Methods and systems are provided for operating a solenoid actuator to engage and/or disengage a torque transmission member of a vehicle transmission. In one example, a method may include increasing the holding force of the solenoid actuator. Additionally, the solenoid actuator may include a translatable structural element that creates a moment upon touching another structural element holding the translatable element in a locked position.

An electronic lock capable of offering haptic feedback includes an input panel, a circuit board, at least one inductor member, at least one magnetic member, and at least one diaphragm that abuts against the circuit board. The at least one inductor member is electrically coupled to the circuit board, is connected to the at least one diaphragm, and is adjacent to the at least one magnetic member. When the input panel is pushed toward the circuit board, the circuit board and the at least one inductor member are conducted, and the circuit board alternately distributes electric currents ire different directions to the at least one inductor member such that the at least one magnetic member alternately, attracts and pushes the at least one inductor member, thereby urging the at least one diaphragm to vibrate upon movement of the at east one inductor member.

Disclosed is a design approach for intrinsically safe electromagnetic devices such as electrically actuated valves, motors, generators, or transformers intended for and capable of safe operation in explosive atmospheres or environments. The design employs a plurality of electrically insulated, intrinsically safe circuits cooperating to induce, or in the case of a generator, create a relatively large magnetic flux in the ferromagnetic core, or iron, of these devices. A method to construct such intrinsically safe devices is disclosed. These devices can be practically used in machines, mechanisms, valves, and manned or unmanned vehicles intended for safe operation in hazardous environments, for example underground coal mines or ATEX or EX classified facilities.

An electromagnetic actuating device. The device includes an electromagnetic coil including a central recess extending in an axial direction, a cylindrical pole tube inserted into the central recess and provided with a magnetic separation point, an armature situated displaceably in the pole tube, the armature being movable by an actuation of the electromagnetic coil, the armature being mounted in the pole tube in a sleeve-shaped bearing foil inserted into the pole tube, the bearing foil including an inner side facing toward the armature and used as a sliding surface and an outer side facing toward the cylindrical pole tube. It is provided that the bearing foil is coated at least on the inner side using a first layer made of perfluoroalkoxy polymer. A manufacturing method for such an electromagnetic actuating device is also described.

An electromechanical transducer apparatus for converting between mechanical energy and electrical energy is disclosed and includes first and second magnetic flux generators including pole pieces coupled to direct magnetic flux. Th magnetic flux generators are disposed such that opposite polarity pole pieces are spaced apart in adjacent relation. A pair of reciprocators are coupled for reciprocating movement between the pole pieces and are spaced apart by first and second air gaps. A closing piece completes a magnetic circuit and when the reciprocators are disposed such that the first air gap is smaller than the second air gap, magnetic flux generated by the first magnetic flux generator flows in a first direction via the first air gap through the closing piece. When the reciprocators are disposed such that the second air gap is smaller than the first air gap, magnetic flux generated by the second magnetic flux generator flows in a second opposite direction via the second air gap through the closing piece. A current carrying coil is disposed to electromagnetically interact with the magnetic flux.

A valve for metering a fluid, including an electromagnetic actuator and a valve needle which is actuatable by an armature of the actuator and used to actuate a valve closing body which cooperates with a valve seat surface to form a seal seat. The armature is movably guided at the valve needle in the process. A stop element connected to the valve needle limits a relative movement between the armature and the valve needle in connection with an actuation of the valve needle. At least one elastically deformable spacer element is provided between the armature and the stop element, which, during the limitation of the relative movement between the armature and the valve needle at the stop element, encloses an attenuation space provided between a front face of the armature and a stop element surface of the stop element facing the front face of the armature.

A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) coil assembly is presented herein. In some embodiments, the MEMS coil assembly includes a foldable substrate and a plurality of coil segments. Each coil segment includes a portion of the substrate, two conductors arranged on the portion of the substrate. The substrate can be folded to stack the coil segments on top of each other and to electrically connect first and second conductors of adjacent coil segments. In some other embodiments, the MEMS coil assembly includes a plurality of coil layers stacked onto each other. Each coil layer includes a substrate and a conductor to form a coil. The conductors of adjacent coil layers are connected through a via. The MEMS coil assembly can be arranged between a pair of magnets. An input signal can be applied to the MEMS coil assembly to cause the MEMS coil assembly to move orthogonally relative to the magnets.

An aerosol-generating article is provided for an aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating article including: a liquid reservoir including a reservoir outlet and being configured to store an aerosol-forming liquid; a sealing member reversibly transferrable between an open configuration and a closed configuration so as to open or sealingly close the reservoir outlet, respectively; and an actuator member operatively coupled to the sealing member and being configured to transfer the sealing member at least from the closed configuration into the open configuration, in which the actuator member is a thermally driven actuator member comprising a bi-metal, and in which the sealing member is displaceable or deformable between the closed configuration and the open configuration.

A haptic actuator may include a housing that includes first and second shells coupled together. The first shell may include a first body and first terminals extending outwardly therefrom. The second shell may include a second body and second terminals extending outwardly therefrom with each of the second terminals being secured with a respective one of the first terminals defining pairs of first and second secured-together terminals. The haptic actuator may also include at least one coil carried by the housing and a field member movable within the housing responsive to the at least one coil. A respective flexure may be between adjacent end portions of the housing and the field member.

The present invention provides lift pin strategies with a reduced risk of causing contamination due to the up and down actuation of lift pins. The present invention provides a lift pin system that uses electromagnetic actuation strategies in order to raise and lower lift pins. The electromagnetic forces act remotely on the lift pins so that direct contact or coupling of the lift pins to actuation components is not required. This avoids contamination that otherwise would be associated with friction and associated lubricants used for mechanical actuation strategies.