Packaging arrangement for an increment position sensor

An engine actuator comprising:

• an electric motor located within an engine actuator housing;
• a sensor assembly driven by an output shaft of the electric motor through a worm gear;
• an output gear supported on an output gear shaft and driven by the motor output shaft through a gear train such that the output gear rotates about an axis perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the sensor assembly;
• and
• a coupling mounted on the output gear shaft outside the actuator housing to control axial movement of the output gear shaft.

A method of limiting gear shake comprising:

• a) driving an output gear shaft with an output gear mounted on the output gear shaft;
• b) supporting the output gear shaft on an engine actuator housing with a bearing;
• and
• c) limiting axial movement of the output gear shaft with a coupling mounted to the output gear shaft outside the engine actuator housing.