Abstract: A permanent magnet brushless motor is provided. The motor includes a stator having a tubular-shaped member and a plurality of tooth members extending radially inwardly from the tubular-shaped member. Each tooth member has an arcuate-shaped convex surface disposed proximate to an interior region defined by the stator. Each arcuate-shaped convex surface is defined by a first radius that is rotated about a respective center point that is disposed radially outside of the stator. The motor further includes a rotor disposed within the interior region of the stator.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a magnetic apparatus and a method of manufacturing the magnetic apparatus including a magnet having an outer surface and an inner surface opposing each other with the inner surface having a first portion and a second portion integrally connected to and facing each other and utilizing a fluid and a fixture body defining a hole along a fixture axis and a deflector disposed within the hole. The method includes the steps of installing the magnet on the fixture body and securing the magnet to the fixture body. The method further includes the steps of flowing the fluid through the magnet transverse to the fixture axis to form at least one aperture and intersecting the fluid with the deflector to redirect the fluid generally along the fixture axis.

Abstract: A power actuator assembly includes a torque transmission device, a motor mounted to the torque transmission device extending along a motor axis, and a screw coupled to the torque transmission device and extending along a screw axis. An adjustment mechanism interconnects the screw and the torque transmission device and permits selective rotational adjustment between the adjustment mechanism and the torque transmission device to rotate the motor relative to the torque transmission device. A connecting device releasably interconnects the adjustment mechanism to the torque transmission device to permit repeated re-positioning of the motor relative to the torque transmission device.

Abstract: A magnetic actuator, comprising, an inner ring, an outer ring disposed around the inner ring, a first pair of inner teeth disposed on the inner ring that partially define a gap between the first pair of inner teeth having a first angular dimension, a second pair of inner teeth disposed on the inner ring that partially define a gap between the second pair of inner teeth having a second angular dimension, a first pair of outer teeth disposed on the outer ring that partially define a gap between the first pair of outer teeth having a third angular dimension and a second pair of outer teeth disposed on the outer ring that partially define a gap between the second pair of outer teeth having a fourth angular dimension.

Abstract: A torque sensor system comprising, an inner tooth, an outer tooth disposed on an outer yoke member centered on an axis spaced radially from the inner tooth, a plate member, a retainer member operative to retain the outer yoke member and the plate member, a magnet member centered on the axis disposed between the inner tooth and the outer tooth, an air gap partially defined by the plate member and the outer yoke member, and a magnetosensitive element disposed in the air gap operative to sense a magnetic flux induced by an angular displacement of the magnet member relative to the inner tooth and the outer tooth.

Abstract: A brush type motor including a stator having at least one magnet with an inner circumferential surface is provided. The inner circumferential surface is defined by a first radius orthogonally extending from a first axially extending centerline. The motor has an armature disposed within an interior region of the stator having teeth. Each tooth has an arcuate surface defined by a second radius orthogonally extending from a second axially extending centerline. At least one tooth is radially closer to the inner circumferential surface than the teeth adjacent to the at least one tooth. Each tooth further includes at least one dummy notch extending into the tooth. The first axially extending centerline is in a first position different than a second position of the second axially extending centerline.

Abstract: An actuator assembly including, a polar assembly including an inner tooth and an outer tooth, and a magnet disposed between the inner tooth and the outer tooth, the magnet operative to interact with the polar assembly to induce an electromagnetic torsion bar operative to impart a torque on a first shaft connected to the ring magnet.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus that relates to a gear set. The apparatus includes, a housing, a first gear movable in the housing such that a first axis defined by the first gear is repositionable relative to the housing, a second gear in mesh with the first gear, and a second axis defined by the second gear. The apparatus constrains movement of the first axis to a plane containing both the first axis and a line commonly perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, and a biasing member that urges the first gear toward the second gear.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a magnetic apparatus and a method of manufacturing the magnetic apparatus including a magnet having an outer surface and an inner surface opposing each other with the inner surface having a first portion and a second portion integrally connected to and facing each other and utilizing a fluid and a fixture body defining a hole along a fixture axis and a deflector disposed within the hole. The method includes the steps of installing the magnet on the fixture body and securing the magnet to the fixture body. The method further includes the steps of flowing the fluid through the magnet transverse to the fixture axis to form at least one aperture and intersecting the fluid with the deflector to redirect the fluid generally along the fixture axis.

Abstract: A system and a method for adjusting a dead-time interval between de-activating a first transistor and activating a second transistor in a motor control circuit are provided. The method includes determining a plurality of commanded torque values associated with a motor based on a received signal over time. The method further includes setting the dead-time interval value equal to a first value when one commanded torque value of the plurality of commanded torque values is within a first torque range. The method further includes decreasing the dead-time interval value as other commanded torque values of the plurality of commanded torque values increase over time within a second torque range. The second torque range is greater than the first torque range. The dead-time interval value is indicative of a desired dead-time interval.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring relative displacement between a first shaft and a second shaft includes first and second rotor assemblies. The first rotor assembly is coupled to the first shaft and is centered on an axis. The second rotor assembly is coupled to the second shaft. The second rotor assembly has first and second stator plates. Each of the first and second stator plates includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The first and second stator plates include a plurality of teeth extending in a direction radial of the axis. The apparatus further includes at least one magnet having a magnetic field and disposed on the first rotor assembly. The apparatus includes a flux collector arrangement having first and second collectors positioned adjacent the first and second stator plates, respectively, forming a gap. A sensing device disposed within the gap senses a magnetic flux of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A power actuator assembly includes a torque transmission device, a motor mounted to the torque transmission device extending along a motor axis, and a screw coupled to the torque transmission device and extending along a screw axis. An adjustment mechanism interconnects the screw and the torque transmission device and permits selective rotational adjustment between the adjustment mechanism and the torque transmission device to rotate the motor relative to the torque transmission device. A connecting device releasably interconnects the adjustment mechanism to the torque transmission device to permit repeated re-positioning of the motor relative to the torque transmission device.

Abstract: A magnetic actuator, comprising, an inner ring, an outer ring disposed around the inner ring, a first pair of inner teeth disposed on the inner ring that partially define a gap between the first pair of inner teeth having a first angular dimension, a second pair of inner teeth disposed on the inner ring that partially define a gap between the second pair of inner teeth having a second angular dimension, a first pair of outer teeth disposed on the outer ring that partially define a gap between the first pair of outer teeth having a third angular dimension and a second pair of outer teeth disposed on the outer ring that partially define a gap between the second pair of outer teeth having a fourth angular dimension.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring relative displacement between a first shaft and a second shaft includes first and second rotor assemblies. The first rotor assembly is coupled to the first shaft and is centered on an axis. The second rotor assembly is coupled to the second shaft. The second rotor assembly has first and second stator plates. Each of the first and second stator plates includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The first and second stator plates include a plurality of teeth extending in a direction radial of the axis. The apparatus further includes at least one magnet having a magnetic field and disposed on the first rotor assembly. The apparatus includes a flux collector arrangement having first and second collectors positioned adjacent the first and second stator plates, respectively, forming a gap. A sensing device disposed within the gap senses a magnetic flux of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A position sensor assembly including a circular-shaped or rhombus-shaped magnet and at least one magnetic flux density sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, wherein rotation of the magnet is detected by the at least one sensor. The magnet may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis of a rotor shaft of a motor and provided within a support. A position extraction algorithm may be employed using the output from the sensors to detect the position of the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A method for designing a pole piece for a power assist steering system, includes: selecting a number of teeth, k, for the pole piece where k=n/2 and n represents an even number of poles; and selecting a ratio between an angle made by an inner tooth tip and an outer tooth tip, ?tp, and an angle made by a magnet pole width, ?mp, to provide a desired torque function for the steering system.

Abstract: A system and a method for adjusting a dead-time interval between de-activating a first transistor and activating a second transistor in a motor control circuit are provided. The method includes determining a plurality of commanded torque values associated with a motor based on a received signal over time. The method further includes setting the dead-time interval value equal to a first value when one commanded torque value of the plurality of commanded torque values is within a first torque range. The method further includes decreasing the dead-time interval value as other commanded torque values of the plurality of commanded torque values increase over time within a second torque range. The second torque range is greater than the first torque range. The dead-time interval value is indicative of a desired dead-time interval.

Abstract: An electric motor for reducing torque ripple includes a rotor, a plurality of magnets positioned about the rotor, and a stator including a plurality of stator teeth configured to form at least two slot openings each having a slot opening width wo and a slot opening height ho. One or more of the stator teeth include a dummy channel having a channel height wn and a channel width wb. At least one of the slot opening width wo, the slot opening height ho, the channel height wn, and the channel width wb, are selected so as to minimize or reduce cogging torque.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in an exemplary embodiment, is a position sensor assembly including a circular-shaped or rhombus-shaped magnet and at least one magnetic flux density sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, wherein rotation of the magnet is detected by the at least one sensor. The magnet may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis of a rotor shaft of a motor and provided within a support. A position extraction algorithm may be employed using the output from the sensors to detect the position of the rotor shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus measures relative displacement between a first end and a second end of a shaft. The first and second ends being centered on a shaft axis. The apparatus includes first and second ferromagnetic plates. The first ferromagnetic plate has a first side and a second side and is connected to the first end. The first ferromagnetic plate is centered on the shaft axis and has a plurality of ferromagnetic teeth extending from the first side and in a first direction parallel to the shaft. The second ferromagnetic plate has a first side and a second side and is connected to the second end. The second ferromagnetic plate is centered on the shaft axis. The first and second ferromagnetic plates form a gap. The apparatus further includes a plurality of magnets having a magnetic field and a sensing device. The magnets are coupled to the first side of the second ferromagnetic plate. The sensing device is disposed within the gap for sensing a magnetic flux of the magnetic field.