Adjustable electric thermostat actuator
An thermostat actuator is provided for controlling a flow rate of coolant through a cooling system. The actuator includes a motor and a drive train including an anti-back-drive mechanism. The actuator further includes an integral position feedback system that for indicating a position of an element of the actuator to ensure that the actuator has moved to a commanded position. The actuator is configured to be readily adaptable to different position feedback systems providing varying degrees of position feedback resolution.
1 . An actuator comprising:
a motor having an output shaft coupled to a gear train; and
a modular position feedback system, at least a portion of said feedback system being removably replaceable.
2 . An actuator according to claim 1 wherein said gear train comprises an anti-backdrive mechanism.
3 . An actuator according to claim 2 wherein said gear train comprises at least a first stage and a second stage, and wherein said second stage comprises said anti-backdrive mechanism.
4 . An actuator according to claim 2 wherein said anti-backdrive mechanism comprises a worm gear.
5 . An actuator according to claim 2 wherein said anti-backdrive mechanism comprises an anti-backdrive clutch.
6 . An actuator according to claim 1 , wherein said removably replaceable portion of said feedback system is disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB), said portion of said feedback system disposed on said PCB having a predetermined level of feedback resolution.
7 . An actuator according to claim 1 , wherein said removably replaceable portion of said feedback system is disposed on a housing cover, said portion of said feedback system disposed on said housing cover having a predetermined level of feedback resolution.
8 . An actuator according to claim 1 wherein said position feedback assembly comprises a two position switch configuration.
9 . An actuator according to claim 1 wherein said position feedback assembly comprises an electromechanical position sensor.
10 . An actuator according to claim 1 wherein said position feedback assembly comprises an electromagnetic position sensor.
11 . An actuator according to claim 10 wherein said electromagnetic position sensor comprises a Hall Effect sensor.
12 . A temperature control system for a coolant flow circuit comprising:
a flow control element disposed in said coolant flow circuit, said flow control element influencing a flow of coolant through at least a portion of said coolant flow circuit; and
a thermostat actuator comprising a motor driving a gear train, said gear train coupled to said control element to control a position of said element, said actuator further comprising a modular position feed back system, at least a portion of said feedback system being removably replaceable.
13 . A temperature control system according to claim 12 further comprising a primary mover capable of moving said control element between a fully opened position and a fully closed position.
14 . A temperature control system according to claim 13 wherein said thermostat actuator is capable of moving said control element between a fully opened position and at least one partially opened position.
15 . A temperature control system according to claim 13 wherein said primary mover comprises a wax motor.
16 . A temperature control system according to claim 12 wherein said actuator further comprises an anti-back-drive mechanism.
17 . A temperature control system according to claim 16 wherein said anti-back-drive mechanism comprises a worm gear.
18 . A temperature control system according to claim 12 wherein said removably replaceable portion of said position feedback system is disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB), said PCB including a feedback system having a predetermined level of feedback resolution.
19 . A temperature control system according to claim 12 wherein said removably replaceable portion of said position feedback system is disposed on a housing cover, said housing cover including a feedback system having a predetermined level of feedback resolution.
20 . An actuator comprising:
a motor for driving an output shaft; and
a modular position feedback system, at least a first portion of said feedback system being removably replaceable, and at least a second portion of said feedback system being coupled to said motor.
21 . An actuator according to claim 20 wherein said second portion of said feedback system is coupled to said motor through a gear train.
22 . An actuator according to claim 20 wherein said removably replaceable portion of said feedback system is disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB), said portion of said feedback system disposed on said PCB having a predetermined level of feedback resolution.
23 . An actuator according to claim 20 wherein said removably replaceable portion of said feedback system is disposed on a housing cover, said portion of said feedback system disposed on said housing cover having a predetermined level of feedback resolution.
24 . An actuator according to claim 20 wherein said gear train comprises an anti-back-drive mechanism.