Abstract: A vehicle power transmitting device can include a clutch and an actuator. The actuator can include a coil spring, a plunger, and a rotating member. The coil spring can include a plurality of coils disposed about an axis. The plunger can include a body and a follower. The follower can be fixedly coupled to the body. The body can be disposed about the axis and coupled to the clutch to selectively activate the clutch. The follower can be received between adjacent ones of the coils. The rotating member can be rotatable about the axis and drivingly coupled to one of the coil spring and the plunger to rotate the one of the coil spring and the plunger about the axis. Rotation of the rotatable member can effect translation of the plunger, compression of the coil spring, or both translation of the plunger and compression of the coil spring.

Abstract: A friction clutch having first and second clutch members, a plurality of first clutch plates, a plurality of second clutch plates and a first electromagnet. The first clutch member is formed of a first magnetically susceptible material. The first clutch plates are axially slidably and non-rotatably coupled to the first clutch member and are formed of a second magnetically susceptible material. The second clutch plates are axially slidably and non-rotatably coupled to the second clutch member. The second clutch plates are interleaved with the first clutch plates. The first electromagnet has a first pole that is magnetically coupled to the first clutch member. The first clutch plates are driven apart from one another when the first electromagnet is operated to generate a magnetic field.

Abstract: An actuator having a switched reluctance motor and a plunger assembly. The switched reluctance motor has a stator and a rotor. The stator has a plurality of stator poles and a plurality of stator windings. Each of the stator windings is wound about a corresponding one of the stator poles. The rotor is rotatable about an axis and has a plurality of rotor poles. The plunger assembly has a plunger and at least one spring. The plunger is co-axially received in the rotor and movable in an axial direction along the axis. The at least one spring is disposed in a force transmission path that includes the plunger and is configured to permit movement of the plunger along the axis in opposite axial directions. The plunger assembly is being driven by the rotor.

Abstract: A brushless DC electric motor having a rotor with a single bearing, a multi-pole oriented magnet, an output coupling and a rotor shell. The rotor shell is formed of an electrically insulating material and can be overmolded onto the magnet, the bearing and the output coupling.

Abstract: A method that includes: providing a structure that is movable along a first axis; coupling a sensor assembly to the structure, the sensor assembly comprising first and second eddy current sensors and first and second targets that are mounted to the structure for movement along the first axis; sensing the first target with the first eddy current sensor and responsively generating a first sensor signal; sensing the second target with the second eddy current sensor and responsively generating a second sensor signal; and using the first and second sensor signals to determine a location of the structure along the first axis in a manner that is insensitive to coordinated movement of the first and second targets along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis and a third axis that is perpendicular to both the first and second axes.

Abstract: An actuator can include a housing, plunger, core assembly, biasing member, and first and second electromagnets. The housing can have two end poles, and a central pole therebetween. The plunger can be configured for axial translation relative to the housing. The core assembly can move between first and second positions and can be coupled to the plunger. The core assembly can include first and second cores spaced apart by a permanent magnet. The first and second electromagnets can be spaced apart by the central pole and can have opposite polarities. The biasing member can bias the plunger toward a first plunger position when the core assembly is in the first position, and can bias the plunger toward a second plunger position when the core assembly is in the second position.

Abstract: A vehicle power transmitting device can include a clutch and an actuator. The actuator can include a coil spring, a plunger, and a rotating member. The coil spring can include a plurality of coils disposed about an axis. The plunger can include a body and a follower. The follower can be fixedly coupled to the body. The body can be disposed about the axis and coupled to the clutch to selectively activate the clutch. The follower can be received between adjacent ones of the coils. The rotating member can be rotatable about the axis and drivingly coupled to one of the coil spring and the plunger to rotate the one of the coil spring and the plunger about the axis. Rotation of the rotatable member can effect translation of the plunger, compression of the coil spring, or both translation of the plunger and compression of the coil spring.

Abstract: An actuator with an indexing guide, first and second indexing rings, an actuator output, a spring and a motor. The indexing guide has a first cam. The first indexing ring is slidably mounted to the indexing guide and includes a second cam. The second indexing ring is slidably and rotatably disposed on the indexing guide and has spline teeth, which engage the first cam, and a third cam that engages the second cam. The spring exerts a force onto the second indexing ring that drives the second indexing ring toward the first indexing ring. The motor is configured to reciprocate the first indexing ring so that cooperation between the second and third cams and between the spline teeth and the first cam causes axial and rotational movement of the second indexing ring about an actuation axis.

Abstract: A sensor assembly having a pair of sensors and a pair of sensor targets. Each of the sensors is an eddy current sensor that defines X, Y and Z axes that are orthogonal to one another such that the X-axes are aligned to a movement axis along which a structure is to be moved. The sensor targets are coupled to one another for common movement and are formed of an electrically conductive material that is configured to interact with a respective one of the eddy current sensors to cause the sensors to produce sensor signals that each vary in a distinct manner with movement of the targets parallel to the movement axis. The targets are configured such that their coordinated movement in a direction parallel to the Z-axes as they are moved along the movement axis has no effect on the determined location of the structure. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An actuator with an indexing guide, first and second indexing rings, an actuator output, a spring and a motor. The indexing guide has a first cam. The first indexing ring is slidably mounted to the indexing guide and includes a second cam. The second indexing ring is slidably and rotatably disposed on the indexing guide and has spline teeth, which engage the first cam, and a third cam that engages the second cam. The spring exerts a force onto the second indexing ring that drives the second indexing ring toward the first indexing ring. The motor is configured to reciprocate the first indexing ring so that cooperation between the second and third cams and between the spline teeth and the first cam causes axial and rotational movement of the second indexing ring about an actuation axis.

Abstract: A sensor assembly having a pair of sensors and a pair of sensor targets. Each of the sensors is an eddy current sensor that defines X, Y and Z axes that are orthogonal to one another such that the X-axes are aligned to a movement axis along which a structure is to be moved. The sensor targets are coupled to one another for common movement and are formed of an electrically conductive material that is configured to interact with a respective one of the eddy current sensors to cause the sensors to produce sensor signals that each vary in a distinct manner with movement of the targets parallel to the movement axis. The targets are configured such that their coordinated movement in a direction parallel to the Z-axes as they are moved along the movement axis has no effect on the determined location of the structure. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An actuator device having a motor driven cam, a follower coupled to an output member and driven by the cam, and a controller for controlling operation of the motor. The cam has a first cam surface, a second cam surface and a lift portion between the first and second cam surfaces. The controller is configured to identify a predetermined point on the lift portion as the follower is moved relative to the cam along the lift portion toward the second cam surface. The controller identifies the predetermined point based on a rate of change in the position of the output member along an output member axis as a function of the rotational position of the cam about a cam axis. The controller controls operation of the motor based on the predetermined point to position the follower on the second cam surface.

Abstract: A chromotherapy device for providing chromotherapy capabilities in a vessel that is configured to contain water. The chromotherapy device is relatively inexpensive and eliminates the risk of water leakage through the vessel that is associated with the provision of chromotherapy capabilities in a conventional manner (e.g., through one or more hole in the vessel through which a waterproof light fixture is installed).

Abstract: A friction clutch assembly selectively engages an input member and an output member to allow selective transfer of torque therebetween. The friction clutch assembly includes a clutch pack including a first clutch member operatively coupled to the input member and a second clutch member operatively coupled to the output member. The clutch assembly further includes a plurality of lever arms and an actuating member with a movable member that is movably disposed between the plurality of lever arms. The movable member is movable generally along a linear axis between a disengaged position and an engaged position, and the movable member cams the plurality of lever arms relative to linear axis to cause the first and second clutch members to engage when the movable member moves to the engaged position. The first and second clutch members disengage when the movable member moves to the disengaged position.

Abstract: A vehicle drivetrain with a wheel and an inside-out motor. The wheel includes a hub and a rim that is disposed about the hub. The rim includes a sealing bead that is configured to sealingly engage the opposite sidewalls of an inflatable tire. The inside-out motor includes a rotor that is at least partially disposed in the rim.

Abstract: A system for charging a high voltage battery includes a low DC voltage battery, a DC-to-AC converting circuit, a controller, an AC-to-DC converting circuit and a high DC voltage battery. The low voltage battery outputs a low DC voltage signal. The DC-to-AC converting circuit receives the low DC voltage signal to convert into a chopped DC voltage signal. The DC-to-AC converter outputs a high AC voltage signal corresponding to the chopped DC voltage signal. The controller controls a duty cycle of the chopped DC voltage signal. The AC-to-DC converting circuit converts the high AC voltage signal into a high DC voltage signal. The high voltage battery charges using the high DC voltage signal. A method for charging a high voltage battery is also provided.

Abstract: A stabilizer bar system that includes a first stabilizer bar, a second stabilizer bar and a clutch having a clutch housing and a plurality of coupling members housed in the clutch housing. The first stabilizer bar is received in the clutch housing for rotation relative to the clutch housing about a rotational axis. The second stabilizer bar is fixedly coupled to the clutch housing. The coupling members are configured to selectively non-rotatably couple the first stabilizer bar to the clutch housing such that the clutch housing is employed to transmit torque between the first and second stabilizer bars.

Abstract: A power transmission device includes a rotatable input shaft, a rotatable output shaft and a ring gear fixed for rotation with the input shaft. A carrier is fixed for rotation with the output shaft. A pump assembly includes an inner rotor supported for rotation on the carrier and an outer rotor encompassing the inner rotor. The outer rotor is in driving meshed engagement with the ring gear. The pump provides pressurized fluid to one of first and second fluid ports. A flow restrictor is moveable to selectively restrict fluid flow relative to one of the first and second ports.

Abstract: A stabilizer bar system that includes a first stabilizer bar, a second stabilizer bar and a clutch having a clutch housing and a plurality of coupling members housed in the clutch housing. The first stabilizer bar is received in the clutch housing for rotation relative to the clutch housing about a rotational axis. The second stabilizer bar is fixedly coupled to the clutch housing. The coupling members are configured to selectively non-rotatably couple the first stabilizer bar to the clutch housing such that the clutch housing is employed to transmit torque between the first and second stabilizer bars.

Abstract: A vehicle stabilizer bar assembly having a pair of stabilizer bar members that are selectively uncoupled via a clutch. The clutch includes a moving element that can be selectively moved via an actuator to effect the uncoupling of the stabilizer bar members. The actuator is configured to apply a force to the moving element concentrically about the axis along which the moving element translates. The clutch is configured to transmit torque from one of the stabilizer bar members to the other stabilizer bar member concentrically about the axis. A method for operating a vehicle stabilizer bar assembly is also provided.