Abstract: A magnetorheological (MR) fluid-based device including an MR piston assembly. The MR piston assembly includes a ferromagnetic MR piston core and an electric coil. The MR piston core has a central longitudinal axis and has an outer circumferential surface substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis. The electric coil is positioned in the MR piston core and is substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis. A portion, or at least a portion, of the electric coil is buried in the MR piston core under the outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: A rotary velocity sensor includes a stator having a coil and a rotor having a permanent magnet. The rotor is substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the stator, surrounds the coil, and is rotatable with respect to the stator about the axis. A rotary position and velocity sensor includes a non-magnetic stator having a magnetosensitive device and having at least one coil and includes a non-magnetic rotor having at least one permanent magnet. The magnetosensitive device has a sensing surface with a normal axis aligned substantially perpendicular to the stator axis. The at-least-one coil has a central coil axis aligned substantially perpendicular to the stator axis. The rotor is substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the stator, surrounds the at-least-one coil, and is rotatable with respect to the stator about the stator axis.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological damping device comprises a piston and a case element, both capable of acting to carry a magnetic flux. A passage exists between the piston and the case element, and an amount of MR fluid is positioned between the piston and the case element to flow within the passage. A first magnetic flux generator and a second magnetic flux generator cooperate to generate a net flux that is disposed to act upon the MR fluid in the passage to affect the flow of fluid in the passage. One of the flux generators comprises a permanent magnet to generate a bias flux between the piston and the case element, and the other flux generator comprises a means for providing a controllable magnetic flux between the piston and the case element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement (11) having a hollow panel (1), for example a honeycomb panel, and a joint fitting (6). For the purpose of stable fixing, the invention proposes that the joint fitting (6) be inserted through a hole in a covering panel (3) of the hollow panel (1) and into a counterbore on the inside of the other covering panel (4) of the hollow panel (1). As a result, the joint fitting (6) is provided with stable support against forces in a radial direction, that is to say against forces acting in the plane of the panel. There can be inserted into the joint fitting (6), for example, an eccentric clamp (19) known per se, by means of which, as a result of rotation, a tension anchor (14) can be tensioned.

Abstract: A rotary velocity sensor includes a stator having a coil and a rotor having a permanent magnet. The rotor is substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the stator, surrounds the coil, and is rotatable with respect to the stator about the axis. A rotary position and velocity sensor includes a non-magnetic stator having a magnetosensitive device and having at least one coil and includes a non-magnetic rotor having at least one permanent magnet. The magnetosensitive device has a sensing surface with a normal axis aligned substantially perpendicular to the stator axis. The at-least-one coil has a central coil axis aligned substantially perpendicular to the stator axis. The rotor is substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the stator, surrounds the at-least-one coil, and is rotatable with respect to the stator about the stator axis.

Abstract: A magnetorheological (MR) fluid-based device including an MR piston assembly. The MR piston assembly includes a ferromagnetic MR piston core and an electric coil. The MR piston core has a central longitudinal axis and has an outer circumferential surface substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis. The electric coil is positioned in the MR piston core and is substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis. A portion, or at least a portion, of the electric coil is buried in the MR piston core under the outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: Certain circuit faults in a phase of a multi-pole, switched reluctance, rotary electrical machine are detected; and the machine is selectively operated with a detected circuit fault when the nature of the fault permits continued operation of the phase and the operation of the phase is desirable. The fault may be one of certain short or open circuits in which at least one of the two current controlling electronic switches is operable to control phase current within predetermined limits. In the continued operation when a fault is detected, (1) the phase current is switched off earlier than it would be in the absence of the fault and/or (2) the maximum phase current is reduced compared with that permitted in the absence of the fault; and either or both of these modifications may be a function of motor speed. If the circuit fault adversely affects current control by an electronic switch normally controlling current level, another electronic switch is substituted for current control.

Abstract: The subject invention provides an assembly for measuring movement of and a torque applied to a shaft extending between first and second ends and being hollow, specifically for measuring rotation and twisting of the shaft. A permanent magnet is disposed within the shaft for producing a parallel magnetic field emanating radially from the shaft. A sensor mechanism is positioned adjacent the shaft to detect the magnetic flux produced in response to the shaft being moved. The sensor mechanism includes a magnetostrictive (MR) material disposed annularly about the shaft and extends between first and second edges. A flux collector extends beyond the first and second edges of the magnetostrictive material to direct the magnetic flux through a Hall sensor to detect an axial component of the magnetic flux in response to twisting.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive force sensor universally usable in any environment with similar signals unaffected by the surrounding material. To this end, a sensor comprising a shaft of magnetostrictive material with an inductance coil wound around the shaft is provided with a magnetic shell enclosing the coil only or both the coil and the shaft. Upon application of the magnetic field, the resultant flow of magnetic flux is confined to a path through the shaft and the magnetic shell. By confining the magnetic flux path, the dependency of the sensor signal on the surrounding material and environment is essentially eliminated.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor provides an output voltage range having first and second linear slopes. Proper selection of magnetic sensor dimensions enables changes in magnetic flux density upon the passage of at least one tooth and one slot of a target wheel past the magnetic sensor to be represented as a linear magnetic sensor output comprised of at least one linear range whereby linear interpolation of position is possible with appropriate signal processing algorithms.

Abstract: A torque sensing apparatus for picking up a magnetic field of a magnetostrictive material disposed on a shaft, the torque sensing apparatus having: a first integrating ring; a second integrating ring; a first fluxgate return strip and a second fluxgate return strip each being connected to the first integrating ring at one end and the second integrating ring at the other end; an excitation coil; and a feedback coil; wherein the first integrating ring and the second integrating ring are configured to be positioned to pick up flux signals along the entire periphery of the ends of the magnetostrictive material.

Abstract: A plug for fixing to hollow and to solid building materials has a plug body having a plurality of longitudinally extending expansible limbs that are expansible by screwing in of an expansion screw, the expansible limbs having a rear end and a leading end, a sleeve-shaped plug end which joins the expansible limbs with one another at the rear end and is formed so that the expansion screw is insertable through the plug end, a sleeve-shaped plug tip which joins the expansible sleeves with one another at the leading end and which is formed so that the expansion screw is screwable into the plug tip, and a stretchable material which joins the expansible limbs with one another circumferentially and which is pierced by several helically arranged slots.

Abstract: A torque sensing apparatus for picking up a magnetic field of a magnetostrictive material disposed on a shaft, comprising: a first integrating ring; a second integrating ring; a first fluxgate return strip and a second fluxgate return strip each being connected to the first integrating ring at one end and the second integrating ring at the other end; an excitation coil; and a feedback coil; wherein the first integrating ring and the second integrating ring are configured to be positioned to pick up flux signals along the entire periphery of the ends of the magnetostrictive material.

Abstract: A torque sensing apparatus for picking up a magnetic flux in response to applying a torque to a shaft is disclosed. A magnetostrictive material is disposed on the surface of the shaft and is magnetically polarized. The apparatus includes a first flux collector and a second flux collector spaced from each other and extending annularly around the shaft. A first fluxgate is connected to the first flux collector at one end and to the second flux collector at the other end with a first excitation coil wound about the first fluxgate. A second fluxgate is connected to the first flux collector at one end and to the second flux collector at the other end with a second excitation coil wound about the second fluxgate. A feedback coil is positioned between the shaft and the flux collectors, the fluxgates, and the excitation coils.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive force sensor universally usable in any environment with similar signals unaffected by the surrounding material. To this end, a sensor comprising a shaft of magnetostrictive material with an inductance coil wound around the shaft is provided with a magnetic shell enclosing the coil only or both the coil and the shaft. Upon application of the magnetic field, the resultant flow of magnetic flux is confined to a path through the shaft and the magnetic shell. By confining the magnetic flux path, the dependency of the sensor signal on the surrounding material and environment is essentially eliminated.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor featuring a magnetized rotor which produces a magnetic flux density that varies sinusoidally with respect to the angular position of the rotor, which may be either a selectively magnetized ring or disk. The magnetic flux density produced by the rotor is measured by a sensor that responds in a linear fashion to the magnitude of the radial component of the magnetic flux density. Typical embodiments would use magnetic flux density sensors, as for example either linear Hall sensors or magnetoresistive type sensors. The measured magnetic flux densities are then used as in a traditional resolver to compute position or used to directly generate control signals to operate, for example, a motor.

Abstract: An expansible plug has a plurality of expansible tongues which extend over an expansible region and are expandable radially away from one another under the action of an expanding member, the expansible region being radially oversized.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the load dump voltage of a permanent magnet (PM) alternator having a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) bridge. The apparatus includes a voltage divider, a peak detector, and a comparator. The voltage divider attenuates the bridge output voltage, which is further fed through a peak detector to hold the peak value for improved stability. The comparator changes states when the bridge output exceeds a predetermined voltage level (e.g., 55 volts) that is less than the load dump threshold limit (e.g., 60 volts), but greater than the normal operating voltage (e.g., 42 volts). The comparator output change-in-state deactivates a gate pulse generator, thereby suppressing further operation of the SCR bridge. Voltage transients that may otherwise occur at the bridge output for the remainder portion of a half cycle from the PM alternator are clamped using a varistor or zener diode.

Abstract: A three region control strategy for a permanent magnet motor is presented. In a first control region, the permanent magnet motor is operated at, a 120° conduction square wave mode at reduced phase current, and below a no-load speed. The motor phase current commutation causes eddy current losses in the rotor magnets and core which are insignificant due to the low phase currents and relatively low rotor speed. Meanwhile, the inverter switching losses are kept low as two switches are in use (on/off) for each current commutation during the 120° conduction mode. In a second control region, the permanent magnet motor is operated at a 180° conduction sinusoidal wave mode with high phase currents. The 180° conduction sinusoidal wave mode minimizes the commutation loss. In a third control region, the permanent magnet motor is operated above its no-load speed or in a field weakening mode.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method for torque control of a PM synchronous machine. The method includes obtaining a torque command signal and a machine speed and determining an operating mode in response to the torque command signal and the machine speed. The operating mode includes a first operating mode and a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, a stator phase voltage magnitude is computed and an angle between the stator phase voltage and a stator phase back emf is determined in response to the stator phase voltage magnitude. In the second operating mode, the stator phase voltage is set to a predetermined magnitude and the angle between the stator phase voltage and the stator phase back emf is determined in response to the predetermined magnitude.