Abstract: An apparatus and method of compensating for thermal expansion and tolerance variations (wear, brinelling, mounting distortion) in a fuel injector is provided. The apparatus includes a magneto-hydraulic thermal expansion compensator containing magnetically-active fluid positioned in operative contact with the fuel injector actuation element. A electromagnetic coil is provided proximate the magneto-hydraulic compensator. Magnetic flux generated by the electromagnetic coil causes the viscosity of the magnetically-active fluid within the magneto-hydraulic compensator to increase, causing the magneto-hydraulic compensator to become substantially rigid during actuation of the fuel injector.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of compensating for thermal expansion and tolerance variations (wear, brinelling, mounting distortion) in a fuel injector is provided. The apparatus includes a magneto-hydraulic thermal expansion compensator containing magnetically-active fluid positioned in operative contact with the fuel injector actuation element. A electromagnetic coil is provided proximate the magneto-hydraulic compensator. Magnetic flux generated by the electromagnetic coil causes the viscosity of the magnetically-active fluid within the magneto-hydraulic compensator to increase, causing the magneto-hydraulic compensator to become substantially rigid during actuation of the fuel injector.

Abstract: An improved magnetostrictive actuator is provided. The actuator includes combinations of magnetostrictive alloy compositions and prestress values to provide improved temperature response for automotive applications, such as fuel injectors, without the need for complex electronic controls.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of compensating for thermal expansion and tolerance variations (wear, brinelling, mounting distortion) in a fuel injector is provided. The apparatus includes a magneto-hydraulic thermal expansion compensator containing magnetically-active fluid positioned in operative contact with the fuel injector actuation element. A electromagnetic coil is provided proximate the magneto-hydraulic compensator. Magnetic flux generated by the electromagnetic coil causes the viscosity of the magnetically-active fluid within the magneto-hydraulic compensator to increase, causing the magneto-hydraulic compensator to become substantially rigid during actuation of the fuel injector.

Abstract: A method of controlling the amount of magnetostriction in a magnetostrictive actuator is provided. The method compensates for non-ideal influences, such as imperfections in the magnetostrictive member, prestress, stress or load, quality of the magnetic circuit, and temperature. The method includes selectively energizing the coil to build and maintain a current for generating the magnetizing force; measuring the magnetic flux; and applying the magnetic flux as a feedback variable to control the magnetizing force and thereby control the amount of magnetostriction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for actuating a valve using magnetostrictive transduction is provided. A ferro-magnetic rod having giant magnetostrictive properties is operatively coupled with a hydraulic chamber. Application of a magnetic field to the ferro-magnetic rod generates strain in the rod and corresponding movement in a first piston, causing the fluid in the hydraulic chamber to become pressurized. The pressurized fluid forces a second piston to move, thereby actuating the valve.

Abstract: An improved method for controlling the landing velocity of an armature in an electromechanical actuator, such as a fuel injector, fuel pressure regulator, or engine valve actuator is provided. The position and velocity of an armature during a stroke is dynamically estimated by calculating the inductance and rate of change of inductance of the actuator coil in real-time as the armature moves through its stroke, compensating for non-linear permeability and magnetization effects due to changing gap, temperature, magnetic material properties or magnetic architecture, normalizing the calculated inductance value at the end of a stroke (zero gap), and mapping the value of normalized inductance to correspond to an armature position by an algebraic transformation. Inductance may be used directly as a position variable without mapping it to units of position. Rate of change of inductance may be used as a rate variable without mapping it to units of velocity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for actuating a valve using magnetostrictive transduction is provided. A ferro-magnetic rod having giant magnetostrictive properties is operatively coupled with a hydraulic chamber. Application of a magnetic field to the ferro-magnetic rod generates strain in the rod and corresponding movement in a first piston, causing the fluid in the hydraulic chamber to become pressurized. The pressurized fluid forces a second piston to move, thereby actuating the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for actuating a valve using magnetostrictive transduction is provided. A ferro-magnetic rod having giant magnetostrictive properties is operatively coupled with a hydraulic chamber. Application of a magnetic field to the ferro-magnetic rod generates strain in the rod and corresponding movement in a first piston, causing the fluid in the hydraulic chamber to become pressurized. The pressurized fluid forces a second piston to move, thereby actuating the valve.

Abstract: A method is provided to determine a static position of an armature 24 of an electronically controlled solenoid device 10. The method provides an electronically controlled solenoid device having a first stator 14 and a first coil 16 operatively associated with the first stator, a second stator 18 and a second coil 22 operatively associated with the second stator, and an armature 24 mounted for movement between the first and second stators. The armature defines a magnetic circuit with each of the first and second stators and their associated coils. A flux of a magnetic circuit associated with each coil is ramped in a generally linear manner over a period of time. A nominal position of the armature is defined where current in both of the coils is substantially equal. A current slope of each of the coils resulting from the associated ramped flux is observed. An offset of each current slope from the nominal position is indicative of the static position of the armature.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a load terminal and a line terminal; a pair of main contacts; a separable pair of arcing contacts; and a moving conductor assembly having a contact carrier mounted for movement between an open position and a closed position to open and close the separable pairs of contacts. The circuit breaker further includes an arc chute and an arc runner electrically connected to a stationary arcing contact and extending toward the arc chute to provide a path for an arc struck between the separable pair of arcing contacts as the separable pair of arcing contacts open with movement of the moving conductor assembly from the closed position. The arc runner has a longitudinal elongated raised ridge generally laterally centered.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of compensating for thermal expansion and tolerance variations (wear, brinelling, mounting distortion) in a fuel injector is provided. The apparatus includes a magneto-hydraulic thermal expansion compensator containing magnetically-active fluid positioned in operative contact with the fuel injector actuation element. A electromagnetic coil is provided proximate the magneto-hydraulic compensator. Magnetic flux generated by the electromagnetic coil causes the viscosity of the magnetically-active fluid within the magneto-hydraulic compensator to increase, causing the magneto-hydraulic compensator to become substantially rigid during actuation of the fuel injector.

Abstract: A method of controlling the amount of magnetostriction in a magnetostrictive actuator is provided. The method compensates for non-ideal influences, such as imperfections in the magnetostrictive member, prestress, stress or load, quality of the magnetic circuit, and temperature. The method includes selectively energizing the coil to build and maintain a current for generating the magnetizing force; measuring the magnetic flux; and applying the magnetic flux as a feedback variable to control the magnetizing force and thereby control the amount of magnetostriction.

Abstract: An electromagnetic blow-open device for a pole of a circuit breaker where the pole has a stationary contact and a movable contact. The movable contact includes contact fingers mounted on a contact carrier. The contacts have an open position and a closed position. The pole further has an associated rotatable pole shaft. The electromagnetic blow-open device includes a collapsible linkage having a rigid position and a changeable position. The collapsible linkage is disposed between, and coupled to, the pole shaft and contact carrier. The collapsible linkage is maintains the stationary contact and the movable contact in the closed position while the collapsible linkage is in the rigid position and to allow the stationary contact and the movable contact to move to the open position when the collapsible linkage is in said changeable position. The electromagnetic blow-open device also includes an actuator arm which is coupled to the collapsible linkage and is responsive to an over-current condition in the pole.

Abstract: An improved method of actuating an electronic fuel injector is provided using magnetostrictive transduction. A ferro-magnetic rod having giant magnetostrictive properties is operatively coupled with a fuel injector needle valve. Application of a magnetic field to the ferro-magnetic rod generates strain in the rod and corresponding motion in the needle valve, thereby actuating the fuel injector.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining magnetic characteristics of an electrically controlled solenoid. The method includes providing an electronically controlled solenoid having an armature, a stator and a coil operatively associated with the stator. The armature, stator and coil define a magnetic circuit. The armature is spaced from the stator to define an air gap between the armature and the stator. Current to the coil is ramped in a generally linear manner over a period of time to define a known current curve. A resulting rate of change of flux in the magnetic circuit is observed and recorded at certain points along the current curve. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, flux in the magnetic circuit is ramped in a generally linear manner over a period of time to define a known flux curve. A resulting current in the coil is observed and recorded at certain points along the flux curve.

Abstract: An improved magnetostrictive actuator is provided. The actuator includes combinations of magnetostrictive alloy compositions and prestress values to provide improved temperature response for automotive applications, such as fuel injectors, without the need for complex electronic controls.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for actuating a valve using magnetostrictive transduction is provided. A ferro-magnetic rod having giant magnetostrictive properties is operatively coupled with a hydraulic chamber. Application of a magnetic field to the ferro-magnetic rod generates strain in the rod and corresponding movement in a first piston, causing the fluid in the hydraulic chamber to become pressurized. The pressurized fluid forces a second piston to move, thereby actuating the valve.

Abstract: A method of controlling velocity of an armature of an electromagnetic actuator as the armature moves from a first position towards a second position is provided. The electromagnetic actuator includes a coil and a core at the second position. The coil generates a magnetic force to cause the armature to move towards and land at the second position. A control method is provided to ensure a near zero velocity landing of the armature in the second position while compensating for non-ideal external influences on the system.

Abstract: A radioisotope proximity sensor is provided for detecting proximity or distance to a nearby object containing a small radiation source complementary to the sensor. The output of the sensor is amplified or compared to determine the distance or proximity. The radioisotope proximity sensor is unaffected by magnetic fields over the short sensing distances. It is also unaffected by environmental contamination when the appropriate radiosource/detector combination is used. The radioisotope proximity sensor is easily shielded from electrostatic or electromagnetic noise, and the radiation source can be small, easily incorporated, and requires no external power or connections to affect mechanical reliability or impede armature movement.