Inventors:
Michael H. Knight - Pontiac MI
Clarence L. Eagle - Livonia MI
Assignee:
Gulf & Western Manufacturing Company - Southfield MI
International Classification:
G01R 3500
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for setting the relative magnetic relationship between a Hall Effect switch with a given operating field strength and a permanent magnet to operate the switch and having a magnetic field with a field strength greater than the operating field strength. This invention can be used for adjusting the toggle point of a combined Hall Effect switch and magnet or the dwell between the operate point and release point of the switch. This method or apparatus comprises the steps of determining the actual switching point or dwell of a combined Hall Effect switch and operating magnet, which switching point or dwell is controlled by the combination of the field strength of the magnet and the operating field strength of the switch, determining the difference between the actual switching point or dwell and a desired switching point or dwell and then modifying the magnetization of the permanent magnet to shift the actual switching point or dwell toward the desired switching point or dwell. This method and apparatus can be operated a series of times to bring the point or dwell toward the desired value and the desired switching point or dwell is within a selected range. The method is used to set the spacing between both the operate point and the release point of the switch to control the dwell of a unit used in the ignition system of an internal combustion engine and which includes a magnet and a Hall Effect switch mounted together.