Abstract: A phasing system for varying a rotational relationship between a first rotary component and a second rotary component includes a gear hub and a cradle rotor. A spider rotor is arranged between the gear hub and the cradle rotor to selectively lock and unlock relative rotation between the gear hub and the cradle rotor. A torsion spring is coupled between the gear hub and the cradle rotor to apply a torque load between the gear hub and the cradle rotor. A planetary actuator is coupled to the gear hub and the spider rotor. The planetary actuator is operable between a steady-state mode, in which relative rotation between the gear hub and the cradle rotor is inhibited, and a phasing mode, in which the planetary actuator receives a rotary input at a predetermined magnitude to selectively provide a relative rotation between the gear hub and the cradle rotor.

Abstract: A solenoid is provided. The solenoid includes a housing, a pole piece, an end plate formed with or coupled to the housing, a wire coil arranged within the housing, a permanent magnet arranged between the pole piece and the end plate, an armature configured to selectively move between a first position and a second position in response to a current applied to the wire coil, and a spring configured to bias the armature. When the wire coil is de-energized, the armature is maintained in at least one of the first position and the second position. The first position is configured to be maintained by the spring and the second position is configured to be maintained by magnetic attraction between the armature and the permanent magnet through engagement between the armature and the pole piece.

Abstract: A bi-stable solenoid includes a housing, a wire coil, a permanent magnet, an armature, a pin, and a spring. The wire coil is arranged within the housing. The armature is slidably arranged within the housing and is moveable between a first armature position and a second armature position. The pin at least partially extends out of the housing and is slidably engaged by the armature. The spring is biased between the armature and the pin. When the pin encounters an intermediate position between a retracted position and an extended position due to the pin engaging an obstruction, the spring is configured to maintain a biasing force on the pin until the obstruction is removed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multi-stable solenoid with one or more magnetic damping rings. In general, the magnetic damping rings provide an increased damping force to an armature of the multi-stable solenoid to ensure efficient operation, reduce detent position overshoot, and reduce an impact force at end positions.

Abstract: A cam phasing system is provided. In some non-limiting examples, the cam phasing system includes a planetary actuator having a first sun gear, a first set of planet gears meshed to and arranged circumferentially around the first sun gear, a first ring gear meshed with the first set of planet gears, and a second sun gear. The second sun gear is rotationally fixed. The planetary actuator further includes a second set of planet gears meshed to and arranged circumferentially around the second sun gear, a second ring gear meshed with the second set of planet gears, and an input shaft rotationally coupled to the first sun gear for rotation therewith. Rotation of the input shaft rotates the first ring gear relative to the second ring gear.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a valve assembly including one or more poppet valves. In general, the valve assembly can have one or more poppet assemblies selectively actuatable between a first end position and a second end position. According to some aspects, a crankshaft assembly can be coupled to the one or more poppet assemblies and the crankshaft assembly can selectively actuate the one or more poppet assemblies between the first end position and the second end position.

Abstract: A phasing system is provided. A phase angle between the gear hub and the cradle rotor can be driven by a planetary actuator. In some non-limiting examples, an input shaft rotationally coupled between a rotary actuator for rotation therewith. Rotation of the input shaft can unlock relative rotation between the cradle rotor and the gear hub. In some non-limiting examples, the phasing system can include a gear hub and a cradle rotor, and a torsion spring arrange therebetween. The torsion spring can be configured to apply an internal torque load between the gear hub and the cradle rotor to offset an external torque load applied to the gear hub or the cradle rotor.

Abstract: A linear actuator is provided. The linear actuator includes a rotor assembly including a rotor and a lead screw. The lead screw is rotationally coupled to the rotor for rotation therewith. The linear actuator further includes a stator assembly configured to selectively rotate the rotor in a desired direction, and a body assembly having a shaft and a shaft tube. The shaft is keyed to the shaft tube and prevented from rotating with the rotor. The shaft includes an inner bore configured to threadably receive the lead screw therein. Selective rotation is configured to displace the shaft between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A bi-stable solenoid includes a housing, a wire coil, a permanent magnet, an armature, a pin, and a spring. The wire coil is arranged within the housing. The armature is slidably arranged within the housing and is moveable between a first armature position and a second armature position. The pin at least partially extends out of the housing and is slidably engaged by the armature. The spring is biased between the armature and the pin. When the pin encounters an intermediate position between a retracted position and an extended position due to the pin engaging an obstruction, the spring is configured to maintain a biasing force on the pin until the obstruction is removed.

Abstract: A mechanical cam phasing system includes a stator, a cradle rotor, a first locking mechanism having a first locking feature and a second locking feature, a cage, and a second locking mechanism rotationally coupled to the cradle rotor and selectively moveable between a locking state and a phasing state. In the locking state, a clearance is provided between the cradle rotor and the cage to allow the cradle rotor to rotate relative to the cage and lock the first locking feature or the second locking feature. In the phasing state, the clearance between the cradle rotor and the cage is reduced to ensure rotational coupling between the cradle rotor and the cage in at least one direction, which displaces the first locking feature or the second locking feature relative to the cradle rotor and enables the cradle rotor to rotate relative to the stator.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator having a permanent magnet coupled to an armature of the electromagnetic actuator is provided. The electromagnetic actuator includes a housing, and an armature assembly arranged within the housing. The armature assembly includes an armature and a permanent magnet coupled to the armature. The armature is movable between a first position and a second position, and the permanent magnet defines an axial magnet thickness and the armature defines an axial armature thickness. A ratio of the axial armature thickness to the axial magnet thickness is greater than approximately three.

Abstract: Systems and method for a two-way clutch are provided. In some configurations, the two-way clutch includes a driven member having a first mating surface, a drive member having a second mating surface, and a locking mechanism arranged between the first mating surface and the second mating surface. The locking mechanism is operable to contact the first mating surface and the second mating surface, in response to an outside force applied to the drive member that loads the locking mechanism. The two-way clutch further includes an engaging member. The engaging member provides a predetermined interference on the locking mechanism to hold the locking mechanism off of at least one of the first mating surface and the second mating surface, when the locking mechanism is in an unloaded state.

Abstract: A control valve that includes a valve body, a spool, and an actuator is provided. The valve body includes a plastic body housing and a metallic sleeve housed within the body housing. The spool is received within the metallic sleeve and is movable between a first position and a second position. The actuator is coupled to the valve body and to the spool.

Abstract: A mechanical cam phasing system includes a stator, a cradle rotor, a first locking mechanism having a first locking feature and a second locking feature, a cage, and a second locking mechanism rotationally coupled to the cradle rotor and selectively moveable between a locking state and a phasing state. In the locking state, a clearance is provided between the cradle rotor and the cage to allow the cradle rotor to rotate relative to the cage and lock the first locking feature or the second locking feature. In the phasing state, the clearance between the cradle rotor and the cage is reduced to ensure rotational coupling between the cradle rotor and the cage in at least one direction, which displaces the first locking feature or the second locking feature relative to the cradle rotor and enables the cradle rotor to rotate relative to the stator.

Abstract: Cam phasing systems and methods are provided. In particular, a cam phasing system is provided that includes a reduced number of components when compared to current mechanical cam phasing systems. The cam phasing system includes a helix locking design that is configured to frictionally lock an helix rod during cam torque pulses.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator having an actuating permanent magnet and a simplified construction is provided. The electromagnetic actuator includes a housing having a base, a side wall extending from the base to a termination plane, and a substantially open side. The electromagnetic actuator further includes a pole piece arranged within the housing, a wire coil positioned around the pole piece and arranged within the housing, and a permanent magnet coupled to the pole piece by a spring and moveable between a first position and a second position. An actuation position of the permanent magnet between the first position and the second position is proportional to a magnitude of a current applied to the wire coil.

Abstract: An alignment member for a solenoid is provided. The solenoid includes a housing, a solenoid coil arranged within the housing, a first pole piece arranged within the housing, a second pole piece arranged at least partially within the housing, and a disk. The alignment member includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a center portion that defines a center portion diameter that is less than a diameter defined by the first end and the second end.

Abstract: Systems and methods for varying a rotational relationship between a cam shaft and a crank shaft on an internal combustion engine (i.e., cam phasing) are provided. In particular, systems and methods are provided that facilitates a rotary position of a first component to be accurately controlled with a mechanism causing a second component, which can be coupled to the cam shaft or crank shaft, to follow the rotary position of the first component.

Abstract: Cam phasing systems and methods are provided. In particular, a cam phasing system is provided that includes a reduced number of components when compared to current mechanical cam phasing systems. The cam phasing system includes a helix locking design that is configured to frictionally lock a helix rod during cam torque pulses.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator having a unitary pole piece arranged within and coupled to a housing is provided. The housing is coupled to the unitary pole piece such that a load on the unitary pole piece is reduced during assembly and/or installation of the electromagnetic actuator. The unitary pole piece is structured to reduce leakage past an armature slidably received within the pole piece.