Abstract: A pneumatic valve includes a housing, a first port, a second port, and a third port, each in communication with an interior of the housing, a coil assembly coupled to the housing, a plunger axially movable within the housing between a first position and a second position in response to electrical current being driven through the coil assembly, and a permanent magnet configured to retain the plunger in at least one of the first position or the second position.

Abstract: A pneumatic massage system includes a source of pressurized air, a fluidic switching module in communication with the source of pressurized air, a first bladder in communication with the fluidic switching module, a second bladder in communication with the fluidic switching module, and a third bladder in communication with the fluidic switching module. The fluidic switching module is configured to direct air from the source of pressurized air to each of the first bladder, the second bladder, and the third bladder in a predefined sequence. The predefined sequence includes inflating the first bladder, inflating the second bladder while deflating the first bladder, and inflating the third bladder while deflating the second bladder.

Abstract: A smart motor includes a motor, a memory, and an electronic processor connected to the motor and the memory. The electronic processor executes a software stack including a hardware layer, an operating layer, and an application layer. The hardware layer provides input/output operations between the motor and the electronic processor. The operating layer provides an intermediary between the hardware layer and the application layer. The application layer executes functions stored in the memory to communicate with and control the hardware layer. Further, the hardware layer, the operating layer, and the application layer selectively control operation of the motor based on one or more signals received from an input device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling smart motors. One smart motor system includes a control bus, an input device, and a smart motor communicatively coupled to the input device via the control bus. The smart motor includes an electronic processor configured to receive, from the input device, a command frame indicating an action, perform the action, receive, from the input device, a data request frame requesting a status of the smart motor, and transmit, to the input device and in response to receiving the data request frame, a data frame indicating the status of the smart motor.

Abstract: A pneumatic massage system includes a source of pressurized air, a fluidic switching module in communication with the source of pressurized air, a first bladder in communication with the fluidic switching module, a second bladder in communication with the fluidic switching module, and a third bladder in communication with the fluidic switching module. The fluidic switching module is configured to direct air from the source of pressurized air to each of the first bladder, the second bladder, and the third bladder in a predefined sequence. The predefined sequence includes inflating the first bladder, inflating the second bladder while deflating the first bladder, and inflating the third bladder while deflating the second bladder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling smart motors. One smart motor system includes a control bus, an input device, and a smart motor communicatively coupled to the input device via the control bus. The smart motor includes an electronic processor configured to receive, from the input device, a command frame indicating an action, perform the action, receive, from the input device, a data request frame requesting a status of the smart motor, and transmit, to the input device and in response to receiving the data request frame, a data frame indicating the status of the smart motor.

Abstract: A pneumatic valve includes a housing, a first port, a second port, and a third port, each in communication with an interior of the housing, a coil assembly coupled to the housing, a plunger axially movable within the housing between a first position and a second position in response to electrical current being driven through the coil assembly, and a permanent magnet configured to retain the plunger in at least one of the first position or the second position.

Abstract: A valve (100) includes a housing (111) and the fluid port (121). A plunger (125) is configured to seal the fluid port (121) in a first position (91) and to unseal the fluid port (121) in a second position and to displace along a displacement direction (259) from its first position (91) towards its second position. The valve (100) also includes at least one shape memory alloy, SMA, actuator (151, 152) extending along the displacement direction (259) for at least 50% of its length and configured to exert an actuation force (155) on the plunger (125) to displace the plunger (125) from the first position (91) towards the second position.

Abstract: A pneumatic massage system includes a source of pressurized air, a fluidic switching module in communication with the source of pressurized air, a first bladder in communication with the fluidic switching module, a second bladder in communication with the fluidic switching module, and a third bladder in communication with the fluidic switching module. The fluidic switching module is configured to direct air from the source of pressurized air to each of the first bladder, the second bladder, and the third bladder in a predefined sequence. The predefined sequence includes inflating the first bladder, inflating the second bladder while deflating the first bladder, and inflating the third bladder while deflating the second bladder.

Abstract: A valve (100) includes a housing (111) and the fluid port (121). A plunger (125) is configured to seal the fluid port (121) in a first position (91) and to unseal the fluid port (121) in a second position and to displace along a displacement direction (259) from its first position (91) towards its second position. The valve (100) also includes at least one shape memory alloy, SMA, actuator (151, 152) extending along the displacement direction (259) for at least 50% of its length and configured to exert an actuation force (155) on the plunger (125) to displace the plunger (125) from the first position (91) towards the second position.

Abstract: A wireless charging system for a vehicle. The wireless charging system includes a wireless power transmitter, a vehicle signal sensor, and a controller. The controller starts a wireless transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to a receiving device. The controller measures an electromagnetic signal within the vehicle during the wireless transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to the receiving device. The controller detects a vehicle control signal within the electromagnetic signal. The controller stops the wireless transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to the receiving device upon detection of the vehicle control signal within the electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: A wireless charging system for a vehicle. The wireless charging system includes a wireless power transmitter, a vehicle signal sensor, and a controller. The controller starts a wireless transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to a receiving device. The controller measures an electromagnetic signal within the vehicle during the wireless transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to the receiving device. The controller detects a vehicle control signal within the electromagnetic signal. The controller stops the wireless transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to the receiving device upon detection of the vehicle control signal within the electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: A wireless charging system for a vehicle. The system includes a wireless power transmitter, a detector device associated with the wireless power transmitter, and a controller operatively associated with the wireless power transmitter. The controller senses whether a vehicle control signal is present using the detector device, stops transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to a receiving device if a vehicle control signal is present, and resumes transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to the receiving device after a predetermined period of time.