Abstract: A hybrid spherical motor includes a first gear box, a second gear box, a yoke arm, a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor, a spherical stator, and a spherical armature. The split armature, in response to the spherical stator being energized, rotates about a first rotational axis, thereby causing the first gear box input connection and the second gear box input connection to rotate about the first rotational axis, and the yoke arm rotates about the first rotational axis in response to the first gear box input connection and the second gear box input connection being rotated about the first rotational axis, whereby the BLDC motor rotates about the first rotational axis.

Abstract: A gimbal assembly is provided that allows for more than a single rotation about a rotational axis in both a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction.

Abstract: A stepper motor includes a rotor, a stator, a plurality of stator windings, and a plurality of permanent magnets. The permanent magnets are coupled to the outer surface of the rotor and are spaced apart from the plurality of stator poles, and each permanent magnet is shaped like an arc having an arc length and is circumferentially spaced apart from two adjacent permanent magnets by a spacing angle. In some instance, the arc length of each permanent magnet is equal, and the spacing angles are not all equal. In other instances, the arc length of two or more of the permanent magnets is unequal to the arc lengths of the other permanent magnets, and the spacing angles are not all equal.

Abstract: A two degree-of-freedom electromagnetic machine includes an inner stator, a plurality of stator windings, an outer stator, a voice coil winding, a rotor, a plurality of spin magnets, and a plurality of tilt magnets. The plurality of stator windings, when electrically energized, impart a torque on the rotor that causes the rotor to rotate, relative to the inner and outer stators, about a first rotational axis, and the voice coil winding, when electrically energized, imparts a torque on the rotor that causes the rotor to rotate, relative to the inner and outer stators, about a second rotational axis that is perpendicular to the first rotational axis.

Abstract: A two degree-of-freedom motor includes a stator, a plurality of stator windings, a rotor, a shaft, a limited angle torque motor, and a spring. The stator has a main body and a plurality of stator poles. The stator windings are wound around the stator poles. The rotor is spaced apart from the stator and includes a plurality of magnets and is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis. The shaft is coupled to the rotor and is rotatable therewith and and has a shaft first end and a shaft second end. The limited angle torque motor is coupled to the shaft first end, and is operable to supply a torque that causes the shaft, the rotor, and the stator to rotate about a second rotational axis that is perpendicular to the first rotational axis. The spring is fixedly mounted and is coupled to the limited angle torque motor.

Abstract: A multi degree-of-freedom electromagnetic machine includes an outer case, an inner case, a stator, stator windings, a voice coil winding, a tilt magnet, a rotor, and rotor magnets. The inner case is disposed within an inner cavity of the outer case and is mounted to rotate relative to the outer case about one or more rotational axes. The stator is fixedly mounted within the inner case, and the stator windings are wound thereon. The voice coil winding is fixedly coupled to either the inner surface of the outer case or the outer surface of the inner case. The tilt magnet is fixedly coupled to either the outer surface of the inner case or the inner surface of the outer case. The rotor is rotationally mounted within the inner case and is operable to rotate, relative to the stator, about a rotational axis.

Abstract: A multi-degree-of-freedom electromagnetic machine includes a spherical stator, an armature, a payload mount assembly, and a payload. The spherical stator has a first axis of symmetry, a second axis of symmetry, and a third axis of symmetry that are disposed perpendicular to each other. The armature is spaced apart from, and surrounds at least a portion of, the spherical stator, and is mounted for rotation about the first and second axes of symmetry. The payload is spaced apart from the spherical stator and the armature and is coupled to the payload mount assembly and is mounted to rotate about a payload rotational axis that is parallel to the first axis of symmetry and perpendicular to the second axis of symmetry. The payload is disposed such that its center of gravity is at a position where the second axis of symmetry and the payload rotational axis intersect.

Abstract: A two degree-of-freedom motor includes an inner stator, a plurality of inner stator windings, an inner rotor, an outer stator, a plurality of outer stator windings, an outer rotor, and a shaft. The inner rotor is spaced apart from, and at least partially surrounds, the inner stator, and includes a plurality of magnets. The outer stator is spaced apart from, and at least partially surrounds, the inner stator and the inner rotor. The outer rotor is spaced apart from, and is disposed between, the inner rotor and the outer stator, and has a plurality of outer rotor projections. The shaft is coupled to the inner rotor and the outer rotor.

Abstract: A multi-degree of freedom electromagnetic machine includes a spherical body, an outer structure, a plurality of magnets, and a plurality of windings. Each of the plurality of windings includes a flexible dielectric substrate and an electrical conductor. The flexible dielectric substrate has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surface of the flexible substrate facies the outer surface of the spherical body. The electrical conductor is disposed on at least one of the inner or outer surfaces of the flexible dielectric substrate.

Abstract: A stepper motor includes a rotor, a stator, a plurality of stator windings, and a plurality of permanent magnets. The permanent magnets are coupled to the outer surface of the rotor and are spaced apart from the plurality of stator poles, and each permanent magnet is shaped like an arc having an arc length and is circumferentially spaced apart from two adjacent permanent magnets by a spacing angle. In some instance, the arc length of each permanent magnet is equal, and the spacing angles are not all equal. In other instances, the arc length of two or more of the permanent magnets is unequal to the arc lengths of the other permanent magnets, and the spacing angles are not all equal.

Abstract: A multi-degree of freedom electromagnetic machine includes a spherical body, an outer structure, a plurality of magnets, and a plurality of windings. Each of the plurality of windings includes a flexible dielectric substrate and an electrical conductor. The flexible dielectric substrate has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the inner surface of the flexible substrate facies the outer surface of the spherical body. The electrical conductor is disposed on at least one of the inner or outer surfaces of the flexible dielectric substrate.

Abstract: A multi-stage spherical motor includes an inner stator, an outer stator, a rotor, and magnets. The inner stator has a plurality of inner stator windings wound thereon. The outer stator is spaced apart from and at least partially surrounds the inner stator, and has a plurality of outer stator windings wound thereon. The rotor is disposed between the inner stator and the outer stator and is configured to rotate about a plurality of perpendicular axes. The rotor has an inner surface and an outer surface. An inner array of magnets is coupled to the inner surface of the rotor, and an outer array of magnets coupled to the outer surface of the rotor. In some embodiments, a multi-stage spherical motor includes an inner rotor, an outer rotor, a stator, inner stator coils, and outer stator coils.

Abstract: A high vibration, high-cycle, pulse width modulated (PWM) solenoid actuated valve assembly includes a valve housing and a solenoid actuator. The solenoid actuator is coupled to the valve housing and includes a solenoid housing, a bobbin assembly, a coil, an armature, a glide structure, an actuation rod, and an anti-rotation guide structure. The glide structure is disposed at least partially within the armature and between the armature and the inner surface of the yoke. The actuation rod is coupled to, and is axially movable with, the armature, it also extends into the valve housing and has a ball valve integrally formed thereon. The anti-rotation guide structure is disposed within the valve housing and surrounds at least a portion of the actuation rod. At least the actuation rod and the anti-rotation guide each have structural features formed thereon that mate with each other and prevent rotation of the actuation rod and the armature.

Abstract: A high vibration, high-cycle, pulse width modulated (PWM) solenoid actuated valve assembly includes a valve housing and a solenoid actuator. The solenoid actuator is coupled to the valve housing and includes a solenoid housing, a bobbin assembly, a coil, an armature, a glide structure, an actuation rod, and an anti-rotation guide structure. The glide structure is disposed at least partially within the armature and between the armature and the inner surface of the yoke. The actuation rod is coupled to, and is axially movable with, the armature, it also extends into the valve housing and has a ball valve integrally formed thereon. The anti-rotation guide structure is disposed within the valve housing and surrounds at least a portion of the actuation rod. At least the actuation rod and the anti-rotation guide each have structural features formed thereon that mate with each other and prevent rotation of the actuation rod and the armature.

Abstract: A universal solenoid actuator includes a housing, a flange, a single armature, a first rod, a second rod, a first coil, and a second coil. The housing defines a cavity that is devoid of permanent magnets. The flange comprises a magnetic material and divides the cavity into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion. The single armature extends through, and is movable within, the armature opening. The first rod and second rods are coupled to opposite ends of the single armature and are moveable therewith. The first and second coils are wound such that: when the first coil is electrically energized, a first force is generated that causes the single armature to move in a first direction, and when the second coil is electrically energized, a second force is generated that causes the single armature to move in a second direction.

Abstract: A universal solenoid actuator includes a housing, a flange, a single armature, a first rod, a second rod, a first coil, and a second coil. The housing defines a cavity that is devoid of permanent magnets. The flange comprises a magnetic material and divides the cavity into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion. The single armature extends through, and is movable within, the armature opening. The first rod and second rods are coupled to opposite ends of the single armature and are moveable therewith. The first and second coils are wound such that: when the first coil is electrically energized, a first force is generated that causes the single armature to move in a first direction, and when the second coil is electrically energized, a second force is generated that causes the single armature to move in a second direction.

Abstract: A smart solenoid control system for controlling flow of fluid in a conduit includes a solenoid, a plurality of fluid sensors, a plurality of solenoid sensors, a display device, a communication module, and a control. Each fluid sensor senses a parameter associated with the fluid in the conduit. Each solenoid sensor senses a parameter associated with the solenoid. The display device is configured to render images. The communication module is configured to transmit received data to a remote station or handheld device. The control is coupled to receive signals from the fluid sensor signals and the solenoid sensors and determines whether the solenoid should be in a first or second position, supplies drive current to the solenoid to cause the solenoid to move to the desired position, selectively commands the display device to render images, and supplies the data to the communication module for transmission.

Abstract: An ignition exciter system includes an igniter, a step-up transformer, a switch device, and a spark-sustain capacitor. The igniter has a spark gap across which a spark may be generated. The step-up transformer has a primary winding that is adapted to selectively receive direct current (DC) from a DC source, and a secondary winding that is coupled to the igniter. The switch device is coupled to the primary winding and is configured to selectively operate in an ON state, in which DC may flow through the primary winding, and an OFF state, in which DC may not flow through the primary winding. The spark-sustain capacitor is coupled to the igniter and is configured to charge from a DC source when the switch device is operating in the ON state, and at least selectively discharge across the spark gap when the switch device is operating in the OFF state.

Abstract: An ignition circuit is provided and may include a dc-dc converter having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, an igniter plug having a first terminal and a second terminal, a first capacitor coupled to the positive terminal, a first diode coupled between the first capacitor and the negative terminal, a switching circuit coupled between the positive terminal, and the negative terminal, a second capacitor, a transformer having a primary and a secondary winding, the primary winding coupled between the negative terminal and the second capacitor and the secondary winding coupled between the negative terminal and the first terminal of igniter plug, and a second diode coupled between the first capacitor and the second terminal, wherein the second capacitor is coupled between the primary winding and the second diode, and wherein the first terminal is coupled to the secondary winding and the second terminal is connected to a ground.

Abstract: An ignition exciter system includes an igniter, a step-up transformer, a switch device, and a spark-sustain capacitor. The igniter has a spark gap across which a spark may be generated. The step-up transformer has a primary winding that is adapted to selectively receive direct current (DC) from a DC source, and a secondary winding that is coupled to the igniter. The switch device is coupled to the primary winding and is configured to selectively operate in an ON state, in which DC may flow through the primary winding, and an OFF state, in which DC may not flow through the primary winding. The spark-sustain capacitor is coupled to the igniter and is configured to charge from a DC source when the switch device is operating in the ON state, and at least selectively discharge across the spark gap when the switch device is operating in the OFF state.