Abstract: A transmission for an electric motor-assisted vehicle translates the relatively high speed, low torque rotation of an output shaft of an electric motor to a drive wheel of the vehicle, the drive wheel turns a chain, a rear hub, and a rear wheel to propel the bicycle or other vehicle. The output shaft of the electric motor is offset from the crankshaft, and a plurality of belts transmits power from the electric motor to the drive wheel while decreasing rotational speed and increasing torque. In some embodiments, three belts and three wheels transmit power from the electric motor to the drive wheel. Various sensors and devices can transmit input signals to a controller that determines when and how the electric motor powers the transmission to assist the vehicle, which means less effort for a user if the vehicle is a bicycle being ridden by the user.

Abstract: A torque sensor is provided for detecting a torque applied to a rotating component. The torque sensor has a torsion disc that can have a radial dimension that is greater than an axial dimension to provide space for other components positioned around the rotating component. In some embodiments, the torsion disc has an inner portion engaged with a crankshaft of a bicycle and has an outer portion engaged with a drive wheel or another component engaged with the drive wheel. When a torque is applied to the crankshaft, the torsion disc deforms and the inner portion rotates relative to the outer portion. A combination of magnets and sensors detects this relative movement which is proportional to the torque applied to the crankshaft.

Abstract: A diverter valve can include an inlet; a main line outlet; a flow control outlet; and a bypass member, wherein the bypass member comprises a passage extending through an axis of the bypass member and a plurality of notches. In some embodiments, the diverter valve can provide that the bypass member is configured to be switchable between an open position that allows a flow from the inlet to the main line outlet and a flow control position that allows flow from the inlet to the flow control outlet.

Abstract: A diverter valve can include an inlet; a main line outlet; a flow control outlet; and a bypass member, wherein the bypass member comprises a passage extending through an axis of the bypass member and a plurality of notches. In some embodiments, the diverter valve can provide that the bypass member is configured to be switchable between an open position that allows a flow from the inlet to the main line outlet and a flow control position that allows flow from the inlet to the flow control outlet.

Abstract: A module for a fluid circuit of a vehicle includes a unitary housing. The unitary housing of the module contains a fluid moving device, a fluid control device, and a power sharing connection. The power sharing device is configured to provide power to the fluid moving device and the fluid control device.

Abstract: A module for a fluid circuit of a vehicle includes a unitary housing. The unitary housing of the module contains a fluid moving device, a fluid control device, and a power sharing connection. The power sharing device is configured to provide power to the fluid moving device and the fluid control device.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a component includes a fixture for holding the component, a light source disposed on one side of the component, and an optical detector disposed on the other side of the component. The detector images a portion of the outer edges of the component. A translation stage is operative to move the light source and detector in unison along the length of the component. The component is rotated through a predetermined angle about its axis.

Abstract: A valve includes a main body defining four flow chambers, a first end cap coupled to a first end of the main body, and a second end cap coupled to a second end of the main body. A first rotatable disc is coupled to a rotatable shaft adjacent the first end of the main body and a second rotatable disc is coupled to the rotatable shaft adjacent the second end of the main body. The first rotatable disc includes first and second communication openings and the second rotatable disc includes a third and fourth communication openings. The first communication opening, the first end cap, and the second communication opening cooperate to provide fluid communication between a first pair of the flow chambers while the third communication opening, the second end cap, and the fourth communication opening cooperate to provide fluid communication between a second pair of the flow chambers.

Abstract: A valve includes a main body defining four flow chambers, a first end cap coupled to a first end of the main body, and a second end cap coupled to a second end of the main body. A first rotatable disc is coupled to a rotatable shaft adjacent the first end of the main body and a second rotatable disc is coupled to the rotatable shaft adjacent the second end of the main body. The first rotatable disc includes first and second communication openings and the second rotatable disc includes a third and fourth communication openings. The first communication opening, the first end cap, and the second communication opening cooperate to provide fluid communication between a first pair of the flow chambers while the third communication opening, the second end cap, and the fourth communication opening cooperate to provide fluid communication between a second pair of the flow chambers.

Abstract: A rotary assembly for a centrifugal pump includes a housing, an impeller, a first opening formed in one of the housing or the impeller, a first bushing disposed in the first opening, and a first shaft projection projecting axially from one of the housing or the impeller. The first bushing extends annularly around a central opening thereof and is formed from an elastomeric material. The first shaft projection is received within the central opening of the first bushing. One of the first shaft projection or the first bushing is configured to rotate relative to the other of the first shaft projection or the first bushing during operation of the centrifugal pump.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for inspecting a component having a length, a width, and an axis. The system includes a fixture for holding the component, a light source disposed on one side of the component, and an optical detector disposed on the other side of the component. In the preferred embodiment, the detector has a field of view wider than the width of the component, thereby enabling the detector to image a portion of the outer edges of the component. A translation stage is operative to move the light source and detector in unison along the length of the component and a processor, in communication with the detector and the translation stage, is operative to: a) receive electrical signals representative of the outer profile imaged by the detector; b) move the translation stage incrementally along the length of the component; and c) record the outer profile imaged by the detector at each increment and form a composite profile of the component.

Abstract: A connector for coupling an actuator to a component includes a receptacle. The receptacle is configured to receive a portion of the actuator and couple the actuator to the component. The connector further includes a socket. The socket provides electrical communication to the actuator. The socket includes a plurality of electrical connector pins.

Abstract: A rotary assembly for a centrifugal pump includes a housing, an impeller, a first opening formed in one of the housing or the impeller, a first bushing disposed in the first opening, and a first shaft projection projecting axially from one of the housing or the impeller. The first bushing extends annularly around a central opening thereof and is formed from an elastomeric material. The first shaft projection is received within the central opening of the first bushing. One of the first shaft projection or the first bushing is configured to rotate relative to the other of the first shaft projection or the first bushing during operation of the centrifugal pump.

Abstract: A brushless DC motor includes a stator formed of a lamstack including a plurality of stacked laminations. The stator includes a plurality of radially extending core members and a circumferential wall. An intersection of each of the plurality of radially extending core members with the circumferential wall defines a flux null location, and a portion of the lamstack defines a first opening located at one of the flux null locations. The brushless DC motor includes a printed circuit board including a second opening and a grounding member including a first section received in the first opening of the stator and a second section received in the second opening of the printed circuit board to create a grounding path.

Abstract: A brushless DC motor includes a stator formed of a lamstack including a plurality of stacked laminations. The stator includes a plurality of radially extending core members and a circumferential wall. An intersection of each of the plurality of radially extending core members with the circumferential wall defines a flux null location, and a portion of the lamstack defines a first opening located at one of the flux null locations. The brushless DC motor includes a printed circuit board including a second opening and a grounding member including a first section received in the first opening of the stator and a second section received in the second opening of the printed circuit board to create a grounding path.

Abstract: A non-contact sensing system is provided for acquiring three-dimensional contour information of an object. The system is comprised of: a light source subsystem operable to scan a point of light in an area of illumination; a first imaging device having a field of view arranged to intersect with the illumination area and operable to capture image data; and a second imaging device having a field of view arranged to intersect with the illumination area and operable to capture image data. A first control module is in data communication with the first imaging device to determine contour information for an object in the field of view of the first imaging device and report the contour information for the object in a common coordinate system. A second control module is in data communication with the second imaging device to determine contour information for the object in the field of view of the second imaging device and report the contour information for the object in the common coordinate system.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a component includes a fixture for holding the component, a light source disposed on one side of the component, and an optical detector disposed on the other side of the component. The detector images a portion of the outer edges of the component. A translation stage is operative to move the light source and detector in unison along the length of the component. The component is rotated through a predetermined angle about its axis.

Abstract: A non-contact sensing system acquiring three-dimensional information includes a laser light source and fiber generating a Gaussian optical beam. A movable mirror is angularly adjusted to scan the beam to an area of illumination. A lens package between the light source and the movable mirror focuses the optical beam to under-fill a movable mirror optical surface and control an optical beam scanned volume. The optical beam reflected by the movable mirror is redirected using a fold mirror orthogonal to an optical beam orientation. The optical beam is maintained Gaussian by the mirrors and lenses. An imaging device having a field of view intersecting the area of illumination receives optical beam image data reflected from the area of illumination. A control module communicating with the imaging device receives an object location in the imaging device field of view from the image data and reports object location data to a coordinate system.

Abstract: A non-contact sensing system acquiring three-dimensional information includes a laser light source and fiber generating a Gaussian optical beam. A movable mirror is angularly adjusted to scan the beam to an area of illumination. A lens package between the light source and the movable mirror focuses the optical beam to under-fill a movable mirror optical surface and control an optical beam scanned volume. The optical beam reflected by the movable mirror is redirected using a fold mirror orthogonal to an optical beam orientation. The optical beam is maintained Gaussian by the mirrors and lenses. An imaging device having a field of view intersecting the area of illumination receives optical beam image data reflected from the area of illumination. A control module communicating with the imaging device receives an object location in the imaging device field of view from the image data and reports object location data to a coordinate system.

Abstract: A sensor system and method for analyzing a feature in a sensing volume. The system projecting a pattern onto the feature and imaging the pattern where the pattern intersects with the feature, where the pattern is a series of lines that are encoded to identify at least one line of the series of lines.