claim 1  wherein said inductor is formed of wire bent into a sprocket-like shape.  
     
     
         7 . The electronic throttle control system of  claim 1  wherein said induction sensor has 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 valve is a turbo actuator valve for controlling engine compression.  
     
     
         9 . The control system of  claim 1  wherein said valve is an exhaust gas recirculation valve.  
     
     
         10 . The control system of  claim 1  wherein said valve is a canister purge valve.  
     
     
         11 . The control system of  claim 1  wherein said valve is a throttle control valve.  
     
     
         12 . An electronic throttle 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 electronic throttle 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 electronic 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 electronic throttle control system of  claim 12  wherein said inductor is formed of wire bent into a sprocket-like shape.  
     
     
         16 . The electronic throttle 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 electronic throttle control system of  claim 12  wherein said valve is a turbo actuator valve for controlling engine compression.  
     
     
         18 . The control system of  claim 12  wherein said valve is an exhaust gas recirculation valve.  
     
     
         19 . The control system of  claim 12  wherein said valve is a canister purge valve.  
     
     
         20 . The control system of  claim 12  wherein said valve is 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 electronic throttle 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 electronic control system of  claim 23  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.    
     
     
         26 . The electronic throttle control system of  claim 23  wherein said inductor is formed of wire bent into a sprocket-like shape.  
     
     
         27 . The electronic throttle 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.