Abstract: Disclosed is an improved solenoid actuator utilizing an actuator position sensor which in combination with an actuator controller, adjusts the energizing current supplied to the actuator's coil. The adjustment is based upon any difference between an actual position of the actuator and a desired position of the actuator. If there is a difference, the controller changes the energization of the actuator's coil so as to actively move the actuator to the desired position. The improvement can be utilized with existing rotary and linear proportional actuators as well as any other solenoid-type actuator.

Abstract: A force motor having four magnetic lanes arranged annularly around an axially movable central shaft, where the shaft is connected to an armature which also moves axially with the shaft within a gap located between two coils forming each lane of the motor. The four magnetic lanes are electrically and magnetically independent and provide three levels of safety-redundancy in case of coil failure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dual working airgap force motor. A centrally located stator includes two toroidally shaped electromagnets wherein the axis of the stator coincides with the axis of the toroids, each toroidal coil is separated from the other toroidal coil by an axial distance. Toroidal permanent magnets are also mounted preferably inside the toroidal electromagnet coils and also spaced apart in an axil direction. The permanent magnets generate a flux flow in opposite axial directions whereas, upon energization, the toroidal coils generate flux flow in the same axial direction at a given radial position. Two armatures are located on an output shaft, in a preferred embodiment at either end of the stator, and each armature is spaced apart from the stator by inner and outer axial airgaps.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dual working airgap force motor. A centrally located stator includes two toroidally shaped electromagnets wherein the axis of the stator coincides with the axis of the toroids, each toroidal coil is separated from the other toroidal coil by an axial distance. Toroidal permanent magnets are also mounted preferably inside the toroidal electromagnet coils and also spaced apart in an axial direction. The permanent magnets generate a flux flow in opposite axial directions whereas, upon energization, the toroidal coils generate flux flow in the same axial direction at a given radial position. Two armatures are located on an output shaft, in a preferred embodiment at either end of the stator, and each armature is spaced apart from the stator by inner and outer axial airgaps.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solenoid having a central and a peripheral air gap between the armature and the pole piece. The energizating coil is located in the space between the central core and the peripheral portions of the pole piece and armature. In one embodiment, an output shaft is received in an aperture in the central core of the pole piece and connected to the armature. In preferred embodiments, a longitudinally and radially extending slot is provide to produced eddy current losses. Additionally, mass is removed from non-critical portions of the armature to reduce its weight and increase its acceleration during energization of the solenoid. By utilizing stepped changes in the pole piece and armatures, peripheral portions and central core portions as well as variations in the central and peripheral gaps, the force/distance curve of the solenoid can be tailored to the specific application.

Abstract: A rotary latching solenoid of the type in which a permanent magnet causes a flux flow path to be formed between opposing pole faces of an armature and a base in order to hold the armature in an energized or latched position is improved by providing the pole faces of the armature and base with raised sector portions, each sector portion having a sector face. In the energized or latched position, the sector faces of the armature and base are adjacent to each other and lines of flux flow between them are in a circumferential direction. The holding power of such an armature and base construction is greater than that of previous solenoids in which the opposing pole faces lie in a plane perpendicular to the solenoid axis.

Abstract: Trip solenoids are disclosed in which a permanent magnet is positioned exteriorly of the armature case. In one version, a rotary solenoid has a permanent magnet between a ball race plate and the case and has a magnetic force sufficient to hold the rotary solenoid in its actuated position when the power is removed from the solenoid coil. An axial version of the trip solenoid is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electric trip solenoid employs a pair of low-cost retaining or holding magnets in an open frame arrangement in which the magnets are positioned on opposite sides of the flat surfaces of a pole and in contact with the pole and the legs of an open frame. The magnets are thickness oriented so as to distribute their flux through relatively large areas avoiding regions of high flux density. In one embodiment the release point may be adjusted by rotating a screw in a closure plate to vary the reluctance of the secondary flux path therethrough.

Abstract: In a controller of the type having a body, a pivot member within the body and an actuator shaft on the pivot member, a push button switch for the controller includes a handle fitted over an external end of the shaft and having a longitudinal opening therethrough, a push rod slidably positioned within the opening, a collar connected to the push rod, a switch operator which slidably engages the collar, and a switch positioned between the switch operator and the body such that, as the push rod is displaced toward the body, the push rod urges the collar to displace the switch operator toward the body thereby operating the switch. The switch operator preferably has an outer convex or arcuate bearing surface and an opening through which passes the actuator shaft. The sliding collar preferably has a lower concave portion which slidably engages the bearing surface of the switch operator, so that the push rod can actuate the switch at any given position of the controller.

Abstract: Mechanical lever controllers, also known as joy-stick type actuators, include a body within which is mounted a rod or lever for pivotal movement. The position of the rod is transmitted by an intermediate coupling or follower member to a differential transformer of the linear voltage differential transducer type (LVDT). The transducer includes an input coil and a pair of oppositely-positioned, axially-aligned output coils, and an armature moves within an armature cavity to vary the inductive coupling between the primary coil and the secondary coils. In one embodiment, two such differential transformers are offset at 90.degree. from each other to provide signals on the "X" and "Y" axes. In another embodiment, single axis output is measured in an actuator having a stackable housing.

Abstract: A linear solenoid device includes a stator defining a cylindrical stator opening, and a pair of axially spaced cylindrical stator pole surfaces. An armature is mounted within the stator opening for movement parallel to the stator pole surfaces. The armature defines a pair of armature pole surfaces which overlap the stator pole surfaces by varying areas as the armature is moved. Annular air gaps are defined between the stator pole surfaces and the armature and the armature has mounted thereon a pair of cylindrical radially polarized permanent magnets, each such magnet being adjacent one of the armature pole surfaces. When a stator coil is energized, movement of the armature results from the varying reluctance across the air gaps as the armature pole surfaces overlap varying areas of the stator pole surfaces and, also, from repulsion of the permanent magnets. As a consequence, higher force outputs are attainable.

Abstract: An electromagnetic device includes a stator having first and second closed flux-carrying paths defined by first and second cores, each having a plurality of concentric cylindrical pole surfaces and each defining an air gap opening between the outermost of the pole surfaces and the second outermost of the pole surfaces, with each core having at least one further pole surface. Coils are provided for generating electromagnetic flux in the first and second closed flux-carrying paths with the direction of flux flow across the air gaps being substantially radial with respect to the cylindrical pole surfaces. An armature defines a first and a second plurality of concentric cylindrical armature surfaces. The armature is mounted to be movable in a direction substantially parallel to the pole surfaces with each of the first and second cylindrical armature surfaces overlapping a corresponding one of the concentric cylindrical pole surfaces by an area dependent upon the position of the armature.

Abstract: A high speed axial-type printing solenoid includes a rebound and energy absorbing arrangement which employs a block of energy-absorbing "dead" elastomeric material held in a partially compressed state by an impact plate. The impact plate is mounted to engage and position the plunger or armature at a rest position and to transmit impact forces to the partially compressed block of elastomeric material.

Abstract: A testing device for applying a force to a material test sample includes a test fixture for engaging the test sample and a solenoid, operatively coupled to the test fixture, for applying a predetermined force to the test sample in response to a solenoid control signal. A strain gauge is mounted on the test fixture and provides an electrical output indicative of the force applied to the test sample. A force setting circuit provides an electrical output indicative of the predetermined force which is to be applied to the test sample. A solenoid control circuit is responsive to the output from the strain gauge element and to the output of the force setting element and provides a control signal to the solenoid such that the predetermined force may be applied to the test sample. The force setting circuit provides an electrical output having an adjustable rate of increase and an adjustable maximum level. A sample circuit monitors the output of the strain gauge to store the peak force applied to the test sample.

Abstract: Low cost tubular solenoids are formed with a drawn case in which the pole portion forming the base of the solenoid is defined as an integral inwardly extending part of the case. A coil bobbin is formed by the injection molding of plastic material and is provided with an integral wall which is positioned in abutting relation to the inside surface of the pole portion, thereby forming a stop surface for the solenoid plunger and effectively spacing the plunger from the base. The plunger is guided on the internal surfaces of the bobbin and in one embodiment, a spun hollow sheet metal bushing is captured by the case in telescopic relation to the bobbin, and is formed with threads which receive thereon a sheet metal retaining nut. In another embodiment of the invention, a washer is threaded onto an axial extension portion of the bobbin, and the open end of the case is crimped onto an annular groove formed on the washer. In a further embodiment, the washer is injected molded in place on the bobbin.

Abstract: A print wire solenoid for high-speed operation is made with two major components or subassemblies. The first is a plastic injected unitary bobbin or stator assembly which incorporates a core ring and a core, and a stator which forms a bobbin for receiving an electric coil. The parts in the stator are positioned and molded to a datum surface. The second major subcomponent is a unitary armature assembly which incorporates an armature, a retraction spring, and a print wire, all anchored to a plastic body. These parts are likewise positioned with respect to a datum surface. The stator assembly and armature assembly are retained within a drawn metal case, and a rebound disc is positioned within the case and locates the datum surface of the armature assembly in the same plane as the datum surface of the stator assembly so as to define an accurate working air gap.

Abstract: A rotary solenoid has a substantially constant clearance air gap, adapted to proportional operation, includes a generally cup-shaped case of ferromagnetic material, an energizing coil is received in the case adjacent, an annular stator member is received in the open end of said case adjacent said coil and has at least one arcuately formed pole member, an armature has sector-shaped poles corresponding in arcuate spacing and in number to the stator poles, a plate is carried on one end of said armature and defines with the case at least one pair of cooperating non-inclined, arcuately-extending ball bearing recesses, and can conveniently define the extent of rotation of said armature.

Abstract: Wet and dry plunger solenoids are formed with a three-piece spool assembly including a base and a hub joined by a non-magnetic sleeve. An electric coil is wound directly onto the sleeve to compress the sleeve about the telescopically interfitted base and hub parts to form a fluid-tight joint. In a wet plunger solenoid the armature or plunger cavity has high resistance to deformation when fluid pressure is applied to the interior, and a fluid-tight joint is formed which is free of threaded connections and is reinforced by reason of the fact that the coil is wound in tension. The cumulative compression effectively joins the parts into a unitary structure. Also, a highly efficient low cost construction is provided for use in a dry solenoid.

Abstract: A decoder circuit for receiving a sequence of coded digit signals and detecting when a preselected digit signal sequence is received includes a converter having a plurality of converter outputs which are energized in response to receipt of each of the coded digit signals. A plurality of digit sequence selection lines are connected to predetermined ones of the converter outputs in dependence upon the preselected digit signal sequence. A plurality of coincidence gates are provided with each of the gates responsive to one of the digit sequence selection lines. A shift register provides a means for enabling each of the coincidence gates in a sequence which corresponds to the predetermined digit sequence. The outputs of the coincidence gates are applied to the shift register shift input to cause the register to shift and enable the next gate in succession. Means are provided for detecting when each of the coincidence gates associated with the preselected digit selection lines has provided an output pulse.

Abstract: A high speed axial-type printing solenoid includes a rebound and energy absorbing arrangement which employs a block of energy-absorbing "dead" elastomeric material held in a partially compressed state by an impact plate. The impact plate is mounted to engage and position the plunger or armature at a rest position and to transmit impact forces to the partially compressed block of elastomeric material.