Motion-converting Mechanism Patents (Class 310/20)
  • Patent number: 11938627
    Abstract: A robot joint, including: a housing; an output shaft, at least partially housed inside the housing and provided with a shaft portion and a flange portion at a first end of the shaft portion; a first bearing portion, housed in the housing and supporting a first position of the flange portion of the output shaft; a second bearing portion, housed in the housing and supporting a second position of the output shaft in an axial direction; and a motor, housed in the housing, where the second bearing portion is arranged between the motor and the first bearing portion along the axial direction of the output shaft. Further provided is a robot. By effectively supporting the output shaft at multiple points, the output shaft is enabled to more effectively and stably bear the moment or bending moment of a load, and the robot joint structure is enabled to be compact and lighter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Yong Yang, Sheng Zhang, Chao Jiang
  • Patent number: 11784549
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a motor, including a housing having an accommodating space, a vibrator and a stator that are accommodated in the accommodating space. One of the vibrator and the stator includes a magnetic circuit structure, and the other includes a coil assembly. The coil assembly includes an iron core and a first drive coil and a second drive coil that separately sleeved on two ends of the iron core in a vibration direction of the vibrator, a powering direction of the first drive coil being opposite to a powering direction of the second drive coil. In the present disclosure, the first drive coil and the second drive coil are subjected to Lorentz force in the same direction, thereby vibration of the motor may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Lubin Mao, Zhaoxian Chen, Zijie Zhang
  • Patent number: 11369288
    Abstract: Described is device for monitoring an activity. The device comprises a transducer that generates electric power from the activity and an energy store that stores the electric power over consecutive time intervals. The device further comprises a transmitter that periodically transmits the stored energy as an activity pulse indicative of an activity classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: NATIONAL ICT AUSTRALIA LIMITED
    Inventors: Aruna Seneviratne, Sara Khalifa, Mahbub Hassan
  • Patent number: 11152837
    Abstract: A generator arrangement includes a housing with a mounting feature, a main generator with an outboard shaft arranged within the housing and axially offset from the mounting feature along a rotation axis, and a permanent magnet generator. The permanent magnet generator has an inboard shaft arranged within the housing between the main generator and the mounting feature. The outboard shaft is coupled to the inboard shaft to provide rotation to the main generator through the permanent magnet generator. Accessory gearboxes and methods of generating electrical power are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aaron M. Finke, Andreas C. Koenig, Glenn C. Lemmers, Jr., Jonathan C. Dell, Andrew P. Grosskopf
  • Patent number: 11092219
    Abstract: A linear motion system includes a guiding member, a moving member, a plurality of rolling members, a controller, a preload sensing member and a preload adjusting module. The moving member is slidably disposed on the guiding member, and the moving member and the guiding member together form a circulation path. The rolling members are accommodated in the circulation path. The preload sensing member is disposed on the moving member. The preload sensing member detects a preload value generated by the rolling members and applied to the moving member, and outputs a detecting signal to the controller. The preload driver and adjusting assembly of the preload adjusting module are disposed on the moving member. The controller controls the preload driver to adjust the adjusting assembly according to the detecting signal to adjust the preload value to a preset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: TBI Motion Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Sheng Lee, Tien-Chang Wu
  • Patent number: 11043887
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a vibration generating device includes a protruding part; a base provided with the protruding part and formed of a magnetic body; an annular coil surrounding the protruding part; a plate facing the base and formed of a magnetic body; and an elastic member supporting the plate with respect to the base. The plate and the base constitute magnetic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.
    Inventors: Mikio Umehara, Yutaka Kamogi
  • Patent number: 11031841
    Abstract: An electric actuator includes a motor, a speed reduction mechanism, a first bearing, and a bearing holder. The speed reduction mechanism has external and internal gears, an output flange that is positioned at one side in an axial direction from the external gear, and a plurality of projecting portions that project in the axial direction from one of the output flange and the external gear toward the other. The plurality of projecting portions are inserted into a plurality of first bore portions disposed along a circumferential direction, respectively. The bearing holder has a cylindrical circumferential wall positioned at an outer side in a radial direction of the first bearing and a support wall supporting the first bearing from the other side in the axial direction. A position adjustment mechanism configured to be capable of moving the support wall in the axial direction is arranged in the bearing holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: NIDEC TOSOK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shirai, Shuichi Kinjo, Tomoki Sato
  • Patent number: 10715020
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a vibration generating device includes a protruding part; a base provided with the protruding part and formed of a magnetic body; an annular coil surrounding the protruding part; a plate facing the base and formed of a magnetic body; and an elastic member supporting the plate with respect to the base. The plate and the base constitute magnetic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.
    Inventors: Mikio Umehara, Yutaka Kamogi
  • Patent number: 10256695
    Abstract: A linear actuator system comprising a linear actuator having a housing and an outer tube, which with a rear end is secured to a side of the housing at a front end thereof. The outer tube surrounds an electric motor driven spindle unit and an activation element. The linear actuator system further comprises a control box having a control, where the control box is arranged in the angle between the housing and the outer tube on the linear actuator. The control box is fastened with a mounting bracket to the outer tube on the linear actuator. The mounting bracket comprises a tubular portion, whereby it can be pushed in over the outer tube and the mounting bracket and the control box are also designed with interacting fastening means for fastening the control box to the mounting bracket. The tubular portion of the mounting bracket has an axially extending slit and the interacting fastening means between the mounting bracket and the control box are constituted on both sides of the slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: LINAK A/S
    Inventor: Rolf Jørgensen
  • Patent number: 10220937
    Abstract: A multi-slice electromechanical hinge-line rotary actuator includes a motor stator configured to generate rotational motion about a rotational axis. The multi-slice electromechanical hinge-line rotary actuator further includes a plurality of layers rotatably coupled to the motor stator. Each layer includes an output arm slice configured to rotate about the rotational axis in response to the rotational motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Derick S. Balsiger, Nicholas R. Van De Veire
  • Patent number: 10211703
    Abstract: A power generating unit of the preset invention includes: a power generating apparatus that has a push part, and generates power by pushing the push part; a rotating body that pushes the push part by rotating around a fulcrum; a drive body that rotates the rotating body by moving from a first position to a second position; and a first spring that returns the drive body from the second position to the first position. More preferably, the power generating unit further includes an actuating part; and a second spring disposed between the actuating part and the drive body, wherein the drive body is disposed between the first spring and the second spring. With this configuration, the power generating unit of the present invention can realize diversification of a use of the power generating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Suguru Ohishi
  • Patent number: 9985496
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to a step actuator, in which a lead screw coupled with a screw thread formed in a nut member is installed in a rotor magnet and moves back and forth in an axial direction responding to a rotation of the rotor to transmit power in an axial direction. A cylindrical bearing for rotatably supporting the nut member is disposed at an upper part of the nut member and integrally formed therewith, to fundamentally remove a gap in the axial direction in the coupled area between the cylindrical bearing and the nut member, thereby significantly reducing the feeding error of a rotator in the axial direction when the lead screw moves back and forth in the axial direction, and reducing the number of parts to be assembled to lower the material cost and the labor cost for assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: MOATECH CO., LTD
    Inventor: In-yong Park
  • Patent number: 9874272
    Abstract: A circular spline is secured to a housing. An output member is positioned relative to the circular spline, an outer race of a bearing is secured to the housing, and an inner race of the bearing is secured to the output member. A flex spline is positioned relative to the circular spline and secured to the output member. A wave generator is positioned relative to the circular spline, and a support member, by which the wave generator is rotatably supported, is secured to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Yajima
  • Patent number: 9876407
    Abstract: A motor includes two magnetically coupled, coaxially-nested Halbach cylinder rotors, one of which passes through a toroidal series of at least two stator coils while the other is attached to an axle or other means of transferring mechanical power. An embodiment is described comprising an additional third Halbach cylinder rotor in which a circumferential arrangement of permanent magnets is mounted rotatably and proximally outside the stator coils, coaxial with the stator coils. Adjacent stator coils are configured so as to produce opposing magnetic fields upon energizing of the motor. Alternating the current to the stator coils induces movement in the rotor. Commutation can occur brushlessly, or the motor can be configured to function without commutation by varying the frequency of the alternating current, and can be configured to operate by either DC or AC current. Alternatively, the rotor may be driven to generate an electric current in the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Inventor: Raymond James Walsh
  • Patent number: 9762110
    Abstract: A linear vibrator includes a housing with an accommodation space; a vibrating part received in the accommodating space; and a plurality of elastic members for suspending and supporting the vibrating part in the housing. The elastic member includes two holding parts connecting to the housing and the vibrating part respectively. The holding part includes a first end part and the second end part away from the first end. An interconnecting part is provided to connect the two holding parts, and includes a main body part and bending parts extending from two ends of the main body part respectively. The bending part includes a first arc part, and a second arc part extending from the first arc part, a bending direction of the first arc part being contrary to a bending direction of the second arc part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: AAC TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Changliang Wang
  • Patent number: 9758994
    Abstract: A lid lock device includes: a housing including a first housing and a second housing assembled to the first housing and fixed to a vehicle; a lock member movably supported by one or both of the first and second housings and moving between a lock position and a lock releasing position; a surrounding sidewall protruding toward the second housing from the first housing and surrounding a surface of the first housing; a support hole provided in a front side portion of the first housing; a passage port provided in a portion of the surrounding sidewall; a blocking portion protruding toward the first housing from the second housing and blocking the passage port; and an overlapping portion formed in an opening edge of the passage port and overlapping an outer surface of an edge portion of the blocking portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshichika Ito, Toshihiro Kitamura, Takumi Niwa, Tatsuya Shimizu, Masayuki Nomura
  • Patent number: 9496779
    Abstract: A drive device includes a rotational drive device with a rotating stator and a rotating armature for displacing a shaft in a rotational movement and a linear drive device with a linear stator and a linear armature for displacing a shaft in a linear movement. The rotational drive device and the linear drive device are arranged axially one behind the other, with the rotating armature and the linear armature being connected to a respective shaft section. The shaft sections of the rotating armature and the linear armature are axially aligned and connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner such that the shaft sections can move axially with respect to each other but they can only rotate together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Daniel Mader, Holger Schunk, Rolf Vollmer
  • Patent number: 9219394
    Abstract: An actuator arrangement having a rotational output includes a power input, a motor, at least an intermediate gear, a solenoid and an output. The power input connects to a source of electrical power. The motor has an output shaft including a worm gear. The motor is operably connected to the power input. The motor and output shaft are rotatably connected to a housing of the actuator. The output gear generates a rotational output at an axis thereof, and is operably coupled to be driven by the at least one intermediate gear. The solenoid is operably connected to the power input, and includes a piston member. The piston member has an actuated and a non-actuated position. The piston member in the actuated position urges the worm gear and the at least one intermediate gear into meshing connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Guy P. Caliendo, Pankaj V. Kalore, Dean B. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20150108766
    Abstract: The current invention is an Alfa 1 fuel less power generator is a radical departure from the present day forms of power generating systems, because, it is an absolute departure from the present form of power generating systems we know today. All together fuel less in nature, that operated as stand alone system, or self sustained, requiring no external support of Sun, Wind, Fossil fuel, Hydro power system, and battery to charge as do inverters or any form of hydro carbon. The ALFA 1 Fuel-less Power generating system, uses a reciprocating system, but this time around, the system is not powered by any fuel but permanent magnets(Repulsive force as fuel) having a repelling force of 120 kg, which are repelling each other whenever they come close to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Regnault Bamiji
  • Publication number: 20150091395
    Abstract: An electrical engine using a magnetic piston is disclosed. The magnetic piston is contained in a housing which has a passage through which the magnetic piston can freely reciprocate between opposite first and second ends. Electromagnets are mounted adjacent the ends of the passage, the electromagnets configured to generate a repulsive magnetic force onto the magnetic piston when activated. An electrical switch coupling each electromagnet to an electrical current source for activating the electromagnets, the electrical switches being positioned at the ends of the passage adjacent the electromagnets. The electrical switches configured to activate the electromagnets when the magnetic piston is positioned adjacent the switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Jonathan David L. Spivak
  • Publication number: 20150076932
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may include a method of producing mechanical power by moving a coil coupled to a shaft partially into a magnetic cylinder having a magnetic end cap containing a plurality of stacked magnetic forces, changing the magnetic polarity of the shaft, moving the coil out of the magnetic cylinder. In other embodiments, there is an electric motor apparatus comprising a magnetic cylinder, a coil coupled to a shaft, and a means for reversing the magnetic polarity of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Fred E. HUNSTABLE
  • Publication number: 20150015117
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration generating method includes providing a vibration generating device which receives a driving power and generates a vibration, and controlling vibration of a vibrator of the vibration generating device, wherein the vibration of the vibrator is controlled by systematizing an inertia matrix and a stiffness matrix of the vibrator, and wherein the inertia matrix and the stiffness matrix simultaneously satisfy diagonalization. A vibration generating device using this method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Sungon LEE, Jun Woo KIM, Sang Rok OH
  • Patent number: 8922070
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may include a method of producing mechanical power by moving a coil coupled to a shaft partially into a magnetic cylinder having a magnetic end cap containing a plurality of stacked magnetic forces, changing the magnetic polarity of the shaft, moving the coil out of the magnetic cylinder. In other embodiments, there is an electric motor apparatus comprising a magnetic cylinder, a coil coupled to a shaft, and a means for reversing the magnetic polarity of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Linear Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred E. Hunstable
  • Publication number: 20140339927
    Abstract: An actuator includes a first stator with four first poles and a second stator with four second poles aligned with the four first poles. A permanent magnet is attached to the first stator and the second stator. Four moving armatures are positioned at terminal ends of the four first poles and the four second poles. Coils are wrapped around the first stator and the second stator. A controller selectively applies current to the coils to migrate flux created by the permanent magnet through selective poles of the first stator and the second stator and thereby alter the size of air gaps associated with the four moving armatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: QM POWER, INC.
    Inventor: Charles J. Flynn
  • Patent number: 8866350
    Abstract: An electromagnetic engine including a plurality of pistons and a plurality of corresponding electromagnets. The pistons are each connected to a crankshaft and fabricated of a ferrous material. The electromagnets are spaced from the pistons in alignment therewith. An electrical power source is provided to power the electromagnets, and a control assembly is provided to control the sequence of energizing the electromagnets, so that by energizing the electromagnets, the pistons will be pulled toward the electromagnets in response to a timely applied electromagnetic field. The force imparted on the piston is transmitted by the rod to the crankshaft, which provides power via an output shaft for desired uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Magtricity, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffery D. Baird
  • Publication number: 20140265649
    Abstract: A rotary drive includes: a support structure; and a linear actuator supported by the support structure. The linear actuator includes: a first member; a second member that moves in a linear direction relative to the first member when a drive signal is applied to the linear actuator; and a bearing arrangement supporting the first and second members within the support structure and enabling independent movement of the first member and the second member relative to the support structure. The rotary drive also includes a linear-to-rotary converter to which the second member of the linear actuator is coupled. The linear-to-rotary converter includes an output member having a rotational axis. During operation, the linear-to-rotary converter converts linear reciprocating movement of the second member of the linear actuator to rotary movement of the output member about the rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy A. Fofonoff, Ian W. Hunter
  • Publication number: 20140239745
    Abstract: A device generates electrical energy from mechanical motion in a downhole environment. The device converts rotary motion into a linear strain in a magnetostrictive material. The device includes a rotor, a magnetostrictive element, and an electrically conductive coil. The rotor rotates within a stator of a drill string. The magnetostrictive element is attached to the rotor by a first ball joint. The magnetostrictive element is configured to experience axial strain in response to rotational movement of the rotor. The magnetostrictive element includes a second ball joint on an end of the magnetostrictive element opposite the first ball joint. The electrically conductive coil is disposed in proximity to the magnetostrictive element. The electrically conductive coil is configured to generate an electrical current in response to a change in flux density of the magnetostrictive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Oscilla Power Inc.
    Inventors: Balakrishnan Nair, Andrew Joseph Gill, James H. Dudley
  • Publication number: 20140225460
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric motor, more particularly the present invention relates to an electric motor to replace conventional electrical motor for general applications comprising at least a propulsion unit (101) and a means for supplying current to the propulsion unit (101). The propulsion unit (101) comprises a propulsion member (11) and a casing (12) having a pair of first guides (13) secured to the opposite laterals, and a plurality of second guides (14) spaced and disposed along the surface of said casing (12), for receiving and actuating the propulsion member (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventor: Choo-Peng Oh
  • Publication number: 20140203670
    Abstract: A method of magneto-electric hybrid drive and power unit, characterized in that the unit includes a trigger control circuit (5), a cylinder block (1), a permanent magnet set (2), a piston assembly (3) and a pole changing drive coil (4). The said piston assembly (3) is inserted and set in the cylinder barrel. The said permanent magnet set (2) includes an upper permanent magnet (21) and a lower permanent magnet (22). The said upper permanent magnet (21) is set on the top of the cylinder barrel. The said lower permanent magnet (22) is set on the upper end face of the piston assembly (3). The said pole changing drive coil (4) is set on the lower end face of the upper permanent magnet (21) and is connected with the said trigger control circuit (5). The unit converts electric energy into mechanical energy by employing the nature of magnet that opposite poles attract and like poles repel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Guangjin Wu, Linfang Deng
  • Publication number: 20140191595
    Abstract: Briefly, the invention involves a system and method for generating electrical power. The system includes an electromagnet positioned with one pole directed toward a like pole of a permanent magnet. The permanent magnet is preferably mounted for oscillating movement toward the pole of the electromagnet. A control system for the electromagnet is provided to supply direct current (DC) power in the form of square wave pulses which coincide with the position of the permanent magnet. Power is collected upon the collapse of the magnetic field within the electromagnetic magnet. In some embodiments the present device is supplied in the form of a reciprocating engine which provides rotary motion in addition to the electrical power generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventors: Stephen Miles, Michael Cristoforo
  • Patent number: 8766496
    Abstract: A linear electric motors including a housing, a first armature movable on a first essentially linear path with respect to the housing, and a second armature movable on a second essentially linear path with respect to the housing, wherein the first armature is mounted to the housing by a first mounting spring, wherein the first armature and the second armature are coupled to each other by a coupling spring, and wherein the second armature is mounted to the housing by a second mounting spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Ziegler, Robert Schaefer, Uwe Schober, Thomas Meinke
  • Patent number: 8760020
    Abstract: An oscillator typically includes several rotatable drive magnets and pivotable oscillating arms having respective follower magnets so that the drive magnets drive movement of the follower magnets to pivot the arms back and forth in an oscillating manner. A generating magnet or electrically conductive member may be mounted on each oscillating arm for producing an electric current in the electrically conductive member. Repelling magnets may be mounted on the oscillating arms with respective repelling magnets positioned to repel the first repelling magnet to limit pivotal travel of the oscillating arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Michael J. Froelich
  • Patent number: 8742633
    Abstract: A rotary and linear motion device includes a magnetic stator assembly, opposed electromagnetic actuators, and a linear-to-rotary converter (e.g., cam). Each electromagnetic actuator includes a coil that is configured to reciprocate relative to the magnetic stator assembly or to linearly translate in a common direction relative to the magnetic stator assembly. The electromagnetic actuators are coupled to the linear-to-rotary converter and upon reciprocation or linear translation, drive the linear-to-rotary converter in rotary or linear motion. The device may be located inside a wheel, which may be part of a vehicle. If part of a wheel of a vehicle, the device can be used to provide propulsion, steering, braking, and suspension for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Nucleus Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Timothy A. Fofonoff
  • Patent number: 8725438
    Abstract: A linear actuator comprises a reversible electric motor (2) which, via a transmission, is capable of driving a spindle (4) having a spindle nut (5) secured against rotation and comprises a power supply and a controller. The actuator moreover comprises a memory unit for collecting at least one set of data from the operation, indicating how long and how hard the actuator has worked. It is hereby possible to obtain an overview of the mechanical state of the actuator and thereby prevent unfortunate occurrences and accidents as a consequence of wear-out of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventor: Svend Erik Knudsen Jensen
  • Patent number: 8714946
    Abstract: A linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor includes an electro-magnetic spring and a casing that defines a chamber. A piston is received within the chamber of the casing. The electro-magnetic spring can apply a non-linear force to the piston such that a total spring force applied to the piston during a compression stroke is substantially linear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas R. Barito, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Mariano Pablo Filippa, Gregory William Hahn, Srinivas Mallampalli
  • Patent number: 8624450
    Abstract: A linear vibration device is disclosed. The linear vibration device includes a housing, a plurality of elastic members received in the housing, each of the elastic member has a fastening portion connecting to the housing, an elastic arm extending from the fastening portion, and a mounting portion extending from the elastic arm, a moving unit suspended in the housing by the elastic members, a coil located below the moving unit, a supporting portion coupling to the elastic member, the supporting portion has a supporting plate covering at least a part of a top surface of the moving unit and a supporting arm extending downwardly from the supporting plate for pushing the mounting portion toward the positioning portion of the moving unit, the mounting portion has a fender defining a top part above the top surface of the moving unit for restricting the position of the supporting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignees: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., American Audio Components Inc.
    Inventors: Le-Ping Dong, Hong-Fu Xu, Shi Zhou
  • Publication number: 20130342033
    Abstract: An electromechanical propulsion system is disclosed. The propulsion system uses magnetic propulsion movers to turn a shaft that can generate electrical power or rotational motion to move a vehicle. The propulsion system is well suited for use on land, air, space, above water and underwater vehicles. The propulsion system includes a plurality of electromagnets impart linear motion on a rotator connected to a shaft to turn the shaft. Multiple electromagnet movers can be used on a single rotator to increase the generated torque on the shaft. The electromagnetic propulsion system does not require consumption of any external fossil based fuels for operation. The electromagnet movers are manufactured in a self-contained configuration where it is controllable from a remote location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: James Ollans ESSEX
  • Publication number: 20130333947
    Abstract: A motor includes: a rotor including an undulated surface; a rod disposed about the rotor; and a coil disposed about the rod to induce shape changes in the rod, which in turn impart forces to the undulated surface to rotate the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Richard Thomas Hay
  • Publication number: 20130334902
    Abstract: An inchworm actuator which can move a movable body relative to a stationary body while selectively giving priority to displacement speed or displacement resolution in accordance with the conditions of use is provided. An inchworm actuator 100 includes a movable body 110 supported between first and second guides 101 and 102 which are made of a magnetic material and which extend parallel to each other. In the movable body 110, a voice coil motor 115 is supported by first and second support legs 111 and 112 through toggle mechanisms 116a and 116b. The first and second support legs 111 and 112 are made of a magnetic material and have magnetic field-forming coils 113 and 114. The toggle mechanisms 116a and 116b convert the amount of displacement input from the voice coil motor 115 using a reducing conversion ratio corresponding to the amount of the displacement and transmit a resultant displacement to the first and second support legs 111 and 112.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Takaaki Oiwa, Junichi Asama
  • Patent number: 8519575
    Abstract: A rotary and linear motion device includes a magnetic stator assembly, opposed electromagnetic actuators, and a linear-to-rotary converter (e.g., cam). Each electromagnetic actuator includes a coil that is configured to reciprocate relative to the magnetic stator assembly or to linearly translate in a common direction relative to the magnetic stator assembly. The electromagnetic actuators are coupled to the linear-to-rotary converter and upon reciprocation or linear translation, drive the linear-to-rotary converter in rotary or linear motion. The device may be located inside a wheel, which may be part of a vehicle. If part of a wheel of a vehicle, the device can be used to provide propulsion, steering, braking, and suspension for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Nucleus Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian W. Hunter, Timothy A. Fofonoff
  • Patent number: 8519576
    Abstract: A driving device includes an alternating magnetic field producing member, a piston member and a crankshaft member. The alternating magnetic field producing member is for producing an alternating magnetic field. The piston member is adapted such that an eddy current is produced therein by an alternating magnetic field produced by the alternating magnetic field producing member, and is movable by a repulsive force between a magnetic field produced by the eddy current and the alternating magnetic field. The crankshaft member is connected to the piston member and can convert the movement of the piston member into a rotational motion. The driving device that can obtain driving force in an environmentally friendly and efficient manner can thus be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventor: Sueharu Maenosono
  • Publication number: 20130207487
    Abstract: An electromagnetic motor (20) comprises a number of head cubicules (24,24?,24?,24??) comprising electromagnets which produce a magnetic charge at the top (45), and a sleeve (49) receiving pistons (26,26?,26?,26??) at the bottom (47), the pistons actionning a crankshaft (21). At the upper face of each piston a permanent magnet is installed such that its polarity is the same as that of the electromagnetic charge of its corresponding head cubicle. The repulsion created produces a torque moment around the crankshaft which turns the crankshaft thereby the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel THERRIAULT, Georges BEAUREGARD
  • Patent number: 8497606
    Abstract: An energy harvesting device (EHD) and method including a hollow outer envelope (201) having an inner wall (200) with a first predetermined magnetic field distributed on an inner surface of the inner wall, at least one inner core (202), free to move in the hollow envelope (200) characterized by a second predetermined magnetic field distributed on an inner surface of the at least inner core, the inner core being characterized by one or more convex projections of magnetically active material, at least one conducting loop (203) disposed at locations selected from the group consisting of the outer envelope and the at least inner core, so as to be suffused with magnetic flux due to the magnetic field distributions of the at least one inner core and the at least one outer envelope and generating an alternating current due to movement of the inner core within the outer envelope and a rectifying circuit in electrical connection with the at least one conducting loop (203) rectifying the alternating current into a curre
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Uri Rapoport
  • Patent number: 8492936
    Abstract: A rotational energy harvesting apparatus includes a rotor of magnets and a ring of linear-based kinetic energy harvesters. The rotor of magnets is fixed to a rotational source and is caused to sweep past the linear-based kinetic energy harvesters. The rotating magnets compel kinetic energy to be induced in the linear-based kinetic energy harvesters. The kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Richard L. Waters, Maxwell M. Kerber, Brian B. Dick, Hugo F. Jazo, Mark S Fralick
  • Publication number: 20130154402
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating drive for a motor vehicle. It is an object of the invention to provide a further developed actuating drive. It is sought in particular for the actuating drive, in one embodiment, to have a small installation space and/or to be protected against the infiltration of dust and moisture. To achieve the object, the actuating drive comprises a drive, for example an electric motor for a drive wheel with an internal thread. The external thread of a spindle extends into the internal thread. By correspondingly rotating the wheel, an end of the spindle can be moved out of a housing of the actuating drive proceeding from a retracted state. Proceeding from the deployed state, the end of the spindle can be moved in the direction of the housing by correspondingly rotating the wheel in the opposite direction. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the actuating drive comprises an emergency unlocking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Madhu S. Basavarajappa, Nicolas Cavalie, Bernardo Erices, Frank Kunst
  • Publication number: 20130134803
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromechanical motor, comprising a rotor, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, at least one drive element, which can be displaced so as to revolve about the axis of rotation such that the rotor is rotatable by displacement of the drive element, at least two actuators, each with a first effective element, with which a force acting in one effective direction can be exerted onto a second effective element, wherein the first and the corresponding second effective element are not interconnected, and wherein the drive element can be displaced for rotation of the rotor as a result of the effect of the force of the at least two actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventor: Ernst Goepel
  • Patent number: 8448540
    Abstract: An assembling mechanism of a self-locking linear actuator includes a gearbox, a one-piece rear retainer seat and a casing. The gearbox is composed of two half pieces, which are mated with each other for accommodating and locating a transmission mechanism of the actuator. The rear retainer seat is fixedly held in the gearbox for supporting a bearing of a threaded rod of the transmission mechanism and bearing the stress from the threaded rod. The contact faces of the rear retainer seat and the gearbox are regular polygonal to facilitate adjustment of fixing angle of the rear retainer seat. The casing is composed of two half casings, which are mated with each other to accommodate the transmission mechanism, the gearbox and the rear retainer seat. The mating faces of the half casings are parallel to the axis of the output shaft of a motor to facilitate connection operation of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Hiwin Mikrosystem Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-An Chiang, Tung-Hsin Chen, Tai-Hung Lin, Shih-Yuan Tseng, Kuo-En Tseng
  • Publication number: 20130099601
    Abstract: A driving device includes an alternating magnetic field producing member, a piston member and a crankshaft member. The alternating magnetic field producing member is for producing an alternating magnetic field. The piston member is adapted such that an eddy current is produced therein by an alternating magnetic field produced by the alternating magnetic field producing member, and is movable by a repulsive force between a magnetic field produced by the eddy current and the alternating magnetic field. The crankshaft member is connected to the piston member and can convert the movement of the piston member into a rotational motion. The driving device that can obtain driving force in an environmentally friendly and efficient manner can thus be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: Sueharu MAENOSONO
  • Patent number: 8405255
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electric power generating apparatus. The electric power generating apparatus includes a casing that is made of a nonmagnetic material and has an outer surface and an interior space, a guide shaft that is made of a nonmagnetic material and provided in the interior space while being supported by the casing, a permanent magnet provided to the guide shaft so that the permanent magnet is capable of being reciprocated, a coil provided on an outer circumference of the interior space, a shield case to cover the outer surface of the casing, the shield case being made of a magnetic material, and an electric circuit unit to output an electric energy generated in the coil by reciprocating the permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Mochida, Takeshi Ozawa, Sachiko Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8405256
    Abstract: A wireless resonant micro-actuator for untethered micro-robots. The wireless resonant micro-actuator includes at least two magnetic bodies that are resiliently connected to one another by a resilient member to form a spring-mass system. A magnetic field generator generates a pulsating or oscillating external magnetic field that creates a magnetic force between the at least two magnetic bodies. The at least two magnetic bodies are capable of being mechanically oscillated to resonance with respect to one another. A converter converts the oscillatory motion of the at least two magnetic bodies to create useful motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Eth Zurich
    Inventors: Karl Vollmers, Bradley Nelson, Bradley Kratochvil, Dominic Frutiger