An actuator includes a yoke extending about a rotation axis. A coil is wrapped about the yoke. A rotor having a direct axis and a quadrature axis is supported for rotation about a rotation axis relative to the yoke. The rotor has a reluctance along the direct axis that is different than a reluctance along the quadrature axis to rotate the rotor when current is applied to the coil.

An actuator includes a yoke extending about a rotation axis. A coil is wrapped about the yoke. A rotor having a direct axis and a quadrature axis is supported for rotation about a rotation axis relative to the yoke. The rotor has a reluctance along the direct axis that is different than a reluctance along the quadrature axis to rotate the rotor when current is applied to the coil.

One example device includes a rotor platform that rotates about an axis of rotation. The device also includes a ring magnet mounted to the rotor platform to provide a rotor-platform magnetic field. The device also includes a stator platform that includes a planar mounting surface. The device also includes a plurality of conductive structures disposed along the planar mounting surface. The conductive structures remain within a predetermined distance to the ring magnet in response to rotation of the rotor platform about the axis of rotation. The conductive structures are electrically coupled to define an electrically conductive path that at least partially overlaps the ring magnet. The device also includes circuitry that causes an electrical current to flow through the conductive path. The electrical current generates a stator-platform magnetic field that interacts with the rotor-platform magnetic field such that the rotor platform rotates about the axis of rotation.

One example device includes a rotor platform that rotates about an axis of rotation. The device also includes a ring magnet mounted to the rotor platform to provide a rotor-platform magnetic field. The device also includes a stator platform that includes a planar mounting surface. The device also includes a plurality of conductive structures disposed along the planar mounting surface. The conductive structures remain within a predetermined distance to the ring magnet in response to rotation of the rotor platform about the axis of rotation. The conductive structures are electrically coupled to define an electrically conductive path that at least partially overlaps the ring magnet. The device also includes circuitry that causes an electrical current to flow through the conductive path. The electrical current generates a stator-platform magnetic field that interacts with the rotor-platform magnetic field such that the rotor platform rotates about the axis of rotation.

Systems, methods, and apparatus related to a homing mechanism within a drive mechanism of a lacing engine for an automated footwear platform are described. In an example, the homing apparatus can include an indexing wheel, a plurality of Geneva teeth and a stop tooth. The plurality of Geneva teeth can be distributed around a portion of a perimeter of the indexing wheel. Each Geneva tooth of the plurality of Geneva teeth can include side profiles conforming to a first side profile that generates a first force when engaged by an index tooth on a portion of the drive mechanism. The stop tooth can be located along the perimeter of the indexing wheel between two Geneva teeth. Additionally, the stop tooth can include side profiles conforming to a second side profile that generates a second force when engaged by the index tooth.

A torque delivering apparatus, including: polygonal cross-section stator body having a plurality of exterior side faces of even number extending between opposite axial end faces, the stator including cylindrical bore extending between the opposite axial ends and centred on central axis of the stator body; a rotor assembly having cylindrical cross-section sized for rotation within the cylindrical bore about the central axis with at least one permanent magnet and shaft coupled to the magnet for rotation; and a plurality of solenoid coils, each coil having plurality of windings and routed to have sections extending parallel along opposite ones of the plurality of exterior side faces; wherein each of the plurality of coils is configured to selectively receive current and generate magnetic field in the stator that is applied to the rotor magnet, the rotor being subject to magnetic torque within the cylindrical bore for rotating and aligning the magnetic field of the permanent magnet with the generated magnetic field.

An electromechanical converter for automatically adjusting driving torque from an engine of a vehicle comprises a rotor, a stator, and a set of windings. The set of windings comprises main windings, subsidiary windings, and auxiliary windings. The rotor is housed within a stator, comprises a pole. A hub of the stator shaft is engaged to auxiliary stator and transfers energy from the engine to output. Each coil of the main and subsidiary windings is wound on each pole. Each coil of the auxiliary windings is wound between poles. The stator is separated from the rotor by gap. An output shaft is connected to auxiliary stator and it is engaged to the stator shaft. The comparative rotating of the rotor and stator creates current at the windings of the rotor and the stator.

An electromechanical converter for automatically adjusting driving torque from an engine of a vehicle comprises a rotor, a stator, and a set of windings. The set of windings comprises main windings, subsidiary windings, and auxiliary windings. The rotor is housed within a stator, comprises a pole. A hub of the stator shaft is engaged to auxiliary stator and transfers energy from the engine to output. Each coil of the main and subsidiary windings is wound on each pole. Each coil of the auxiliary windings is wound between poles. The stator is separated from the rotor by gap. An output shaft is connected to auxiliary stator and it is engaged to the stator shaft. The comparative rotating of the rotor and stator creates current at the windings of the rotor and the stator.

There is provided a method of assembling a torque motor. The method comprises fastening the torque motor to a support such that any magnetic elements of the torque motor are substantially fixed in position with respect to the support, but without securing an armature to the torque motor, locating the armature of the torque motor around a fixed element of the torque motor such that the armature is able to move with respect to the fixed element, moving the armature with respect to the fixed element whilst the magnetic elements of the torque motor are substantially fixed in position with respect to the support, so as to position the armature in an in use orientation or position, and then attaching the armature to the fixed element in the in use orientation or position.

There is provided a method of assembling a torque motor. The method comprises fastening the torque motor to a support such that any magnetic elements of the torque motor are substantially fixed in position with respect to the support, but without securing an armature to the torque motor, locating the armature of the torque motor around a fixed element of the torque motor such that the armature is able to move with respect to the fixed element, moving the armature with respect to the fixed element whilst the magnetic elements of the torque motor are substantially fixed in position with respect to the support, so as to position the armature in an in use orientation or position, and then attaching the armature to the fixed element in the in use orientation or position.