Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080314177 | METHODS OF MAKING TORQUE OVERLAY ACTUATORS - A method for designing a pole piece for a power assist steering system, includes: selecting a number of teeth, k, for the pole piece where k=n/2 and n represents an even number of poles; and selecting a ratio between an angle made by an inner tooth tip and an outer tooth tip, θ | 12-25-2008 |
20090027045 | Apparatus for sensing position and/or torque - An apparatus for measuring relative displacement between a first shaft and a second shaft includes first and second rotor assemblies. The first rotor assembly is coupled to the first shaft and is centered on an axis. The second rotor assembly is coupled to the second shaft. The second rotor assembly has first and second stator plates. Each of the first and second stator plates includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The first and second stator plates include a plurality of teeth extending in a direction radial of the axis. The apparatus further includes at least one magnet having a magnetic field and disposed on the first rotor assembly. The apparatus includes a flux collector arrangement having first and second collectors positioned adjacent the first and second stator plates, respectively, forming a gap. A sensing device disposed within the gap senses a magnetic flux of the magnetic field. | 01-29-2009 |
20090050398 | VARIABLE EFFORT STEERING ACTUATOR - A magnetic actuator, comprising, an inner ring, an outer ring disposed around the inner ring, a first pair of inner teeth disposed on the inner ring that partially define a gap between the first pair of inner teeth having a first angular dimension, a second pair of inner teeth disposed on the inner ring that partially define a gap between the second pair of inner teeth having a second angular dimension, a first pair of outer teeth disposed on the outer ring that partially define a gap between the first pair of outer teeth having a third angular dimension and a second pair of outer teeth disposed on the outer ring that partially define a gap between the second pair of outer teeth having a fourth angular dimension. | 02-26-2009 |
20090199667 | MODULAR POWER ACTUATOR - A power actuator assembly includes a torque transmission device, a motor mounted to the torque transmission device extending along a motor axis, and a screw coupled to the torque transmission device and extending along a screw axis. An adjustment mechanism interconnects the screw and the torque transmission device and permits selective rotational adjustment between the adjustment mechanism and the torque transmission device to rotate the motor relative to the torque transmission device. A connecting device releasably interconnects the adjustment mechanism to the torque transmission device to permit repeated re-positioning of the motor relative to the torque transmission device. | 08-13-2009 |
20100089686 | MAGNETIC APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE MAGNETIC APPARATUS - The present invention provides for a magnetic apparatus and a method of manufacturing the magnetic apparatus including a magnet having an outer surface and an inner surface opposing each other with the inner surface having a first portion and a second portion integrally connected to and facing each other and utilizing a fluid and a fixture body defining a hole along a fixture axis and a deflector disposed within the hole. The method includes the steps of installing the magnet on the fixture body and securing the magnet to the fixture body. The method further includes the steps of flowing the fluid through the magnet transverse to the fixture axis to form at least one aperture and intersecting the fluid with the deflector to redirect the fluid generally along the fixture axis. | 04-15-2010 |
20100147619 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS INVOLVING ELECTROMAGNETIC TORSION BARS - An actuator assembly including, a polar assembly including an inner tooth and an outer tooth, and a magnet disposed between the inner tooth and the outer tooth, the magnet operative to interact with the polar assembly to induce an electromagnetic torsion bar operative to impart a torque on a first shaft connected to the ring magnet. | 06-17-2010 |
20100156226 | BRUSH TYPE MOTOR - A brush type motor including a stator having at least one magnet with an inner circumferential surface is provided. The inner circumferential surface is defined by a first radius orthogonally extending from a first axially extending centerline. The motor has an armature disposed within an interior region of the stator having teeth. Each tooth has an arcuate surface defined by a second radius orthogonally extending from a second axially extending centerline. At least one tooth is radially closer to the inner circumferential surface than the teeth adjacent to the at least one tooth. Each tooth further includes at least one dummy notch extending into the tooth. The first axially extending centerline is in a first position different than a second position of the second axially extending centerline. | 06-24-2010 |
20100180696 | SYSTEMS INVOLVING COMPACT TORQUE SENSING - A torque sensor system comprising, an inner tooth, an outer tooth disposed on an outer yoke member centered on an axis spaced radially from the inner tooth, a plate member, a retainer member operative to retain the outer yoke member and the plate member, a magnet member centered on the axis disposed between the inner tooth and the outer tooth, an air gap partially defined by the plate member and the outer yoke member, and a magnetosensitive element disposed in the air gap operative to sense a magnetic flux induced by an angular displacement of the magnet member relative to the inner tooth and the outer tooth. | 07-22-2010 |
20120125138 | TORQUE SENSING SYSTEM HAVING TORQUE SENSOR, AND STEERING SYSTEM - A torque sensing system having a torque sensor, and a steering system, are provided. The torque sensor includes a first rotor having apertures extending therethrough and bar magnets disposed in the apertures. The torque sensor further includes a second rotor defining an interior region with the first rotor being disposed in the interior region. The second rotor has tooth members extending toward the first rotor. The torque sensor further includes first and second Hall effect sensors disposed in an open region of the second rotor proximate to the first rotor. The first and second Hall effect sensors generate first and second signals, respectively, indicative of an amount of torque applied between the first rotor and the second rotor. | 05-24-2012 |
20120126654 | PERMANENT MAGNET BRUSHLESS MOTOR - A permanent magnet brushless motor is provided. The motor includes a stator having a tubular-shaped member and a plurality of tooth members extending radially inwardly from the tubular-shaped member. Each tooth member has an arcuate-shaped convex surface disposed proximate to an interior region defined by the stator. Each arcuate-shaped convex surface is defined by a first radius that is rotated about a respective center point that is disposed radially outside of the stator. The motor further includes a rotor disposed within the interior region of the stator. | 05-24-2012 |
20120130674 | DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM - A diagnostic system and method for an electric power steering system are provided. The diagnostic system includes a first microprocessor that determines a first relative position value indicating the relative rotational position of the rotatable shaft at the first time based on the signals from first and second position sensors. A second microprocessor determines a second relative position value indicating the relative rotational position of the rotatable shaft at the first time based on the signals from third and fourth position sensors. The first microprocessor determines whether the first relative position value is an acceptable value based on a difference between the first relative position value and the second relative position value. | 05-24-2012 |
20130320798 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING COGGING TORQUE IN AN INTERIOR PERMANENT MAGNET MOTOR - An interior permanent magnet motor comprises a rotor assembly disposed within a stator assembly. The rotor assembly is configured for rotating about a central axis relatively to the stator assembly. The rotor assembly defines a plurality of magnet pockets within the rotor assembly along a radially outboard surface of the rotor assembly. Each magnet pocket is substantially rectangular in cross-sectional shape and is configured to facilitate insertion of a permanent magnet into, and retention of the permanent magnet within, the magnet pocket. The rotor assembly further defines at least one rotor notch disposed between each magnet pocket and the radially outboard surface. | 12-05-2013 |
20140253002 | SYSTEM FOR REDUCING TORQUE RIPPLE IN AN ELECTRIC MOTOR - A motor control system is provided. The motor control system includes a motor, a position sensor, a current sensor, and a control module. The motor has a rotor and a stator. The motor generates an output torque based on a phase current applied to the motor. The output torque generated by the motor creates a torque ripple that is within a predefined range. The position sensor monitors the motor to determine a rotor position. The current sensor monitors the motor to determine the phase current. The control module is in communication with the motor, the position sensor, and the current sensor. The control module includes a lookup table that stores values of phase current commands. The control module determines a phase current command from the lookup table based on the rotor position and the phase current. | 09-11-2014 |
20140260683 | NON-CONTACTING TORQUE SENSOR WITH INJECTION MOLDED MAGNETS - A non-contacting torque sensor comprises a magnetic flux generating rotor and a magnetic flux detecting probe. The magnetic flux generating rotor is disposed axially between a first stator and a second stator and has a radially outboard surface and plurality of N pole magnets and S pole magnets alternatingly disposed proximate the radially outboard surface. Each stator has a plurality of stator teeth, with each one of said plurality of stator teeth corresponding to a unique one of said plurality of N pole magnets and S pole magnets. The magnetic flux detecting probe is disposed at a distance from the radially outboard surface and configured for detecting variations in magnetic flux produced by the magnetic flux generating rotor to detect a change of a relative twist between the magnetic flux generating rotor and the first stator and second stator. The N pole magnets and S pole magnets are injection molded. | 09-18-2014 |
20140265707 | INTERIOR PERMANENT MAGNET MOTOR WITH SHIFTED ROTOR LAMINATIONS - A rotor comprises a first rotor lamination and a second rotor lamination. The first rotor lamination and the second rotor lamination are configured for defining, when joined into rotor assembly, a central axis of rotation and a plurality of interior magnet pockets disposed symmetrically about the central axis of rotation, each pocket of the plurality of interior magnet pockets is configured for housing and retaining a permanent magnet. A method of forming a rotor comprises forming a first rotor lamination and a second rotor lamination, rotating the second rotor lamination about an axis of symmetry of the second rotor lamination; and mating the first rotor lamination to the second rotor lamination such that a first notch of the first rotor lamination is disposed adjacent to the first notch of the second rotor lamination. | 09-18-2014 |
20140265961 | MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEM TO COMPENSATE FOR TORQUE RIPPLE - A motor control system is provided. The motor control system includes a motor having plurality of motor harmonics, and a torque ripple compensation controller in communication with the motor. The torque ripple compensation controller is configured to determine a harmonic ripple current for a corresponding one of the plurality of motor harmonics. The harmonic ripple current is based on a reference q-axis current and a reference d-axis current. The torque ripple compensation controller is configured to add the harmonic ripple current for each of the plurality of motor harmonics together to determine the ripple compensating current. | 09-18-2014 |
20150022044 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING TORQUE RIPPLE IN AN INTERIOR PERMANENT MAGNET MOTOR - An interior permanent magnet motor comprises a rotor assembly disposed within a stator assembly. The rotor assembly is configured for rotating about a central axis relatively to the stator assembly. The rotor assembly defines a plurality of magnet pockets within the rotor assembly along a radially outboard surface of the rotor assembly. Each magnet pocket is substantially rectangular in cross-sectional shape, and each magnet pocket is configured to facilitate insertion of a plurality of permanent magnets into and retention of the plurality of permanent magnets within, the magnet pocket. The rotor assembly further comprises a plurality of permanent magnet segments disposed in each magnet pocket. | 01-22-2015 |