Abstract: A rotary control valve that includes a valve body, a valve shaft disposed within a bore of the valve body, a first valve seat disposed within the valve body, a first control element carried by the valve shaft, and a first pressure labyrinth at least partially defined by the first control element. The first control element is movably disposed in the first opening between a closed position, in which the first control element sealingly engages the first valve seat, thereby closing the first opening, and an open position, in which the first control element is spaced from the first valve seat, thereby opening the first opening. When the first control element is in the closed position, the first pressure labyrinth is configured to cause a pressure drop in fluid flowing therethrough, thereby minimizing an internal leak rate of the rotary control valve.

Abstract: A drive gear adapted to be disposed in a gear box includes a body having a perimeter and a skirt that extends outwardly from the perimeter of the body. A plurality of teeth extends outwardly from the body along a portion of the perimeter of the body. An opening extends through the body and is defined by an inner surface of the body. The inner surface includes a plurality of planar portions and a plurality of rounded portions that extend between the plurality of planar portions. The plurality of planar portions is arranged such that a force (e.g., a torque) applied to the body is directed toward the plurality of teeth.

Abstract: A rotary control valve that includes a valve body, a valve shaft disposed within a bore of the valve body, a first valve seat disposed within the valve body, a first control element carried by the valve shaft, and a first pressure labyrinth at least partially defined by the first control element. The first control element is movably disposed in the first opening between a closed position, in which the first control element sealingly engages the first valve seat, thereby closing the first opening, and an open position, in which the first control element is spaced from the first valve seat, thereby opening the first opening. When the first control element is in the closed position, the first pressure labyrinth is configured to cause a pressure drop in fluid flowing therethrough, thereby minimizing an internal leak rate of the rotary control valve.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a fluid flow control device, such as a valve in an internal combustion exhaust pipe. The fluid flow control device includes a valve assembly and an actuator assembly. The fluid flow control device further includes a cooling ring positioned between the actuator assembly and valve assembly in order to thermally isolate the sensors, controllers and other elements of the actuator assembly from heat that may be present in the valve assembly.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a fluid flow control device, such as a valve in an internal combustion exhaust pipe. The fluid flow control device includes a valve assembly and an actuator assembly. The fluid flow control device further includes a cooling ring positioned between the actuator assembly and valve assembly in order to thermally isolate the sensors, controllers and other elements of the actuator assembly from heat that may be present in the valve assembly.

Abstract: Valve assemblies with clutches adapted for dual valve member actuation. A valve assembly includes a valve body that includes a first portion and a second portion, a bore, a primary opening, and a secondary opening. A primary valve shaft is disposed within the bore and has a primary end portion, the secondary valve shaft is disposed within the bore and has a secondary end portion facing the primary end portion of the primary valve shaft. A primary valve member is movable relative to the primary opening and coupled to the primary valve shaft, the secondary valve member is movable relative to the secondary opening and coupled to the secondary valve shaft. A clutch is shiftable between a first position enabling the primary valve shaft to move independently of the secondary valve shaft and a second position enabling the secondary valve shaft to move with the primary valve shaft.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a fluid flow control device, such as a valve in an internal combustion exhaust pipe. The fluid flow control device includes a valve assembly and an actuator assembly. The fluid flow control device further includes a cooling ring positioned between the actuator assembly and valve assembly in order to thermally isolate the sensors, controllers and other elements of the actuator assembly from heat that may be present in the valve assembly.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a remote electro-hydraulic actuator for actuating of mechanical devices, such as a valve in an internal combustion exhaust pipe. The actuator includes a multi-vane rotational assembly that flows the working fluid through strategically sized flow channels within the structure of the rotational assembly. The size of the holes are sized to help the stability of the valve and can also be provided with pressure check valves or reed valves to dampen the rotation of the valve and reduce any instabilities due to pulsations driven back via the output shaft.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a fluid flow control device, such as a valve in an internal combustion exhaust pipe. The fluid flow control device includes a valve assembly and an actuator assembly. The fluid flow control device further includes a cooling ring positioned between the actuator assembly and valve assembly in order to thermally isolate the sensors, controllers and other elements of the actuator assembly from heat that may be present in the valve assembly.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a remote electro-hydraulic actuator for actuating of mechanical devices, such as a valve in an internal combustion exhaust pipe. The actuator includes a multi-vane rotational assembly that flows the working fluid through strategically sized flow channels within the structure of the rotational assembly. The size of the holes are sized to help the stability of the valve and can also be provided with pressure check valves or reed valves to dampen the rotation of the valve and reduce any instabilities due to pulsations driven back via the output shaft.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a remote electro-hydraulic actuator for actuating of mechanical devices, such as a valve in an internal combustion exhaust pipe. The actuator includes a multi-vane rotational assembly that flows the working fluid through strategically sized flow channels within the structure of the rotational assembly. The size of the holes are sized to help the stability of the valve and can also be provided with pressure check valves or reed valves to dampen the rotation of the valve and reduce any instabilities due to pulsations driven back via the output shaft.

Abstract: A method of biasing a worm shaft of a motor assembly including the steps of: providing a motor assembly having a housing defining an inner chamber, an access aperture spaced therefrom, a shaft aperture in communication with both the chamber and access aperture, and a shaft rotatably supported by and at least partially disposed in the shaft aperture; providing an ultrasonic device having a horn for producing vibrations; providing a slug having a body defining a first shape for being disposed in the access aperture, transformable to a second shape whereby the slug melts in response to predetermined vibrations; placing the slug in the access aperture; actuating the ultrasonic device so as to transform the slug to the second shape such that the slug melts and at least partially flows into the shaft aperture to abut the terminal portion.

Abstract: A modulating bypass valve includes a valve housing defining a modulating fluid passageway and a bypassing fluid passageway through the valve housing. The valve also includes a throttle plate assembly that is inserted through the valve housing and has a rotating shaft on an axis that is generally perpendicular to the modulating fluid passageway and the bypassing fluid passageway. A modulating throttle plate is attached to the shaft and located within the modulating fluid passageway. A bypassing throttle plate is attached to the shaft and located within the bypassing fluid passageway. An actuator rotates the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wiper motor drive system that includes a motor, an output shaft operatively connected to a wiper blade, and a breakaway clutch operatively connected between the motor and output shaft. The breakaway clutch includes a torque-sensitive releasable locking mechanism having a first position wherein torque is translated from the motor to the output shaft through the breakaway clutch to drive the wiper blade across a surface to be wiped, and a second position wherein torque is interrupted between the motor and the output shaft in response to a predetermined rotational torque differential acting on the output shaft, with the locking mechanism being movable back to the first position when the differential torque is reduced on the output shaft.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a fluid flow control device, such as a valve in an internal combustion exhaust pipe. The fluid flow control device includes a valve assembly and an actuator assembly. The fluid flow control device further includes a cooling ring positioned between the actuator assembly and valve assembly in order to thermally isolate the sensors, controllers and other elements of the actuator assembly from heat that may be present in the valve assembly.

Abstract: A method of biasing a worm shaft of a motor assembly including the steps of: providing a motor assembly having a housing defining an inner chamber, an access aperture spaced therefrom, a shaft aperture in communication with both the chamber and access aperture, and a shaft rotatably supported by and at least partially disposed in the shaft aperture; providing an ultrasonic device having a horn for producing vibrations; providing a slug having a body defining a first shape for being disposed in the access aperture, transformable to a second shape whereby the slug melts in response to predetermined vibrations; placing the slug in the access aperture; actuating the ultrasonic device so as to transform the slug to the second shape such that the slug melts and at least partially flows into the shaft aperture to abut the terminal portion.

Abstract: A modulating bypass valve includes a valve housing defining a modulating fluid passageway and a bypassing fluid passageway through the valve housing. The valve also includes a throttle plate assembly that is inserted through the valve housing and has a rotating shaft on an axis that is generally perpendicular to the modulating fluid passageway and the bypassing fluid passageway. A modulating throttle plate is attached to the shaft and located within the modulating fluid passageway. A bypassing throttle plate is attached to the shaft and located within the bypassing fluid passageway. An actuator rotates the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a plurality of actuators that assists in controlling the operation of a motorized vehicle. The apparatus includes a centralized actuator control module that is positioned remotely from an engine control unit. The centralized actuator control module includes a processor that is configured to control the operation of the actuators. The apparatus may include a first communication cable that is configured to deliver information between the centralized actuator control module and the engine control unit. An actuator communication cable may be configured to deliver power from the centralized actuator control module to one or more of the plurality of actuators. The apparatus may include a second communication cable configured to deliver sensed data to the centralized actuator control module that the centralized actuator control module uses to determine whether to operate one or more of the actuators.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a remote electro-hydraulic actuator for actuating of mechanical devices, such as a valve in an internal combustion exhaust pipe. The actuator includes a multi-vane rotational assembly that flows the working fluid through strategically sized flow channels within the structure of the rotational assembly. The size of the holes are sized to help the stability of the valve and can also be provided with pressure check valves or reed valves to dampen the rotation of the valve and reduce any instabilities due to pulsations driven back via the output shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wiper motor drive system that includes a motor, an output shaft operatively connected to a wiper blade, and a breakaway clutch operatively connected between the motor and output shaft. The breakaway clutch includes a torque-sensitive releasable locking mechanism having a first position wherein torque is translated from the motor to the output shaft through the breakaway clutch to drive the wiper blade across a surface to be wiped, and a second position wherein torque is interrupted between the motor and the output shaft in response to a predetermined rotational torque differential acting on the output shaft, with the locking mechanism being movable back to the first position when the differential torque is reduced on the output shaft.