Abstract: A valve assembly for an exhaust gas recirculation system includes a housing defining an inlet bore and including a second interior surface defining a housing bore. The valve assembly also includes a valve seat and a valve. The valve includes a valve stem and a valve sealing member. The valve assembly optionally includes a baffle at least partially disposed in the housing bore. A first interior radius is defined between the valve stem and the second interior surface. A second interior radius is defined between at least one of the valve stem and the second interior surface, the valve stem and the baffle, and the baffle and the second interior surface. The second interior radius is different from the first interior radius and is configured to direct the flow of the exhaust gas in the housing bore to reduce swirl of exhaust gas in the housing bore.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a blade terminal configured to establish an electrical circuit. The electrical connector also includes a receiving terminal coupled to the blade terminal. The receiving terminal includes a bridge portion, a first leg extending from the bridge portion, and a second leg extending from the bridge portion and separated from the first leg by a slot defined by the bridge portion, the first leg, and the second leg. Moreover, at least one of the first leg and the second leg include a geometric feature extending into the slot such that the slot is configured to prevent insertion of a second electrical connector into the slot.

Abstract: A gear drive assembly is used with an actuator of an actuator system. The gear drive assembly includes a housing and a gear arrangement disposed in the housing and including at least three gear stages having at least three driven gears. The at least three driven gears alternate between a plastic material and a metal material for each gear of the at least three driven gears.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a blade terminal configured to establish an electrical circuit. The electrical connector also includes a receiving terminal coupled to the blade terminal. The receiving terminal includes a bridge portion, a first leg extending from the bridge portion, and a second leg extending from the bridge portion and separated from the first leg by a slot defined by the bridge portion, the first leg, and the second leg. Moreover, at least one of the first leg and the second leg include a geometric feature extending into the slot such that the slot is configured to prevent insertion of a second electrical connector into the slot.

Abstract: A gear drive assembly is used with an actuator of an actuator system. The gear drive assembly includes a housing and a gear arrangement disposed in the housing and including at least three gear stages having at least three driven gears. The at least three driven gears alternate between a plastic material and a metal material for each gear of the at least three driven gears.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a gear drive comprising a housing; a shaft supported in the housing; a ring gear which is coaxial and rotatable with the shaft; at least one intermediate gear constructed and arranged to engage the ring gear; an intermediate gear plate which is coaxial with the ring gear and the shaft, and wherein the intermediate gear plate includes an engagement feature and a pin, wherein the engagement feature is constructed and arranged to attach to the shaft and the pin is constructed and arranged to locate and rotatably mount the at least one intermediate gear to the intermediate gear plate; and wherein engagement of the intermediate gear plate with the shaft provides alignment of the at least one intermediate gear, the ring gear, and the shaft and allows for rotation of the intermediate gear plate and the at least one intermediate gear about the shaft.

Abstract: An actuator assembly moves an output shaft. The actuator assembly includes a housing having at least first, second, and third sections at least partially defining first and second cavities, with the third section between the first and second sections. A motor assembly has a rotatable drive shaft and is coupled to the third section. The motor assembly is at least partially disposed in the first cavity and the drive shaft is at least partially disposed in the second cavity. At least one drive gear is within the second cavity and is fixed to the drive shaft. At least one driven gear is within the second cavity and is coupled with the output shaft. The at least one driven gear is coupled to the third section of the housing and is rotatably coupled with the at least one drive gear to transmit rotation from the drive shaft to the output shaft.

Abstract: A gear drive assembly is used in an actuator. The gear drive assembly includes a housing and a gear arrangement including a drive gear, a driven gear, and one of a first selected gear and a second selected gear engageable with both of the drive and driven gears. The drive and driven gears and the first selected gear have a first gear ratio. The drive and driven gears and the second selected gear have a second gear ratio not equal to the first gear ratio. The internal surface of the housing defines first and second gear retention features to facilitate selective rotatable coupling of the first and second selected gears with the housing, respectively. A method of manufacturing the gear drive assembly includes the steps of selecting one of the first and second selected gears, engaging it with the drive and driven gears, and coupling it with the housing.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a gear drive comprising: a housing; a first ring gear; a shaft supported in the housing, wherein the shaft has a central axis of rotation; a second ring gear, wherein the second ring gear is coaxial with the shaft and operably connected and rotatable with the shaft; at least one intermediate gear, wherein the at least one intermediate gear includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is operably engaged with the first ring gear and the second end is operably engaged with the second ring gear; and a bias spring, wherein the bias spring comprises a first end, a second end, and a plurality of coils, and wherein the first end is stationary in the housing.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a gear drive comprising a housing; a shaft supported in the housing; a ring gear which is coaxial and rotatable with the shaft; at least one intermediate gear constructed and arranged to engage the ring gear; an intermediate gear plate which is coaxial with the ring gear and the shaft, and wherein the intermediate gear plate includes an engagement feature and a pin, wherein the engagement feature is constructed and arranged to attach to the shaft and the pin is constructed and arranged to locate and rotatably mount the at least one intermediate gear to the intermediate gear plate; and wherein engagement of the intermediate gear plate with the shaft provides alignment of the at least one intermediate gear, the ring gear, and the shaft and allows for rotation of the intermediate gear plate and the at least one intermediate gear about the shaft.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a gear drive comprising: a housing; a first ring gear; a shaft supported in the housing, wherein the shaft has a central axis of rotation; a second ring gear, wherein the second ring gear is coaxial with the shaft and operably connected and rotatable with the shaft; at least one intermediate gear, wherein the at least one intermediate gear includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is operably engaged with the first ring gear and the second end is operably engaged with the second ring gear; and a bias spring, wherein the bias spring comprises a first end, a second end, and a plurality of coils, and wherein the first end is stationary in the housing.

Abstract: A valve assembly having a body, a valve, a contact surface of the valve, and a gap surface of the valve. The body has an interior surface that defines a flow passage. The valve is positioned in the body. The valve is positioned at an angle with respect to the interior surface of the body when the valve is in a closed position in order to prevent the valve from sticking to the body. The contact surface contacts the interior surface of the body when the valve is in a closed position. The gap surface is spaced apart from the interior surface when the valve is in the closed position.