Abstract: A method for driving an actuator of an HVAC system having a region of mechanical play is provided, and which comprises the steps of: a] monitoring a position of a movable member of the HVAC system or at least one rotatable element of the actuator to determine when the region of mechanical play has been entered or exited; and b] ramping a drive power to the actuator between a zero-velocity drive power and a steady-state-velocity drive power during the region of mechanical play. The HVAC system implementing the above method is not only capable of reducing the noise produced by an HVAC system, but is also capable of reducing an over-powering of the actuator when there is a low load on the system.

Abstract: A rotor assembly is provided for an electric motor. The rotor assembly includes: a cylindrical magnet member having magnetization in both axial and radial directions, the magnet member being formed from a moldable magnetic material; and an output shaft receivable within the magnet member. An inner surface of the magnet member and an outer surface of the output shaft have complementarily-engagable interface elements thereon to prevent or limit dislocation of the magnet member and output shaft, and at least one of the interface elements is formed by overmolding of the magnet member and output shaft with the other of magnet member and output shaft.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a position of an airflow-direction control element 16 of a HVAC system, comprising the steps of, a] determining a position of at least one movable member of an airflow-direction control mechanism of the HVAC system; and b] calculating whether the movable member is at a target position associated with a required position of the airflow-direction control element, and if not, activating an airflow-direction-controller actuator of the HVAC system to effect a change in the position of the movable member thereby bringing the airflow-direction control element to or towards the said required position. A HVAC system suitable for implementing such a method is also provided and capable of improving the overall efficiency of operation.

Abstract: An actuator is provided which comprises an actuator housing having an inside surface defining a stator-receiving portion and a stator. The stator-receiving portion comprises a rotor support element, and plurality of guide projections which are spaced-apart about the rotor support element, the plurality of stator-abutment projections being integrally formed with the inside surface. The stator has a plurality of locator recesses which are engagable with the plurality of stator-abutment projections when the stator is received at the stator-receiving portion of the actuator housing to locate the stator relative to the actuator housing.

Abstract: A method for driving an actuator of an HVAC system having a region of mechanical play is provided, and which comprises the steps of: a] monitoring a position of a movable member of the HVAC system or at least one rotatable element of the actuator to determine when the region of mechanical play has been entered or exited; and b] ramping a drive power to the actuator between a zero-velocity drive power and a steady-state-velocity drive power during the region of mechanical play. The HVAC system implementing the above method is not only capable of reducing the noise produced by an HVAC system, but is also capable of reducing an over-powering of the actuator when there is a low load on the system.

Abstract: An actuator is provided which comprises an actuator housing having an inside surface defining a stator-receiving portion and a stator. The stator-receiving portion comprises a rotor support element, and plurality of guide projections which are spaced-apart about the rotor support element, the plurality of stator-abutment projections being integrally formed with the inside surface. The stator has a plurality of locator recesses which are engagable with the plurality of stator-abutment projections when the stator is received at the stator-receiving portion of the actuator housing to locate the stator relative to the actuator housing.

Abstract: A rotor assembly is provided for an electric motor. The rotor assembly includes: a cylindrical magnet member having magnetization in both axial and radial directions, the magnet member being formed from a moldable magnetic material; and an output shaft receivable within the magnet member. An inner surface of the magnet member and an outer surface of the output shaft have complementarily-engagable interface elements thereon to prevent or limit dislocation of the magnet member and output shaft, and at least one of the interface elements is formed by overmolding of the magnet member and output shaft with the other of magnet member and output shaft.

Abstract: An actuator for a vehicle air-conditioning unit, has a housing, an output driven by a gear train, a motor driving the output via the gear train, a PCB connected to the motor for supplying power to the motor; and lead wires connected to the PCB via a direct connection connector to supply power to the PCB. Terminals of the connector are crimped to the lead wires and make direct mechanical contact with contact pads formed on the PCB.

Abstract: A ball valve apparatus with an improved linearity of fluid flow therethrough is provided. The ball valve includes a valve housing including a housing inlet and a housing outlet; a valve ball receivable within the valve housing, the valve ball having a bore therethrough, a ball inlet and ball outlet of the valve ball which are in fluid communication with the bore, a fluid flow path through the ball valve apparatus being defined at least in part by the housing inlet, housing outlet, ball inlet, ball outlet and the bore. There is also provided a valve stem engagable with the valve ball and.

Abstract: In a method for the manufacture of actuators comprising an electric motor for driving an output shaft (10), a sensor device for generating a signal that is a function of the angle at which the output shaft is rotated, and a support surface (30a) with mounting points for mounting an actuator, a mechanical adjustment of at least one actuator component is carried out, which takes place depending on the deviation between an actual value and a setpoint such that the output shaft has an output end (40b), the angular position of which is adjusted to the setpoint.

Abstract: An actuator includes an electric motor and an actuator housing accommodating the electric motor. The electric motor includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes: a bobbin having a rotor receiving portion rotatably receiving the rotor, and a plurality of winding supporting portions extending from the rotor receiving portion; a plurality of stator winding respectively mounted on the winding supporting portions; and a plurality of core lamination units engagable with the winding supporting portions. The actuator housing includes a plurality of motor supports integrally formed in the actuator housing. The motor supports directly engaged the stator to support the electric motor inside the actuator housing.

Abstract: An electric motor comprising: a bobbin having a rotor receiving portion and a plurality of winding supporting portions at or adjacent to the rotor receiving portion; a rotor receivably mountable at the rotor receiving portion; a plurality of core lamination units engagable with the winding supporting portions; and a stator winding mountable about an outer surface of one of the stator engagement members. An electrical connector is also provided which has a connector body and at least one electrically-conductive element associated therewith, the connector body being integrally formed with the stator engagement member of the bobbin.

Abstract: A controller is provided for driving a stepper motor with a magnetic rotor and at least one coil. The controller has a power stage for supplying the at least one coil with current, at least one analog Hall sensor for providing a signal as a function of the position of the magnetic rotor with respect to the Hall sensor, and a feedback line connecting the Hall sensor with the power stage to feed the signal of the Hall sensor back to the power stage.

Abstract: A ball valve apparatus with an improved linearity of fluid flow therethrough is provided. The ball valve includes a valve housing including a housing inlet and a housing outlet; a valve ball receivable within the valve housing, the valve ball having a bore therethrough, a ball inlet and ball outlet of the valve ball which are in fluid communication with the bore, a fluid flow path through the ball valve apparatus being defined at least in part by the housing inlet, housing outlet, ball inlet, ball outlet and the bore. There is also provided a valve stem engagable with the valve ball and.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a position of an airflow-direction control element 16 of a HVAC system, comprising the steps of, a] determining a position of at least one movable member of an airflow-direction control mechanism of the HVAC system; and b] calculating whether the movable member is at a target position associated with a required position of the airflow-direction control element, and if not, activating an airflow-direction-controller actuator of the HVAC system to effect a change in the position of the movable member thereby bringing the airflow-direction control element to or towards the said required position. A HVAC system suitable for implementing such a method is also provided and capable of improving the overall efficiency of operation.

Abstract: A method for driving an actuator of an HVAC system is provided, and which comprises the steps of: a] determining an actuation command to the actuator; and b] ramping a drive power to the actuator between a steady-state-velocity drive power and a zero-velocity drive power to effect a required acceleration or deceleration to a movable member of the HAVC system without or substantially without over-powering of the actuator. An HVAC system is also provided. The HVAC system implementing the above method is not only capable of reducing the noise produced by an HVAC system, but is also capable of reducing an over-powering of the actuator when there is a low load on the system.

Abstract: An actuator for a vehicle air-conditioning unit, has a housing, an output driven by a gear train, a motor driving the output via the gear train, a PCB connected to the motor for supplying power to the motor; and lead wires connected to the PCB via a direct connection connector to supply power to the PCB. Terminals of the connector are crimped to the lead wires and make direct mechanical contact with contact pads formed on the PCB.

Abstract: A linear actuator with a high holding force providing good irreversibility, has a high efficiency, low friction screw mechanism and a stepper motor with high magnetic detent torque but a low output torque ripple. The phase torque is modified to minimize the effect of the detent torque on the output. torque. Preferably, the motor has asymmetric phases to compensate for the detent torque.

Abstract: An actuator (10) has a casing (12) and an output (16). An electric motor (20) is disposed in a compartment (18) of the casing (12). The output (16) is driven by the motor (20) through a gear train disposed within the casing (12). The gear train includes a worm (30) on a shaft (22) of the motor (20) and a worm wheel (32) meshed with the worm (30). A mounting clip (40) is arranged to resiliently press the motor (20) into the compartment 18). The mounting clip (40) has fingers (44) which engage axial ends of the motor (20) to support the motor (20) against axial movement and separation due to axial loading and/or external vibrations acting on the actuator (10).

Abstract: In a method for the manufacture of actuators comprising an electric motor for driving an output shaft (10), a sensor device for generating a signal that is a function of the angle at which the output shaft is rotated, and a support surface (30a) with mounting points for mounting an actuator, a mechanical adjustment of at least one actuator component is carried out, which takes place depending on the deviation between an actual value and a setpoint such that the output shaft has an output end (40b), the angular position of which is adjusted to the setpoint.