Abstract: A lubricant supported electric motor includes a stator presenting a stator raceway, and a rotor movable relative to the stator about an axis. The rotor presents a rotor raceway disposed in radially spaced and opposing relationship with the stator raceway to define a gap therebetween. A lubricant is disposed in the gap for supporting the rotor relative to the stator. The stator raceway includes a bearing structure comprised of a plurality of hydrodynamic surfaces aligned in parallel relationship along the stator raceway and a plurality of hydrostatic pockets disposed in radially recessed relationship relative to the hydrodynamic surfaces.

Abstract: A lubricant supported electric motor includes a stator presenting a stator raceway, and a rotor movable relative to the stator about an axis. The rotor presents a rotor raceway disposed in radially spaced and opposing relationship with the stator raceway to define a gap therebetween. A lubricant is disposed in the gap for supporting the rotor relative to the stator. The stator raceway includes a bearing structure comprised of a plurality of hydrodynamic surfaces aligned in parallel relationship along the stator raceway and a plurality of hydrostatic pockets disposed in radially recessed relationship relative to the hydrodynamic surfaces.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sensor assembly has a sensor housing forming a fluid chamber having a surface defining a normal axis. A magnetostrictive (MS) core that defines a central longitudinal axis is subjected to stress induced by pressurized fluid in the chamber. An excitation coil is coupled to the core to induce a magnetic flux therein. The central longitudinal axis of the core is coaxial with the axis normal to the fluid chamber surface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sensor assembly has a magnetostrictive (MS) element and a sensor housing defining at least one active wall. A sensor channel is disposed on a first side of the active wall, with the MS element being disposed in the sensor channel and closely received therein. A fluid is on a second side of the active wall, and the active wall is the wall through which stress from pressure of the fluid causes stress on the MS element. The sensor channel defines an axis parallel to the active wall, and the MS element is positioned adjacent the active wall by sliding the MS element into an end of the sensor channel in a direction parallel to the active wall.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sensor assembly has a sensor housing forming a fluid chamber and a magnetostrictive wire that undergoes stress induced by fluid in the chamber. The wire defines opposed ends, each being associated with a respective terminal. Respective hermetic seals penetrate the housing and are coupled to the respective terminals.

Abstract: A system for measuring stress including a coilless sensor including at least one band of electrically conductive and magnetostrictive material, the band having a first end and a second end defining a gap therebetween, a measuring circuit electrically connected to the first and second ends of the coilless sensor, the measuring circuit being configured to pass a current through the coilless sensor and measure at least one of an inductance, a resistance and an impedance of the coilless sensor in response to the current, and a processor in electrical communication with the measuring circuit, the processor being configured to calculate an amount of stress being applied to the coilless sensor based upon the measured inductance, resistance and impedance.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser comprising a differential bevel gear arrangement to vary the phase relationship of a camshaft to a crankshaft in an internal combustion engine. In the differential gear system, a 45° beveled input gear is mounted parallel to and coaxial with a 45° beveled output gear. One or more 45° beveled spider gears is disposed in meshed relationship with the input and output gears in a gear pattern having a rectangular cross-sectional appearance. Rotation of the input gear causes an opposite rotation of the output gear. The phase relationship between the input and output gears may be varied by varying the position of the spider gear. The input gear and spider gears may be driven via a sprocket in time with the crankshaft in a plurality of arrangements.

Abstract: A strain sensor includes a load carrying body configured to strain in response to a load applied along a load path. The sensor further includes a magnetostrictive electrical conductor affixed to the body but out of the load path. Application of the load causes the body to strain, which in turn results in a proportional stress being imparted to the magnetostrictive conductor, altering its magnetic permeability. A circuit is electrically connected to the conductor to detect such changes in permeability, which are indicative of the applied load.

Abstract: This invention relates to a load sensor comprising a member composed of electrically conductive magnetostrictive material. The member is a uniform and continuous distribution of wire or strip material abutting itself between opposite ends. The magnetostrictive material is annealed and abutting portions of the member are spaced apart from one another using insulation incorporating microspheres. Terminals at different portions of the member allow the member to be electrically connected in a circuit for measuring an impedance of the member. Stress applied along an axis of the member causes a change in the member's permeability that is measurable as a change in impedance of the sensor. The configuration of the sensor can be described as coil shaped or accordion shaped. The wire or strip material comprising the sensor comprise a variety of shapes. Insulation comprises a high strength adhesive filled with high strength ceramic microspheres.

Abstract: A system for measuring stress including a coilless sensor including at least one band of electrically conductive and magnetostrictive material, the band having a first end and a second end defining a gap therebetween, a measuring circuit electrically connected to the first and second ends of the coilless sensor, the measuring circuit being configured to pass a current through the coilless sensor and measure at least one of an inductance, a resistance and an impedance of the coilless sensor in response to the current, and a processor in electrical communication with the measuring circuit, the processor being configured to calculate an amount of stress being applied to the coilless sensor based upon the measured inductance, resistance and impedance.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser comprising first and second harmonic gear drive (HD) units disposed in back-to-back relationship. Each HD includes an elliptical wave generator (WG), a flexspline (FS) deformable by the WG, and a circular spline (CS) for engaging the FS. A dynamic spline (DS) connects the first and second FSs. The first HD is an input HD driven by an engine crankshaft via a sprocket wheel connected to the input CS. The second HD is an output HD driving an engine camshaft. The DS is meshed with both the input FS and the output FS. The phase relationship between the crankshaft and the camshaft may be changed by changing the angular relationship between the first and second WGs. Such change is effected by holding the first WG stationary and varying the angular position of the second WG via an electric motor.

Abstract: A vane-type camshaft phaser includes a vaned camshaft rotor disposed within a lobed stator, defining phase advance and retard chambers filled with oil. The height of the rotor is less than the height of the stator, providing space for a vaned brake rotor alongside the camshaft rotor. The brake rotor is free to rotate independently of the camshaft rotor. The volume of each advance and retard chamber is a function of the rotational position of both the camshaft rotor and the brake rotor, and the volume of each chamber is constant. Rotation of the brake rotor in one direction causes rotation of the camshaft rotor in the opposite direction. The brake rotor is connected to a controllable brake mechanism. By sensing of the camshaft rotor position and feedback control of the braking mechanism, the camshaft rotor may be maintained at any position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a strain sensor comprising a monolithic magnetostrictive material core wherein the permeability of the material depends on stress, the core having an aperture therein and a coil wound about the core and through the aperture. The core and the coil being configured such that when the coil is connected in circuit, it establishes a loop of magnetic flux that circulates through the core and about the coil whereby impedance of the core is measured. Impedance being a general term including inductance, resistance and a combination of the two. Various configurations for the core are disclosed and integrated housing is also taught. The present sensor can be used to sense force, pressure, torque, acceleration and combinations thereof. The present device can be utilized to sense pressure of diesel fuel in diesel engines, oil pressure, hydraulic pressure, and earth moving and construction vehicles, etc.

Abstract: A mechanically-actuated camshaft phaser for varying the phase of a camshaft in an internal combustion engine. The phaser comprises two colinear helical mechanisms having opposite-handed helices engaging a common nut for common rotation. One helical mechanism is operatively attached to a sprocket or pulley in time with an engine crankshaft. The other helical mechanism is operatively attached to an engine camshaft. A motive system drives the nut axially of itself along the helical mechanisms, causing a phase shift between the mechanisms and hence between the crankshaft and the camshaft. The preferred helical mechanisms are ball screws, and the preferred motive system is a worm gear driven by a worm on the shaft of an electric motor.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is set forth for measuring a return signal of a magnetostrictive sensor (20) that detects a force, torque, or pressure. The return signal includes noise, a DC resistance (44), an AC resistance and an inductance and the inductance is shifted ninety degrees from the AC resistance. The apparatus (10) includes a sensor filter (22) to remove the noise from the return signal. A sensor filter (22) shifts the return signal and more specifically, the inductance by an additional angle and the sum of the additional angle and the ninety degrees phase shift is defined as the final detection angle. To detect the inductance at the final detection angle, a wave filter (16) and a reference filter (28) shifts a reference signal by the final detection angle to trigger a first demodulator (26) to detect the inductance at the final detection angle. The inductance detected by the first demodulator (26) varies due to temperature.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser comprising a differential bevel gear arrangement to vary the phase relationship of a camshaft to a crankshaft in an internal combustion engine. In the differential gear system, a 45° beveled input gear is mounted parallel to and coaxial with a 45° beveled output gear. One or more 45° beveled spider gears is disposed in meshed relationship with the input and output gears in a gear pattern having a rectangular cross-sectional appearance. Rotation of the input gear causes an opposite rotation of the output gear. The phase relationship between the input and output gears may be varied by varying the position of the spider gear. The input gear and spider gears may be driven via a sprocket in time with the crankshaft in a plurality of arrangements.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser comprising first and second harmonic gear drive (HD) units disposed in back-to-back relationship. Each HD includes an elliptical wave generator (WG), a flexspline (FS) deformable by the WG, and a circular spline (CS) for engaging the FS. A dynamic spline (DS) connects the first and second FSs. The first HD is an input HD driven by an engine crankshaft via a sprocket wheel connected to the input CS. The second HD is an output HD driving an engine camshaft. The DS is meshed with both the input FS and the output FS. The phase relationship between the crankshaft and the camshaft may be changed by changing the angular relationship between the first and second WGs. Such change is effected by holding the first WG stationary and varying the angular position of the second WG via an electric motor.

Abstract: A vane-type camshaft phaser includes a vaned camshaft rotor disposed within a lobed stator, defining phase advance and retard chambers filled with oil. The height of the rotor is less than the height of the stator, providing space for a vaned brake rotor alongside the camshaft rotor. The brake rotor is free to rotate independently of the camshaft rotor. The volume of each advance and retard chamber is a function of the rotational position of both the camshaft rotor and the brake rotor, and the volume of each chamber is constant. Rotation of the brake rotor in one direction causes rotation of the camshaft rotor in the opposite direction. The brake rotor is connected to a controllable brake mechanism. By sensing of the camshaft rotor position and feedback control of the braking mechanism, the camshaft rotor may be maintained at any position.

Abstract: A strain sensor includes a load carrying body configured to strain in response to a load applied along a load path. The sensor further includes a magnetostrictive electrical conductor affixed to the body but out of the load path. Application of the load causes the body to strain, which in turn results in a proportional stress being imparted to the magnetostrictive conductor, altering its magnetic permeability. A circuit is coupled to the conductor to detect such changes in permeability, which are indicative of the applied load.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is set forth for measuring a return signal of a magnetostrictive sensor (20) that detects a force, torque, or pressure. The return signal includes noise, a DC resistance (44), an AC resistance and an inductance and the inductance is shifted ninety degrees from the AC resistance. The apparatus (10) includes a sensor filter (22) to remove the noise from the return signal. A sensor filter (22) shifts the return signal and more specifically, the inductance by an additional angle and the sum of the additional angle and the ninety degrees phase shift is defined as the final detection angle. To detect the inductance at the final detection angle, a wave filter (16) and a reference filter (28) shifts a reference signal by the final detection angle to trigger a first demodulator (26) to detect the inductance at the final detection angle. The inductance detected by the first demodulator (26) varies due to temperature.