An actuator includes a controller, a motor and a sensor device. The controller includes a housing, and the motor includes a rotor, and the rotor includes a rotating shaft. The motor is mounted on the outside of the housing, and the sensor device includes a magnet and a sensor, the magnet is mounted on the rotating shaft of the motor, and the sensor is mounted inside the housing. The actuator has a good waterproof performance and anti-interference ability. This disclosure also relates to an electronic clutch system having the actuator.

A retrofittable control system for controlling an engine and a clutch of a frost fan may include a data processing system, a thermostat, a human machine interface, a throttle control module, and/or a clutch control module. The control system may be configured to automatically start the fan when the thermostat detects a temperature below a user defined turn-on temperature, and to automatically shut down and park the fan when the thermostat detects a temperature above a user defined turn-off temperature. In some examples, starting up the fan may include running a clutch engagement sequence that engages the clutch at different speeds for different durations.

The invention relates to a method for determining the absolute position of a component of an actuator rotating about a rotational axis, in particular a clutch actuator, wherein the component has a co-rotating magnetic element (18), and the absolute position of the magnetic element (18) is detected by way of a multi-turn sensor (16) located opposite the magnetic element (18), which is supplied with a voltage. In a method, in which the absolute position can be detected without great constructional effort, a position of the magnetic element (18) is monitored by a Wiegand wire unit (19), which detects a movement of the component when the actuator (3, 12, 13) is turned off, and if a movement is detected, transmits a voltage pulse to the multi-turn sensor (16) for measuring the current position of the component.

A method for operating an actuator arrangement for a clutch operating system includes providing an actuator arrangement with a transmission, a piston, and an inductive sensor device. The transmission has an electric motor and a metal lead screw that converts a rotary motion into a linear motion. The piston is connected to the metal lead screw. The method also includes energizing the electric motor to linearly displace the metal lead screw in an axial direction, axially displacing the piston with the metal lead screw, using the metal lead screw as a target for the inductive sensor device, and using the inductive sensor device to determine an axial distance traveled by the piston.

A mechanical clutch allows for transfer of torque downhole that may avoid the need for a hydraulic electrical coil-driven piston. In one or more examples, an anti-rotation guide for a downhole clutch includes a guide track and a follower moveable along the guide track for guiding relative movement between an upper armature and a lower armature. The guide track includes an axially-extending portion terminating in a circumferential loop. The axially extending portion guides the upper armature into axial engagement with the lower armature in response to rotation of the input shaft. The circumferential loop thereafter allows rotation of the upper and lower armatures together in response to further rotation of the input shaft.

A method for determining an angular position of a rotating component is disclosed. A sensor system is positioned at a radial distance from an axis of rotation of the rotating component. A magnetic ring is arranged fixedly and concentrically on the rotating component, generating a magnetic field that changes with respect to the sensor system. The sensor system detects the magnetic field in which a signal is captured and evaluated with respect to the angular position. Errors in the measurement of the angular position can be corrected. The signal captured by the sensor system is evaluated with respect to the amplitude information of the magnetic field. A correction parameter is determined from the amplitude information, and an angle error is of the angular position is determined based on the correction parameter. The angle error is used to correct the angular position.

A mechanical clutch allows for transfer of torque downhole that may avoid the need for a hydraulic electrical coil-driven piston. In one or more examples, an anti-rotation guide for a downhole clutch includes a guide track and a follower moveable along the guide track for guiding relative movement between an upper armature and a lower armature. The guide track includes an axially-extending portion terminating in a circumferential loop. The axially extending portion guides the upper armature into axial engagement with the lower armature in response to rotation of the input shaft. The circumferential loop thereafter allows rotation of the upper and lower armatures together in response to further rotation of the input shaft.

A retrofittable control system for controlling an engine and a clutch of a frost fan may include a data processing system, a thermostat, a human machine interface, a throttle control module, and/or a clutch control module. The control system may be configured to automatically start the fan when the thermostat detects a temperature below a user defined turn-on temperature, and to automatically shut down and park the fan when the thermostat detects a temperature above a user defined turn-off temperature. In some examples, starting up the fan may include running a clutch engagement sequence that engages the clutch at different speeds for different durations.

A disconnect system for selectively coupling or disconnecting a drive member and a driven member. The disconnect system includes a clutch ring rotationally coupled to a drive member, a solenoid actuator, and a clutch ring configured to be moved by the solenoid actuator to selectively transition the clutch ring between an engaged position where the clutch ring is rotationally coupled to a driven member and a disengaged position where the clutch ring is disconnected from the driven member. A controller can be provided to control the axial velocity of the clutch ring (e.g., relative to the rotational axis thereof) to reduce unwanted noise, vibrations, or harshness that can occur during the transition between engaged and disengaged positions.

A method to estimate an amount of force in a clutch pack of a clutch actuation system. The method includes engaging an actuation motor to apply a set point force to the clutch pack and monitoring a position of the actuation motor when the set point force is applied. Additionally, the method includes determining one or more clutch clamping curves and one or more clutch releasing curves based on a relationship between the position of the actuation motor and an amount of torque applied by the actuation motor at position of the actuation motor. The method further includes modeling one or more frictional characteristics of the clutch actuation system and estimating an amount of clamping and releasing force within the clutch pack by using a control unit. The amount of torque applied to the clutch pack between the clutch clamping and releasing curves at the set point force is maintained.