Oscillating Patents (Class 310/36)
  • Patent number: 8242643
    Abstract: A three-stable oscillating electromagnetic actuator includes a cylindrical stator from which a plurality of first magnetic poles project toward a center direction, a mover that extends in a circumferential direction inside the stator and is reciprocatingly and rotatably supported along the circumference, and a plurality of coils that are wound around the first magnetic poles and bias the mover to cause it to stop in three positions, which are a first stable position that is on one end side of a rotation range of the mover, a second stable position that is on the other end side, and a neutral position that is an intermediate position. The three-stable oscillating electromagnetic actuator further includes a second magnetic pole made of a magnetic material that abuts against a rotation-direction end of the mover to stop the mover in the first stable position and the second stable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuki Takahashi, Takafumi Nakagawa, Mitsuru Tsukima
  • Patent number: 8228151
    Abstract: An electromagnetic energy transducer configured to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy comprises two magnetic elements including a permanent magnetic element and a soft-magnetic element and an electrical coil. The permanent magnetic element and the soft-magnetic element are arranged to form a magnetic circuit and one of the two magnetic elements is movable in relation to the other of the two magnetic elements. The electrical coil surrounds a part of the soft magnetic element. The movable magnetic element is held in a first position by a spring force and moved into a second position by applying an external mechanical force exceeding the spring force, and at the first position the magnetic flux within the soft magnetic element is different than the flux at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Enocean GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8222777
    Abstract: The invention concerns a rotary single-phase electromagnetic servo actuator consisting of a rotary actuator designed to move a mobile member along a limited travel, including a 2N pole stator structure, N being equal to 1 or 2, and at least one field coil, said stator structure being made of a material with high magnetic permeability, and a rotor having a ferromagnetic yoke and a thin magnetized portion consisting of 2N pairs of axially magnetized poles, in alternate directions and a rotor angular position sensor. The invention is characterized in that the position sensor has a magnetic field emitter integral with the yoke and a receiver for the magnetic field stationary relative to the stator structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sonceboz SA
    Inventors: Guillaume Loussert, Pierre Gandel
  • Patent number: 8217601
    Abstract: A robust method for detecting a relative position of a feedback device, such as an encoder or resolver, coupled to a shaft, such as a motor shaft, is provided. To detect the relative position, electrical commands are issued in an open loop mode to spin the motor shaft an amount greater than the apparent rotational angle between two consecutive markers of the position feedback device, such that the net mechanical rotation is equal to or greater than the total rotational angle between two consecutive markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Yun-Chich “Jack” Lin
  • Patent number: 8198072
    Abstract: A vibration type microinjection device capable of ensuring smooth piercing of membranes having different properties such as a zona pellucida, a cell membrane and a nuclear membrane included in a fertilized egg with high accuracy and efficiency is provided. A vibration type microinjection device comprises a vibrator (28) which is connected in series with a micropipette (8) and which has a piezoelectric actuator (29) installed in a housing, and a signal control device (21) for controlling an electric signal applied to the piezoelectric actuator (29), wherein vibration is applied in the longitudinal direction of the micropipette (8) via the vibrator (28) by inputting an electric signal to the piezoelectric actuator (29). By such configuration, smooth piercing of membranes having different properties such as a zona pellucida, a cell membrane and nuclear membrane included in a fertilized egg is realized with high accuracy and efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventors: Fujio Miyawaki, Kenji Kobayashi, Jun Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8188622
    Abstract: An energy harvester comprising: a substrate; two magnets coupled to the substrate in close proximity to each other with like magnetic poles facing each other creating a flux gap; a coil coupled to the substrate and disposed within the flux gap, wherein the coil and the magnets are coupled to the substrate such that substrate acceleration causes relative elastic motion between the magnets and the coil thereby exposing the coil to a changing magnetic flux; and a resonant frequency tuner coupled to the substrate and configured to adjust the resonant frequency between the coil and the magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Richard Waters, Mark Fralick, Hugo Jazo, Brad Chisum
  • Patent number: 8183720
    Abstract: A magnetic circuit system includes a T-shaped yoke, a magnet, and a top plate. The top plate has a center hole, an internal end around the center hole thereof, and two projecting elements provided separately on upper surface and lower surface of the internal end, which improves non-linear distortion of a transducer using the magnetic circuit system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignees: AAC Acoustic Technologies (ShenZhen) Co. Ltd., American Audio Components Inc.
    Inventor: Xu-Dong Yan
  • Patent number: 8183721
    Abstract: An oscillation drive device includes an oscillating unit that includes attaching portions on either sides thereof, the attaching portions being arranged on an oscillation axis; a base that includes an oscillating fulcrum that supports the oscillating unit on the oscillation axis and supporting portions that firmly support the oscillating unit; and a pair of strip-shaped leaf springs that is arranged so as to intersect with the oscillation axis and oscillates the oscillating unit on the oscillation axis, each of the strip-shaped leaf springs includes a fixing portion attached to the attaching portions of the oscillating unit; and a flexible beam portion that both ends of which are attached to the supporting portions of the base, and causes the oscillating unit to oscillate on the base by flexure behavior thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Komori, Atsushi Michimori, Shinji Yagyu
  • Publication number: 20120119596
    Abstract: An electric motor for operating a small electric device is disclosed. The electric motor includes at least one first oscillatory motor component; an inductor for producing a magnetic field; and a first magnet arrangement including a first permanent magnet that generates a force for activating a rotatory oscillating movement (R) of the at least one first oscillatory motor component around a rotating axis (z). The at least one first oscillatory motor component and the first magnet arrangement are configured such that a magnetic reluctance torque acting between the first oscillatory motor component and the first permanent magnet operates as a righting moment for the rotatory oscillating movement (R).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Doll, Uwe Schober, Frank Kressmann
  • Patent number: 8164224
    Abstract: A vibration motor comprises a permanent magnet supported by a spring and an electromagnet. The electromagnet generates an alternating second magnetic field which exerts a torque on the permanent magnet and causes said permanent magnet to rotate and vibrate. The supporting spring transfers the vibration energy from the permanent magnet to the housing and ultimately to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Jun Shen
  • Patent number: 8148856
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stand-alone device for generating electrical energy comprising:—an excitation coil (2) furnished with a central opening, —a magnetic circuit passing through the central opening of the coil and formed of a fixed part (3) and a movable part (5) that can move with respect to the fixed part (3) so as to vary the magnetic flux through the excitation coil (2), characterized in that, —the magnetic circuit passes through the central opening of the excitation coil (2) several times, forming at least one loop. The invention also relates to a remote control device comprising a transmitter coupled to a remote receiver and a stand-alone device (1) for generating electrical energy so as to generate an electric current intended to power its transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Christian Bataille, Christophe Cartier-Millon, Stephane Follic, Jean-Pierre Pin, Didier Vigouroux
  • Publication number: 20120075684
    Abstract: An actuator includes: a frame; first members at each end of the frame along a first axis making the frame rotatable thereabout; second members supporting each end of a movable plate against the frame along a second axis making the movable plate rotatable thereabout; first magnets with poles interposing the first axis; a second magnet with poles interposing the first axis; a coil generating a magnetic force acting on the first and second magnets; and a voltage source applying a voltage to the coil. The first and second magnets have an angle of 30-60 degrees to the first axis, and identical magnetic pole directions. The voltage source includes first and second voltage generators generating first and second voltages of first and second frequencies, and a voltage superimposer. The movable plate is rotated about the first and second axes at the first and second frequencies by the superimposed voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasushi MIZOGUCHI, Makiko NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 8143817
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes a stator and a movable body. The stator includes a core provided with magnetic poles and a coil wound on at least one of the magnetic poles. The movable body includes a permanent magnet and supported in such a manner as to make reciprocating in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the permanent magnet opposes the magnetic poles. The movable body is reciprocated upon applying an alternating voltage to the coil. An electromagnetic actuator driving method for driving the electromagnetic actuator includes performing feedback control of the alternating voltage in which the alternating voltage is applied to the coil during a first half of a control period and in which an induced electromotive force generated in the coil during a second half of the control period is used as a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Izumi, Yasuo Ibuki
  • Patent number: 8138639
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a linear vibrator. The linear vibrator includes a casing defining an internal space. A vibratory unit is accommodated in the casing to vibrate up and down. A spring is mounted at an upper circumferential end thereof to an upper surface of the casing and secured at a lower end thereof to an upper portion of the vibratory unit, thus elastically supporting the vibratory unit. An annular locking ring has a larger outer diameter than an outer diameter of the vibratory unit and an outer diameter of the spring so that the upper circumferential end of the spring is locked to the casing through press-fitting. A bracket supports the casing and the vibratory unit, with a circuit board being mounted on the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Kun Choi
  • Patent number: 8129870
    Abstract: An asymmetric folded spring flexure suspension system can enable an ultra-compact linear reciprocative device wherein a reciprocative mass suspended from a base by a single folded flexure assembly extends in a single generally radial direction perpendicular to the intended travel path. The folded flexure assembly can be configured as three side-by-side stacks of flexure strips of spring material, tied together at a “yoke-idler” end; at the opposite “working” end, a central stack of nominal width is tied to the mass, and, flanking the central stack, a pair of half-width stacks are tied to opposite sides of the base. In an embodiment for active vibration control, a cylindrical enclosure, of magnetically-permeable material and attached to the working end of the flexure assembly, contains a driver system including an internally-mounted pair of permanent magnets that provide a magnetic flux gap and also constitute the main portion of the mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Pusl
  • Patent number: 8120214
    Abstract: The present invention provides a linear vibrator comprising a weight having an auxiliary magnet which is provided in a lower end of the weight and generates magnetic force with respect to the bracket. Therefore, a magnetic attractive force between auxiliary magnet and the bracket prevents undesirable fine vibrations and prevents the vibration unit from coming into direct contact with the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Jae Jeon
  • Publication number: 20120007451
    Abstract: A self-latching sector motor for producing a net torque from two integral independent sources where one can serve as a spare backup or paralleled for double net torque or used alternately for extended life operation. The self-latching sector motor includes a housing, a magnet-shaft assembly, and two pair of electromagnetic poles. The magnet-shaft assembly rotates within the housing. The two pair of electromagnetic poles extend fixedly and radially inwardly from the housing, towards the magnet-shaft assembly. The electromagnetic poles of an associated pair of electromagnetic poles are diametrically and magnetically opposed to each other, and each pair of electromagnetic poles are similarly poled to each other for North and South poles so as to provide the net torque to the magnet-shaft assembly that can be backed-up or doubled. The self-latching torque at the stops is achieved by restraining the magnet-shaft assembly from seeking a position of maximum flux.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventor: Victor Nelson
  • Patent number: 8053914
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a mechanical-to-electrical energy converting device having a plurality of electrodes and a fluidic body which comprises spatially separated conductive and dielectric liquid regions. Said fluidic body is configured to reversibly move as a whole with respect to said plurality of electrodes under the influence of a mechanical force. Each cycle of said reversible motion of said fluidic body causes multiple alternations of the amount of electrical charge accumulated by the electrodes, whereby generating electrical current flow between said electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas Nikita Krupenkin
  • Patent number: 8004124
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vibration generation module capable of generating inertial and impact vibrations. The vibration generation module includes a magnetic force generation unit, an elastic force provision unit, a permanent magnet, a contactor, and an impact transmission panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Dong Soo Kwon, Tae Heon Yang
  • Patent number: 7994672
    Abstract: The actuator system has a external rotor motor having: (i) an internal armature configured as a stator having a set of coils wrapped around a set of arms, and (ii) an external permanent magnet rotor having a set of poles configured to rotate less than 90 degrees around the stator. The actuator system has a drive shaft configured to be rotated by the external rotor motor. The actuator system has a drive train connecting the external permanent magnet rotor to the drive shaft, and configured to provide gear ratio to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Woodward HRT, Inc.
    Inventor: M. Robert Mock
  • Patent number: 7990597
    Abstract: An actuator includes: a first oscillatory system including a frame-shaped driving member and a pair of first axial members holding the driving member from both ends so as to allow the driving member to rotate around an X-axis; a second oscillatory system including a movable plate provided inside the driving member and a pair of second axial members holding the movable plate to the driving member from both ends so as to allow the movable plate to rotate around a Y-axis perpendicular to the X axis; and a driving unit including a permanent magnet provided on the driving member, a coil provided so as to face the permanent magnet, a voltage applying unit applying a voltage to the coil, and the permanent magnet has a relief section to avoid making contact with the movable plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 7989995
    Abstract: A windshield wiper drive (1) is provided for the output shaft (4) with a protective cap (15) across a longitudinal region. The protective cap (15) is supported between the terminal supports thereof against the drive shaft (4) and the drive housing (2) of the windshield wiper drive (1) in relation to the output shaft (4) via a supporting bearing (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Reith, Orlando Gabriel De Dias, Paul Geubel
  • Patent number: 7965001
    Abstract: To drive an oscillator always at a stable and constant oscillation even if frequency and amplitude of a power supply voltage differ depending on a delivery destination of the oscillator, an oscillator drive control device (10), which generates a predetermined switching pattern by operating a switching element, and supplies an oscillation generation unit (7) of the oscillator with drive electric power for generating predetermined oscillation frequency and amplitude according to the switching pattern, includes: a voltage detection circuit (11) for detecting a power supply voltage unique to a delivery destination of the oscillator; a memory circuit (12) storing, in advance, a basic switching pattern adapted to an arbitrarily set reference voltage, and used for driving the oscillation generation unit (7) at proper oscillation frequency and amplitude; and an arithmetic processing circuit (13) for calculating a ratio of the detected voltage unique to the delivery destination detected by the voltage detection circui
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
  • Patent number: 7965000
    Abstract: A vibratory linear actuator includes a stator with a magnetic pole surface, a movable member with a magnetic pole surface, an electromagnet arranged in one of the stator and the movable member, a permanent magnet arranged in the other of the stator and the movable member and a support unit for movably supporting the movable member so that the magnetic pole surface of the electromagnet can oppose the magnetic pole surface with a gap left therebetween. The actuator is designed to vibrate the movable member by supplying an electric current to the electromagnet. The support unit includes a fixed portion to be fixed to a housing for accommodating the actuator, and the stator is configured to be fixed to the support unit as the support unit is fixed to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Komori, Masashi Moriguchi
  • Patent number: 7960877
    Abstract: An electric reciprocating motion device includes a motor having a rotary shaft for outputting a reciprocating rotational power and a motion head coupling with the rotary shaft and being driven to move in a reciprocating motion along an axis of the rotary shaft and in a predetermined swing angle range. The motor is a spring motor including a motor unit and a torsion spring having two ends affixing at a motor housing and to the rotary shaft respectively. After the rotary shaft outputs a mechanical torque at one rotational direction, the torsion spring applies a spring force against the rotary shaft to drive the rotary shaft to rotate backward for generating the reciprocating rotational power. Using the spring motor in the electric reciprocating motion device, the device achieves the goals of simple mechanical structure, small volume, easy to install, and low in cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Ming Luo
  • Patent number: 7960875
    Abstract: There is provided a small-sized vibration generator that resonates at two different frequencies. A movable base is housed inside a case. The movable base has an installation plate, and supporting plates bent at right angles from both ends of the installation plate. A first elastically deformable portion is formed integrally with the installation plate, and a weight body is supported by the first elastically deformable portion. In the movable base, a second elastically deformable portion is provided between the installation plate and the supporting plates, and the supporting plates are fixed to supporting end plates of the case. The bending elastic modulus of the second elastically deformable portion is higher than the bending elastic modulus of the first elastically deformable portion, and resonates at two natural frequencies when a driving force is applied to the weight body by a magnetically-driven portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: ALPS Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Higuchi
  • Patent number: 7948124
    Abstract: An energy harvesting apparatus comprising: a substrate; two magnets coupled to the substrate in close proximity to each other with like magnetic poles facing each other creating a flux gap; a coil coupled to the substrate and disposed within the flux gap, wherein the coil and the magnets are coupled to the substrate such that substrate acceleration causes relative motion between the magnets and the coil thereby exposing the coil to a changing magnetic flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Richard Waters, Mark Fralick, Hugo Jazo, Brian Dick, Max Kerber
  • Patent number: 7948198
    Abstract: Increasing in size of a reaction force cancel system is suppressed. The reaction force cancel system is provided in a stage device including: a surface plate having a plurality of plate surfaces with different heights from each other, and installed on a floor via a vibration-isolating spring; and stages disposed on the plate surfaces respectively, and moving on the plate surfaces, and cancels reaction forces generated on the surface plate upon movements of the stages. In addition, the reaction force cancel system includes a first and a second reaction force canceling actuator that apply counter-thrusts to the surface plate, and a control section that controls the magnitudes of the counter-thrusts. In the reaction force cancel system, the heights of action points of counter-thrusts in the surface plate are different from each other, and the control section controls the counter-thrusts so as to counterbalance the reaction forces as resultant forces and resultant moments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuya Hosobata
  • Patent number: 7919876
    Abstract: A small-sized power package includes a tubular case, a magnet tube, a coil, a power-generating magnet, a shaft, a movable box, and a positioning magnet. The power-generating magnet is attracted by the positioning magnet and thus suspended within the magnet tube. The small-sized power package has enhanced power generating efficiency by utilizing the benefit of magnetic levitation. An electronic device including such a small-sized power package is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Chih Cheng
  • Patent number: 7919889
    Abstract: An oscillator device includes an oscillator, a resilient support member configured to support the oscillator for oscillatory motion about an oscillation central axis, a magnetic member provided on the oscillator, and a magnetic-field generating member disposed opposed to the oscillator, wherein the oscillator has a through-hole extending through the oscillator from its top surface to its bottom surface, and wherein the magnetic member is provided in the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Ogawa, Takashi Ushijima
  • Patent number: 7911097
    Abstract: Provided is a vibration motor including a supporting shaft, a rotor rotatably coupled to the supporting shaft, a stator facing the rotor, and a case having a lower plate where the supporting shaft and the stator are coupled, an upper plate facing the lower plate and the rotor, and having at least a portion having a first thickness and a portion having a second thickness greater than the first thickness at a position adjacent to the supporting shaft, and a side plate extending from the upper plate to couple to the lower plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Il Park
  • Patent number: 7911160
    Abstract: An oscillation device capable of generating a drive signal waveform with a sufficiently small number of harmonic components is provided. The oscillation device includes an oscillation system, a supporting unit configured to support the oscillation system, a drive unit configured to drive the oscillation system, and a drive control unit configured to control the drive unit by supplying a drive signal. The oscillation system includes a torsion spring and an oscillator. The drive control unit includes a drive-signal generating circuit configured to generate the drive signal using an address generator configured to generate an address to which a predetermined variable is added at a frequency higher than a frequency of the drive signal and using a trigonometric-function table indexed by an output of the address generator. The frequency of the drive signal is adjusted by adjusting the predetermined variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ikuo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7902698
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a monolithic micro-generator comprising: fabricating a plurality of magnet layer elements by preparing a semiconductor substrate surface to define: a plurality of coil layer recesses, a plurality of magnet wells, a plurality of integral compliant regions, and a plurality of bonding posts; disposing a ferromagnetic mass within each of a plurality of the magnet wells; fabricating a coil layer element by preparing a second semiconductor substrate surface to define a coil well, and one or more through holes, each hole disposed to accept a bonding post; disposing a conductive coil within the coil well; and bonding the upper bonding post surfaces of a magnet layer element to the corresponding upper bonding post surfaces of another magnet layer element with a coil layer element disposed between their upper surfaces such that each of the bonding posts passes through a corresponding through hole in the coil layer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Richard L. Waters
  • Patent number: 7898096
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a mechanical-to-electrical energy converting device having a plurality of electrodes and a fluidic body which comprises spatially separated conductive and dielectric liquid regions. Said fluidic body is configured to reversibly move as a whole with respect to said plurality of electrodes under the influence of a mechanical force. Each cycle of said reversible motion of said fluidic body causes multiple alternations of the amount of electrical charge accumulated by the electrodes, whereby generating electrical current flow between said electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas Nikita Krupenkin
  • Patent number: 7898122
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetic actuator comprised of a mobile assembly, a fixed ferromagnetic stator assembly, at least one electric field coil, and of at least one permanent magnet, having two stable positions of equilibrium without current at its ends of travel. The invention is characterized in that the mobile assembly has two distinct ferromagnetic armatures placed on both sides of the stator assembly and each forms, together with the stator assembly, at least one magnetic circuit, and is characterized in that the permanent magnet magnetically cooperates with one of the other ferromagnetic mobile parts in a stable position of equilibrium without current at the end of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Moving Magnet Technologies (MMT)
    Inventors: Gael Andrieux, Stephane Biwersi
  • Patent number: 7894113
    Abstract: An actuator includes: a first oscillatory system including a frame-shaped driving member and a pair of first axial members holding the driving member from both ends so as to allow the driving member to rotate around an X-axis; a second oscillatory system including a movable plate provided inside the driving member and a pair of second axial members holding the movable plate to the driving member from both ends so as to allow the movable plate to rotate around a Y-axis perpendicular to the X axis; and a driving unit including a permanent magnet provided on the driving member, a coil provided so as to face the permanent magnet, and a voltage applying unit applying a voltage to the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 7884525
    Abstract: A nano-scale compliant mechanism includes a coupler and a plurality of nanotubes disposed for nano-scale motion relative to a grounded component. The nanotubes are fastened at one end to the coupler and at the other end to ground, to guide motion of the coupler relative to the ground. Particular embodiments include a plurality of parallel carbon nanotubes. An exemplary embodiment exhibits first and second regions of mechanical behavior; a first region governed by bulk elastic deformation of the nanotubes and a second region governed by compliant, hinge-like bending of the buckled nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Martin L. Culpepper, Spencer P. Magleby, Larry L. Howell, Christopher M. DiBiasio, Robert M. Panas
  • Patent number: 7884518
    Abstract: An electrical synchronous machine, in particular for use as a drive machine in motor vehicle applications. A stator has an electrical winding arrangement for generating a rotating field. A rotor has magnetic flux generating means for generating a rotor flux with which the rotating field interacts. The rotor has a first rotor section with first magnetic flux generating means and a second rotor section with magnetic flux influencing means. It is possible to move the two rotor sections relative to one another between at least a first and a second relative position in such a way that the rotor flux provided by the rotor has a different magnitude in the two relative positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: GETRAG Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Uli Christian Blessing, Alexander Kreim, Ulrich Knoedel, Matthias Beck
  • Patent number: 7876003
    Abstract: The drive system for a personal care appliance, such as a toothbrush, includes a first opposing pair of permanent magnet assemblies positioned longitudinally along the length of the internal surface of a cylindrical appliance housing, each first permanent magnet assembly having one portion with a north polarity and the other portion a south polarity, and a second pair of permanent magnet assemblies which are orthogonal to the first pair of permanent magnet assemblies, one second permanent magnet assembly having a plurality of abutting first parts along the length thereof, the parts alternating between a north polarity and a south polarity, the other second permanent magnet assembly having similar parts with reversed polarity. First and second armatures are mounted on, or a portion thereof forms, a spindle element which extends along the length of and outward from the cylindrical housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Pieter J. Bax
  • Publication number: 20110012443
    Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for delivering power and energy using deflecting beams or other oscillating members motivated to oscillate a beam assembly using an eccentrically balanced rotating body that induces deflections in the elastic beam or other oscillating member. One or more rotors may be used on the elastic beams and a mechanical output or outputs are connected to the elastic beams. The rotating body is advantageously maintained in rotation by pulses of electromagnetic force. The oscillating beam or members are preferably driven at a natural resonant frequency to minimize losses and render more efficient the output which can be obtained. The pulse motor or motors can be powered using stored electrical energy, such as may be generated from solar panels, wind generators or other energy storage devices. One or more outputs may be used to drive heat pumps, compressors, pumps or other equipment to assist in independent energy systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Christopher F.X. Powers
  • Patent number: 7872380
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating rotary oscillation with two shafts pivotable relative to each other. An end section of a first shaft is accommodated in an end section of a second shaft so as to form an air gap. One of the two shafts has a magnetic field generator of substantially constant field strength, and the other shaft has conductors which generate a magnetic field and to which current has been variably applied to pivot the shafts relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Kristl, Seibt & Co. Gesellschaft M.B.H.
    Inventors: Wilfried Rossegger, Karl Baumgartner
  • Publication number: 20110001366
    Abstract: A vibration actuator 10 comprises an elastic body 12 that generates vibration waves in accordance with driving of an element 13, and a relative movement member that is in pressure contact with the body 12 and is relatively moved with respect to the body 12 by the vibration waves. A plurality of groove 30s are formed at the relative movement member side of the body 12, and depths of the groove 30s in a direction orthogonal to a relative movement direction of the relative movement member vary along the relative movement direction of the relative movement member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshikazu MORIOKE
  • Patent number: 7857526
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator is provided, including a bobbin made of a non-magnetic material including a hollow cylindrical portion and disk flanges; a coil formed between the disk flanges; a power supply which supplies a current to the coil; a movable member pivoted on the hollow cylindrical portion; and a stationary member made of a permanent magnet and fixed to a disk flange. The movable member is a magnetic material and includes a shaft portion and a rotating portion. The rotating portion is fixed to the shaft portion, lies on the disk flange, and extends in a radial direction of the shaft portion. When the power supply supplies the current to the coil in a predetermined direction, the rotating portion is magnetized to a predetermined polarity and rotates. The stationary member includes a stopper for stopping rotation of the movable member at a predetermined rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Junki Tsujiyama
  • Publication number: 20100301686
    Abstract: A three-stable oscillating electromagnetic actuator includes a cylindrical stator from which a plurality of first magnetic poles project toward a center direction, a mover that extends in a circumferential direction inside the stator and is reciprocatingly and rotatably supported along the circumference, and a plurality of coils that are wound around the first magnetic poles and bias the mover to cause it to stop in three positions, which are a first stable position that is on one end side of a rotation range of the mover, a second stable position that is on the other end side, and a neutral position that is an intermediate position. The three-stable oscillating electromagnetic actuator further includes a second magnetic pole made of a magnetic material that abuts against a rotation-direction end of the mover to stop the mover in the first stable position and the second stable position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuki Takahashi, Takafumi Nakagawa, Mitsuru Tsukima
  • Publication number: 20100303587
    Abstract: The invention is an operating device (1, 100, 200) comprising means (2) suited to move a support (3) with an alternating motion (A) around an axis (4). The means (2) comprise one or more permanent magnets (5) arranged along a section of a circumference that is concentric with the axis (4) and a winding (6) controlled by a control unit (7). The invention also concerns a machine for checking and inspecting containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Massimiliano Zanon
  • Patent number: 7839028
    Abstract: Nanoelectromechanical systems are disclosed that utilize vertically grown or placed nanometer-scale beams. The beams may be configured and arranged for use in a variety of applications, such as batteries, generators, transistors, switching assemblies, and sensors. In some generator applications, nanometer-scale beams may be fixed to a base and grown to a desired height. The beams may produce an electric potential as the beams vibrate, and may provide the electric potential to an electrical contact located at a suitable height above the base. In other embodiments, vertical beams may be grown or placed on side-by-side traces, and an electrical connection may be formed between the side-by-side traces when beams on separate traces vibrate and contact one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: CJP IP Holding, Ltd.
    Inventor: Joseph F. Pinkerton
  • Patent number: 7839041
    Abstract: Embodiments of actuators (20) comprise an electromagnetically conductive housing (22); a rotor (24); a first stationary pole member (48); a second stationary pole member (42); a first permanent magnet (44) connected to the first pole member (48); a second permanent magnet (46) connected to the first pole member (48); and; an electrically conductive coil (40) situated within the housing (22) and configured to define a cavity. The rotor (24) comprises a rotor shaft (26) and a rotor flange (28). The rotor flange (28) comprises both a first flange segment (56) and a second flange segment (58) which extend in different radial directions relative to the rotor shaft (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Saia-Burgess Inc.
    Inventor: David B Mohler
  • Patent number: 7817318
    Abstract: Disclosed is an oscillating system arranged so that a gravity center of a movable member and a torsional axis of a resilient support are easily registered with each other to prevent deformation of the movable member due to its dead weight or deviation of deformation from symmetrical deformation, wherein the oscillating system includes a substrate 301, a movable member 302 with hard magnetic members 310 and 311, resilient supports 304 and 305 for supporting the movable member for torsional vibration about a torsional axis 312 with respect to the substrate, and a magnetic field producing device for driving the movable member relative to the substrate, wherein the movable member 302 has recesses 306 and 307, and wherein the hard magnetic members are fixed while their end portions are aligned with end faces 308 and 309 corresponding to the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Torashima, Yasuhiro Shimada
  • Patent number: 7812483
    Abstract: A vibratory linear actuator includes a stator with a magnetic pole surface, a movable member with a magnetic pole surface, an electromagnet arranged in one of the stator and the movable member, a permanent magnet arranged in the other of the stator and the movable member and a support unit for movably supporting the movable member so that the magnetic pole surface of the electromagnet can oppose the magnetic pole surface with a gap left therebetween. The actuator is designed to vibrate the movable member by supplying an electric current to the electromagnet. The support unit includes a fixed portion to be fixed to a housing for accommodating the actuator, and the stator is configured to be fixed to the support unit as the support unit is fixed to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Komori, Masashi Moriguchi
  • Patent number: 7800276
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for a rotor assembly and an electric motor. One embodiment for a rotor assembly includes a first rotor including a first interface surface and a second rotor including a second interface surface corresponding to the first interface surface. Also, the first rotor is positioned with the first interface surface in direct physical contact with the second interface surface of the second rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Kurz-Kasch, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen H. Purvines