Contactless Magnetic Potentiometer

A contactless potentiometer comprising:

• a non-conductive backing comprising a top surface and a bottom surface;
• a conductive path attached to the top surface of the backing and electrically connected to a first potentiometer terminal, the conductive path having a first path length;
• a resistive path attached to the top surface of the backing and running substantially parallel to the conductive path, the resistive path electrically connected on one end of the resistive path to a second potentiometer terminal, the resistive path having a second path length;
• a non-conductive space between the conductive path and the resistive path;
• an electrically-conductive, magnetically reactive contactless tap sized to bridge the non-conductive space between the conductive path and the resistive path by simultaneously making contact with the conductive path and the resistive path;
• a non-conductive heat-resistant spacer attached to the backing, the spacer including a cutout area forming a window, the window sized to receive the contactless tap and to provide a sufficient cavity to permit the contactless tap to move through substantially the length of the conductive path and the resistive path;
• and
• a non-conductive heat-resistant cover attached to the spacer to seal the area defined by the backing, the spacer, and the cover with the contactless tap therein.

A method of making a contactless potentiometer comprising:

• providing a conductive path;
• providing a resistive path;
• providing a non-conductive space between the conductive path and the resistive path;
• providing a sealed channel containing the conductive path and the resistive path;
• and
• providing an electrically-conductive contactless tap capable of moving within the sealed channel along a portion of the resistive path and capable of bridging the non-conductive space between the conductive path and the resistive path by simultaneously making contact with the conductive path and the resistive path.