Electromagnetic actuator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An actuator assembly comprising:
- (A) a first member defining an axis of relative movement;
(B) magnetic circuit means for defining a magnetic circuit, said magnetic circuit means being movable relative to said first member along said axis, wherein said magnetic circuit means includes magnet means for establishing substantially constant flux through each of a plurality of magnetically conductive cylindrical sections axially spaced relative to one another along said axis so that flux is radially directed through at least one of said cylindrical sections in an inward radial direction and flux is radially directed through the other of said cylindrical sections in an outward radial direction;
(C) at least one electrically conductive coil assembly including at least one coil having a plurality of turns, said coil being coaxially positioned with said axis and extending through said radially directed flux of each of said cylindrical sections so that (i) a portion of said coil extends through the radially directed flux from each corresponding cylindrical section, and (ii) the current flowing through turns of each said portion of said coil flows substantially perpendicular to the corresponding radially directed flux; and
(D) means for applying a control signal to the portion of tee coil extending through the flux from each of the sections so that (a) the direction of the flow of current of the control signal through the portions of the coil extending through the flux directed in an inward radial direction is opposite to the direction of current of the control signal through the portions of the coil extending through the flux directed in an outward radial direction and (b) the force applied along the axis between the first member and said magnetic means in response to the flux/current cross-product of each of the cylindrical sections and corresponding portions of coil are additive.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved electromagnetic actuator assembly is described. The assembly comprises a magnetic circuit for defining radially directed flux both in an inward and outward direction, and a coil disposed in the flux paths and connect to receive a control signal so that a current can be applied in one direction through those portions of the coil disposed in the inward radially directed flux, and applied in the opposite direction through those portions of the coil disposed in the outwardly directed flux so that the flux/current products of the coil portions and associated flux are additive.
71 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An actuator assembly comprising:
-
(A) a first member defining an axis of relative movement; (B) magnetic circuit means for defining a magnetic circuit, said magnetic circuit means being movable relative to said first member along said axis, wherein said magnetic circuit means includes magnet means for establishing substantially constant flux through each of a plurality of magnetically conductive cylindrical sections axially spaced relative to one another along said axis so that flux is radially directed through at least one of said cylindrical sections in an inward radial direction and flux is radially directed through the other of said cylindrical sections in an outward radial direction; (C) at least one electrically conductive coil assembly including at least one coil having a plurality of turns, said coil being coaxially positioned with said axis and extending through said radially directed flux of each of said cylindrical sections so that (i) a portion of said coil extends through the radially directed flux from each corresponding cylindrical section, and (ii) the current flowing through turns of each said portion of said coil flows substantially perpendicular to the corresponding radially directed flux; and (D) means for applying a control signal to the portion of tee coil extending through the flux from each of the sections so that (a) the direction of the flow of current of the control signal through the portions of the coil extending through the flux directed in an inward radial direction is opposite to the direction of current of the control signal through the portions of the coil extending through the flux directed in an outward radial direction and (b) the force applied along the axis between the first member and said magnetic means in response to the flux/current cross-product of each of the cylindrical sections and corresponding portions of coil are additive. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 15, 16, 17)
-
- 9. An assembly according to clam 1, wherein said said magnetic circuit means includes second magnet means for establishing substantially constant flux through each of a second plurality of magnetically conductive cylindrical sections axially spaced relative to one another along said axis and radially spaced from the corresponding plurality of magnetically conductive cylindrical sections so that flux is radially directed through some of said cylindrical sections of said second plurality in an inward radial direction coincident with the corresponding inwardly radially directed flux provided by said first magnet means and flux is radially directed through the other of said cylindrical sections of said second plurality in an outward radial direction coincident with the corresponding outwardly radially directed flux provided by said first magnet means.
-
18. An actuator assembly comprising:
-
a first assembly; a second assembly movable relative to said first assembly for a predetermined length along an axis of relative movement; and means for applying a control signal to said actuator assembly for controlling the relative movement of said first and second assemblies; wherein said first assembly includes at least one electrically conductive coil mounted substantially coaxial to said axis and having an axial length at least equal to said predetermined length; said second assembly includes magnetic circuit means for defining a magnetic circuit, said magnetic circuit means being movable relative to said coil along said axis of relative movement, wherein said magnetic circuit means includes magnet means for establishing substantially constant flux through each of a plurality of cylindrical sections of said coil axially space relative to one another along said axis so that flux is radially directed through at least one of said cylindrical sections of said coil in an inward radial direction and flux is radially directed through the other of said cylindrical sections of said coil in an outward radial direction, and said means for applying said control signal applies said control signal to said cylindrical sections of said coil so that (a) the direction of the flow of current of the control signal through the cylindrical sections of the coil extending through the flux directed in an inward radial direction is opposite to the direction of current of the control signal through the cylindrical sections of the coil extending through the flux directed in an outward radial direction and (b) the magnetic force applied between said first and second assemblies along the axis in response to the flux/current cross-product provided by each of the cylindrical sections of the coil and corresponding flux are additive.
-
-
19. An actuator assembly comprising:
-
a first assembly; and a second assembly movable relative to said first assembly along an axis of relative movement in response to a control signal, said second assembly comprising magnetic circuit means for defining radially directed flux both in an inward and outward direction relative to said axis of relative movement, and a coil disposed in the flux paths; and means for applying said control signal to said coil so that a current can be applied in one direction through those portions of the coil disposed in the inward radially directed flux, and applied in the opposite direction through those portions of the coils disposed in the outwardly directed flux so that the flux/current force applied between said first and second assemblies is additive.
-
Specification