Angular position and angular direction sensor

An electrical circuit for outputting a direction signal representative of the direction of rotation of a rotating shaft coupled to a wheel that bears peripheral anomalies, comprising:

• first and second sensor elements on a single sensor generating respective first and second detection signals when an anomaly is sensed;
• means for determining a magnitude related to the second signal at a point in time contemporaneous with an edge related to the first signal;
• and
• means generating a direction signal representative of the direction of rotation of the rotating body in response to the means for determining.

A method for sensing the direction of motion of a moving body defining a periphery and at least one peripheral anomaly, comprising the acts of:

• providing first and second sensor elements;
• receiving respective first and second signals from the elements;
• determining a magnitude related to the second signal at a point in time contemporaneous with an edge related to the first signal;
• generating a direction signal representative of the direction of motion of the moving body in response to the determining step;
• and
• establishing a baseline magnitude, wherein the first and second signals establish respective first and second detection signals when an anomaly is sensed.

A device to determine the direction of rotation of a crankshaft coupled to a trigger wheel having anomalies formed thereon, comprising:

• at least one engine;
• at least one crankshaft within the engine;
• at least one trigger wheel coupled to the crankshaft;
• first and second anomaly detection signal generators generating respective first and second detection signals when an anomaly of the trigger wheel is juxtaposed with the signal generators, each detection signal establishing a respective related first or second magnitude, each detection signal establishing at least one respective related first or second edge;
• and
• an electrical circuit receiving the detection signals and identifying the second magnitude when the first edge is sensed, the detection circuit generating a direction signal in response thereto, the electrical circuit establishing the position of an anomaly at a time when the first and second detection signals intersect each other.

An electrical circuit for outputting a direction signal representative of the direction of rotation of a rotating shaft coupled to a wheel that bears peripheral anomalies, comprising:

• first and second sensor elements on a single sensor generating respective first and second detection signals when an anomaly is sensed;
• means for determining a magnitude related to the second signal at a point in time contemporaneous with an edge related to the first signal;
• means for generating a direction signal representative of the direction of rotation of the rotating body in response to the means for determining;
• and
• means for establishing the position of an anomaly at a time when the first and second detection signals intersect each other.