Abstract: A turbocharger system for an engine includes a rotor, a primary bearing system arranged to axially and radially support the rotor to rotate on a central rotational axis, a compressor coupled to a rotor to rotate with the rotor, a turbine coupled to the rotor to rotate with the rotor, and an electromagnetic actuator adjacent to the rotor. The electromagnetic actuator selectively acts on the rotor and supplements the axial support of the primary bearing system by applying a magnetic force on the rotor in a direction parallel to the central rotational axis of the rotor.

Abstract: Certain aspects encompass a brushless DC electric machine that has a DC stator having field windings. The DC electric machine additionally has a DC rotor. The DC rotor has a rotor core and a plurality of permanent magnets arranged around the rotor core. The permanent magnets are shaped and have a gap between each adjacent permanent magnet to produce a trapezoidal back EMF in the field windings. A non-magnetic material resides in the gaps and bridges each adjacent permanent magnet. A non-magnetic sleeve is provided around the permanent magnets and the non-magnetic filler material retaining the permanent magnets to the core.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for validating the identity or authority of a user of a wireless device to consent to providing geographic locations of their respective wireless device to a third-party application. Upon receiving a request to validate the authority of a user to consent to providing of geographic locations, the user is automatically redirected to a validation service portal. The validation service portal verifies the identity or authority of the user to consent by requiring the user to provide identification information. The identification information is compared to identification information in one or more databases to determine if the user has the authority to consent. An indication is provided by the validation service portal to the third-party application of whether the user has the authority to consent. The third-party application then initiates location-based services based on the indication.

Abstract: Rotor construction that comprises rotor a centrally located permanent magnet section having aligned magnet segments having a central hole throughout its length. A thin rod of magnetic steel is located in this central hole to support the permanent magnets from within. At each end of the rod are located threaded sections for attachment to supporting end stubs. A high strength steel sleeve is interference fit over both the magnets and the end stubs to provide a mechanical link from stub to stub. The guide rod insures that the end stubs and central magnet are concentric during initial processing, prevents relative motion between the rotor components and provides support for the magnet once the sleeve is installed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for containing and protecting the magnets of a permanent magnet rotor spinning at high speeds without the use of a sleeve and is applicable to all permanent magnet rotors with two or more poles. Magnetic pole pieces are used to mechanically retain the magnets as well as provide a low reluctance path for the magnetic field to travel. The pole pieces and magnets are oriented radially on a hub made of a non-magnetic material such that the flux path of the magnets to the rotor poles is not shorted through the hub or shaft. The rotor poles have a taper angle and are secured to the rotor hub; the pole taper angle trapping the magnets, which have a matching taper angle. End cap pieces are provided to retain the rotor poles and the permanent magnets as an integral magnets/poles subassembly for use in a motor or generator.

Abstract: A vacuum pump has a back-up bearing assembly for allowing its rotor to spin down safely without damaging the pump if the primary bearing system becomes disabled. The drive shaft of the rotor is tubular and contains the back-up bearing assembly in its hollow interior. Back-up bearings are mounted onto a tubular center shaft which is coaxial with and inside the drive shaft. An axial position sensor is nested inside the center shaft and light emitted from its light emitter is reflected by a reflective target inside the drive shaft to detect the relative axial position of the drive shaft with respect to the center shaft. A polymer sleeve is attached to the end of the drive shaft as a thermal compensator, which restricts the axial movement of the drive shaft.