Abstract: The system contains a top permanent magnet and a bottom permanent magnet. The bottom magnet is axially aligned with the top magnet. The top magnet and the bottom magnet have substantially opposing magnetization. A top coil is positioned substantially enclosing the top magnet. A bottom coil is positioned substantially enclosing the bottom magnet. A ferromagnetic spacer is positioned between the top magnet and the bottom magnet. A slug is slidably positioned within the top coil and bottom coil. The slug has an opening formed therein. The slug opening is sized and positioned to slidably receive at least one of the top magnet, the bottom magnet, and the ferromagnetic spacer. An actuating member is integral with the slug.

Abstract: The system contains a first planar permanent magnet having a first direction of magnetization and a first opening formed therein. A second planar permanent magnet has a second direction of magnetization and a second opening formed therein. The second opening is axially aligned with the first opening. The direction of magnetization of the first planar permanent magnet opposes the direction of magnetization of the second planar permanent magnet. A plurality of stationary coils are provided, wherein at least one of the stationary coils is located within the first opening and at least one of the stationary coils is located within the second opening. A pair of extension members traverses the first opening and the second opening. A magnetizable slug is integral with each of the extension members.

Abstract: A linear actuating device contains a top magnet and a bottom magnet. The bottom magnet is axially aligned with the top magnet. The top magnet and the bottom magnet have opposing magnetization. A washer is sandwiched between the top magnet and the bottom magnet. A top coil is positioned within the top magnet. A bottom coil is positioned within the bottom magnet. A slug is slidably positioned within the top coil and bottom coil. An actuating member is integral with the slug.

Abstract: The system contains a first planar permanent magnet having a first direction of magnetization and a first opening formed therein. A second planar permanent magnet has a second direction of magnetization and a second opening formed therein. The second opening is axially aligned with the first opening. The direction of magnetization of the first planar permanent magnet opposes the direction of magnetization of the second planar permanent magnet. A plurality of stationary coils are provided, wherein at least one of the stationary coils is located within the first opening and at least one of the stationary coils is located within the second opening. A pair of extension members traverses the first opening and the second opening. A magnetizable slug is integral with each of the extension members.

Abstract: A linear actuating device contains a top magnet and a bottom magnet. The bottom magnet is axially aligned with the top magnet. The top magnet and the bottom magnet have opposing magnetization. A washer is sandwiched between the top magnet and the bottom magnet. A top coil is positioned within the top magnet. A bottom coil is positioned within the bottom magnet. A slug is slidably positioned within the top coil and bottom coil. An actuating member is integral with the slug.

Abstract: At least one set of two magnets is provided, at least one of the magnets having an outer magnet portion, a middle magnet portion, and an inner magnet portion. The outer magnet portion has a magnetization pointing in an at least partially axial direction. The middle magnet portion has a magnetization substantially perpendicular to the magnetization of the outer magnet portion. The inner magnet portion has a magnetization directed substantially anti-parallel to the magnetization of the outer magnet portion. The apparatus also includes at least one electrically conductive coil positioned at least partially between the set of two magnets. At least one substantially magnetically permeable object is positioned at least partially between the set of two magnets. A rod is integral with the substantially magnetically permeable object.

Abstract: A motor allowing multiple degrees of output freedom includes a stator having an interior surface forming at least a portion of a sphere or curved surface and first and second substantially orthogonally positioned stator coils wound on the interior surface. A rotor is fixed to an output shaft and movably supported adjacent the stator with an air gap disposed between the rotor and the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of magnets disposed thereon and is movable along the interior surface in directions defining at least first and second degrees of freedom. Upon energization of the first stator coil, a first magnetic field is established to urge at least a first one of the magnets and the rotor in a direction of the first degree of freedom and upon energization of the second stator coil, a second magnetic field is established to urge at least a second one of the magnets and the rotor in a direction of the second degree of freedom.

Abstract: At least one set of two nested magnetic arrays is provided, each nested magnetic array having an outer magnet, a middle magnet, and an inner magnet. The outer magnet has a magnetization pointing in an at least partially axial direction. The middle magnet has a magnetization substantially perpendicular to the magnetization of the outer magnet. The inner magnet has a magnetization directed substantially anti-parallel to the magnetization of the outer magnet. The apparatus also includes at least one electrically conductive coil positioned at least partially between the two nested magnetic arrays. At least one substantially magnetically permeable object is positioned at least partially between the two nested magnetic arrays. A rod is integral with the substantially magnetically permeable object.

Abstract: A miniature actuator, e.g., for use in a Micro Air Vehicle, comprises at least one nested array of magnets, with an outer annular magnet with a magnetization pointing in an axial direction, a middle annular magnet with a radial magnetization, and an inner cylindrical magnet with a magnetization directed anti-parallel to the magnetization of the outer annular magnet. In one embodiment, a permanent magnet actuator comprises such an array, and a conductive coil having a current distributed over the volume of the conductive coil, wherein the magnetic field of the array is perpendicular to the current located in the coil. The coil may be located above or below the first magnetic array. In another embodiment, a conductive coil is disposed between two magnetic arrays. The coil may have a winding that is pancake-shaped, solenoidal, or toroidal and may comprise more than one winding.

Abstract: A reliable and cost-efficient direct drive force feedback motor is suitable for joystick applications, allowing multiple degrees of output freedom, requiring no coil commutation, and permitting compact packaging. A multiple degree-of-freedom motor consistent with the invention comprises an output shaft, a stator, and a rotor. The stator comprises first and second lamination stacks, each lamination stack having an interior curved surface and a coil wound thereon, the lamination stacks being disposed adjacent the output shaft. The rotor is fixed to the output shaft and movably supported adjacent the stator with an air gap disposed between the rotor and the stator, the rotor including at least one magnet disposed thereon and being movable along the interior curved surface of the lamination stacks in directions defining at least first and second degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A motor allowing multiple degrees of output freedom is disclosed. The motor includes a stator having an interior surface forming at least a portion of a sphere or curved surface and first and second substantially orthogonally positioned stator coils wound on the interior surface. A rotor is fixed to an output shaft and movably supported adjacent the stator with an air gap disposed between the rotor and the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of magnets disposed thereon and is movable along the interior surface in directions defining at least first and second degrees of freedom. Upon energization of the first stator coil, a first magnetic field is established to force at least a first one of the magnets and the rotor in a direction in the first degree of freedom. Upon energization of the second stator coil, a second magnetic field is established to force at least a second one of the magnets and the rotor in a direction in the second degree of freedom.

Abstract: A miniature actuator, e.g., for use in a Micro Air Vehicle, comprises at least one nested array of magnets, with an outer annular magnet with a magnetization pointing in an axial direction, a middle annular magnet with a radial magnetization, and an inner cylindrical magnet with a magnetization directed anti-parallel to the magnetization of the outer annular magnet. In one embodiment, a permanent magnet actuator comprises such an array, and a conductive coil having a current distributed over the volume of the conductive coil, wherein the magnetic field of the array is perpendicular to the current located in the coil. The coil may be located above or below the first magnetic array. In another embodiment, a conductive coil is disposed between two magnetic arrays. The coil may have a winding that is pancake-shaped, solenoidal, or toroidal and may comprise more than one winding.

Abstract: A motor allowing multiple degrees of output freedom. The motor includes a stator having an interior surface forming at least a portion of a sphere or curved surface and first and second substantially orthogonally positioned stator coils wound on the interior surface. A rotor is fixed to the output shaft and movably supported adjacent the stator with an air gap disposed between the rotor and the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of magnets disposed thereon and is movable along the interior surface in directions defining at least first and second degrees of freedom. Upon energization of the first stator coil, a first magnetic field is established to force at least a first one of the magnets and the rotor in a direction in the first degree of freedom. Upon energization of the second stator coil, a second magnetic field is established to force at least a second one of the magnets and the rotor in a direction in the second degree of freedom.