Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes allowing both frequency and amplitude of a periodic waveform to be adjusted. The method also includes creating the periodic waveform having the frequency and the amplitude. The periodic waveform is coupled to at least one control signal. The at least one control signal is provided to an output suitable for coupling to an actuator of an electronically controlled device. An apparatus and computer program product are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes dead band reduction circuitry. The dead band reduction circuitry includes an input configured to receive an input signal and an output configured to provide an output signal. The dead band circuitry is configured to apply compensation to the input signal to create the output signal. The output is configured to be coupled to an electronically controlled valve. The valve is configured to use the output signal to control movement of a valve member in the valve. The valve member includes one or more lands that overlaps an associated one or more openings. The one or more lands are sized relative to an associated one or more openings such that a dead band is caused. The compensation is defined to reduce the dead band.

Abstract: A pressure support system having enhanced noise reduction and a valve assembly for use in pressure support system. The pressure support system includes a pressure generator having an inlet and an outlet. A first conduit defining a tortuous path is coupled between a gas source and the inlet of the pressure generator. A second conduit coupled to the outlet of the pressure generator delivers the flow of gas from the pressure generator to a patient. A valve assembly communicates gas from the second conduit to the first conduit to control the pressure or a rate of the flow of gas in the second conduit. By communicating gas from the second conduit to the first conduit, the noise associated with exhausting gas from the second conduit is muffled by the tortuous path of the first conduit.

Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling the flow of a predetermined fluid, including a tube having an open end forming an outlet port, and wherein the tube is made of a material that is porous with respect to the predetermined fluid, an outer wall forming a fluid chamber coaxially surrounding the porous tube and including an inlet port, and a valve member made of non-porous material received for sliding movement within the porous tube. Sliding movement of the valve member within the tube and towards the open end of the tube reduces the flow of the predetermined fluid from the fluid chamber, through the porous tube and through the outlet of the valve assembly, while sliding movement of the valve member within the tube and away from the open end of the tube increases the flow of the predetermined fluid from the fluid chamber, through the porous tube and through the outlet of the valve assembly.

Abstract: An electromechanical valve that includes a cylindrical housing having a first axially disposed chamber containing a valve body and a spool reciprocally mounted in the body for movement along the axis of the housing. A second chamber is located within the housing adjacent to the first chamber which contains a voice coil actuator having a coil holder that is coupled to the spool so that the spool moves linearly when a current is applied to the coil. Materials having a high thermal conductivity are placed in the voice coil actuator for rapidly transmitting heat energy generated in the coil to the housing so that the energy is dissipated into the surrounding ambient before it can damage the actuator.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an electromechanical servovalve having an electrical coil or winding movably mounted relative to a magnet so that when the winding is energized by an electric current, it interacts with the magnetic flux generated by the magnet to shift a valve member of an associated valve between operative and inoperative position. The arrangement is such that the valve member functions as the bearing for the movable coil or winding so as to render the servovalve lighter and faster in operation. The valve member is biased toward its neutral or inoperative position by a pair of opposed springs, one of which can be readily adjusted to vary the biasing force of the springs acting upon the valving member.

Abstract: A relatively compact and vibration-insensitive electric-to-pressure converter includes an annular flexure from which an annular electromagnetic coil depends into an annular gap defined by the pole pieces of a permanent magnet assembly. A compressed air exhaust nozzle is located below the central region of the flexure which controls the rate of exhaust of air from the nozzle, and therefore the output pressure of the converter, in dependence upon the magnitude of an electrical input current applied to the coil.

Abstract: A spool valve (22) controls a hydraulic drive, such as a drive for a fuel pump (18) in an internal combustion engine, in which the hydraulic drive comprises a driving piston (34) journalled in a hydraulic cylinder (33) which through a flow passage (31) is in communication with the spool valve. The spool (38) may occupy a position in which the flow passage is connected with a high-pressure source (29) and another position in which the flow passage is connected with a low-pressure port (30). The spool is settable by means of a positioning means (23) electrically activated by a control unit (16) which determines intended positions of the spool and for a movable part (56) in the positioning member. The movable part has windings (51) positioned in a magnetic field in a slit (60) which is oblong in the longitudinal direction of the spool. A sensor (66) signalizes the actual position of the movable part to the control unit (16).

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an electromechanical servovalve having a movable electrical coil or winding circumscribing a solid permanent magnet and disposed so that when the winding is energized by an electric current, it interacts with an intensified magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet to shift a valve member of an associated valve between an operative and inoperative position. The arrangement is such that the valve member also functions as the sole bearing support for the movable coil whereby the servovalve is rendered lighter and faster in operation.

Abstract: A control system for supplying a gas flow to a gas consumption apparatus, comprising a gas supply pipe which can be connected to the apparatus and which has an electrically controlled gas control valve, and an electronic control unit. The control unit comprises a mathematical module, model-related to the control valve, for adjusting the valve position, and the gas control valve has in-built sensors for gas variables and valve position, the control system adjusting the control valve in linear proportion to a desired gas-flow signal to be supplied to the control unit. The mathematical module comprises a flow submodule, a mechanical submodule and a valve-position submodule, and the flow submodule receives, at its inputs, the desired gas-flow signal and gas variables originating from the valve sensors and supplies, at its output, a signal relating to the through-flow area of the valve, to the mechanical submodule.

Abstract: A valve mechanism for an acoustic modulator which modulates air flowing tugh the acoustic modulator. The valve mechanism comprises a pair of cylindrical shaped members with each member having a plurality of elongated ports. The first cylindrical shaped member is held in a fixed position, while the second cylindrical shaped member is movable with respect to the first member. There is located at the lower end of the second cylindrical shaped member a drive coil which is positioned in a magnetic field such that when the coil is excited by an electrical sinusoidal input signal, movement of the second member occurs, partially aligning the ports of the second member with the ports of the first member which opens the valve mechanism. The sinusoidal input signal causes a frequency "doubling" to occur, that is the valve mechanism of the present invention completes an open-close-open-close cycle during each cycle of the sinusoidal input signal.

Abstract: An engine emission control metering valve includes a metering ball valve element operatively connected to an electrically-energized linear actuator that includes a stationary magnet and a moving coil concentric with the magnet. The coil has a different axial length than the magnet such that application of a current to the coil causes coil-generated magnetic flux to axially push the coil away from the magnet. Coil movement translates into movement of the metering valve element through the wedging action of a cam element driven by the coil movement.