Current-to-pressure transducer with enhanced performance features

An electro-fluidic pressure transducer for controlling fluid pressure in accordance with received electrical control signals, the transducer comprising:

• a fixed non-ferromagnetic pivot structure;
• a rigid armature mounted abutting the fixed pivot structure for rotational movement thereabout;
• an armature supporting means for supporting the armature and urging it into firm engagement with the pivot structure;
• an electromagnetic means for urging the armature to rotate about the pivot element with an amount of force that varies generally in accordance with the received electrical control signals, the electromagnetic means including a ferromagnetic core having an end face, the pivot structure being mounted to the end face of the ferromagnetic core of the electromagnetic means;
• and,
• a nozzle for feeding back fluid pressure from a fluidic circuit, the nozzle being mounted closely adjacent the armature such that the armature throttles air flow form the nozzle in accordance with a rotational position of the armature about the pivot structure.

An electro-fluidic pressure transducer for controlling fluid pressure in accordance with received electrical control signals, the transducer comprising:

• a fixed pivot element;
• a rigid armature mounted abutting the fixed pivot element for rotational movement thereabout;
• an armature supporting means for supporting the armature and urging it into firm engagement with the pivot element;
• an electromagnetic means for urging the armature to rotate about the pivot element with an amount of force that varies generally in accordance with the received electrical control signals, the electromagnet means including a generally U-shaped ferromagnetic flux path which defines an air gap therebetween, the armature being disposed immediately contiguous to the air gap such that ferromagnetic flux traverses the air gap by flowing through a portion of the armature immediately thereadjacent, the fixed pivot element being mounted to the ferromagnetic flux path opposite the gap, the ferromagnetic flux path having a reduced cross section adjacent the pivot element to concentrate the magnetic flux;
• and,
• a nozzle for feeding back fluid pressure from a fluidic circuit, the nozzle being mounted closely adjacent the armature such that the armature throttles air flow form the nozzle in accordance with a rotational position of the armature about the pivot element.

An electro-fluidic pressure transducer for controlling fluid pressure in accordance with received electrical control signals, the transducer comprising:

• a fixed pivot element;
• a rigid armature mounted abutting the fixed pivot element for rotational movement thereabout;
• a relatively wide taut band connected to the armature closely adjacent the fixed pivot supporting the armature and urging it into firm engagement with the pivot element;
• an adjusting means for selectively adjusting a torsion moment applied to the armature by the taut band;
• an electromagnetic means for urging the armature to rotate about the pivot element with an amount of force that varies generally in accordance with the received electrical control signals;
• and,
• a nozzle for feeding back fluid pressure from a fluidic circuit, the nozzle being mounted closely adjacent the armature such that the armature throttles air flow from the nozzle in accordance with a rotational position of the armature about the pivot element.

A current-to-pressure transducer for controlling pneumatic flow in accordance with received electrical control signals, the transducer comprising:

• a generally U-shaped ferromagnetic path defining a gap between opposite ends thereof, each end defining a pole face generally parallel to the gap;
• a non-ferromagnetic pivot element mounted to one of the pole faces;
• an armature mounted contiguous to both pole faces and for pivotal movement about the pivot element, the armature being magnetically conductive at least in a region extending between the two pole faces;
• a coil for inducing magnetic flux through the ferromagnetic path, the coil having connections for receiving the control signals;
• and,
• a nozzle mounted contiguous to the armature such that pneumatic flow through the nozzle is selectively throttled as the armature pivots about the fixed pivot element.