Abstract: A fluid pump includes an electric motor having an armature with a commutator and a motor frame which supports a pair of permanent magnets which are located radially outward from the armature. The motor frame has a support stem extending axially in a direction away from the commutator. A pump section is rotationally coupled to the electric motor and pumps the fluid. First and second motor brushes deliver electricity to the commutator and are urged into electrical contact with the commutator by a first and second springs. The first and second springs are mechanically grounded to a brush spring retainer fixed to the motor frame. The brush spring retainer includes a central portion having an opening within which the support stem is received in an interference fit. A support arm extends from the central portion such that the first and second springs are mechanically grounded to the support arm.

Abstract: A fluid pump includes an electric motor having an armature with a commutator and a motor frame which supports a pair of permanent magnets which are located radially outward from the armature. The motor frame has a support stem extending axially in a direction away from the commutator. A pump section is rotationally coupled to the electric motor and pumps the fluid. First and second motor brushes deliver electricity to the commutator and are urged into electrical contact with the commutator by a first and second springs. The first and second springs are mechanically grounded to a brush spring retainer fixed to the motor frame. The brush spring retainer includes a central portion having an opening within which the support stem is received in an interference fit. A support arm extends from the central portion such that the first and second springs are mechanically grounded to the support arm.

Abstract: A fuel pump includes a housing which is tubular; an inlet plate closes one end of the housing and an end cap closes the other end of the housing. The end cap includes an outlet passage and a vapor purge passage. An electric motor within the housing rotates a pumping element to pump fuel through the fuel pump. A valve assembly of the fuel pump includes a valve member located within the purge passage, the valve member being moveable between a first position which blocks fluid communication therethrough and a second position which provides fluid communication therethrough. A valve retainer fixed to the end cap includes a first leg, a second leg which is opposed to the first leg, and a cross-beam which joins the first leg and the second leg. The valve member is stopped by the cross-beam at the second position.

Abstract: A fuel pump includes a housing which is tubular; an inlet plate closes one end of the housing and an end cap closes the other end of the housing. The end cap includes an outlet passage and a vapor purge passage. An electric motor within the housing rotates a pumping element to pump fuel through the fuel pump. A valve assembly of the fuel pump includes a valve member located within the purge passage, the valve member being moveable between a first position which blocks fluid communication therethrough and a second position which provides fluid communication therethrough. A valve retainer fixed to the end cap includes a first leg, a second leg which is opposed to the first leg, and a cross-beam which joins the first leg and the second leg. The valve member is stopped by the cross-beam at the second position.

Abstract: An actuator, comprising: a housing having a first end and a second end; an actuating device received within an opening located at the second end, the actuating device being secured within the housing by a screw plate; and a biasing device for providing a biasing force to the actuating device when the actuating device is secured within the housing, the biasing device being integrally formed with either the housing or the screw plate or both of them.

Abstract: A three-port actuation valve, comprising: a valve housing portion having a supply port opening, a control port opening and an exhaust port opening each in selective fluid communication with a central opening of the valve housing portion; a housing disk having a stem portion and a disk portion, the stem portion being inserted into the central opening of the valve housing portion, the stem portion having an exhaust valve opening aligned with the supply port opening and an opening that aligns with the exhaust port opening; a poppet for selectively closing the exhaust valve opening, the poppet being slideably received within a central opening of the stem portion for movement between a first position and a second position; and at least one channel disposed in a surface of the disk portion, the at least one channel providing fluid communication between a periphery of the disk portion and a central opening of the stem portion.

Abstract: A pressure control valve assembly includes a linear actuator portion and a hydraulic portion. The linear actuator includes an improved plunger that has an enlarged diameter portion near the secondary plate. The linear actuator further includes a plunger-to-primary plate interface that has a double step magnetic configuration, which increases the force developed on the plunger.

Abstract: A valve for a control system of a vehicle includes a plunger slidably supported in a valve housing. Within the housing is a valve seat member that defines a valve seat configured for engaging the plunger in a closed configuration. The edges of the valve seat member are slightly spaced from the housing, and a resilient support element such as an o-ring is disposed between the valve seat member and the housing to permit lateral motion of the valve seat member relative to a long axis of the plunger as the plunger moves to the closed configuration.

Abstract: An actuator suitable for use with a fluid flow control valve includes a frame, a bobbin, a coil and a plunger assembly. The frame is generally cylindrical and has a longitudinal axis. The bobbin, which is wound with the coil, includes a central cavity. The plunger assembly is received within the central cavity and includes a plunger portion and a rod portion. The plunger portion is formed of magnetic material. The rod portion may be snapped on the plunger portion to form the plunger assembly. The plunger assembly is configured to move within the cavity in response to an actuator control signal applied to the magnetic coil. Separating the plunger portion and the rod portion improves manufacturability as well as reduces the occurrence of rod damage.

Abstract: A solenoid assembly is used with a valve assembly to regulate the flow of fluid therethrough. The solenoid assembly includes a solenoid frame extending between a first end and a second end. A primary plate is disposed adjacent the first end of the solenoid frame. The primary plate includes a flux concentrating cylinder extending out therefrom. A secondary plate is disposed adjacent the second end of the solenoid frame. A bobbin is disposed within the solenoid frame between the primary and secondary plates. The bobbin defines a core and has a wire coil wrapped about the core. The wire coil receives an electric current to induce a magnetic field thereabout. The solenoid assembly also includes a plunger that is extendable through a portion of the core of the bobbin and is movable at a defined force with respect to the bobbin. The plunger moves in response to changes in the magnetic field. The plunger includes a flux extension extending out therefrom coaxially with the plunger.

Abstract: An actuator suitable for use with a fluid flow control valve includes a frame, a bobbin, a coil and a plunger assembly. The frame is generally cylindrical and has a longitudinal axis. The bobbin, which is wound with the coil, includes a central cavity. The plunger assembly is received within the central cavity and includes a plunger portion and a rod portion. The plunger portion is formed of magnetic material. The rod portion may be snapped on the plunger portion to form the plunger assembly. The plunger assembly is configured to move within the cavity in response to an actuator control signal applied to the magnetic coil. Separating the plunger portion and the rod portion improves manufacturability as well as reduces the occurrence of rod damage.

Abstract: A method and assembly for controlling a plunger of a magnetic actuator includes generating a magnetic flux at the plunger that opposes a first bias from a first spring having a first preload. A second spring opposing the first bias is disposed in series communication with the first spring. The second spring has a second preload less than the first preload and is configured to be adjustable to control the amount of magnetic flux needed to overcome a net total preload opposing the magnetic flux. A second magnetic flux higher than the first magnetic flux is generated biasing the plunger to overcome the net total preload from the first and second springs in series communication.

Abstract: A solenoid assembly is used with a valve assembly to regulate the flow of fluid therethrough. The solenoid assembly includes a solenoid frame extending between a first end and a second end. A primary plate is disposed adjacent the first end of the solenoid frame. The primary plate includes a flux concentrating cylinder extending out therefrom. A secondary plate is disposed adjacent the second end of the solenoid frame. A bobbin is disposed within the solenoid frame between the primary and secondary plates. The bobbin defines a core and has a wire coil wrapped about the core. The wire coil receives an electric current to induce a magnetic field thereabout. The solenoid assembly also includes a plunger that is extendable through a portion of the core of the bobbin and is movable at a defined force with respect to the bobbin. The plunger moves in response to changes in the magnetic field. The plunger includes a flux extension extending out therefrom coaxially with the plunger.

Abstract: A linear three-port actuation valve for a vehicle has a valve seat member that is engaged with a valve body to a location that establishes a desired poppet stroke. The valve body defines a lower seat and the valve seat member defines an upper seat, and a poppet slides within the member to selectively block the lower seat. When the lower seat is not blocked the upper seat is blocked by a ball positioned against the poppet, and vice-versa. Accordingly, the valve seat member aligns the poppet with the lower seat, it aligns the ball with the upper seat, it directs fluid through the upper seat to a control port, and it establishes the desired stroke of the poppet, reducing the number of components and simplifying assembly.

Abstract: A variable force actuator with a double needle poppet assembly includes a housing in which a first poppet and a second poppet are slidably disposed. The second poppet fits within the first poppet, and both poppets move when a nearby coil is energized to establish, in combination, a fluid flow configuration in response to the amount of energy applied to the coil.

Abstract: A valve for a control system of a vehicle includes a plunger slidably supported in a valve housing. Within the housing is a valve seat member that defines a valve seat configured for engaging the plunger in a closed configuration. The edges of the valve seat member are slightly spaced from the housing, and a resilient support element such as an o-ring is disposed between the valve seat member and the housing to permit lateral motion of the valve seat member relative to a long axis of the plunger as the plunger moves to the closed configuration.

Abstract: A linear three-port actuation valve for a vehicle has a valve seat member that is engaged with a valve body to a location that establishes a desired poppet stroke. The valve body defines a lower seat and the valve seat member defines an upper seat, and a poppet slides within the member to selectively block the lower seat. When the lower seat is not blocked the upper seat is blocked by a ball positioned against the poppet, and vice-versa. Accordingly, the valve seat member aligns the poppet with the lower seat, it aligns the ball with the upper seat, it directs fluid through the upper seat to a control port, and it establishes the desired stroke of the poppet, reducing the number of components and simplifying assembly.

Abstract: A method and assembly for controlling a plunger of a magnetic actuator includes generating a magnetic flux at the plunger that opposes a first bias from a first spring having a first preload. A second spring opposing the first bias is disposed in series communication with the first spring. The second spring has a second preload less than the first preload and is configured to be adjustable to control the amount of magnetic flux needed to overcome a net total preload opposing the magnetic flux. A second magnetic flux higher than the first magnetic flux is generated biasing the plunger to overcome the net total preload from the first and second springs in series communication.

Abstract: A variable force actuator with a double needle poppet assembly includes a housing in which a first poppet and a second poppet are slidably disposed. The second poppet fits within the first poppet, and both poppets move when a nearby coil is energized to establish, in combination, a fluid flow configuration in response to the amount of energy applied to the coil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a plunger of a magnetic actuator includes generating a first magnetic flux at the plunger that biases the plunger opposing a first bias from a first spring having a first spring rate. A second spring is disposed in series communication with the first spring. The second spring has a second spring rate, such that a combined spring rate of the first and second springs in series is less than either of the first and second spring rates. A second magnetic flux higher than the first magnetic flux is generated biasing the plunger opposing a second bias from the first spring and the second spring in series communication.