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Hey, David! Some people are just in the right place at the right time!

I designed and patented a position sensor when I was at the old Rockwell
Intnl. and I didn't get to retire until I had 30 years with them! Got the
standard $100 for the patent application and $500 when it went thru. It
never saw the light of day because it was designed to sense the position of
People Mover cars on a series of linear synchronous motors to be used for
the Disney park in Florida. It never went further because Rockwell got the
B-1 contract about that time and all interest in people movers went out the
window. Sad story of another lost potential "Neat Thing". A simple ligic
circuit that eliminated the natural zero at 90degrees, and nulled at zero
degrees with an integrated analog output that measured the relative position
from zero to +/- 90 degrees. Would have been perfect for a gear or flap
position sensor since all sensing was magnetic - dirt or crud had no
deleterious effects. Ah well, life's like that!

Still, I can't see any reason for a gear position indicator (other than "up"
and "down"). A flap position indicator, as on my 235, is easily and simply
done mechanically by connecting a push-rod to the flap lever and then to a
movable pointer in the center console. Very simple and very failure proof!

Dan Schaefer

LML website:   http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
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Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.