Electronically actuated apparatus using solenoid actuator with integrated sensor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electromagnetic actuator assembly comprising:
- a frame member having an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall and a first end wall that is coupled to the inner and outer sidewalls, the frame member defining an interior annular cavity;
a coil assembly mounted in the annular cavity, the coil assembly including a core and a coil;
a plunger having an annular intermediate wall and a second end wall that extends radially inwardly from the intermediate wall, the intermediate wall being disposed radially between the coil assembly and the outer sidewall;
an armature that abuts the plunger;
a sensor target coupled to one of the armature and the plunger; and
a sensor mounted to the frame, the sensor being configured to directly sense a position of the sensor target and to produce a first sensor signal when the sensor target is moved in a first direction past a first position and the sensor is in a first state.
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Abstract
An electromagnetic actuator assembly that includes an annular frame, a coil assembly, an annular armature, a plunger and a sensor. The coil assembly is coupled to the frame and includes an annular core and an annular coil. The annular armature is received in the frame and abutted against the plunger. A sensor target can be coupled to the armature or the plunger and includes a radially outwardly extending sensor target. The sensor is coupled to the frame and configured to sense a position of the sensor target. A method for operating an electromagnetic actuator is also provided.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An electromagnetic actuator assembly comprising:
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a frame member having an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall and a first end wall that is coupled to the inner and outer sidewalls, the frame member defining an interior annular cavity; a coil assembly mounted in the annular cavity, the coil assembly including a core and a coil; a plunger having an annular intermediate wall and a second end wall that extends radially inwardly from the intermediate wall, the intermediate wall being disposed radially between the coil assembly and the outer sidewall; an armature that abuts the plunger; a sensor target coupled to one of the armature and the plunger; and a sensor mounted to the frame, the sensor being configured to directly sense a position of the sensor target and to produce a first sensor signal when the sensor target is moved in a first direction past a first position and the sensor is in a first state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising:
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providing an actuator having a frame member, a coil assembly, a plunger, an armature and a sensor target, the frame member having an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall and a first end wall that is coupled to the inner and outer sidewalls, the frame member defining an interior annular cavity, the coil assembly being mounted in the annular cavity and including a core and a coil, the plunger having an annular intermediate wall and a second end wall that extends radially inwardly from the intermediate wall, the intermediate wall being disposed radially between the coil assembly and the outer sidewall, the armature being coupled to the intermediate wall, the sensor target being directly coupled to one of the armature and the plunger and extending radially outwardly of the intermediate wall; and directly sensing a position of the sensor target relative to the frame member. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An electromagnetic actuator comprising:
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a frame member, the frame member including an annular outer sidewall and an inner sidewall; a coil assembly received between the outer and inner sidewalls, the coil assembly being selectively operable in an operative condition for generating a magnetic field; a plunger, the plunger being an annular structure received between the outer and inner sidewalls; and an armature that is disposed between the frame member and the plunger, the armature being configured to translate in a direction opposite the frame when the coil assembly is operated in the operative condition, the armature engaging the plunger so that the plunger moves with the armature when the armature is moved in the direction opposite the frame; wherein a space is disposed between the coil assembly, the plunger and the armature and wherein at least one aperture is formed axially through the plunger to vent the space. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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Specification