Patent ID: 7111602

Claim:
A valve actuator for use in an intake manifold valve to regulate airflow through an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, comprising: a motor; a valve blade drive member coupled to said motor, said drive member being adjustable to different positions by said motor; a control circuit having an input that receives actuator commands and having an output connected to said motor to control operation of said motor; and a sensor connected to said control circuit, said sensor providing said control circuit with data indicative of the position of said drive member; wherein said control circuit operates said motor in response to said actuator commands to move said drive member to a commanded position, and wherein said control circuit receives feedback signals from said sensor relating to the position of said drive member; and wherein said motor includes a drive shaft and said actuator includes a gear set connected to said drive shaft, said valve blade drive member being connected to said gear set such that said drive member can driven to various positions by said motor via said gear set, and wherein said sensor is positioned adjacent said gear set to detect the rotational position of at least one gear in said gear set.