Abstract: A method for heating fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine supplies current from a power source to a plurality of electrically operable mechanical actuators. The current is supplied sequentially to at least two electrically operable mechanical actuators at a level sufficient to produce a time-varying magnetic field having a power density that substantially raises an armature temperature of said valve, while substantially maintaining the operating states that said at least two electrically operable mechanical actuators assumed prior to applying said current.

Abstract: A system and method to heat a fuel injector is described. Resistive heating may be selectively applied to improve the performance of a fuel injector. Specifically, current can be supplied to an electrically operable mechanical valve to improve the operation of the valve at lower temperatures. The method can improve engine performance and lower emissions, at least under some conditions.

Abstract: A method to improve the performance of an electrically operable mechanical valve actuator is described. The system is capable of providing heat to targeted areas of an actuator so that valve performance may be improved during at least some operating conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling electromechanical valves operating in a transmission is presented. According to the method, transmission operation can be improved by heating the valves, at least during some conditions.

Abstract: A method to improve the performance of an electrically controlled actuator is described. The method is capable of improving engine starting during at least some operating conditions.

Abstract: An electrically insulated conductor for carrying signals or current includes a solid or stranded copper core of various geometries with only a single electrically insulating and thermally conductive layer of anodized aluminum (aluminum oxide). The device is made by forming a uniform thickness thin sheet or foil of aluminum to envelop the copper or copper alloy core. The aluminum has its outer surface partially anodized either before or after forming to the core in an electrolytic process to form a single layer of aluminum oxide.

Abstract: A method to improve the performance of an electrically operable actuator is described. The method demagnetizes at least the core of an electromagnet to improve operation of the electrically operable actuator.

Abstract: An electrically insulated conductor for carrying signals or current includes a solid or stranded copper core of various geometries with only a single electrically insulating and thermally conductive layer of anodized aluminum (aluminum oxide). The device is made by forming a uniform thickness thin sheet or foil of aluminum to envelop the copper or copper alloy core. The aluminum has its outer surface partially anodized either before or after forming to the core in an electrolytic process to form a single layer of aluminum oxide.

Abstract: A method for heating fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine, method comprising of supplying current from a power source to a plurality of electrically operable mechanical actuators; said current supplied sequentially to at least two electrically operable mechanical actuators of said plurality of electrically operable mechanical actuators and said current having attributes at a level sufficient to produce a time-varying magnetic field having a power density that substantially raises the temperature of an armature of said electrically operable mechanical valve, while substantially maintaining the operating states that said at least two electrically operable mechanical actuator assumed prior to applying said current.

Abstract: A system and method to reduce the instantaneous power consumption during heating of a fuel injector is described. The system is capable of heating the fuel injectors of an engine at different times.

Abstract: A method to improve the performance of an electrically controlled actuator is described. The method is capable of improving engine starting during at least some operating conditions.

Abstract: A method to improve the performance of an electrically operable actuator is described. The method demagnetizes at least the core of an electromagnet to improve operation of the electrically operable actuator.

Abstract: An electrically insulated conductor for carrying signals or current includes a solid or stranded copper core of various geometries with only a single electrically insulating and thermally conductive layer of anodized aluminum (aluminum oxide). The device is made by forming a uniform thickness thin sheet or foil of aluminum to envelop the copper or copper alloy core. The aluminum has its outer surface partially anodized either before or after forming to the core in an electrolytic process to form a single layer of aluminum oxide.

Abstract: A method to improve the performance of an electrically operable mechanical valve actuator is described. The system is capable of providing heat to targeted areas of an actuator so that valve performance may be improved during at least some operating conditions.

Abstract: A system and method to heat a fuel injector is described. Resistive heating may be selectively applied to improve the performance of a fuel injector. Specifically, current can be supplied to an electrically operable mechanical valve to improve the operation of the valve at lower temperatures. The method can improve engine performance and lower emissions, at least under some conditions.

Abstract: A system and method to reduce the instantaneous power consumption during heating of a fuel injector is described. The system is capable of heating the fuel injectors of an engine at different times.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling electromechanical valves operating in a transmission is presented. According to the method, transmission operation can be improved by heating the valves, at least during some conditions.

Abstract: An electromagnetic coupling device includes a rotating member having an embedded coil positioned to provide a magnetic flux path through the rotating member while substantially eliminating at least one air gap to improve efficiency. At least one bearing or bushing assembly disposed between the rotating member and a second member includes an electrically conductive lubricant to supply electrical current through the assembly and lubricant to the embedded coil during actuation of the device. A method of making an electromagnetic coupling device includes embedding a coil within a rotating member such that the rotating member contacts substantially the entire outer surface of the coil to provide an efficient magnetic flux path and thermal conductivity for heat dissipation through the rotating member and connecting the embedded coil to at least one conductive bearing assembly having conductive lubrication grease.

Abstract: A control for a differential including magnetic powder torque transfer clutch for controlling slip across the differential mechanism. The clutch includes a first element driveably connected to a first control shaft, a second element driveably connected to the second output shaft, chamber bounded by the first and second elements, magnetic powder located in the chamber; and an elecromagnetic coil producing a magnetic field of variable strength passing through the chamber and magnetic powder and changing a capacity of the clutch to transmit torque between the first and second control shafts as the field strength changes.

Abstract: A control for a differential including magnetic powder torque transfer clutch for controlling slip across the differential mechanism. The clutch includes a first element driveably connected to a first control shaft, a second element driveably connected to the second output shaft, chamber bounded by the first and second elements, magnetic powder located in the chamber; and an elecromagnetic coil producing a magnetic field of variable strength passing through the chamber and magnetic powder and changing a capacity of the clutch to transmit torque between the first and second control shafts as the field strength changes.