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.