Abstract: A device for deployment and actuation of a control surface for a maneuverable object, including an actuation shaft arranged for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the device; an output gear arranged concentric with the actuation shaft and configured to unlock the control surface when rotated about the longitudinal axis; and a pin integral with, or attached to, the actuation shaft and protruding through an opening in the output gear, wherein the output gear is operable to rotate about the longitudinal axis independent of the actuation shaft when the pin is in a circumferentially extending portion of the opening, and the output gear and actuation shaft are operable to rotate together about the longitudinal axis when the pin is in a longitudinally extending portion of the opening.

Abstract: A system for detecting current through a secondary winding of a switching voltage regulator without directly sensing the current through the secondary winding of the switching voltage regulator, the system including a diode; an inductor connected in series with the diode to form a current detection path, wherein the current detection path is connected in parallel with the secondary winding; a switching element connected in series with the current detection path and the secondary winding; and a controller operable to sense a voltage drop between a first terminal of the switching element and a second terminal of the diode, the voltage drop being indicative of the current through the secondary winding.

Abstract: A system for detecting current through a secondary winding of a switching voltage regulator without directly sensing the current through the secondary winding of the switching voltage regulator, the system including a diode; an inductor connected in series with the diode to form a current detection path, wherein the current detection path is connected in parallel with the secondary winding; a switching element connected in series with the current detection path and the secondary winding; and a controller operable to sense a voltage drop between a first terminal of the switching element and a second terminal of the diode, the voltage drop being indicative of the current through the secondary winding.

Abstract: A latching assembly for a solenoid operated valve includes a solenoid assembly including a core defining a bore extending along an axis, and a coil mounted to the core and disposed about the axis. The solenoid operated valve further includes an armature assembly including an armature stud disposed at least partially within the bore and extending along the axis, an armature disc disposed radially about a portion of the armature stud and defining at least one window, and at least one stationary magnet respectively disposed within the at least one window.

Abstract: A system and method for snubbing transformer leakage energy in a power supply having a transformer and a main switch, in which leakage energy is stored in a capacitor as stored leakage energy when the main switch is turned off, and the stored leakage energy is transferred to the transformer through an inductor when the main switch is turned on.

Abstract: A system and method for snubbing transformer leakage energy in a power supply having a transformer and a main switch, in which leakage energy is stored in a capacitor as stored leakage energy when the main switch is turned off, and the stored leakage energy is transferred to the transformer through an inductor when the main switch is turned on.

Abstract: A latching assembly for a solenoid operated valve includes a solenoid assembly including a core defining a bore extending along an axis, and a coil mounted to the core and disposed about the axis. The solenoid operated valve further includes an armature assembly including an armature stud disposed at least partially within the bore and extending along the axis, an armature disc disposed radially about a portion of the armature stud and defining at least one window, and at least one stationary magnet respectively disposed within the at least one window.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve includes a valve block defining a valve lumen, a poppet slidably disposed within the valve lumen, a solenoid including an annular winding with an internal surface defining a winding lumen and an external surface, and a core including a central core portion disposed within the winding lumen and an annular core portion disposed outside the external surface of the winding, and an armature including a central armature portion disposed within the winding lumen and an annular armature portion disposed outside the external surface of the winding, wherein the armature is in communication with the poppet so that movement of one is translated into movement of the other. Solenoids for such valves are provided. Also provided are methods of assembling solenoid valves.

Abstract: An electronic pressure regulation system includes an electronic control unit and a fluid assembly, with the fluid assembly including a fluid control branch having a proportional control valve and a heater. The heater may be a strip heater applied to or a coil wrapped around an external surface of the proportional control valve. The system may further include a latching isolation valve. A secondary fluid control branch can be included, and the fluid control branches can be in parallel. The electronic pressure regulation system can be included in an all-electric satellite. Another electronic pressure regulation system includes an electronic control unit and a fluid assembly, with the fluid assembly including a fluid control branch having a proportional control valve, the proportional control valve including two independently-controlled coils for magnetostrictive actuation.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve includes a valve block defining a valve lumen, a poppet slidably disposed within the valve lumen, a solenoid including an annular winding with an internal surface defining a winding lumen and an external surface, and a core including a central core portion disposed within the winding lumen and an annular core portion disposed outside the external surface of the winding, and an armature including a central armature portion disposed within the winding lumen and an annular armature portion disposed outside the external surface of the winding, wherein the armature is in communication with the poppet so that movement of one is translated into movement of the other. Solenoids for such valves are provided. Also provided are methods of assembling solenoid valves.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve includes a valve block defining a valve lumen, a poppet slidably disposed within the valve lumen, a solenoid including a core defining a core lumen aligned with the valve lumen, and an armature assembly. The armature assembly includes an armature disc, an armature guide having a hollow cylindrical body defining an armature guide passage, and an armature stud disposed within the armature guide passage. The armature stud is in communication with the poppet so that axial movement of one is translated into axial movement of the other. The valve further includes a coil cover enclosing the solenoid, and a guard disposed to prevent contact between the armature assembly and an adjacent component of the valve. A method of assembling a solenoid operated valve includes placing a shim between the armature disc and the core, and pressurizing and energizing the valve.

Abstract: An electronically-controlled pressure regulator includes an inlet through which a gas or liquid is introduced at an inlet pressure, an outlet through which the gas or liquid exits at an outlet pressure, and a valve disposed between the inlet and the outlet, the valve defining a passage including a throat and having a pintle with an enlarged shoulder, the valve movable between a closed configuration in which the enlarged shoulder seals the throat to prevent the gas or liquid from passing from the inlet to the outlet through the valve, and an open configuration in which the gas or liquid can pass from the inlet to the outlet through the valve. In a valve flow path, the enlarged shoulder is disposed between the inlet and the throat. All of the gas or liquid that enters through the inlet can exit through the outlet.

Abstract: An actuation mechanism used in, for example, a missile assembly is disclosed, as are methods of its use. The actuation mechanism is locked in a first orientation and is unlocked in a second orientation. Locking and unlocking of the actuation mechanism is achieved by way of a locking mechanism that responds to a certain stimulus. In some embodiments, the actuation mechanism is incorporated into a sub-assembly of a missile to assist in controlling the missile's flight.

Abstract: A noise-reducing valve structure includes a unitary spindle-shaped body having a central lumen for receiving a fluid flow and a poppet member, the body having an inner diameter adjacent the central lumen and an outer diameter and a circumferentially and axially distributed plurality of radial passages adapted to be opened and closed in accordance with a guided position of the poppet member, the plurality of radial passages extending through the spindle-shaped body from the inner diameter to the outer diameter and having a gradually increasing area from the inner diameter to the outer diameter.

Abstract: A noise-reducing valve structure includes a unitary spindle-shaped body having a central lumen for receiving a fluid flow and a poppet member, the body having an inner diameter adjacent the central lumen and an outer diameter and a circumferentially and axially distributed plurality of radial passages adapted to be opened and closed in accordance with a guided position of the poppet member, the plurality of radial passages extending through the spindle-shaped body from the inner diameter to the outer diameter and having a gradually increasing area from the inner diameter to the outer diameter.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve includes a valve block defining a valve lumen, a poppet slidably disposed within the valve lumen, a solenoid including a core defining a core lumen aligned with the valve lumen, and an armature assembly. The armature assembly includes an armature disc, an armature guide having a hollow cylindrical body defining an armature guide passage, and an armature stud disposed within the armature guide passage. The armature stud is in communication with the poppet so that axial movement of one is translated into axial movement of the other. The valve further includes a coil cover enclosing the solenoid, and a guard disposed to prevent contact between the armature assembly and an adjacent component of the valve. A method of assembling a solenoid operated valve includes placing a shim between the armature disc and the core, and pressurizing and energizing the valve.

Abstract: An actuation mechanism used in, for example, a missile assembly is disclosed, as are methods of its use. The actuation mechanism is locked in a first orientation and is unlocked in a second orientation. Locking and unlocking of the actuation mechanism is achieved by way of a locking mechanism that responds to a certain stimulus. In some embodiments, the actuation mechanism is incorporated into a sub-assembly of a missile to assist in controlling the missile's flight.

Abstract: An electronic pressure regulation system includes an electronic control unit and a fluid assembly, with the fluid assembly including a fluid control branch having a proportional control valve and a heater. The heater may be a strip heater applied to or a coil wrapped around an external surface of the proportional control valve. The system may further include a latching isolation valve. A secondary fluid control branch can be included, and the fluid control branches can be in parallel. The electronic pressure regulation system can be included in an all-electric satellite. Another electronic pressure regulation system includes an electronic control unit and a fluid assembly, with the fluid assembly including a fluid control branch having a proportional control valve, the proportional control valve including two independently-controlled coils for magnetostrictive actuation.

Abstract: An electronically-controlled pressure regulator includes an inlet through which a gas or liquid is introduced at an inlet pressure, an outlet through which the gas or liquid exits at an outlet pressure, and a valve disposed between the inlet and the outlet, the valve defining a passage including a throat and having a pintle with an enlarged shoulder, the valve movable between a closed configuration in which the enlarged shoulder seals the throat to prevent the gas or liquid from passing from the inlet to the outlet through the valve, and an open configuration in which the gas or liquid can pass from the inlet to the outlet through the valve. In a valve flow path, the enlarged shoulder is disposed between the inlet and the throat. All of the gas or liquid that enters through the inlet can exit through the outlet.

Abstract: A valve is disclosed and comprises a main valve body having first and second ports and a movable poppet positioned within the main valve body. The movable poppet is moveable from a first closed position in which the poppet establishes a fluid-tight seal with a sealing member, which is effective to prevent fluid flow from the first port to the second port, to a second open position in which the poppet is spaced apart from the sealing member and fluid is permitted to flow from the first port to the second port. The valve also has a piezoelectric actuator engaged with the poppet and effective to move the poppet from the first closed position to the second open position. Methods of use of the valve are also disclosed.