Abstract: An axial flux motor may include a motor housing, a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing, and a stator mounted in the motor housing, and having a stator ring and a through-hole through which the shaft extends. Two rotors may be mounted on the shaft within the motor housing on opposing sides of the stator, each rotor having a plurality of magnets arranged radially on a stator-facing surface thereof. In addition, magnet wire may be wound on portions of the stator, the magnet wire comprising an inner coolant passage disposed within a copper tube, and a green glass coating on an outer surface of the copper tube, the green glass coating comprising glass solids, one or more of surfactants, solvents, and polymers.

Abstract: A hybrid spherical motor includes a first gear box, a second gear box, a yoke arm, a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor, a spherical stator, and a spherical armature. The split armature, in response to the spherical stator being energized, rotates about a first rotational axis, thereby causing the first gear box input connection and the second gear box input connection to rotate about the first rotational axis, and the yoke arm rotates about the first rotational axis in response to the first gear box input connection and the second gear box input connection being rotated about the first rotational axis, whereby the BLDC motor rotates about the first rotational axis.

Abstract: A hybrid spherical motor includes a first gear box, a second gear box, a yoke arm, a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor, a spherical stator, and a spherical armature. The split armature, in response to the spherical stator being energized, rotates about a first rotational axis, thereby causing the first gear box input connection and the second gear box input connection to rotate about the first rotational axis, and the yoke arm rotates about the first rotational axis in response to the first gear box input connection and the second gear box input connection being rotated about the first rotational axis, whereby the BLDC motor rotates about the first rotational axis.

Abstract: A stepper motor includes a rotor, a stator, a plurality of stator windings, and a plurality of permanent magnets. The permanent magnets are coupled to the outer surface of the rotor and are spaced apart from the plurality of stator poles, and each permanent magnet is shaped like an arc having an arc length and is circumferentially spaced apart from two adjacent permanent magnets by a spacing angle. In some instance, the arc length of each permanent magnet is equal, and the spacing angles are not all equal. In other instances, the arc length of two or more of the permanent magnets is unequal to the arc lengths of the other permanent magnets, and the spacing angles are not all equal.

Abstract: A multi-degree-of-freedom electromagnetic machine includes a spherical stator, an armature, a payload mount assembly, and a payload. The spherical stator has a first axis of symmetry, a second axis of symmetry, and a third axis of symmetry that are disposed perpendicular to each other. The armature is spaced apart from, and surrounds at least a portion of, the spherical stator, and is mounted for rotation about the first and second axes of symmetry. The payload is spaced apart from the spherical stator and the armature and is coupled to the payload mount assembly and is mounted to rotate about a payload rotational axis that is parallel to the first axis of symmetry and perpendicular to the second axis of symmetry. The payload is disposed such that its center of gravity is at a position where the second axis of symmetry and the payload rotational axis intersect.

Abstract: A multi-degree of freedom electromagnetic machine includes a spherical body, an outer structure, a plurality of magnets, and a plurality of windings. Each of the plurality of windings includes a flexible dielectric substrate and an electrical conductor. The flexible dielectric substrate has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surface of the flexible substrate facies the outer surface of the spherical body. The electrical conductor is disposed on at least one of the inner or outer surfaces of the flexible dielectric substrate.

Abstract: A solenoid actuator includes a housing assembly, a bobbin assembly, a coil, an armature, and an anti-rotation structure. The bobbin assembly is disposed at least partially within the housing assembly and includes a return pole and a yoke. The yoke has an inner surface that defines an armature cavity. The coil is disposed within the housing assembly and is wound around at least a portion of the bobbin assembly. The armature is disposed within the armature cavity and is axially movable relative to the yoke. The anti-rotation structure is disposed within the housing assembly and engages at least a portion of the armature. The armature and the anti-rotation structure each have at least one feature formed thereon that mate with each other and thereby prevent rotation of the armature.

Abstract: A stepper motor includes a rotor, a stator, a plurality of stator windings, and a plurality of permanent magnets. The permanent magnets are coupled to the outer surface of the rotor and are spaced apart from the plurality of stator poles, and each permanent magnet is shaped like an arc having an arc length and is circumferentially spaced apart from two adjacent permanent magnets by a spacing angle. In some instance, the arc length of each permanent magnet is equal, and the spacing angles are not all equal. In other instances, the arc length of two or more of the permanent magnets is unequal to the arc lengths of the other permanent magnets, and the spacing angles are not all equal.

Abstract: A multi-degree of freedom electromagnetic machine includes a spherical body, an outer structure, a plurality of magnets, and a plurality of windings. Each of the plurality of windings includes a flexible dielectric substrate and an electrical conductor. The flexible dielectric substrate has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surface of the flexible substrate facies the outer surface of the spherical body. The electrical conductor is disposed on at least one of the inner or outer surfaces of the flexible dielectric substrate.

Abstract: A multi-stage spherical motor includes an inner stator, an outer stator, a rotor, and magnets. The inner stator has a plurality of inner stator windings wound thereon. The outer stator is spaced apart from and at least partially surrounds the inner stator, and has a plurality of outer stator windings wound thereon. The rotor is disposed between the inner stator and the outer stator and is configured to rotate about a plurality of perpendicular axes. The rotor has an inner surface and an outer surface. An inner array of magnets is coupled to the inner surface of the rotor, and an outer array of magnets coupled to the outer surface of the rotor. In some embodiments, a multi-stage spherical motor includes an inner rotor, an outer rotor, a stator, inner stator coils, and outer stator coils.

Abstract: A solenoid actuator includes a housing assembly, a bobbin assembly, a coil, an armature, and an anti-rotation structure. The bobbin assembly is disposed at least partially within the housing assembly and includes a return pole and a yoke. The yoke has an inner surface that defines an armature cavity. The coil is disposed within the housing assembly and is wound around at least a portion of the bobbin assembly. The armature is disposed within the armature cavity and is axially movable relative to the yoke. The anti-rotation structure is disposed within the housing assembly and engages at least a portion of the armature. The armature and the anti-rotation structure each have at least one feature formed thereon that mate with each other and thereby prevent rotation of the armature.

Abstract: A high vibration, high-cycle, pulse width modulated (PWM) solenoid actuated valve assembly includes a valve housing and a solenoid actuator. The solenoid actuator is coupled to the valve housing and includes a solenoid housing, a bobbin assembly, a coil, an armature, a glide structure, an actuation rod, and an anti-rotation guide structure. The glide structure is disposed at least partially within the armature and between the armature and the inner surface of the yoke. The actuation rod is coupled to, and is axially movable with, the armature, it also extends into the valve housing and has a ball valve integrally formed thereon. The anti-rotation guide structure is disposed within the valve housing and surrounds at least a portion of the actuation rod. At least the actuation rod and the anti-rotation guide each have structural features formed thereon that mate with each other and prevent rotation of the actuation rod and the armature.

Abstract: A high vibration, high-cycle, pulse width modulated (PWM) solenoid actuated valve assembly includes a valve housing and a solenoid actuator. The solenoid actuator is coupled to the valve housing and includes a solenoid housing, a bobbin assembly, a coil, an armature, a glide structure, an actuation rod, and an anti-rotation guide structure. The glide structure is disposed at least partially within the armature and between the armature and the inner surface of the yoke. The actuation rod is coupled to, and is axially movable with, the armature, it also extends into the valve housing and has a ball valve integrally formed thereon. The anti-rotation guide structure is disposed within the valve housing and surrounds at least a portion of the actuation rod. At least the actuation rod and the anti-rotation guide each have structural features formed thereon that mate with each other and prevent rotation of the actuation rod and the armature.

Abstract: A universal solenoid actuator includes a housing, a flange, a single armature, a first rod, a second rod, a first coil, and a second coil. The housing defines a cavity that is devoid of permanent magnets. The flange comprises a magnetic material and divides the cavity into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion. The single armature extends through, and is movable within, the armature opening. The first rod and second rods are coupled to opposite ends of the single armature and are moveable therewith. The first and second coils are wound such that: when the first coil is electrically energized, a first force is generated that causes the single armature to move in a first direction, and when the second coil is electrically energized, a second force is generated that causes the single armature to move in a second direction.

Abstract: A universal solenoid actuator includes a housing, a flange, a single armature, a first rod, a second rod, a first coil, and a second coil. The housing defines a cavity that is devoid of permanent magnets. The flange comprises a magnetic material and divides the cavity into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion. The single armature extends through, and is movable within, the armature opening. The first rod and second rods are coupled to opposite ends of the single armature and are moveable therewith. The first and second coils are wound such that: when the first coil is electrically energized, a first force is generated that causes the single armature to move in a first direction, and when the second coil is electrically energized, a second force is generated that causes the single armature to move in a second direction.

Abstract: A smart solenoid control system for controlling flow of fluid in a conduit includes a solenoid, a plurality of fluid sensors, a plurality of solenoid sensors, a display device, a communication module, and a control. Each fluid sensor senses a parameter associated with the fluid in the conduit. Each solenoid sensor senses a parameter associated with the solenoid. The display device is configured to render images. The communication module is configured to transmit received data to a remote station or handheld device. The control is coupled to receive signals from the fluid sensor signals and the solenoid sensors and determines whether the solenoid should be in a first or second position, supplies drive current to the solenoid to cause the solenoid to move to the desired position, selectively commands the display device to render images, and supplies the data to the communication module for transmission.

Abstract: A solenoid actuator includes a housing, a bobbin assembly, a coil, and a washer. The bobbin assembly is disposed at least partially within the housing, and includes a return pole and an armature. The return pole is fixedly coupled to the housing, and the armature is axially movable within the housing. The coil is disposed within the housing and is wound around at least a portion of the bobbin assembly. The washer is disposed between the coil and a portion of the bobbin assembly and surrounds a portion of the return pole. The washer is formed of an electrical insulator material.

Abstract: An ignition exciter system includes an igniter, a step-up transformer, a switch device, and a spark-sustain capacitor. The igniter has a spark gap across which a spark may be generated. The step-up transformer has a primary winding that is adapted to selectively receive direct current (DC) from a DC source, and a secondary winding that is coupled to the igniter. The switch device is coupled to the primary winding and is configured to selectively operate in an ON state, in which DC may flow through the primary winding, and an OFF state, in which DC may not flow through the primary winding. The spark-sustain capacitor is coupled to the igniter and is configured to charge from a DC source when the switch device is operating in the ON state, and at least selectively discharge across the spark gap when the switch device is operating in the OFF state.

Abstract: A solenoid actuator includes a housing, a bobbin assembly, a coil, and a washer. The bobbin assembly is disposed at least partially within the housing, and includes a return pole and an armature. The return pole is fixedly coupled to the housing, and the armature is axially movable within the housing. The coil is disposed within the housing and is wound around at least a portion of the bobbin assembly. The washer is disposed between the coil and a portion of the bobbin assembly and surrounds a portion of the return pole. The washer is formed of an electrical insulator material.

Abstract: An ignition exciter system includes an igniter, a step-up transformer, a switch device, and a spark-sustain capacitor. The igniter has a spark gap across which a spark may be generated. The step-up transformer has a primary winding that is adapted to selectively receive direct current (DC) from a DC source, and a secondary winding that is coupled to the igniter. The switch device is coupled to the primary winding and is configured to selectively operate in an ON state, in which DC may flow through the primary winding, and an OFF state, in which DC may not flow through the primary winding. The spark-sustain capacitor is coupled to the igniter and is configured to charge from a DC source when the switch device is operating in the ON state, and at least selectively discharge across the spark gap when the switch device is operating in the OFF state.