Apparatus, system and method for detecting a position of a movable object in a device and using the same for controlling the device

A timing apparatus for determining a position of a rotating shaft in an engine, the timing apparatus comprising:

• a reflecting region on a portion of the rotating shaft;
• a light source located in the engine, wherein emitted light is emitted by the light source onto the reflecting region and reflected light is reflected off the rotating shaft, the reflected light having an intensity;
• a detector that detects the reflected light and measures the intensity of the reflected light;
• and
• a microprocessor coupled to the detector and configured to determine the position of the rotating shaft in the engine according to a change in the intensity of the detected light,
• wherein the change in the intensity of the detected light corresponds to a change in a signal associated with the position of the rotating shaft,
• wherein the reflecting region has a feature configured to effect the change in the intensity of the reflected light as the rotating shaft rotates,
• wherein the change in the intensity of the reflected light corresponds to a change in a signal associated with a determined position of the rotating shaft, and
• wherein the engine is controlled according to the determined position of the rotating shaft.

A method for determining a position of a rotating object in a device and controlling the device according to the determined position of the rotating object, the method comprising the steps of:

• emitting light from a light source onto a reflecting region on a portion of the rotating object;
• reflecting light off the reflecting region of the rotating object;
• detecting the reflected light off the reflecting region as the rotating object rotates;
• measuring an intensity of the reflected light;
• determining the position of the rotating object according to the intensity of the detected light;
• generating a signal that corresponds to the change in the intensity of the detected light associated with the determined position of the rotating shaft, wherein the reflecting region has a feature configured to effect the change in the intensity of the reflected light as the rotating object rotates;
• and
• controlling the device according to the determined position of the rotating object.