Abstract: A stop clutch assembly comprises a shaft fixed for receiving a driving torque. A clutch disk is rotatably disposed about the shaft and is axially slidable thereon. A drive collar rotates the clutch disk through a clutch ball lodged in a biconical clutch cavity formed between the clutch disk and the drive collar. A power takeoff member is rotatably disposed about the shaft. The clutch disk positions a load connected to the power takeoff member through a drive ball lodged in a biconical drive cavity formed between the power take off member and the clutch disk. A ring gear having a friction collar attached thereto is rotatably disposed about the shaft. The clutch disk is engaged with the friction collar when the clutch disk is in a first position, and the clutch disk is disengaged from the friction collar when the clutch disk is in a second position.

Abstract: A control device and method is provided for controlling a control element by receiving a controller demand signal and a control element sensor signal, and processing the signals to determine if there is a change in the controller demand signal and/or a change in the control element sensor signal. A first dead band range and/or a second dead band range are determined based on the change in the controller demand signal and/or based on the change in the control element sensor signal. An error signal is calculated from the controller demand signal and the control element sensor signal, and a control signal for controlling the control element is generated based on the determination of the dead band ranges and whether the calculated error signal is outside of the first and/or second dead band ranges.

Abstract: A rotary variable differential transformer apparatus for determining angular position of a rotor includes a stator support structure, a first pair of magnetically permeable stator elements and a second pair of magnetically permeable stator elements. The first and second pairs of stator elements are connected via first and second connecting members, respectively and are substantially supported by the stator support structure. Circuitry for generating a position indicator signal, including an array of coils is coupled to the first and second pairs of stator elements. A rotor is mounted within the stator support structure and substantially surrounded by the first and second pairs of stator elements. The rotor has a magnetic flux conducting element mounted thereon, which couples each of the first and second pairs of magnetically permeable stator elements in a manner which varies in proportion to the angular position of the rotor.

Abstract: A control device and method is provided for controlling a control element by receiving a controller demand signal and a control element sensor signal, and processing the signals to determine if there is a change in the controller demand signal and/or a change in the control element sensor signal. A first dead band range and/or a second dead band range are determined based on the change in the controller demand signal and/or based on the change in the control element sensor signal. An error signal is calculated from the controller demand signal and the control element sensor signal, and a control signal for controlling the control element is generated based on the determination of the dead band ranges and whether the calculated error signal is outside of the first and/or second dead band ranges.

Abstract: A rotary variable differential transformer apparatus for determining angular position of a rotor includes a stator support structure, a first pair of magnetically permeable stator elements and a second pair of magnetically permeable stator elements. The first and second pairs of stator elements are connected via first and second connecting members, respectively and are substantially supported by the stator support structure. Circuitry for generating a position indicator signal, including an array of coils is coupled to the first and second pairs of stator elements. A rotor is mounted within the stator support structure and substantially surrounded by the first and second pairs of stator elements. The rotor has a magnetic flux conducting element mounted thereon, which couples each of the first and second pairs of magnetically permeable stator elements in a manner which varies in proportion to the angular position of the rotor.

Abstract: A valve actuator for controlling and sensing the rotational position of a valve member includes a positional indicator for sensing the angular position of an actuator shaft, the positional indicator shaft being inductively coupled to a positional indicator circuit. A rotor/stator assembly is provided with a stator such that rotational positions may be sensed as the positional indicator shaft turns through angles which exceed 90.degree..