Abstract:
A potentiometric sensor, comprising: a potentiometer track; a collector track opposite the potentiometer track; a conductive magnetic cushion slider coupled to the potentiometer track and the collector track; and a sealed body housing the potentiometer track, the collector track, and the conductive magnetic cushion is disclosed. The potentiometric sensor may provide a variable output voltage indicative of a level of liquid in a container. The output voltage of the potentiometric sensor may be based on a position of a magnet, which may determine a position of the conductive magnetic cushion or a ferromagnetic spring. The magnet may be outside of the sealed body. As the sensor will be more cost effective and less space consuming, the totally sealed sensor incorporating the conductive magnetic cushion or a ferromagnetic spring may replace many applications that allow a hysteresis of less than 1 mm. Additionally, these applications may be used on rotary systems.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/721,642, filed May 26, 2015, titled “MAGNETIC ACTUATED CONTACT USING A CONDUCTIVE MAGNETIC CUSHION,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to potentiometer technology, and in particular, potentiometric sensors using a conductive magnetic cushion or a coil system. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Potentiometric sensors may be used in various industrial applications, such as patient monitors, water heaters, passenger cars, earth movers, and drive train systems. Known potentiometers traditionally include several parts, including a sensing element, a wiper, outside terminals, a wiper carrier, a spindle or push rod, a bearing system, and a body. The sensing element translates the position angle or linear position of the wiper into an electrical signal. Potentiometric sensors include a resistor track and a collector track printed on a substrate. The wiper is a sliding contact that transfers the signal from the resistor track to the collector track. The resistor and collector tracks are connected to the outside terminals. The outside terminals provide an electronic signal to a user. The wiper is a micro-mechanic mostly stamped part using precious metal in the contact area. The wiper is assembled to an electrically isolated wiper carrier. The spindle or push rod moves the wiper carrier, which may change the output voltage of the potentiometric sensor or the resistance when used as a rheostat. The wiper, wiper carrier, and spindle or push rod are guided by a bearing system. All of these components are protected by and contained in a body. 
         [0004]    Potentiometric sensors may be used to measure a level of a liquid in a container. For example, when measuring the level of water in a container, a water tank valve float may be coupled to the spindle or push rod of the potentiometric sensor. For example, if the level of water in the container is low (water tank valve float is in a lower position), the output voltage of the potentiometric sensor may be low. However, as the level of water in the tank increases, the water tank valve float rises and actuates the spindle or push rod of the potentiometric sensor to rise as well. Since the spindle or push rod rises, the wiper rises as well. This may cause the output voltage of the potentiometric sensor to increase. Thus, a low output voltage of the potentiometric sensor may indicate a low water level while a high output voltage may indicate a high water level. 
         [0005]    However, the more components that are needed, the more expensive it is to manufacture the potentiometer sensor. Known potentiometers require many components, and thus, have a high manufacturing cost. Additionally, if the potentiometric sensor is used to measure the liquid level of a container, the potentiometric sensor should be able to withstand contamination. Accordingly, this disclosure overcomes these and other drawbacks of known potentiometer sensors. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In one aspect of this disclosure, a potentiometric sensor comprising a potentiometer track; a collector track opposite the potentiometer track; a ferromagnetic coil connecting the potentiometer track and the collector track; and a sealed body housing the potentiometer track, the collector track, and the ferromagnetic coil is disclosed. 
         [0007]    In another aspect of this disclosure, a multiple switch system comprising a resistance track; a collector track opposite the resistance track; a plurality of input switches coupled to the resistance track; an output coupled to the collector track; a ferromagnetic coil coupled to the resistance track, the collector track and one of the plurality of input switches so that the one of the plurality of input switches is electrically coupled to the output; and a sealed body housing the resistance track, the collector track, the plurality of input switches, the output, and the ferromagnetic coil is disclosed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic diagram of a linear potentiometer element on a printed circuit board (PCB) with thick film print, according to the prior art. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a potentiometer element on a PCB using a conductive magnetic cushion, according to one aspect of this disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a magnified view of the potentiometer element not subject to a magnetic field, according to one aspect of this disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a magnified view of the potentiometer element subject to a magnetic field, according to one aspect of this disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A of  FIG. 4 , according to one aspect of this disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates a composition of the conductive magnetic cushion, according to one aspect of this disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  illustrates a potentiometer element on a PCB using a coil system, according to one aspect of this disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8A  illustrates a coil system, according to one aspect of this disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8B  illustrates the ferromagnetic micro coil, according to one aspect of this disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  illustrates the magnet, according to one aspect of this disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  illustrates the conductive magnetic cushion in a switch application, according to one aspect of this disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  illustrates the coil system  762  in a switch application  900 , according to one aspect of this disclosure 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic diagram of a linear potentiometer element  100  on a printed circuit board (PCB) with thick film print, according to the prior art. The linear potentiometer element  100  may include a first terminal  102 , which may be an electrical ground, a second terminal  104 , which may be an output signal, a third terminal  106 , which may be connected to an applied voltage, a potentiometer track  108 , a collector track  110 , and a wiper  112 . The wiper  112  may be coupled to an electrically isolated wiper carrier (not shown). The wiper  112  may be configured to electrically connect and be sliding along a length of the potentiometer track  108  and the collector track  110 . Thus, the wiper  112  may provide an electrical connection between the potentiometer track  110  and the collector track  112 . The collector track  110  may be coated with a thick film. The output resistance of the potentiometer element  100  may vary depending upon a position of the wiper  112  along the potentiometer track  108  and the collector track  110 . The position of the wiper carrier, and thus the wiper  112 , may be adjusted using, for example, a spindle, a push rod, or a knob (all not shown). 
         [0021]    The wiper  112  may be electrically connected to the potentiometer track  108  and the collector track  110 . The wiper  112  may provide an electrical connection between the potentiometer track  108  and the collector track  110 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates a potentiometer element  200  on a PCB  201  using a conductive magnetic cushion  212 , according to one aspect of this disclosure. The potentiometer element  200  may include a first terminal  202 , a second terminal  204 , a third terminal  206 , a potentiometer track  208 , a collector track  210 , and a conductive magnetic cushion  212 . The conductive magnetic cushion  212  may provide an electrical connection between the potentiometer track  208  and the collector track  210 . 
         [0023]    The first terminal  202  may be an electrical terminal extending from a first end of the potentiometer track  208 . The third terminal  206  may also be an electrical terminal extending from a second end of the potentiometer track  208 . The second terminal  204  may also be an electrical terminal extending from an end of the collector track  210 . In one aspect, the first terminal  202 , the second terminal  204 , and the third terminal  206  may extend from a body  502  (see  FIG. 5 ) of the potentiometer element  200 . 
         [0024]    The potentiometer track  208  and the collector track  210  may be positioned opposite each other. Also, in another aspect, the potentiometer track  208  and the collector track  210  may be positioned such that they are parallel to each other. Additionally, the potentiometer track  208  and the collector track  210  may be disposed along a sidewall (not shown) of the body  502  of the potentiometer element  200 . 
         [0025]    For example, the potentiometer element  200  may be connected to a circuit (not shown) via the first terminal  202 , the second terminal  204 , and/or the third terminal  206 . If the potentiometer element  200  is connected to the circuit via the first terminal  202 , which may be an electrical ground, and the third terminal  206 , which may be connected to an applied voltage, the output voltage of the linear potentiometer element  200  would be available at the second terminal  204 . However, if the potentiometer element  200  is connected to the circuit via the first terminal  202  and the second terminal  204 , the sensor is functioning as a variable resistor also named a rheostat instead of the potentiometer element  200 . The variable resistance may depend on the position of the conductive magnetic cushion  212 . For example, if the conductive magnetic cushion  212  is positioned near the leftmost edge of the potentiometer track  208  and the collector track  210 , the output resistance of the potentiometer element  200  may be at or close to its minimum resistance. However, if the conductive magnetic cushion  212  is positioned near the rightmost edge of the potentiometer track  208  and the collector track  210 , the output resistance of the potentiometer element  200  may be at or close to its maximum resistance. The maximum resistance is the resistance provided by the potentiometer track  208 . Therefore, a user may adjust the output resistance of the potentiometer element  200  by moving the conductive magnetic cushion  212  along the length of the potentiometer track  208  and the collector track  210 . 
         [0026]    The conductive magnetic cushion  212  may comprise a conductive jelly. The conductive jelly may include carbon black, a magnetic ferrite powder, or other similar materials. The magnetic ferrite powder may have little or no remanence. Additionally, the ferromagnetic powder may be isotropic or anisotropic. The conductive jelly may be chemically composed such that a surface of the conductive jelly will build a skin after the conductive jelly is applied to surfaces of the potentiometer track  208  and the collector track  210 . Alternatively, the conductive magnetic cushion  212  may comprise a conductive jelly incorporating carbon black and a ferromagnetic powder. The ferromagnetic powder may be, for example, nickel powder. By adding a ferromagnetic powder, such as nickel powder, to the conductive jelly with carbon black, the conductivity of the conductive jelly may be improved. Alternatively, the conductive magnetic cushion  212  may comprise carbon black and a ferromagnetic material powder with high remanence. In this aspect, the high remanence may improve a distance between an actuator magnet ( 314  in  FIG. 5 ) located outside of the body  502  containing the potentiometer element  200  and the conductive magnetic cushion  212 . In this aspect, the strength of the actuator magnet  314  may be greater than the remanence of the ferromagnetic powder to actuate the conductive magnetic cushion  212 . 
         [0027]    The conductivity of the conductive magnetic cushion  212  may be based on the amount of carbon black dispersed in the already conductive jelly. Thus, the conductive magnetic cushion  212  may not require precious metal to influence its conductivity. 
         [0028]    The conductive magnetic cushion  212  may have a flexible build. This flexible build allows the conductive magnetic cushion  212  to have a high area of contact points with the potentiometer track  208  and the collector track  210  at a low contact force. This, in turn, may result in low friction between the conductive magnetic cushion  212  and the potentiometer track  208  and the collector track  210 . The high area of contact points and the low friction may result in a system which may be actuated from the outside of a completely sealed body  502 . Additionally, since the conductive magnetic cushion  212  may have low friction, there will also be little hysteresis between the conductive magnetic cushion  212  and the actuator magnet. Additionally, the system may be sealed so that it meets the International Protection Marking 68 (IP 68) standard for protection providing against intrusion or contamination. One means to actuate the conductive magnetic cushion  212  may be an actuator magnet  314 . The potentiometer element  200  may be placed within a fuel tank of an automotive vehicle to measure its fuel content level. Alternatively, the potentiometer element  200  may be placed on the outside of the fuel tank. If the potentiometer element  200  is placed on the outside of the fuel tank, the fuel tank may be made of non-ferromagnetic material. 
         [0029]    By using the conductive magnetic cushion  212  rather than the systems of the prior art, the potentiometer element  200  may not require a spindle or push rod, a sealing system, a bearing, a wiper carrier, or a wiper. Thus, since potentiometer element  200  may require fewer parts, the potentiometer element  200  may also cost less to produce in terms of component and labor costs. Additionally, since the conductive magnetic cushion  212  may allow the potentiometer element  200  to require fewer parts, the overall size of the potentiometer element  200  may be smaller as well. Moreover, a width of the potentiometer track  108  and the collector track  110  may one-third of the normal size. This also may result in a smaller potentiometer element  200 . 
         [0030]    For example, one application of the potentiometer element  200  may be to measure a level of a liquid in a container, such as fuel in a fuel tank of an automotive vehicle. The potentiometer element  200  may be coupled to the fuel tank and a circuit measuring or sensing the output voltage of the potentiometer element  200 . The actuator magnet  314  may be placed within the fuel. For example, if the fuel level is low, the conductive magnetic cushion  212  may be at or near the leftmost end of the potentiometer element  200  due to the movement of the actuator magnet  314  from one position to another. Thus, the potentiometer element  200  may provide low voltage to the coupled circuit. Thus, the potentiometer element  200  may indicate that the fuel level is low when there is a low output voltage. As the fuel level increases, the magnet  314  may also rise with the fuel. The rising of actuator magnet  314  may actuate the conductive magnetic cushion  212  to move towards the rightmost end of the potentiometer element  200 . As the conductive magnetic cushion  212  moves toward the rightmost end, the output voltage of the potentiometer element  200  may increase. Thus, as the fuel level rises, the output voltage of the potentiometer element  200  may increase. Thus, the circuit coupled to the potentiometer element  200  may sense or measure the output voltage of the potentiometer element  200  to determine the fuel level in the fuel tank. As one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize, the inverse relationship between output resistance and fuel level may also be possible. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates a magnified view of the potentiometer element  200  of  FIG. 2  not subject to a magnetic field, according to one aspect of this disclosure. Here, the conductive magnetic cushion  212  may have a circular outline as a normal outline. Normal outlines other than a circular outline may be possible. Since a magnetic field is not being applied to the conductive magnetic cushion  212 , the conductive magnetic cushion  212  does not move relative to the potentiometer track  208  and the collector track  210  and the magnetic cushion  212  may retain its circular outline. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  illustrates a magnified view of the potentiometer element  200  subject to a magnetic field, according to one aspect of this disclosure. In addition to the elements shown and described in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 4  includes an actuator magnet  314 . In  FIG. 4 , the actuator magnet  314  is outside of and underneath (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) the body  502  of the potentiometer element  200 . The magnetic field emanating from the actuator magnet  314  may interact with the conductive magnetic cushion  212 . One effect of this interaction may be a deformation of the shape of the conductive magnetic cushion  212  from the normal or circular outline. The dimensions and the shape of the conductive magnetic cushion  212  may be altered depending on the magnetic field. For example, the dimensions and shape may depend on the position and strength of the magnetic field. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the conductive magnetic cushion  212  has a circular outline. However, with the application of the actuator magnet  314  to the potentiometer element  200 , the conductive magnetic cushion  212  may deform to have an oval or oblong outline. The conductive magnetic cushion  212  may deform to shapes other than an oval or oblong. 
         [0033]    For example, in operation, if the actuator magnet  314  is brought in close proximity to, but not necessarily within, the body  502  of the potentiometer element  200 , the magnetic field emanating from the actuator magnet  314  may interact with the conductive magnetic cushion  212 . In response, the conductive magnetic cushion  212  may undergo a deformation. The deformation, for example, may cause the conductive magnetic cushion  212  to deform from a circular shape to an oval, oblong, or other shapes. If a user moves the actuator magnet  314  in a direction along the potentiometer track  208  and the collector track  210 , the conductive magnetic cushion  212  would move as well. The conductive magnetic cushion  212  would move because, for example, there is a high area of contact points with the potentiometer track  208  and the collector track  210  as well as low friction between the conductive magnetic cushion  212  and the potentiometer track  208  and the collector track  210 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A of  FIG. 4 , according to one aspect of this disclosure.  FIG. 5  illustrates the potentiometer track  208 , the collector track  210 , the conductive magnetic cushion  212 , the actuator magnet  314 , and a body  502  completely sealing the potentiometer element  200 . Since the conductive magnetic cushion  212  is actuated using the actuator magnet  314  located outside of the body  502 , the body  502  may completely seal the potentiometer element  200 . Thus, there may be no point of ingress for contamination. Although the actuator magnet  314  is shown as having the north pole oriented above the south pole, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that other orientations, such as orienting the south pole above the north pole, may be possible. The orientation of the magnet  314  may depend on the specific design of the potentiometer element  200 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  illustrates a composition of the conductive magnetic cushion  212 , according to one aspect of this disclosure. The conductive magnetic cushion  212  may comprise a conductive lubricant  602 , carbon black filler  604 , and ferromagnetic material  606 . The conductive lubricant  602  may be a lubricant which can withstand extreme temperatures so that the potentiometer element  200  may function in a wide range of conditions and in harsh conditions. For example, the conductive lubricant  602  may have a freezing point of −45° C. and a boiling point of +125° C. Other ranges of freezing points (lower and higher) and boiling points (lower and higher) are also possible depending on the type of conductive lubricant and other materials that make up the conductive magnetic cushion  212 . The carbon black filler  604  may be added to the conductive lubricant  602  to increase the conductivity of the conductive lubricant  602 . Thus, the conductive lubricant  602  may not require precious metals to increase the conductivity of the conductive lubricant  602 . The conductive lubricant  602  may also include a ferromagnetic material  606 . The ferromagnetic material  606  may be a nickel powder, which may also improve the conductivity of the conductive lubricant  602 . Additionally, the ferromagnetic material  606  may have high remanence, which may allow for a greater distance between the actuator magnet  314  and the body  502  of the potentiometer element  200 . If the ferromagnetic material  606  has remanence, the strength of the magnet  314  may be higher than the remanence of the ferromagnetic material  606  to actuate the conductive magnetic cushion  212 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  illustrates a potentiometer element on a PCB using a coil system, according to one aspect of this disclosure.  FIG. 7  illustrates a potentiometer element  750  on a PCB  751  using a coil system  762 , according to one aspect of this disclosure. The potentiometer element  750  may include a first terminal  752 , a second terminal  754 , a third terminal  756 , a potentiometer track  758 , a collector track  760 , and a coil system  762 . The coil system  762  may provide an electrical connection between the potentiometer track  758  and the collector track  760 . 
         [0037]    The first terminal  752  may be an electrical terminal extending from a first end of the potentiometer track  758 . The third terminal  756  may also be an electrical terminal extending from a second end of the potentiometer track  758 . The second terminal  754  may also be an electrical terminal extending from an end of the collector track  760 . In one aspect, the first terminal  752 , the second terminal  754 , and the third terminal  756  may extend from a body  502  (see  FIG. 5 ) of the potentiometer element  750 . 
         [0038]    The potentiometer track  758  and the collector track  760  may be positioned opposite each other. Also, in another aspect, the potentiometer track  758  and the collector track  760  may be positioned such that they are parallel to each other. Additionally, the potentiometer track  758  and the collector track  760  may be disposed along a sidewall (not shown) of the body  502  of the potentiometer element  750 . 
         [0039]    For example, the potentiometer element  750  may be connected to a circuit (not shown) via the first terminal  752 , the second terminal  754 , and/or the third terminal  756 . If the potentiometer element  750  is connected to the circuit via the first terminal  752 , which may be an electrical ground, and the third terminal  56 , which may be connected to an applied voltage, the output voltage of the linear potentiometer element  750  would be available at the second terminal  754 . However, if the potentiometer element  750  is connected to the circuit via the first terminal  752  and the second terminal  754 , the sensor is functioning as a variable resistor also named a rheostat instead of the potentiometer element  750 . The variable resistance may depend on the position of the coil system  762 . For example, if the coil system  762  is positioned near the leftmost edge of the potentiometer track  758  and the collector track  760 , the output resistance of the potentiometer element  750  may be at or close to its minimum resistance. However, if the coil system  762  is positioned near the rightmost edge of the potentiometer track  758  and the collector track  760 , the output resistance of the potentiometer element  750  may be at or close to its maximum resistance. The maximum resistance is the resistance provided by the potentiometer track  758 . Therefore, a user may adjust the output resistance of the potentiometer element  750  by moving the coil system  762  along the length of the potentiometer track  758  and the collector track  760 . 
         [0040]    Additionally, the system may be sealed so that it meets the International Protection Marking 68 (IP 68) standard for protection providing against intrusion or contamination. One means to actuate the coil system  762  may be the actuator magnet  314 . The potentiometer element  750  may be placed within a fuel tank of an automotive vehicle to measure its fuel content level. Alternatively, the potentiometer element  750  may be placed on the outside of the fuel tank. If the potentiometer element  750  is placed on the outside of the fuel tank, the fuel tank may be made of non-ferromagnetic material. 
         [0041]    By using the coil system  762  rather than the systems of the prior art, the potentiometer element  750  may not require a spindle or push rod, a sealing system, a bearing, a wiper carrier, or a wiper. Thus, since potentiometer element  750  may require fewer parts, the potentiometer element  750  may also cost less to produce in terms of component and labor costs. Additionally, since the coil system  762  may allow the potentiometer element  750  to require fewer parts, the overall size of the potentiometer element  750  may be smaller as well. Moreover, a width of the potentiometer track  758  and the collector track  760  may be one-third of the normal size. This also may result in a smaller potentiometer element  750 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 8A  illustrates the coil system  762 , according to one aspect of this disclosure. The coil system  762  may comprise a ferromagnetic micro coil  764 , a ferrite powder  766 , and a jelly  768 . The ferromagnetic micro coil  764  may be composed of, for example, a nickel-iron alloy. However, the ferromagnetic micro coil  764  may be composed of other elements or alloys that exhibit ferromagnetic properties. The ferromagnetic micro coil  764  may be partially or completely filled or coated with the ferrite powder  766 . The ferrite powder  766  may be mixed or interspersed inside the jelly  768 . The jelly  768  enclosed by the ferromagnetic micro coil  768  may be the same material as the conductive lubricant  602 . However, in this aspect of this disclosure, the jelly  768  may not need to be conductive. Thus, a ferrite jelly  768  that reacts or responds to magnetic stimuli may be sufficient. A conductive jelly  768  may be used to improve the electrical conductivity of the coil system  762 . 
         [0043]    In this aspect, the ferromagnetic micro coil  764  may provide the electrical connection between the potentiometer track  758  and the collector track  760 . Since the ferromagnetic micro coil  764  may be composed of a ferromagnetic material, the magnet  314  (see  FIG. 5 ) may also be used to control the position of the ferromagnetic micro coil  764  along the potentiometer track  758  and the collector track  760 . However, to improve the movement of the ferromagnetic micro coil  764  in response to changes in position of the magnet  314 , the jelly  768  containing the ferrite powder  766  may be inserted inside the ferromagnetic micro coil  764  so that the jelly  768  and the ferrite powder  766  are enclosed by the ferromagnetic micro coil  764 . The jelly  768  containing the ferrite powder  766  may exhibit a stronger response to the magnetic field generated by the magnet  314 . Thus, since the jelly  768  containing the ferrite powder  766  is located within the ferromagnetic micro coil  764 , moving the jelly  768  containing the ferrite powder  766  would also result in movement of the ferromagnetic micro coil  764 . The jelly  768  containing the ferrite powder  766  may leave enough space within the ferromagnetic micro coil  764  so that the ferromagnetic micro coil  764  may adjust to an uneven surface, such as when the potentiometer track  758  and the collector track  760  are not in the same plane. 
         [0044]      FIG. 8B  illustrates the ferromagnetic micro coil  764 , according to one aspect of this disclosure. A cross-sectional shape of the ferromagnetic micro coil  764  may be any suitable shape. For example, the cross-sectional shape may be substantially circular with an inner coil diameter  770  and an outer coil diameter  772 . The closer the outer coil perimeter resembles a circle, the better contact the ferromagnetic micro coil  764  will make with the potentiometer track  758  and the collector track  760 . 
         [0045]    For example, one application of the potentiometer element  750  may be to measure a level of a liquid in a container, such as fuel in a fuel tank of an automotive vehicle. The potentiometer element  750  may be coupled to the fuel tank and a circuit measuring or sensing the output voltage of the potentiometer element  750 . The actuator magnet  314  may be placed within the fuel. For example, if the fuel level is low, the coil system  762  may be at or near the leftmost end of the potentiometer element  750  due to the movement of the actuator magnet  314  from one position to another. Thus, the potentiometer element  750  may provide low voltage to the coupled circuit. Thus, the potentiometer element  750  may indicate that the fuel level is low when there is a low output voltage. As the fuel level increases, the magnet  314  may also rise with the fuel. The rising of actuator magnet  314  may actuate the coil system  762  to move towards the rightmost end of the potentiometer element  750 . As the coil system  762  moves toward the rightmost end, the output voltage of the potentiometer element  750  may increase. Thus, as the fuel level rises, the output voltage of the potentiometer element  750  may increase. Thus, the circuit coupled to the potentiometer element  750  may sense or measure the output voltage of the potentiometer element  750  to determine the fuel level in the fuel tank. As one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize, the inverse relationship between output resistance and fuel level may also be possible. 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  illustrates the magnet  314 , according to one aspect of this disclosure. The actuator magnet  314  may have a north pole  702  and a south pole  704 . Additionally, the actuator magnet  314  may be flocked. For example, the actuator magnet  314  may be a permanent rod magnet flock coated with carbon fiber  706 . The actuator magnet  314  may be flocked with other materials as well. The actuator magnet  314  may be flocked because, for example, flocking may produce a fibered grip on the actuator magnet  314  and flocking may result in a good sliding effect on even surfaces, such as to traverse the body  502  of the potentiometer element  200 ,  750 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 10  illustrates the conductive magnetic cushion  212  in a switch application  800 , according to one aspect of this disclosure. The switch application  800  may include a plurality of switches  802   a ,  802   b  . . .  802   n . The switch application  800  may also include an output  804 . The switch application may also include a resistance track  806  and a collector track  808 . The switch application  800  may also include the conductive magnetic cushion  212 . The conductive magnetic cushion  212  may be actuated by an actuator magnet  314 . Similar to the potentiometer element  200  described above, the conductive magnetic cushion  212  may slide along the resistance track  806  and the collector track  808 . The conductive magnetic cushion  212  may then be positioned to provide an electrical connection between one of the plurality of switches  802   a ,  802   b  . . .  802   n  and the output  804 . The switch application  800  may also be enclosed in a body  810 . The body  810  may completely seal the switch application  800 . For example, the switch application  800  may be sealed so that it meets the International Protection Marking 68 (IP 68) standard for protection providing against intrusion. Additionally, in one aspect, the actuator magnet  314  used to actuate the conductive magnetic cushion  212  in the switch application  800  may be a permanent rod magnet flock coated with carbon fiber. 
         [0048]    For example, the switch application  800  may be used to measure a level of a liquid in a container, such as fuel in a fuel tank of an automotive vehicle. The switch application  800  may be coupled to the fuel tank and a circuit measuring or sensing the output of the switch application  800 . The actuator magnet  314  may be placed within the fuel so that it rises and falls with the fuel level. For example, if the fuel level is low, the position of the actuator magnet  314  may cause the conductive magnetic cushion  212  to be at or near the leftmost end of the switch application  800 . Thus, the switch application  800  may provide an output indicating a low fuel level to the coupled circuit. As the fuel level increases, the actuator magnet  314  may also rise with the fuel and may actuate the conductive magnetic cushion  212  to move towards the rightmost end of the switch application  800 . As the conductive magnetic cushion  212  moves toward the rightmost end, the output of the switch application  800  may provide an output indicating a high fuel level to the coupled circuit. Thus, the circuit coupled to the switch application  800  may sense or measure the output of the switch application  800  to determine the fuel level in the fuel tank. 
         [0049]      FIG. 11  illustrates the coil system  762  in a switch application  900 , according to one aspect of this disclosure. The switch application  900  may include a plurality of switches  902   a ,  902   b  . . .  902   n . The switch application  900  may also include an output  904 . The switch application  900  may also include a resistance track  906  and a collector track  908 . The switch application  900  may also include the coil system  762 . The coil system  762  may be actuated by an actuator magnet  314 . Similar to the potentiometer element  750  described above, the coil system  762  may move along the resistance track  906  and the collector track  908 . The coil system  762  may then be positioned to provide an electrical connection between one of the plurality of switches  902   a ,  902   b  . . .  902   n  and the output  904 . The switch application  900  may also be enclosed in a body  910 . The body  910  may completely seal the switch application  900 . For example, the switch application  900  may be sealed so that it meets the International Protection Marking 68 (IP 68) standard for protection providing against intrusion. Additionally, in one aspect, the actuator magnet  314  used to actuate the coil system  762  in the switch application  900  may be a permanent rod magnet flock coated with carbon fiber. 
         [0050]    For example, the switch application  900  may be used to measure a level of a liquid in a container, such as fuel in a fuel tank of an automotive vehicle. The switch application  900  may be coupled to the fuel tank and a circuit measuring or sensing the output  904  of the switch application  900 . The actuator magnet  314  may be placed within the fuel so that it rises and falls with the fuel level. For example, if the fuel level is low, the position of the actuator magnet  314  may cause the coil system  762  to be at or near the leftmost end of the switch application  900 . Thus, the switch application  900  may provide an output indicating a low fuel level to the coupled circuit. As the fuel level increases, the actuator magnet  314  may also rise with the fuel and may actuate the coil system  762  to move towards the rightmost end of the switch application  900 . As the coil system  762  moves toward the rightmost end, the output  904  of the switch application  900  may provide an output indicating a high fuel level to the coupled circuit. Thus, the circuit coupled to the switch application  900  may sense or measure the output of the switch application  900  to determine the fuel level in the fuel tank. 
         [0051]    Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “may,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for at least one aspects or that at least one aspects necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular aspect. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. 
         [0052]    While certain exemplary aspects have been described, these aspects have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Thus, nothing in the foregoing description is intended to imply that any particular feature, characteristic, step, module, or block is necessary or indispensable. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of certain aspects of the disclosure. 
         [0053]    It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed system and technique. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated. 
         [0054]    Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein may be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.