Multiple-Degree Of Freedom System And Method Of Using Same

• US 20100264756A1
• Filed: 10/29/2009
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Original Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Inventors: Park, Jong Kweon, Son, Hungsun, Bai, Kun, Lee, Kok-Meng
• Application Number:
  US12/608,838
• Publication Number:
  US 20100264756A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/38
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 35/045 using solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 21/14 with magnets rotating within the armatures
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 2201/18 Machines moving with multiple degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 41/03 Synchronous motors; Motors moving step by step; Reluctance motors H02K41/035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/09 with magnetic bearings
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 15/00 Holding or levitation devices using magnetic attraction or repulsion, not otherwise provided for electric or magnetic devices for holding work on machine tools B23Q3/15 ; monorail vehicle propulsion or suspension B60L13/00; sliding or levitation devices for railway systems B61B13/08; material handling devices associated with conveyors incorporating devices with electrostatic or magnetic grippers B65G47/92; separating thin or filamentary articles from piles using magnetic force B65H3/16; delivering thin or filamentary articles from magnetic holders by air blast or suction B65H29/24; bearings using magnetic or electric supporting means F16C32/04; relieving bearing loads using magnetic means F16C39/06; magnets H01F7/00; dynamo-electric clutches or brakes H02K49/00 ; electric furnaces with simultaneous levitation and heating H05B6/32

Abstract

A multi-DOF system including a bearing for centering a first body relative a second body, and a work piece surface tiltable via the first body, wherein the bearing comprises a magnetically levitated bearing.

Claims

1. A multi-DOF system comprising:

a bearing for centering a first body relative a second body; and

a work piece surface tiltable via the first body;

wherein the bearing comprises a magnetically levitated bearing.

2. The multi-DOF system of claim 1, wherein the first body comprises a rotor.

3. The multi-DOF system of claim 1, wherein the first body comprises a spherical rotor having a plurality of rotor magnetic field generators.

4. The multi-DOF system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of rotor magnetic field generators comprise permanent magnets.

5. The multi-DOF system of claim 1, wherein the second body comprises a stator.

6. The multi-DOF system of claim 1, wherein the second body comprises a spherical stator having a plurality of stator magnetic field generators.

7. The multi-DOF system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of stator magnetic field generators comprise electromagnets.

8. A multi-DOF system comprising:

a spherical rotor having a plurality of rotor magnetic field generators;

a spherical stator having a plurality of stator magnetic field generators;

a bearing for centering the rotor relative the stator; and

a work piece surface tiltable via the rotor;

wherein the bearing comprises a magnetically levitated bearing.

9. The multi-DOF system of claim 8, wherein the rotor has a center of rotation, and the plurality of rotor magnetic field generators comprises a primary rotor permanent magnet, and at least one ring of permanent magnets with their axis pointing towards the center of rotation.

10. The multi-DOF system of claim 8, wherein the spherical rotor is concentric with the stator, and has an infinite number of rotational axes about its center.