Abstract: An apparatus may include a ferromagnetic housing defining a housing cavity, an electrically-conductive coil disposed in the housing cavity and defining a coil cavity, a ferromagnetic core piece disposed in the coil cavity, a ferromagnetic pole piece comprising a first face in contact with the core piece and a projection extending from a second face of the pole piece opposite the first face, a flexible element defining an opening, where the projection is disposed within the opening and the flexible element is disposed between a portion of the projection and the first face of the pole piece, and a ferromagnetic armature coupled to the flexible element, where the flexible element is disposed between at least a portion of the armature and the first face of the pole piece.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a ferromagnetic housing defining a housing cavity, an electrically-conductive coil disposed in the housing cavity and defining a coil cavity, a ferromagnetic core piece disposed in the coil cavity, a ferromagnetic pole piece comprising a first face in contact with the core piece and a projection extending from a second face of the pole piece opposite the first face, a flexible element defining an opening, where the projection is disposed within the opening and the flexible element is disposed between a portion of the projection and the first face of the pole piece, and a ferromagnetic armature coupled to the flexible element, where the flexible element is disposed between at least a portion of the armature and the first face of the pole piece.

Abstract: A method for sensing and compensating for variances in load and voltage in a closed loop voice coil system is described. A load in a system which included a supply voltage and the load, which includes an inductive element, is excited with a known duty cycle for a time interval. At an end time, at the end of the time interval, the current which flows through the load is sensed. A lumped term based at least in part on the time interval and a change in the load current during the time interval is calculated. The lumped term is representative of the supply voltage and one or more electrical characteristic of the load. A control signal to control a voltage applied to the load may be generated based at least in part on the lumped term. Apparatus and computer-readable media are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a controlled valve. The valve includes a valve body, a sleeve, a spool, and a valve actuator assembly. The valve body includes a cavity and a first chamber. The sleeve is between the cavity and the first chamber. The sleeve includes an inner bore and at least one opening. The inner bore extends from a first end to a second end of the sleeve. The at least one opening extends through the second end of the sleeve. A portion of the inner bore forms a second chamber. The spool is movably disposed within the inner bore. The valve actuator assembly is connected to the spool. The first chamber is in fluid communication with the second chamber through the at least one opening. The spool is configured to be movable over at least a portion of the at least one opening to regulate fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes allowing both frequency and amplitude of a periodic waveform to be adjusted. The method also includes creating the periodic waveform having the frequency and the amplitude. The periodic waveform is coupled to at least one control signal. The at least one control signal is provided to an output suitable for coupling to an actuator of an electronically controlled device. An apparatus and computer program product are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes dead band reduction circuitry. The dead band reduction circuitry includes an input configured to receive an input signal and an output configured to provide an output signal. The dead band circuitry is configured to apply compensation to the input signal to create the output signal. The output is configured to be coupled to an electronically controlled valve. The valve is configured to use the output signal to control movement of a valve member in the valve. The valve member includes one or more lands that overlaps an associated one or more openings. The one or more lands are sized relative to an associated one or more openings such that a dead band is caused. The compensation is defined to reduce the dead band.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronically controlled valve. The electronically controlled valve includes a valve body and a spool. The valve body includes at least one fluid inlet port, at least one fluid outlet port, an upper cavity, and a lower cavity. The spool is disposed within the valve body. The spool includes a first end and an opening. The opening allows the lower cavity to be in fluid communication with the upper cavity.