Abstract: A method of calibrating a mirror orientation system of a heliostat includes mounting an artificial light source to a heliostat mirror, providing an array of light sensors on a solar thermal tower and positioning the heliostat mirror at a first orientation. A control module is provided a signal indicative of a mirror drive mechanism position at the first mirror orientation. The control module correlates the signal indicative of the mechanism position with an energy distribution across the sensor array as the artificial light source is energized when the mirror is at the first orientation. The drive mechanism moves the mirror to a second orientation and directs artificial light on the sensor array. The drive mechanism position signal is correlated with an energy distribution across the sensor array based on the second mirror orientation. The heliostat is calibrated based on the energy distributions and the drive mechanism position signals.

Abstract: A heliostat for reflecting sunlight toward a target includes a first structure supporting a mirror including inner and outer tubes being rotatable relative to one another. A first actuator includes an electric motor driving a reduction gearset to rotate one of the first tubes and rotate the mirror about a first axis. A second structure also includes inner and outer rotatable tubes. A second actuator includes a second electric motor driving a reduction gearset to rotate the mirror about a second axis.

Abstract: A closed loop adaptive fluid control system and method for use in hydraulic applications monitors one or more fluid characteristics, such as pressure, flow rate, accumulation time in an actuator, fill volume, etc., and compares the characteristic with a target response. A fluid characteristic sensor detects at least one fluid characteristic at a hydraulically-actuated device that is actuated by a electrically-operated. The sensor sends a device signal corresponding to the actual sensed characteristic to an electronic controller, which compares the device signal with a target response. The controller then identifies any differences between the device signal and the target response and provides a feedback signal to the electrically-operated valve to adjust the current to the valve, which in turn adjusts the electrically-operated valve so that the device signal corresponding to the sensed characteristic at the device converges toward the target response.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve has a pressure transducer sensing valve outlet pressure integrally formed in the valve body, such as by overmolding. Upon connection of the transducer and solenoid to an electronic controller, the controller generates a valve energization signal in response to a desired valve pressure output and the transducer input for providing closed loop control of the valve outlet pressure. An ASIC may also be integrally formed in the valve body, such as by overmolding for providing integrated signal conditioning; and, the optional ASIC, if employed, may also include the circuitry for the electronic controller for providing a “smart” pressure control valve.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve has a pressure transducer sensing valve outlet pressure integrally formed in the valve body, such as by overmolding. Upon connection of the transducer and solenoid to an electronic controller, the controller generates a valve energization signal in response to a desired valve pressure output and the transducer input for providing closed loop control of the valve outlet pressure. An ASIC may also be integrally formed in the valve body, such as by overmolding for providing integrated signal conditioning; and, the optional ASIC, if employed, may also include the circuitry for the electronic controller for providing a “smart” pressure control valve.

Abstract: A system for controlling pressure in a transmission comprises a transmission control unit, a valve controller that receives a desired pressure as input from the transmission control unit, a valve driver, a valve that regulates an amount of fluid in a transmission clutch, and a pressure transducer that reads a pressure in the transmission clutch and outputs a pressure reading to the valve controller, wherein the valve controller comprises logic for outputting to the valve driver an instruction for controlling the valve, the instruction being formulated using the desired pressure and the pressure reading.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic manifold assembly with a plurality of solenoid operated valves disposed on a manifold block and each operable to control pressure from the inlet to a separate outlet. Sensing ports are provided in each outlet with a pressure sensor sealed over the sensing port for providing a signal indicative of the sensed pressure. The pressure sensors are mounted on a lead frame and connected to conductive strips in the lead frame. The lead frame has slots therein which permit the frame to be simultaneously electrically connected by bayonet connection to the terminals on each solenoid valve as the transducers are sealed over the sensing ports and the lead frame attached to the manifold block.

Abstract: A method of controlling hydraulic shift clutch actuators in an automatic speed change power transmission of the type having an electronic controller (TCU) for energizing a solenoid operated valve to control each hydraulic clutch actuator. A pressure sensor is disposed to sense the hydraulic pressure (Ps) to each clutch actuator and provides an electrical signal to the TCU which also receives a clutch pressure command signal (Pc) from the vehicle powertrain computer. The TCU computes the differential &Dgr;P=Pc−Ps and determines the valve energization current IE from known relationships between &Dgr;P and the percentage of maximum valve current and repeats the process in real time to adjust IE until &Dgr;P is negligible.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic manifold assembly with a plurality of solenoid operated valves disposed on a manifold block and each operable to control pressure from the inlet to a separate outlet. Sensing ports are provided in each outlet with a pressure sensor sealed over the sensing port for providing a signal indicative of the sensed pressure. The pressure sensors are mounted on a lead frame and connected to conductive strips in the lead frame. The lead frame has slots therein which permit the frame to be simultaneously electrically connected by bayonet connection to the terminals on each solenoid valve as the transducers are sealed over the sensing ports and the lead frame attached to the manifold block.

Abstract: A method of controlling hydraulic shift clutch actuators in an automatic speed change power transmission of the type having an electronic controller (TCU) for energizing a solenoid operated valve to control each hydraulic clutch actuator. A pressure sensor is disposed to sense the hydraulic pressure (Ps) to each clutch actuator and provides an electrical signal to the TCU which also receives a clutch pressure command signal (Pc) from the vehicle powertrain computer. The TCU computes the differential &Dgr;P=Pc−Ps and determines the valve energization current IE from known relationships between &Dgr;P and the percentage of maximum valve current and repeats the process in real time to adjust IE until &Dgr;P is negligible.

Abstract: A rotary position transducer with a cosine and sine attenuating voltage wave output has the substantially linear portions segmented and pieced together from a predetermined set of conditions to form a continuously linearly varying voltage output.

Abstract: A rotary position transducer with a cosine and sine attenuating voltage wave output has the substantially linear portions segmented and pieced together from a predetermined set of conditions to form a continuously linearly varying voltage output.

Abstract: A rotary position transducer with a cosine and sine attenuating voltage wave output has the substantially linear portions segmented and pieced together from a predetermined set of conditions to form a continuously linearly varying voltage output.

Abstract: An axial lead screw having one end pivotally connected to a rearview mirror is threadedly engaged by a motor driven worm gear, which upon rotation effects axial movement of the lead screw. A pair of flux collectors are disposed on opposite sides of the lead screw adjacent the distal end. A Hall effect sensor is disposed in one of the flux collectors. The distal end of the lead screw is magnetized and the Hall effect sensor provides a signal indicative of the lead screw movement. In one embodiment, the lead screw is magnetized; and, in another embodiment a permanent magnet is inserted in a bore in the distal end of the lead screw.

Abstract: An axial lead screw having one end pivotally connected to a rearview mirror is threadedly engaged by a motor driven worm gear, which upon rotation effects axial movement of the lead screw. A pair of flux collectors are disposed on opposite sides of the lead screw adjacent the distal end. A Hall effect sensor is disposed in one of the flux collectors. The distal end of the lead screw is magnetized and the Hall effect sensor provides a signal indicative of the lead screw movement. In one embodiment, the lead screw is magnetized; and, in another embodiment a permanent magnet is inserted in a bore in the distal end of the lead screw.