Electromagnetically driven punch press with magnetically isolated removable electromagnetic thrust motor

• US 5,113,736 A
• Filed: 06/26/1990
• Issued: 05/19/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: George M. Meyerle
• Original Assignee: George M. Meyerle
• Inventors: Meyerle, George M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yost, Frank T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jones, Eugenia A.
• Application Number:
  US07/544,123
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 83/529, 83/530, 83/575, 83/576, 83/577, 72/430, 72/707, 72/54, 100/257, 100/917
• US Class Current: 83/575
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 28/002 Drive of the tools B21D28/007 and B21D28/20 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 1/42 by magnetic means, e.g. electromagnetic
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 15/041 Guides
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 100/917 Magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/8699 With adjustable stop
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/87 By varying length of tool stroke
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/8765 Magnet- or solenoid-actuated tool

Abstract

An electromagnetically-driven punch press has an electromagnetic drive thrust motor comprising a fan-cooled solenoid winding and movable armature mounted in elevated location for isolating the magnetic circuit from the tooling to avoid tool magnetization and isolating winding heat from tooling for stabilizing tool dimensions. Stroke length, "open" height and "shut" height are conveniently adjustable; and tool performance is optimized by adjusting armature-thrust versus travel. Four-way access to tooling enables convenient material feeding and handling, including multi-direction or multi-layer feed. Scrap pieces are freely downwardly ejected. Multiple electromagnetic drives are mountable side-by-side at the same elevation, or they are stackable at multiple levels for increased power or for tailoring force-versus-distance relative to materials being worked. Materials-handling and/or tool-handling robots or pneumatic actuators can be installed on an elevated platform. The electromagnetic drive is removable and interchangeable among multiple die sets for easy tooling change-over among various production runs. Thus, "tooling set-up" by skilled machinist need be performed only once for each die set until worn dies require sharpening. A resilient upwardly biased shuttle pole-piece boosts available energy by extending upwardly into the winding opening. Ball-bearing bushings carry the movable tool and anti-skid supports prevent ball bearings and their cages from skidding downwardly when the moving tool impacts against the work material. Adjustable resilient cushioning arrests tool travel for minimizing "tool whip" and tool wear at the end of the work stroke.

Claims

1. In an electromagnetically driven punch press including a base for mounting base tooling and having a plurality of guide pins upstanding from the base in spaced relationship among said guide pins, and a motion member above the base for mounting upper tooling above the base tooling, said motion member being carried by bushings mounted to the motion member, respective bushings being movable downwardly along respective guide pins during a downward stroke of said motion member and being movable upwardly along the respective guide pins during an upward return stroke of said motion member, the invention comprising:

said guide pins extending up through said bushings to upper ends of the guide pins at an elevation at least about two inches (at least about 50 mm) above said motion member when said motion member is at an initial position prior to its downward stroke,

a top mounting member attached to said upper ends of said guide pins,

said top mounting member being ferromagnetic,

said ferromagnetic top mounting member being at an elevation at least about two inches (at least about 50 mm) above said motion member when said motion member is at said initial position,

a solenoid winding mounted above said top mounting member and having a vertical opening surrounded by said winding,

a vertically movable ferromagnetic armature aligned with said winding opening and being movable downwardly and upwardly in said winding opening,

a ferromagnetic enclosure for said winding,

said ferromagnetic enclosure being over a top of the solenoid winding and being mounted to said mounting member,

said ferromagnetic enclosure having an opening positioned near the top of said winding aligned with said winding opening,

said armature extending up through said opening in said ferromagnetic enclosure,

said top mounting member having an opening positioned near the bottom of said winding aligned with said winding opening,

a pair of non-magnetic push rods connected to said armature and extending down through said opening in said top mounting member and being connected to said motion member for driving said motion member downwardly upon electrical energization of said solenoid winding, and

return means mounted on said top mounting member and being connected to said motion member for moving said motion member in said upward return stroke.

2. In an electromagnetically driven punch press, the invention claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said ferromagnetic top mounting member and said ferromagnetic enclosure with said armature extending upwardly through said opening in said ferromagnetic enclosure in cooperation with said elevation of said top mounting member above said motion member and said non-magnetic push rods serves for substantially isolating magnetic effects of said solenoid winding from the upper tooling and base tooling.

3. In an electromagnetically driven punch press, the invention claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

said ferromagnetic top mounting member having an overall horizontal extent comparable with an overall horizontal extent of said motion member,

thereby said ferromagnetic top mounting member captures stray magnetic flux produced by electrical energization of said solenoid winding,

such stray magnetic flux being outside of said ferromagnetic enclosure, and

said ferromagnetic top mounting member directing captured stray flux inwardly generally toward a lower end of the winding opening.

4. In an electromagnetically driven punch press, the invention claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said solenoid winding opening has a predetermined length in the direction of motion of said armature, and

said armature has a preferred length in said direction of motion in the range of about 140% to about 215% of said length of said winding opening for causing said armature to continue extending upwardly through said opening in said ferromagnetic enclosure during an entire downward stroke of said motion member.

5. In an electromagnetically driven punch press, the invention claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said solenoid winding opening has a predetermined length in the direction of motion of said armature, and

said armature has a more preferred length in said direction of motion in the range of about 150% to about 200% of said length of said winding opening for causing said armature to continue extending upwardly through said opening in said ferromagnetic enclosure during an entire downward stroke of said motion member.

6. In an electromagnetically driven punch press, the invention claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said solenoid winding opening has a predetermined length in the direction of motion of said armature, and

said armature has an optimum length in said direction of motion in the range of about 160% to about 190% of said length of said winding opening for causing said armature to continue extending upwardly through said opening in said ferromagnetic enclosure during an entire downward stroke of said motion member.

7. In an electromagnetic punch press, the invention claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a cooling housing mounted to said top mounting member for housing said solenoid winding and its winding enclosure together with said armature extending up through said opening in said enclosure,

said cooling housing having an air intake opening and at least one air outlet port, and

a cooling fan associated with said cooling housing for flowing air into said housing through said intake opening and out of said housing through said outlet port for causing such flowing air to cool the armature, the solenoid winding and its enclosure.

8. In an electromagnetic punch press, the invention claimed in claim 7, further characterized in that:

said air intake opening is located in a top of said cooling housing above the armature, the solenoid winding and its enclosure,

there are a plurality of outlet ports,

said outlet ports are located in a plurality of sides of said housing near said top mounting member, and

said cooling fan blows air directly down from said air intake opening onto said armature and said winding enclosure, with the air thereafter exiting through said outlet ports for carrying away heat.

9. In an electromagnetic punch press, the invention claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said ferromagnetic top mounting member is a ferromagnetic top plate, said invention further comprising;

a shuttle pole-piece having a pole of ferromagnetic material,

said pole being located in said opening in said ferromagnetic top plate,

mounting means for said shuttle pole-piece for enabling said pole to move up and down within said opening in said ferromagnetic top plate,

resilient means urging said pole upwardly to an initial position,

said pole in said initial position projecting upwardly partially into said winding opening, and

said pole being movable downwardly overcoming the urging of said resilient means upon contact with the armature during downward motion of the armature.

10. In an electromagnetically driven punch press, the invention claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said ferromagnetic pole of said shuttle pole-piece is located between said pair of non-magnetic push rods.

11. In an electromagnetically driven punch press, the invention claimed in claim 9, characterized further in that:

said shuttle pole-piece has a pair of ferromagnetic flanges projecting horizontally from opposite sides of said pole, and

said ferromagnetic flanges are in abutting relationship against an underside of said ferromagnetic top plate when said ferromagnetic pole is in said initial position.

12. In an electromagnetically driven punch press, the invention claimed in claim 11, further characterized in that:

each of said flanges has a vertical hole therein,

said mounting means comprise a pair of vertical rods attached to said top plate on opposite sides of said opening in said top plate,

respective ones of said rods extend down from said top plate through respective vertical holes in said flanges,

said resilient means comprise a pair of springs positioned below respective flanges, and

said springs are carried by the respective rods and urge said flanges upwardly toward said top plate.

13. In an electromagnetically driven punch press, the invention claimed in claim 9, further comprising:

said ferromagnetic top plate having an overall horizontal extent comparable with an overall horizontal extent of said motion member,

thereby said ferromagnetic top plate captures stray magnetic flux produced by electrical energization of said solenoid winding,

such stray magnetic flux being outside of said ferromagnetic enclosure, and

said ferromagnetic top plate directing captured stray flux inwardly generally toward said shuttle pole-piece.

14. In an electromagnetically driven punch press, the invention claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

first adjusting means for adjusting said initial position of said motion member, said first adjusting means comprising;

at least one adjustment post mounted to said motion member and upstanding from said motion member,

said top mounting member having a clearance hole therein,

said adjustment post extending up through said clearance hole,

a resilient stop adjustable upwardly and downwardly along said adjustment post,

said resilient stop being located below said top mounting member for coming into contact with said top mounting member for stopping said upward stroke, and

means for holding said resilient stop in its adjusted position on said post.

15. In an electromagnetically driven punch press, the invention claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

second adjusting means for adjusting the vertical position of said armature relative to said motion member in relationship to said initial position of said motion member for optimizing the relationship of the armature to said solenoid winding, and

said second adjusting means changes the effective length of said non-magnetic push rods between said motion member and the armature.

16. In an electromagnetically driven punch press, the invention claimed in claim 15, wherein:

said second adjusting means which changes the effective length of said non-magnetic push rods between said motion member and the armature comprises;

a shoulder on each of said push rods,

a threaded stud upstanding above said shoulder on each push rod,

the armature having a pair of vertical mounting passages therein for receiving the respective threaded studs,

a removable locknut on each threaded stud for holding the armature thereon, and

at least one removable non-magnetic spacer adapted to be placed around said stud for seating on said shoulder below the armature.

17. In an electromagnetically driven punch press, the invention claimed in claim 15 characterized further in that:

said top mounting member is removably attached to the upper ends of said guide pins,

said return means are removably connected to said motion member, and

the armature can be withdrawn down through said winding opening and said opening in said top mounting member,

thereby enabling the top mounting member and said solenoid winding and said enclosure and said return means to be moved to another punch press without disturbing said first and second adjusting means.

18. An electromagnetic thrust motor for use in operating a die set in a punch press and wherein said die set includes a base for mounting base tooling with a plurality of guide pins upstanding from said base and a motion member for mounting upper tooling above said base tooling, said motion member being movable downwardly and upwardly along said guide pins, said electromagnetic thrust motor comprising:

a top mounting member adapted to be attached to upper portions of said guide pins above said motion member for positioning said top mounting member above said motion member,

at least one solenoid winding mounted onto said top mounting member above said top mounting member,

said solenoid winding having a winding opening extending vertically through said winding,

said top mounting member having an opening extending vertically therethrough below said winding opening and being aligned with said winding opening,

ferromagnetic enclosure means at least partially enclosing said solenoid winding and defining a passageway extending vertically therethrough above said winding opening and being aligned with said winding opening,

a ferromagnetic armature movable downwardly and upwardly in said winding opening,

said ferromagnetic armature extending upwardly through said passageway in said enclosure means,

a pair of non-magnetic push rods connected to said armature and extending down through said opening in said top mounting member and being connectable to said motion member for thrusting said motion member downward from an initial position upon electrical energization of said solenoid winding, and

return means mounted on said top mounting member and being connectable to said motion member for returning said motion member upwardly to said initial position following such downward thrusting of said motion member.

19. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 18, characterized further in that:

said top mounting member is ferromagnetic,

said ferromagnetic top mounting member has an overall horizontal extent comparable with an overall horizontal extent of said motion member for aiding in substantially isolating said tooling from magnetization due to electrical energization of said solenoid winding.

20. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 19, characterized further in that:

said ferromagnetic top mounting member is positioned at a distance of at least about two inches (at least about 50 mm) above said motion member when said motion member is in said initial position, and

said positioning of said ferromagnetic top mounting member at said distance above said motion member provides an air space for aiding in substantially isolating said tooling from magnetization due to electrical energization of said solenoid winding.

21. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 18, characterized further in that:

said top mounting member is ferromagnetic,

a ferromagnetic shuttle pole-piece is movably mounted in said opening in said ferromagnetic top mounting member for increasing the down thrust occurring on the armature upon electrical energization of said solenoid winding,

said shuttle pole-piece is movable downwardly and upwardly in said opening in said ferromagnetic top mounting member,

resilient means urge said shuttle pole-piece upwardly to a normal position projecting partially into said winding opening, and

said shuttle pole-piece is moved downwardly upon said armature coming into contact with said shuttle pole-piece during downward motion of the armature for minimizing impact and mechanical shock of the armature hitting said shuttle pole-piece.

22. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 21, wherein:

said ferromagnetic shuttle pole-piece is mounted in said opening in said ferromagnetic top member between said pair of non-magnetic push rods.

23. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 21, wherein:

said ferromagnetic shuttle pole-piece has a pair of ferromagnetic flanges projecting horizontally from opposite sides, and

said resilient means urge said flanges upwardly into abutting relationship against said ferromagnetic top mounting member in said normal position of said shuttle pole-piece.

24. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 23, wherein:

each of said flanges has a vertical hole therein,

a pair of vertical mounting rods attached to said top mounting member on opposite sides of said opening in said top mounting member,

respective ones of said mounting rods extend down through respective holes in said flanges,

said resilient means comprise a pair of compression springs carried on the respective mounting rods below the flanges and pushing upwardly on the respective flanges.

25. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 21, further comprising:

said winding opening has a predetermined vertical length, and

the armature has a vertical length in the range of about 140% to about 215% of said predetermined vertical length of said winding opening for causing said armature to continue extending upwardly through said passageway in said ferromagnetic enclosure means during an entire downward thrusting of said motion member.

26. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 25, further characterized in that:

said shuttle pole-piece in said normal position projects upwardly into said winding opening by an amount in the range from about 1/16th to about 5/16ths of an inch.

27. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 26, wherein:

said winding opening has a vertical length of about 1.75 inches.

28. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 27, wherein:

said shuttle pole-piece in said normal position projects upwardly into said winding opening by an amount in the range from about 1/8th to about 3/16ths of an inch.

29. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 18, further characterized in that:

said winding opening has a predetermined vertical length, and

the armature has a vertical length in the range of about 140% to about 215% of said predetermined vertical length of said winding opening for causing said armature to continue extending upwardly through said passageway in said ferromagnetic enclosure means during an entire downward thrusting of said motion member.

30. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 29, further comprising:

first adjusting means for adjusting the initial position of said motion member relative to said top mounting member, and

second adjusting means for adjusting the effective length of each of said non-magnetic push rods for adjusting an initial vertical position of the armature relative to said winding opening.

31. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 30, wherein:

said second adjusting means comprises;

a shoulder on each of said push rods,

a pair of threaded studs,

a respective one of said studs upstanding above a respective one of said shoulders,

the armature having a pair of vertical mounting passages therein for mounting the armature on said studs above said shoulders,

a removable locknut on each threaded stud for holding the armature thereon, and

at least one removable non-magnetic spacer ring adapted to encircle each stud between said shoulder and the armature for adjusting the vertical mounting position of the armature on the respective stud.

32. The electromagnetic thrust motor as claimed in claim 31, wherein:

said pair of studs are sufficiently long for enabling at least one unused non-magnetic spacer ring to be stored temporarily on each stud above the armature and below the locknut.

33. An electromagnetic thrust motor system for use in operating a die set in a punch press and wherein said die set includes a base for mounting base tooling with a plurality of guide pins upstanding from said base and a motion member for mounting upper tooling above said base tooling, said motion member being movable downwardly and upwardly along said guide pins, said electromagnetic thrust motor system comprising:

a top mounting member adapted to be attached to upper portions of said guide pins above said motion member for positioning said top mounting member above said motion member,

a plurality of solenoid windings mounted onto said top mounting member above said top mounting member,

each of said solenoid windings having a winding opening extending vertically through said winding,

said top mounting member having a respective opening extending vertically therethrough below each of said winding openings and each such respective opening being aligned with the winding opening below which such respective opening is located,

ferromagnetic enclosure means at least partially enclosing each of said solenoid windings and defining a passageway extending vertically therethrough above each winding opening and being aligned with the respective winding opening,

a plurality of ferromagnetic armatures,

each ferromagnetic armature being movable downwardly and upwardly in the respective winding opening,

each ferromagnetic armature extending upwardly through the respective passageway in the enclosure means,

a plurality of non-magnetic push rods,

at least one respective non-magnetic push rod being connected to a respective armature and extending down through a respective opening in said top mounting member and being connected to said motion member for thrusting said motion member downward from an initial position upon electrical energization of said plurality of solenoid windings, and

return means mounted on said top mounting member and being connected to said motion member for returning said motion member upwardly to said initial position following such downward thrusting of said motion member.

34. The electromagnetic thrust motor system claimed in claim 33, further characterized in that:

said plurality of solenoid windings are connected electrically in parallel to an electrical power source for increasing the down thrust on said motion member as compared with one of said solenoid windings alone being connected to said power source.

35. The electromagnetic thrust motor system claimed in claim 33, further characterized in that:

the number of said solenoid windings mounted onto said top mounting member is "N",

said solenoid windings are electrically connected in series to an electrical power source for providing substantially the same total down thrust as provided by a single one of said solenoid windings when electrically connected alone to the same source, and

thereby the heating effect of electrical current in each winding is reduced to 1/N² as compared with the heating effect in such single winding alone.

36. The electromagnetic thrust motor system claimed in claim 33, further characterized in that:

there are four of said solenoid windings,

a first pair of said solenoid windings are electrically connected in series,

a second pair of said solenoid windings are electrically connected in series,

said first and second pairs are electrically connected in parallel to an electrical power source,

thereby reducing the heating effect of electrical current in each solenoid winding to about 1/4th the heating effect in a single one of said windings alone connected to the same power source, and

thereby producing a total down thrust about twice that produced by such single one of said windings.

37. An electromagnetic thrust motor system for use in operating a die set in a punch press and wherein said die set includes a base for mounting base tooling with a plurality of guide pins upstanding from said base and a motion member for mounting upper tooling above said base tooling, said motion member being movable downwardly and upwardly along said guide pins, said electromagnetic thrust motor system comprising:

a first mounting member adapted to be attached to upper portions of said guide pins above said motion member for positioning said first mounting member above said motion member,

a first solenoid winding mounted onto said first mounting member above said first mounting member,

said first solenoid winding having a first winding opening extending vertically through said first winding,

said first mounting member having an opening extending vertically therethrough below said first winding opening and being aligned with said first winding opening,

first ferromagnetic enclosure means at least partially enclosing said first solenoid winding and defining a passageway extending vertically therethrough above said first winding opening and being aligned with said first winding opening,

a first ferromagnetic armature movable downwardly and upwardly in said first winding opening,

said first ferromagnetic armature extending upwardly through said passageway in said first enclosure means,

at least one non-magnetic push rod connected to said first armature and extending down through said opening in said first mounting member and being connected to said motion member for thrusting said motion member downward from an initial position upon electrical energization of said first solenoid winding,

return means mounted on said first mounting member and being connected to said motion member for returning said motion member upwardly to said initial position following such downward thrusting of said motion member,

a second mounting member,

a plurality of supports extending downwardly from said second mounting member for supporting said second mounting member in spaced relationship above said first mounting member,

a second solenoid winding mounted onto said second mounting member above said second mounting member,

said second solenoid winding having a second winding opening extending vertically through said second winding,

said second mounting member having an opening extending vertically therethrough below said second winding opening and being aligned with said second winding opening,

second ferromagnetic enclosure means at least partially enclosing said second solenoid winding and defining a passageway extending vertically therethrough above said second winding opening and being aligned with said second winding opening,

a second ferromagnetic armature movable downwardly and upwardly in said second winding opening,

said second ferromagnetic armature extending upwardly through said passageway in said second enclosure means,

said second ferromagnetic armature being above said first electromagnetic armature and being aligned therewith,

at least one non-magnetic push rod extender connected to said second armature and extending down through said opening in said second mounting member and being connected to said push rod for aiding said first armature in thrusting said motion member downward from said initial position upon electrical energization of said second solenoid winding.

38. The electromagnetically energized thrust motor system claimed in claim 37, further characterized in that:

a pair of non-magnetic push rods are connected to said first armature and extend down through said opening in said first mounting member and are connected to said motion member for thrusting said motion member downwardly upon electrical energization of said first solenoid winding,

a pair of non-magnetic push rod extenders are connected to said second armature and extend down through said opening in said second mounting member, and

respective ones of said push rod extenders are aligned with respective non-magnetic push rods and are connected to the respective non-magnetic push rods with which they are aligned.

39. The electromagnetically energized thrust motor system claimed in claim 38, further characterized in that:

each of said non-magnetic push rods has a shoulder thereon,

said shoulders are positioned at the same distance above said motion member,

each of said push rods has a threaded stud extending upwardly above the shoulder,

said first armature has a pair of vertical mounting passages therein,

a respective threaded stud extends upwardly through a respective mounting passage in the first armature,

each of said push rod extenders has a threaded socket in its lower end, and

respective ones of the threaded sockets are screwed onto upper ends of said threaded studs for holding said first armature in intermediate relationship between said shoulders and said push rod extenders.

40. The electromagnetically energized thrust motor system claimed in claim 37, wherein:

said first and second solenoid windings are connected in parallel electrical relationship to an electrical power source for providing substantially twice the downward thrust of a single such winding connected alone to such power source.

41. The electromagnetically energized thrust motor system claimed in claim 37, wherein:

said first and second solenoid windings are connected in series electrical relationship to an electrical power source for reducing the heating effect of electrical current to about one-quarter the heating effect resulting from connecting a single such winding alone to the power source, and

the resulting downward thrust resulting from said series-connected first and second windings is about the same as for a single such winding connected alone to such power source.

42. An electromagnetic thrust motor for use in operating a die set including a base for mounting base tooling with a plurality of guide pins upstanding from said base and a motion member for mounting upper tooling above said base tooling, said motion member being movable downwardly and upwardly along said guide pins, said electromagnetic thrust motor comprising:

a top mounting member adapted to be attached to said guide pins above said motion member for positioning said top mounting member above said motion member,

at least one solenoid winding mounted onto said top mounting member above said top mounting member,

said solenoid winding having a winding opening extending vertically through said winding,

said top mounting member having an opening extending therethrough below said winding opening and being aligned with said winding opening,

ferromagnetic enclosure means at least partially enclosing said solenoid winding and defining a passageway extending therethrough above said winding opening and being aligned with said winding opening,

a ferromagnetic armature movable downwardly and upwardly in said winding opening,

said ferromagnetic armature extending upwardly through said passageway defined by said enclosure means,

at least one non-magnetic push rod connected to said armature and extending down through said opening in said top mounting member and being connected to said motion member for thrusting said motion member downward from an initial position of said motion member upon electrical energization of said solenoid winding, and

return means mounted to said top mounting member and being connectable to said motion member for returning said motion member upwardly to said initial position following such downward thrusting of said motion member.

43. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 42, further characterized in that:

armature position adjusting means are provided for adjusting the position of the armature relative to said solenoid winding, said armature position adjusting means comprising;

a shoulder on the push rod,

a stud on the push rod upstanding above said shoulder,

said armature having a mounting passage therein,

said stud upstanding through said mounting passage for mounting the armature on said stud above said shoulder,

releasable fastening means on said stud for retaining the armature on the stud,

a plurality of non-magnetic spacers each having a hole therein,

said spacers having various thicknesses,

said holes being of sufficient size for allowing said spacers to be mounted on said stud and being sufficiently small for preventing any spacers on the stud from going downward past said shoulder, and

said spacers being mounted on said stud along with the armature.

44. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 43, in which:

there are at least three spacers, and

said spaces have different relative thicknesses.

45. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 44, in which:

said spacers have thicknesses of about 0.125 of an inch, about 0.250 of an inch and about 0.375 of an inch.

46. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 42, further characterized in that:

said return means comprise;

at least one elongated compression spring,

at least one socket in said top mounting member,

at least one spring cup mounted in such socket,

the spring cup extending down below said top mounting member,

the spring cup having a bottom with a central hole in the bottom,

at least one spring rod fastened to said motion member and extending up through the hole in the bottom of the spring cup and up through the spring cup and extending up to a top of said rod at a substantial height above said top mounting member,

the spring being seated in the spring cup and encircling the spring rod and extending up near the top of the rod, and

return-rate adjusting means on the spring rod near the top of the rod pressing down on the spring for causing the spring rod to exert an upward force on the motion member.

47. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 46, further characterized in that:

said motion member has a predetermined maximum downward stroke,

said compression spring has a length at least about four times said maximum downward stroke, and

said spring cut extends down a substantial distance below the top mounting member with the bottom of the spring cup being closer to the motion member in the initial position than to the top mounting member for substantially reducing the elevation of the return-rate adjusting means above the top mounting member.

48. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 47, further characterized in that:

there are two such compression springs,

there are two such spring cups, and

said spring cups are removable from their sockets in said top mounting member.

49. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 42, further comprising:

a cooling housing mounted on the top mounting member for housing the solenoid winding, the ferromagnetic enclosure means and the ferromagnetic armature,

said cooling housing having an air intake opening and at least one outlet port, and

fan means associated with said cooling housing for flowing air through the housing from said intake opening to the outlet port for cooling the solenoid winding, the ferromagnetic enclosure means and the ferromagnetic armature.

50. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 49, further characterized in that:

said top mounting member is ferromagnetic,

said top mounting member is spaced at least about two inches (at least about 50 mm) above said motion member in the initial position,

said top mounting member has a horizontal extent comparable with a horizontal extent of said motion member,

said cooling housing also houses said return means and covers substantially all of said top mounting member,

said cooling housing has said air intake opening positioned above the armature, and

said cooling housing has at least two outlet ports on opposite sides contiguous with said top mounting member for cooling said top mounting member.

51. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 50, further characterized in that:

there are two return means on opposite sides of the solenoid winding,

there are also stroke length adjusting means on opposite sides of the solenoid winding, and

one of said return means is in the front of one of said stroke length adjusting means and the other of said return means is behind the other of said stroke length adjusting means for providing balance to said motion member.

52. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 42, further characterized in that:

said top mounting member is ferromagnetic, and

said top mounting member is spaced at least about two inches (at least about 50 mm) above said motion member in the initial position for substantially isolating the tooling from magnetization effects due to electrical energization of said solenoid winding.

53. The electromagnetic thrust motor claimed in claim 42, further characterized in that:

there are two return means on opposite sides of the solenoid winding,

there are also two stroke length adjusting means on opposite sides of the solenoid winding, and

one of said return means is in front of one of said stroke length adjusting means and the other of said return means is behind the other of said stroke length adjusting means for providing balance to said motion member.