Magnetic system for controlling an operating mode of an overrunning coupling assembly and overrunning coupling and magnetic control assembly including the system

A magnetic system for controlling first and second operating modes of an overrunning coupling assembly including first and second coupling members having opposed coupling faces, where at least one of the coupling members is mounted for rotation about a rotary axis, the system comprising:

• a control member mounted for controlled shifting movement between the coupling faces;
• a translator structure supported for travelling along a path between first and second end positions which correspond to the first and second operating modes of the overrunning coupling assembly, respectively, the structure being coupled to the control member for selective, shifting movement of the control member upon the structure experiencing a net translational force, wherein the translator structure comprises a magnetic piston supporting a pair of spaced apart magnetic or ferromagnetic targets for movement therewith and wherein the system further comprises a housing having a bore in which the piston is slidably supported, the piston reciprocating within the bore in response to the net translational force;
• and
• a magnetic field sensor disposed adjacent and stationary with respect to the translator structure between the first and second end positions of travel for sensing magnetic flux to produce an output signal which is based on the position of the translator structure wherein a variable magnetic field is generated in response to travel of the translator structure along the path between the first and second end positions.