Variable force solenoid with integrated position sensor

Abstract

A phaser for an engine having at least one camshaft comprising a housing, a rotor, a control valve, an actuator, and a pulse wheel. The rotor connects to a camshaft coaxially located within the housing. The housing and the rotor define at least one vane separating a chamber in the housing. The vane is capable of rotation to shift the relative angular position of the housing and the rotor. The control valve is received by the rotor and directs fluid to the chambers of the phaser. The actuator positions the control valve and has at least one integrated position sensor, such that electrical connections for the actuator and the integrated position sensor are made through one connection, decreasing leakage of fluid from the phaser. A pulse wheel is mounted on the phaser for rotation therewith and in alignment with the integrated position sensor of the actuator.

1 . A variable cam timing phaser for an internal combustion engine having at least one camshaft comprising:
 a housing having an outer circumference for accepting drive force;   a rotor for connection to a camshaft coaxially located within the housing, the housing and the rotor defining at least one vane separating a chamber in the housing, the vane being capable of rotation to shift the relative angular position of the housing and the rotor;   a control valve received by the rotor for directing fluid to the chambers;   an actuator for positioning the control valve having at least one integrated position sensor, such that electrical connections for the actuator and the integrated position sensor are made through one connection, decreasing leakage of fluid from the phaser   
     
     
         2 . The variable cam timing phaser of  claim 1 , further comprising a pulse wheel mounted on the phaser for rotation therewith and in alignment with the integrated position sensor of the actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The variable cam timing phaser of  claim 2 , wherein the pulse wheel is magnetic and wherein when the pulse wheel passes the integrated position sensor, the sensor detects changes in flux, determining the position of the camshaft. 
     
     
         4 . The variable cam timing phaser of  claim 2 , wherein the pulse wheel is ferrous and the integrated position sensor contains a magnet, wherein when pulse wheel passes the integrated position sensor, the sensor detects changes in the magnetic field, determining the position of the camshaft. 
     
     
         5 . The variable cam timing phaser of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated position sensor is a Hall sensor, magneto resistive sensor, or a variable reluctance sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The variable cam timing phaser of  claim 1 , further comprising a rubber ring mounted on the camshaft of the phaser for rotation therewith and has magnets interspersed at intervals along its circumference. 
     
     
         7 . The variable cam timing phaser of  claim 6 , wherein the integrated position sensor contains a magnet, and wherein when the magnets of the rubber ring pass the integrated position sensor, the sensor detects changes in the magnetic field, determining the position of the phaser.