Abstract: A method for sensing and compensating for variances in load and voltage in a closed loop voice coil system is described. A load in a system which included a supply voltage and the load, which includes an inductive element, is excited with a known duty cycle for a time interval. At an end time, at the end of the time interval, the current which flows through the load is sensed. A lumped term based at least in part on the time interval and a change in the load current during the time interval is calculated. The lumped term is representative of the supply voltage and one or more electrical characteristic of the load. A control signal to control a voltage applied to the load may be generated based at least in part on the lumped term. Apparatus and computer-readable media are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a controlled valve. The valve includes a valve body, a sleeve, a spool, and a valve actuator assembly. The valve body includes a cavity and a first chamber. The sleeve is between the cavity and the first chamber. The sleeve includes an inner bore and at least one opening. The inner bore extends from a first end to a second end of the sleeve. The at least one opening extends through the second end of the sleeve. A portion of the inner bore forms a second chamber. The spool is movably disposed within the inner bore. The valve actuator assembly is connected to the spool. The first chamber is in fluid communication with the second chamber through the at least one opening. The spool is configured to be movable over at least a portion of the at least one opening to regulate fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a valve is disclosed. The valve includes a valve body, a seat, a poppet, and a shaped portion. The valve body has an inlet portion and an outlet portion. The seat is between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The poppet is proximate the seat. The poppet is adapted to modulate fluid flow between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The shaped portion is downstream of the seat. The shaped portion is adapted to direct fluid flow, reduce cross flow interference, and allow for substantially parallel fluid flow jets at a majority of the inlet portion and the outlet portion when fluid is flowing through the valve.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes allowing both frequency and amplitude of a periodic waveform to be adjusted. The method also includes creating the periodic waveform having the frequency and the amplitude. The periodic waveform is coupled to at least one control signal. The at least one control signal is provided to an output suitable for coupling to an actuator of an electronically controlled device. An apparatus and computer program product are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes dead band reduction circuitry. The dead band reduction circuitry includes an input configured to receive an input signal and an output configured to provide an output signal. The dead band circuitry is configured to apply compensation to the input signal to create the output signal. The output is configured to be coupled to an electronically controlled valve. The valve is configured to use the output signal to control movement of a valve member in the valve. The valve member includes one or more lands that overlaps an associated one or more openings. The one or more lands are sized relative to an associated one or more openings such that a dead band is caused. The compensation is defined to reduce the dead band.

Abstract: A method for sensing and compensating for variances in load and voltage in a closed loop voice coil system (95) is described. A load (55) in a system (95) which included a supply voltage (45) and the load (55), which includes an inductive element, is excited with a known duty cycle for a time interval. At an end time, at the end of the time interval, the current which flows through the load (55) is sensed. A lumped term based at least in part on the time interval and a change in the load current during the time interval is calculated. The lumped term is representative of the supply voltage (45) and one or more electrical characteristic of the load (55). A control signal (25) to control a voltage applied to the load (55) may be generated based at least in part on the lumped term. Apparatus and computer-readable media are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a controlled valve. The valve includes a valve body, a sleeve, a spool, and a valve actuator assembly. The valve body includes a cavity and a first chamber. The sleeve is between the cavity and the first chamber. The sleeve includes an inner bore and at least one opening. The inner bore extends from a first end to a second end of the sleeve. The at least one opening extends through the second end of the sleeve. A portion of the inner bore forms a second chamber. The spool is movably disposed within the inner bore. The valve actuator assembly is connected to the spool. The first chamber is in fluid communication with the second chamber through the at least one opening. The spool is configured to be movable over at least a portion of the at least one opening to regulate fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A positioning system includes an actuator, valve (preferably pneumatic), position sensor and an electronic valve controller, integrated in a single unit. Continuously variable setpoints are possible within the range of operation. A preferred control circuit includes a signal converter, a ramp generator to smooth the shape of the command or target value signal applied, a position feedback sensor to report the actual position of the actuator, a controller, and a driver, containing an H-bridge, for controlling the pneumatic valve which feeds air into the actuator mechanism. Integration of all these components into a single unit shortens signal paths, improves resistance to electrical noise, and permits faster response time.

Abstract: An apparatus includes dead band reduction circuitry. The dead band reduction circuitry includes an input configured to receive an input signal and an output configured to provide an output signal. The dead band circuitry is configured to apply compensation to the input signal to create the output signal. The output is configured to be coupled to an electronically controlled valve. The valve is configured to use the output signal to control movement of a valve member in the valve. The valve member includes one or more lands that overlaps an associated one or more openings. The one or more lands are sized relative to an associated one or more openings such that a dead band is caused. The compensation is defined to reduce the dead band.

Abstract: A retaining element which retains a mechanical element within the cavity of a body is described. Specifically, an electronically controlled valve and a motor housing retainer are described. The motor housing retainer comprises a printed circuit board, which may provide a connection to the motor.

Abstract: A valve is described. The valve includes a valve body that at least partially defining a valve envelope and a plurality of circuit substrates which is disposed within the valve envelope. At least one circuit substrates in the plurality of circuit substrates includes circuitry for controlling the valve. A circuit module is also described. A method is described for integrating circuit modules into a plurality of arrangements to provide various electronic functions and applications; these applications may be incorporated into a valve body, in support of a more complex electronic assembly, or as stand-alone electronic assemblies.

Abstract: A linear voice coil actuator is described, specifically applied to a fluid power valve. The valve includes at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port. A spool controls fluid flow between the inlet port and outlet port. At least one counter-acting spring asserts a force on the spool. The valve also includes a linear voice coil to regulate movement of the spool. The linear voice coil responds to a pulse width modulated signal, wherein the pulse width modulated signal is based on a determined current in the linear voice coil. Electromagnetic interference filtering may also be used. A controller, system and method are also described.

Abstract: A method for controlling a dome-operated pressure regulator is disclosed. The pressure at a dome side of the pressure regulator is measured. The operation of the pressure regulator is controlled based upon at least a received command signal and the measurement. A proportional control valve may be used to control the pressure on at the dome side of the pressure regulator. A controller and a system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A calibration engine to eliminate disconnects between both manual and automated calibration procedures. It abstracts the process of procedure development such that procedure writers produce automated procedures without being computer programmers. By organizing calibration procedure elements in a relational database format, a relational automated calibration engine (RACE) provides the mechanism whereby a single calibration procedure is executed in either a manual, automated, or semi-automated fashion. The engine operates both with and without an installed operating system and relational database server. Interfaces ensure interoperability with other laboratory software elements such as scheduling, reporting, and measurement uncertainty.