Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for reducing noise and vibration in an electric motor. In order to reduce the generation of vibrations and the resultant audible noise, vibration damping material is used to de-couple vibrations from the rotor and stator which would otherwise be transmitted to other parts of the motor.

Abstract: A step motor is provided that makes it possible to lower the manufacturing cost and accurately control the movement of a holder. The step motor is provided with: a motor case (3); a hollow columnar stator (4) which is provided inside the motor case (3) and which generates a magnetic field; a rotor (42) which is rotatably provided in the stator (4) and which rotates in steps according to the generated magnetic field of the stator (4); an actuating shaft (43) which is fixed to the rotor (42) and which has a threaded portion (53) at one end thereof; a holder (45) which is threadably engaged with the threaded portion (53) and which is movable in the axial direction; and a guide (44) which is fixed to the motor case (3), which prevents the rotational motion of the holder (45), and which guides the holder (45) to move in the axial direction.

Abstract: An arrangement for operating a brake of a vehicle has a controllable operating electric motor and a conversion device for converting the rotational movement of the operating electric motor into a translational movement of one or several brake element(s) which are in an operative connection with the conversion device. At least one additional electric motor is provided which can be controlled separately of the operating electric motor and has at least one additional conversion device for converting the rotation of the at least one additional electric motor into a translational movement of the brake element(s) which is independent of the translational movement caused by the operating motor and its conversion device.

Abstract: An electric actuator including a gear motor (1), a tubular body (3) containing a piston (2), and a connection of the motor to the piston. The piston consists of a tube (2) slidable within the body. The motor (1) is housed within the piston and secured to an end flange (4) thereof, and the output shaft (8) of the motor rotates a plug (9) provided with a screw thread (11) meshed with a complementary thread (12) on the inner wall of the body (3). As the gear motor (1) is housed within the tubular piston (2), the actuator is exceptionally compact and quiet, and the problem of the buckling of threaded rods in conventional actuators is avoided since said rods have been replaced by a tubular piston (2). Furthermore, this arrangement makes the actuator easy to seal.

Abstract: A ball screw of an actuator is inserted through a displacement member. Driving-side axial magnetic patterns and driving-side circumferential magnetic patterns are formed on an outer circumference of the displacement member. The ball screw and the displacement member are surrounded by a tube. A slider is provided at the outside of the tube. Driven-side axial magnetic patterns opposing to the driving-side axial magnetic patterns and driven-side circumferential magnetic patterns opposing to the driving-side circumferential magnetic patterns are formed on the slider. Mutual magnetic attraction between the driving-side patterns and the driven-side patterns prevents the displacement member from rotation, and it causes the slider to make displacement in the axial direction together with the displacement member. Since the ball screw of the actuator is surrounded by the tube, the actuator can be prevented from scattering of lubricating oil, dust or the like.

Abstract: A multi-functional electronic actuator for actuating multiple independent systems on an automotive vehicle includes a magnet assembly, a rotor mounted within the magnet assembly having an armature and a shaft that rotates when the armature is energized, a device for translating the rotor with respect to the magnet assembly, and devices for actuating a first independent system on the automotive vehicle utilizing the rotational motion of the shaft and for actuating a second independent system on the automotive vehicle utilizing the translation of the rotor shaft with respect to the magnet assembly. Two methods for translating the rotor with respect to the magnet assembly are described as well as various linkages that may be used to actuate the independent systems on the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A starter comprising: a motor 24, a clutch 21, which is connected to the motor 24; a pinion gear 22, which is connected to the clutch 21 and engages and disengages with the ring gear of the engine; an electromagnetic switch 2, which switches on and off an electric current for the motor 24; a reciprocating shift lever 4, which is linked to the electromagnetic switch 2; and lever springs 105, which press the shift lever 4 so that the pinion gear 22 is elastically pushed against and engaged with the ring gear; wherein the lever springs 105 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane 25 which includes the central axis of the motor 24 and the central axis of the electromagnetic switch 2, the lever springs 105 are attached to cylindrical portions 106b which are a plurality of protrusions on the plate 106, and the lever springs 105 and the shift lever 4 come into contact through a plate 106.

Abstract: A motor structure having an output shaft with a male screw part mating with a female screw part provided on a rotor rotated by electromagnetic interaction to move the output shaft in an axial direction. The female screw is formed of PPS resin, and the male screw part is formed of metal with a silicon nitride surface layer.

Abstract: Motion of a magnetic bubble material is caused by subjecting magnetic bubbles within the material to a magnetic field gradient. The bubbles respond to the magnetic field gradient by producing forces angled from the direction of the magnetic field gradient, and resistance of the magnetic bubble material to internal movement of the magnetic bubbles causes the material to move in response to the magnetic bubble forces.

Abstract: Motion of a magnetic bubble material is caused by subjecting magnetic bubbles within the material to a magnetic field gradient. The bubbles respond to the magnetic field gradient by producing forces angled from the direction of the magnetic field gradient. The magnetic bubbles are constrained from moving within the magnetic bubble material, which is rotated in the magnetic field gradient to cause Bloch lines in bubble domain walls to rotate within the material. This produces forces causing the material to move.

Abstract: In the motor armature arrangement according to the present invention, because the inner diameter (D2) of one of the axially end portions (3c) of the armature shaft (3) is reduced from the inner diameter (D1) of the motor core mounting portion (3b), the one axially end portion (3c) for mounting a bearing (8b) may be provided with a large wall thickness so that a sufficient mechanical strength can be achieved for the part for mounting the bearing without increasing the outer diameter thereof.

Abstract: A gyroscope powered by an engine, all fabricated on a common substrate in the form of an integrated circuit. Preferably, both the gyroscope and the engine are fabricated in the micrometer domain, although in some embodiments of the present invention, the gyroscope can be fabricated in the millimeter domain. The engine disclosed herein provides torque to the gyroscope rotor for continuous rotation at varying speeds and direction. The present invention is preferably fabricated of polysilicon or other suitable materials on a single wafer using surface micromachining batch fabrication techniques or millimachining techniques that are well known in the art. Fabrication of the present invention is preferably accomplished without the need for assembly of multiple wafers which require alignment and bonding, and without piece-part assembly.

Abstract: A robot having a pair of magnetic couplings that each couple a motor in a cylindrical first chamber to an associated cylindrical ring closely spaced from the cylindrical wall of said first chamber. The robot includes a mechanism to convert rotation of each of these rings into separate motions of the robot. In the preferred embodiment, these separate motions are radial and rotational.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device for generating ultra-high precision rectilinear movement based on aerostatic suspension and magnetic traction, the device including a nut, a leadscrew, a thrust bearing, a contactless motor, and feedback drive electronics. The contactless motor provides the actuation by turning the leadscrew which is made of magnetically soft materials and has a pitched helical groove machined on its surface. The leadscrew passes through the core of the nut which is free to move in a rectilinear motion on a aerostatically suspended guide. The nut, also made with magnetic material, has a matching helical groove in its core so that a closed magnetic circuit is formed between the grooves of the leadscrew and the nut. The closed circuit in turn provides the necessary magnetic traction to move the nut in a rectilinear fashion. A primary aerostatic suspension is utilized to stabilize and center the leadscrew and nut transversally.

Abstract: A shaft rotation driving apparatus for a machine tool having a main spindle for rotating a tool or a workpiece, comprises: a magnetic anisotropic rotor formed integral with the main spindle itself or with a rotary sleeve itself fitted to the main spindle; a stator disposed coaxially along an outer circumference of the magnetic anisotropic rotor; a field winding wound around the stator, for magnetizing the rotor in a predetermined direction; and an armature winding wound around the stator, for providing a rotative force to the rotor.

Abstract: An indexing apparatus is disclosed that can be used to rotate a gear or move a rack in a precise, controllable manner. The indexing apparatus, based on a reciprocating shuttle driven by one or more actuators, can be formed either as a micromachine, or as a millimachine. The reciprocating shuttle of the indexing apparatus can be driven by a thermal, electrostatic or electromagnetic actuator, with one or more wedge-shaped drive teeth of the shuttle being moveable to engage and slide against indexing teeth on the gear or rack, thereby moving the gear or rack. The indexing apparatus can be formed by either surface micromachining processes or LIGA processes, depending on the size of the apparatus that is to be formed.

Abstract: A microengine uses two synchronized linear actuators as a power source and converts oscillatory motion from the actuators into constant rotational motion via direct linkage connection to an output gear or wheel. The microengine provides output in the form of a continuously rotating output gear that is capable of delivering drive torque at a constant rotation to a micromechanism. The output gear can have gear teeth on its outer perimeter for directly contacting a micromechanism requiring mechanical power. The gear is retained by a retaining means which allows said gear to rotate freely. The microengine is microfabricated of polysilicon on one wafer using surface micromachining batch fabrication.

Abstract: An actuator, with two independent degrees of freedom, rotates a stage about an axis and moves the stage along the axis, the range of motion defining a cylinder or cylindrical section. The stage is mounted on a hollow cylindrical plunger fitting in an annular well. A bearing allows the plunger to move axially and rotationally, in the preferred embodiment the bearing is an air bearing. The plunger has an array of permanent magnets on its external cylindrical face opposite coils in the well. Equal numbers of oppositely-polarized permanent magnets are arranged in a regular cylindrical pattern at 50% packing density forming rings and columns of like-polarity magnets, the rings of one polarity alternating with rings of opposite polarity and the columns of one polarity alternating with columns of opposite polarity. A set of Z-axis coils (for axial movement) curve around the plunger and are shaped to allow a current in them to produce an axial force with respect to the rings of magnets. A set of .phi.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric motor having a locking device and a brake actuator for an electric system which includes such an electric motor. The locking brake has a simple configuration and includes a conical ring which is mounted so as to be axially displaceable on the motor shaft of the electric motor of the brake actuator. In a first axial position, the conical ring (26) permits a rotation of the motor shaft (12) in both directions and, in a second axial position, the conical ring is in engagement with the motor shaft (12) and rotates with the latter. In the second axial position of the conical ring (26), a rotation of the motor shaft (12) in one rotational direction leads to the situation that the conical ring (26) is in engagement with the lock ring (24) of the brake actuator (2). The lock ring (24) is fixed so that it cannot rotate relative to the motor shaft (12).

Abstract: A vibrator comprising an engagement face (11) which is adapted to engage a part of a body, and which is driven by an electric motor (18). The vibrator moreover comprises a housing (1) comprising a shaft (9) connected with the motor, and the vibrator has a frequency regulating device and an amplitude regulating device (2) for regulating the frequency and the amplitude, respectively, of the upward and downward movement of the engagement face. The vibrator is characterized in that the amplitude regulating device (2) comprises an inclined shaft (15) in extension of the shaft (9) connected with the motor, said inclined shaft being slidably mounted in a conversion element (14) having a through hole.

Abstract: A millimeter-sized machine, including electromagnetic circuits adapted to convert electromagnetic energy to mechanical energy, for engaging and operating external mechanical loads. A plurality of millimeter-sized magnetic actuators operate out of phase with each other to control a plurality of millimeter-sized structural elements to drive an external mechanical load. Each actuator is connected to a link. Each link, in turn, is connected to a drive pinion at another similar pivoting joint. When the magnetic actuators are energized, each drive pinion is then capable of driving a larger output gear in gear-like fashion to produce positive torque about the drive pinion center at all angular positions of the output gear.

Abstract: An improved connection coupling for providing rotary motion from an electric motor rotor to a load wherein a mechanical coupling element is attached to an end of the rotor and to the shaft of the load. The free end of the rotor includes a cavity which extends axially from the end surface of the rotor inward to allow for insertion of a portion of the mechanical coupling element in the cavity. The walls of the cavity do not contact the portion of the mechanical coupling element to allow this mechanical coupling element to move freely in the rotation direction.

Abstract: A feed-screw unit includes a rotor formed with a female screw, and a reciprocating shaft disposed inside the rotor to be moved forward and backward in the axial direction of the rotor in accordance with rotation thereof. The reciprocating shaft includes a male screw with a first portion to be in engagement with the female screw of the rotor and a second portion to be in non-engagement therewith.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical linear actuator including a drive motor, a capacitor, a die-cast gear box, and a drive nut system. The die-cast gear box is capable of receiving multiple drive motor diameters, and the drive motor may be staked to the gear box. A coverless-capacitor is fixed to the gearbox without fasteners, and knock-out plugs are die cast into the gearbox. Integral cord strain reliefs are provided to eliminate the need for plastic bushings. The assembly includes a metal drive key that mates with the drive shaft and an output gear for transmitting torque to the drive shaft. A plastic flange bearing provides bearing surfaces for the drive key and the drive shaft. A high efficiency reinforced self-guided ACME nut travels linearly along the drive shaft. A tight diameter is used on the ACME nut thread form, and a bearing section is provided on its outboard to maximize screw-to-nut alignment. Snap-fit adjustable cams allow easy adjustment of the travel of the drive nut along the shaft via limit switches.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical linear actuator including a drive motor, a capacitor, a die-cast gear box, and a drive nut system. The die-cast gear box is capable of receiving multiple drive motor diameters, and the drive motor may be staked to the gear box. A coverless-capacitor is fixed to the gearbox without fasteners, and knock-out plugs are die cast into the gearbox. Integral cord strain reliefs are provided to eliminate the need for plastic bushings. The assembly includes a metal drive key that mates with the drive shaft and an output gear for transmitting torque to the drive shaft. A plastic flange bearing provides bearing surfaces for the drive key and the drive shaft. A high efficiency reinforced self-guided ACME nut travels linearly along the drive shaft. A tight diameter is used on the ACME nut thread form, and a bearing section is provided on its outboard to maximize screw-to-nut alignment. Snap-fit adjustable cams allow easy adjustment of the travel of the drive nut along the shaft via limit switches.

Abstract: An electric motor for driving a piston pump assembled thereto is disclosed wherein a load from the piston pump acts radially on an armature shaft of the electric motor. The electric motor is assembled such that the outer ring of a yoke bearing is connected to a yoke, and the outer ring of a first pump housing bearing is press fit to a pump housing. One end of the armature shaft is press fit to the yoke bearing inner ring, and the other end of the armature shaft is press fit to the first pump housing bearing inner ring. Thus, wobbling of the armature shaft in the axial and radial directions is minimized or eliminated.

Abstract: On a traction machine motor wherein both a rotor (6) and a driving sheave (10) are attached on the rotating shaft (5), which is supported by both a motor bracket (1) and a bearing stand (2), and a motor frame (7) which supports the stator (8) is connected to the motor bracket (1), a gap (G.sub.5) is provided between a spigot joint (18) which is concentric with the rotating shaft (5) and an arcuate part (19) to indirectly measure a bias in the circumferential direction of the gap (G.sub.4).

Abstract: In a starter (1) for an internal combustion engine including a planetary gear type reduction gear unit (2) and a housing (17) for accommodating at least the reduction gear unit (2), a recess (51) is formed at a lower part (17a) of the housing (17) in an installed state of the starter (1) in a manner that the recess (51) is formed in an inner periphery of the housing (17) so as to define a drain passage (51) extending substantially axially, and a part (52) of an outer periphery of a first annular member (12), which constitutes a part of the reduction gear unit (2), protrudes into the recess (51). Thus, the protruding part (52) of the outer periphery of the first annular member (12) forms a labyrinth structure in the drain passage (51) defined by the recess (51) formed in the inner periphery of the housing (17), to thereby effectively prevent water from entering the housing (17) through the drain passage (51) without substantially impeding the passage of water from the housing (17) to the outside.

Abstract: A light-weight and small-size electric motor in which linear movement can be obtained without requiring any special movement conversion mechanism. The electric motor includes a rotor (4), a rotary shaft (5, 6, 5a) coupled to the rotor (4), and a screw mechanism (7) for Supporting the rotary shaft (5, 6, 5a), the screw mechanism (7) being configured such that the rotor (4) is moved in an axial direction of the rotary shaft (5, 6, 5a) by movement of the rotary shaft (5, 6, 5a) within the screw mechanism (7) upon rotation of the rotor (4).

Abstract: An actuator is designed such that the output shaft of an AC servo motor is rotatably supported on both sides thereof by respective bearing means. This output shaft, the rotor of the AC servo motor, secured to the output shaft, and both bearing means of the AC servo motor can be pulled out together as a unit from inside of the stator of the AC servo motor during disassembly. Another actuator is designed such that the output shaft of an AC servo motor is rotatably supported on both sides thereof by respective bearing means, loads to be respectively applied to the bearing means are transmitted to a housing disposed around the AC servo motor without going through the stator of the AC servo motor, one of the bearing means is fixed in its axial direction and the other bearing means has axial play in its axial direction.

Abstract: A motor is integrally mounted on one end of a ball screw over which an engaging block is threaded, and an encoder is integrally mounted on the other end of the ball screw for detecting the rotational speed or angular displacement of the motor. The motor, the ball screw, and the encoder are combined into a unitized assembly as a drive unit. The motor and the encoder are positioned on respective steps of a frame, and detachably fastened to the frame.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a motor for generating torques around more than one axis with respect to an object that can be rotated and revolved around only one point. Only one mechanism is necessary to maintain a prescribed position or to produce changes in position around one or more axes (X, Y, or Z).The permanent-magnet excited synchronous machine comprises stator shells (10 & 10.1), multiple-phase windings (11 & 11.1), and a rotor (12) with permanent magnets (13 & 13.1), whereby the annular and spherical surfaces (14) of the rotor are more extensive than the annular and spherical surfaces (15) of the shells.All the spherical surfaces share the same center (M) of curvature, which simultaneously constitutes the origin of the coordinate systems, and the center of rotation. The shaft (17) is supported only at the center of curvature and such as to ensure freedom of motion throughout the reference coordinate system (21).

Abstract: An electric motor is capable of increased output torque by utilizing both electric energy by an electromagnet and a magnetic energy by a permanent magnet. The electric motor includes a wobble rotor made of a magnetic material including at least one permanent magnet arranged annularly in a circumferential direction therein. A plurality of electromagnets are disposed annularly along with the outer periphery of the rotor. Current switching circuitry energizes the electromagnets in a predetermined sequence and timing. The wobble rotor is supported by a supporting mechanism around a center portion thereof in a pivotally movable manner and is capable of closely approaching or contacting an energized electromagnet at the outer periphery thereof and of wobbling movement with a certain incline toward the energized electromagnet according to the predetermined sequence and timing of the energizing of the electromagnets.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electric actuator which makes it possible to prevent a driving force-transmitting shaft from adhesion of dust or the like, and eliminate any fear for deterioration of driving force-transmitting function. A hole is defined in a body which is arranged to extend in a vertical direction. A motor is secured to one end of the body. A feed screw is coaxially connected to a rotary shaft of the motor. The feed screw is rotatably supported by angular contact ball bearings. A feed nut is engaged with the feed screw. The hole is slidably engaged with a cylinder member which is formed to be cylindrical and lengthy. The cylinder member surrounds the feed screw. The feed nut is secured to one end of the cylinder member, and a bracket is secured to the other end thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a positioning apparatus that, together with rotating an object (driven object), positions and guides said object to an arbitrary position within its rotating plane. This positioning apparatus can easily be made compact in size and its rotary motion is not restricted by a power supply cord and so forth. The above-mentioned effects are obtained by arranging a driving force generation device, more specifically a motor, which generates driving force to be applied to a linear motion table of a linear motion table mechanism, within the base portion of a rotary table mechanism.

Abstract: A self-adjusting magnetic bearing automatically adjusts the parameters of an axially unstable magnetic bearing such that its force balance is maintained near the point of metastable equilibrium. Complete stabilization can be obtained with the application of weak restoring forces either from a mechanical bearing (running at near-zero load, thus with reduced wear) or from the action of residual eddy currents in a snubber bearing. In one embodiment, a torque is generated by the approach of a slotted pole to a conducting plate. The torque actuates an assembly which varies the position of a magnetic shunt to change the force exerted by the bearing. Another embodiment achieves axial stabilization by sensing vertical displacements in a suspended bearing element, and using this information in an electrical servo system.

Abstract: A vibratory structure and a method for controlling the natural frequency thereof are provided. The vibratory structure has an elastic member one end portion of which is fixed to a first support end, an inertial object for vibrating by the elastic force of the elastic member, a moving electrode attached integrally to the inertial object, an effective stiffness controlling electrode fixed to a second support end, and a power supplier for generating electric force between the moving electrode and the effective stiffness controlling electrode. The moving electrode and the effective stiffness controlling electrode are formed into a predetermined shape, so that the electric force varies linearly according to the displacement of the inertial object. Thus, the natural frequency of the vibratory structure is controlled by changing the voltage applied across the moving electrode and the effective stiffness controlling electrode.

Abstract: A coreless motor has a cylindrical shell of magnetic material, a column-like magnet securely and coaxially positioned in the shell to form a cylindrical clearance therebetween, and a rotor. The rotor includes a cylindrical winding of a coil, arranged coaxially in the clearance, a commutator mechanically supporting one end of the winding and electrically connected with the coil, and a shaft for supporting the commutator. The motor further includes a pair of brushes arranged in contact with the commutator,such that an electric current is supplied via the commutator to the coil. A first bearing is mounted at an end portion of the magnet adjacent the commutator to rotatably support a first portion of the shaft, and a second bearing is mounted adjacent one end of the shell to rotatably support a second portion of said shaft.

Abstract: A geared electric motor 1 used for power window apparatuses, for example, which is provided with an mature 7 having an armature shaft 7a, an output shaft 8 connected with the armature shaft 7a through a worm gear pair (7a7 and 17) and two friction plates 9 and 10 to be in contact with both end faces of the armature shaft 7a. The armature shaft 7a of this motor 1 is prevented from rotation by frictional resistance generating between the friction plates 9, 10 and the armature shaft 7a even if the output shaft 8 is applied with rotatory force.

Abstract: A shaft rotation driving apparatus for a machine tool having a main spindle for rotating a tool or a workpiece, comprises: a magnetic anisotropic rotor formed integral with the main spindle itself or with a rotary sleeve itself fitted to the main spindle; a stator disposed coaxially along an outer circumference of the magnetic anisotropic rotor; a field winding wound around the stator, for magnetizing the rotor in a predetermined direction; and an armature winding wound around the stator, for providing a rotative force to the rotor.

Abstract: A reactionless momentum compensated payload positioner adapted to be mounted on a supporting body for providing momentum compensation of an oscillatory and scanning payload and for suppressing reactions in the supporting body to the torques that occur as an aiming angle of the payload is changed. The payload positioner includes a gimbal assembly having at least two axis of rotation including an elevation axis and an azimuth axis. A pair of reactionless drive module are provided for rotating the payload about both axes. Each reactionless drive module includes a housing, a main drive shaft connected to the payload, a DC electric motor for rotating the drive shaft, and a flywheel. The main drive shaft is freely rotatably suspended within the housing by main bearings and the flywheel is freely rotatably mounted to the main drive shaft by bearings. ?In operation, the flywheel counter rotates with respect to the main drive shaft.

Abstract: A magnetic screw conveying apparatus comprises a rotary shaft 11 rotatably supported, a stepmother 19 for driving the rotary shaft 11 to rotate, a male magnetic screw 15 having magnetized bands with a south pole S and a north pole N alternately magnetized and in parallel to each other on the outer periphery of the rotary shaft, a first slide table 21 slidably mounted on the rotary shaft 11, a first female magnetic screw 27 having magnetized bands with a south pole S and a north pole N alternately magnetized in a spiral form at a first inclination angle .theta.1 on an inner periphery surface of the first slide table, opposite to the male magnetic screw, a second slide table 22 slidably mounted on the rotary shaft 11, and a second female magnetic screw 28 having magnetized bands with a south pole S and a north pole N alternately magnetized in a spiral form at a second inclination angle .theta.

Abstract: An electric actuator has an elongate base, a power unit and an encoder device which are fixedly mounted on respective opposite ends of the base in confronting relation to each other, a slide table displaceable longitudinally along the base, a ball screw for transmitting rotational power from the power unit to the slide table, and a pair of guide lands integral with the base for guiding the slide table longitudinally along the base.

Abstract: A linear motion micropositioning device employs a housing containing fixed, electrically excited stators. A rotating permanent magnet rotor is directly attached to a spindle of a precision lead screw. The stators are provided with sufficient axial depth to permit the rotor to rotate and reciprocate axially while under continuous magnetic influence of the stators.

Abstract: The stator of an electric motor is provided by coils 22 disposed in an interrupted-annular array about a central space such that a path A through the array is provided whereby a selected one of a plurality of rotors 21 can be moved in the plane of and through the array into and out of said central space. In the preferred embodiment each rotor 21 is a gobo freely rotatable on a wheel which can be indexed to bring it into a light path, when it will be positioned to be rotated when the coils 22 are energised. The non-annular disposition of the coils 22 results in a motor of low torque but it is is adequate to rotate a gobo disc, which is simply a perforated sheet of metal. As applied to a disco lighting unit the motor of the invention provides a much cheaper and simpler drive arrangement for gobo discs.

Abstract: In an indicating device having a stepping-motor drive, an indicating element can be driven by a gear wheel which is in engagement with a worm which is connected with a stepping motor by a worm shaft. The stepping motor is preferably formed of two stators, and of two permanent-magnet rotors which are arranged, fixed for rotation, on the two ends of the worm shaft. The rotors are arranged with half a pole spacing apart, preferably 90.degree..

Abstract: A power generator includes an electromagnet for generating a rotating magnetic field when being excited by a three-phase alternating current applied thereto, a rotation output shaft rotatably supported on a supporting member in such a manner as to be positioned in the rotating magnetic field, and permanent magnets disposed around the rotation output shaft in such a manner that the polarity thereof is reverse to that of the rotating magnetic field. The permanent magnets are rotated together with the rotation output shaft, and magnetic bodies disposed outside the permanent magnets in such a manner as to be rotated together with the rotation output shaft. A magnetic flux of the permanent magnets passes through the magnetic bodies. Magnetic tooth portions are provided around outer peripheral portions of the magnetic bodies. Each of the magnetic tooth portions has a width being nearly equal to the width of the rotating magnetic field.

Abstract: An electric motor which is capable of changing an output torque with a simple arrangement without using an expensive power unit for controlling the supply of voltage (current) to an armature. The electric motor has a motor section constituted by an armature, a first pole piece, and a second pole piece, and has a slide bevel gear which meshes with a bevel gear of an input shaft. The slide bevel gear moves in an axial direction in correspondence with the steering torque, which movement is transmitted to the second pole piece by a pressing lever to rotatively move the second pole piece. Consequently, the opposing positions of poles of the first pole piece and the second pole piece are relatively changed to change polarities, so that a driving force corresponding to the steering torque is outputted.

Abstract: An oscillatory drive incorporating the invention includes a driven rotor that is mounted on a shaft and includes plural driven permanent magnets disposed thereon. A spring arrangement is coupled to the driven rotor and limits both clock-wise (CW) and counter-clockwise (CCW) rotation thereof. A first driving rotor includes first driving magnets, is mounted for rotation on the shaft and is positioned to a first side of the driven rotor. A second driving rotor includes second driving permanent magnets, is mounted for rotation on the shaft and is positioned to a second side of the driven rotor. The drive mechanism imparts a CW rotation to the first driving rotor and a CCW rotation to the second driving rotor. The first driving permanent magnets coupling to the driven permanent magnets causes a CW rotation of the driven rotor until the spring arrangement terminates the CW rotation and causes a reversal of rotation direction in the CCW direction.

Abstract: An eccentric-motion motor for driving a utilization mechanism includes a stator defining a closed surface pathway, an armature composed of a permanent magnet rollably disposed on the closed surface pathway, a series of electromagnetic elements disposed in the stator along the closed surface pathway, circuitry for successively energizing the electromagnetic elements to cause them to attract and/or repel the armature so that it rolls along the closed surface pathway, and a coupler mechanism for coupling the armature to the utilization mechanism so that as the armature is caused to roll, the utilization mechanism is powered by the operation of the motor.