Patents Assigned to Lin Engineering, Inc.
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Publication number: 20250023422Abstract: A captive leadscrew-type linear actuator assembly has a motor whose rotor has a rearward extending hollow bore shaft. An external nut assembly fixed to the bore shaft to rotate with rotor engages a lead screw. An anti-rotation radial support plate attaches to a front of the motor with a non-circular hole that prevents rotation of a rod or piston attached to the lead screw. Accordingly, torque applied by the rotor through the nut to the lead screw is converted into linear motion wherein the rod or piston passes through the hole. Replaceable external components lead to greater design flexibility together with improved motion accuracy and durability.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2023Publication date: January 16, 2025Applicant: Lin Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Harlan H. Nguyen, Hung H. Pham, Hoang H. Le
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Publication number: 20240266888Abstract: A two-phase bipolar 3.6° step motor is described in which the stator winding assembly has eight stator poles organized into decoupled phase groups with two distinct angular pole separations, 14.4°×[(4n±1)/4] between poles of the same group, and 14.4°×[(4m±1)/2] between adjacent poles of different groups, where n and m are positive whole numbers. Three stator teeth on each stator pole have a stator tooth pitch of 13.2° to minimize detent torque for smoother, more accurate stepping. A rotor has alternating magnetic north and south rotor teeth around a circumference thereof with a 14.4° rotor tooth pitch angle. The stator poles are wound with electromagnetic coil windings that can be driven in a series of phases to magnetically interact with the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2023Publication date: August 8, 2024Applicant: Lin Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Ted T. Lin
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Patent number: 11933386Abstract: A radial-type anti-backlash nut for use upon linear actuator leadscrews uses a separate housing resting upon the actuator's main nut. The anti-backlash action is a multi-finger collet and spring setup located inside the housing. The collet tapers radially inward toward tips of the fingers at a specified taper angle. The whole interior length of an internal thread of the collet engages an external thread of the leadscrew. The housing is a pre-load nut with an internal tapered surface that mates with the collet fingers with substantially the same taper angle. The pre-load nut, when screwed onto external threads of the adjustment nut, both compresses a load spring and applies radially inward adjustable load force to the collet fingers against the leadscrew. Three tolerances adjust load: the taper angle of the main nut's collet fingers, the spring load's compression, and the collet finger mismatch with respect to the lead screw.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Lin Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Hung H. Pham, Harlan H. Nguyen
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Publication number: 20230349452Abstract: A radial-type anti-backlash nut for use upon linear actuator leadscrews uses a separate housing resting upon the actuator’s main nut. The anti-backlash action is a multi-finger collet and spring setup located inside the housing. The collet tapers radially inward toward tips of the fingers at a specified taper angle. The whole interior length of an internal thread of the collet engages an external thread of the leadscrew. The housing is a pre-load nut with an internal tapered surface that mates with the collet fingers with substantially the same taper angle. The pre-load nut, when screwed onto external threads of the adjustment nut, both compresses a load spring and applies radially inward adjustable load force to the collet fingers against the leadscrew. Three tolerances adjust load: the taper angle of the main nut’s collet fingers, the spring load’s compression, and the collet finger mismatch with respect to the lead screw.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2022Publication date: November 2, 2023Applicant: Lin Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Hung H. Pham, Harlan H. Nguyen
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Patent number: 11742736Abstract: A 2-phase bipolar step motor has a rotor and a stator, the rotor having a plurality of equally spaced rotor poles of alternating north and south magnetic polarities, and the stator having at least eight stator poles extending radially from a stator yoke and terminating in pole shoes interacting radially across an air gap with the rotor poles to cause the rotor to rotate step-by-step when windings around the stator poles are driven by a succession of energized states of the stator. The stator poles divided into four equal groups having a specified drive phase A or B, adjacent poles of a group having alternating drive polarities of the same drive phase A and ?, or B and B. Adjacent poles in the same group are separated by a center-to-center angle one-half of the rotor tooth pitch or up to 20% larger. Adjacent poles of different groups have a larger separation than that between poles of the same group.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Lin Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Ted T. Lin
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Publication number: 20230208267Abstract: A two-phase bipolar step motor, comprises a rotor having a plurality of pairs of rotor poles of alternating magnetic polarity, and a stator having four primary energizable stator poles with conductive windings around those primary stator poles and four passive inter-poles located uniformly between every adjacent pair of primary stator poles, the passive inter-poles lacking any conductive windings. Both 18° steppers with five pairs of rotor poles and 30° steppers with three pairs of rotor poles are provided. Also provided are both PM hybrid mix steppers with 2D magnetic flux paths and hybrid steppers with 3D magnetic flux paths having an axial component. In each case, the overall lengths of the flux paths are substantially reduced from conventional designs resulting in improved motor efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2023Publication date: June 29, 2023Applicant: Lin Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Ted T. Lin
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Patent number: 11621623Abstract: A two-phase bipolar step motor, comprises a rotor having a plurality of pairs of rotor poles of alternating magnetic polarity, and a stator having four primary energizable stator poles with conductive windings around those primary stator poles and four passive inter-poles located uniformly between every adjacent pair of primary stator poles, the passive inter-poles lacking any conductive windings. Both 18° steppers with five pairs of rotor poles and 30° steppers with three pairs of rotor poles are provided. Also provided are both PM hybrid mix steppers with 2D magnetic flux paths and hybrid steppers with 3D magnetic flux paths having an axial component. In each case, the overall lengths of the flux paths are substantially reduced from conventional designs resulting in improved motor efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2021Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Lin Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Ted T. Lin
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Patent number: 11411444Abstract: A variable reluctance stepper motor comprises a stator and a rotor that is rotatable relative to the stator. The stator comprises an annular outer yoke with a set of circumferentially spaced stator poles at equal angular intervals around the yoke extending radially inward from first portions of the yoke toward the rotor. Phase windings are individually coiled around each of the respective stator poles. Multiple slots are formed in an outer perimeter edge of the yoke at second portions thereof circumferentially situated between the first portions. A permanent magnet is embedded within each slot with circumferentially directed magnetic orientation of the respective permanent magnets. The remote placement of the magnets ensure that detent torque is kept to a minimum, while also increasing holding and dynamic torque levels.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2020Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: LIN ENGINEERING, INC.Inventors: Ted T. Lin, JianJun Gan
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Publication number: 20220231589Abstract: A two-phase bipolar step motor, comprises a rotor having a plurality of pairs of rotor poles of alternating magnetic polarity, and a stator having four primary energizable stator poles with conductive windings around those primary stator poles and four passive inter-poles located uniformly between every adjacent pair of primary stator poles, the passive inter-poles lacking any conductive windings. Both 18° steppers with five pairs of rotor poles and 30° steppers with three pairs of rotor poles are provided. Also provided are both PM hybrid mix steppers with 2D magnetic flux paths and hybrid steppers with 3D magnetic flux paths having an axial component. In each case, the overall lengths of the flux paths are substantially reduced from conventional designs resulting in improved motor efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Lin Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Ted T. Lin
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Publication number: 20220166302Abstract: A linear stepping motor has a linear stator and a rod movable longitudinally within the stator. The rod has alternating permanent magnets and spacer disks, successive magnets being N-S opposed. A rod pitch equals twice the magnet width plus twice the disk width. The stator has a stack of stator groups associated with the drive phases. Each stator group is a pair of stator poles of opposite magnetic polarity separated by one-half rod pitch. Adjacent poles in different groups are separated by a [(n+1)/2n] rod pitch, where n is the number of drive phases. Each pole may be an annular disk yoke with a plurality of inward projecting salient pole pieces terminating in pole shoes. Conductive windings for a stator group proceed successively around each pole piece in one direction for a first pole of the group and then successively in a reverse direction for a second pole of the group.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2021Publication date: May 26, 2022Applicant: Lin Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Ted T. Lin, Richard L. Badgerow
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Publication number: 20220115938Abstract: A 2-phase bipolar step motor has a rotor and a stator, the rotor having a plurality of equally spaced rotor poles of alternating north and south magnetic polarities, and the stator having at least eight stator poles extending radially from a stator yoke and terminating in pole shoes interacting radially across an air gap with the rotor poles to cause the rotor to rotate step-by-step when windings around the stator poles are driven by a succession of energized states of the stator. The stator poles divided into four equal groups having a specified drive phase A or B, adjacent poles of a group having alternating drive polarities of the same drive phase A and ?, or B and B. Adjacent poles in the same group are separated by a center-to-center angle one-half of the rotor tooth pitch or up to 20% larger. Adjacent poles of different groups have a larger separation than that between poles of the same group.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: Lin Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Ted T. Lin
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Publication number: 20220069687Abstract: A two-phase stepper motor with a permanent magnet (PM) rotor and a modified hybrid-type stator is provided. The modified hybrid stator can be manufactured even at the smaller motor size because it employs shoeless, straight stator poles without stator teeth and with bobbin coils that are pre-wound outside the motor and easily inserted over each of the stator poles. Each bobbin may be an elongated continuous belt of insulative material with a hollow interior that forms a sleeve that fits around its corresponding stator pole. Conductive wire wound around the sleeve forms the stator coils. Edges of the sleeve may have exterior flanges at radially inner and outer ends of the stator pole to hold windings in place and keep the sleeve from bowing outward. This stator construction allows the motor to be miniaturized so that the PM rotors can be 13 mm diameter or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: Lin Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Ted T. Lin, Jinping Liu
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Publication number: 20220021250Abstract: A variable reluctance stepper motor comprises a stator and a rotor that is rotatable relative to the stator. The stator comprises an annular outer yoke with a set of circumferentially spaced stator poles at equal angular intervals around the yoke extending radially inward from first portions of the yoke toward the rotor. Phase windings are individually coiled around each of the respective stator poles. Multiple slots are formed in an outer perimeter edge of the yoke at second portions thereof circumferentially situated between the first portions. A permanent magnet is embedded within each slot with circumferentially directed magnetic orientation of the respective permanent magnets. The remote placement of the magnets ensure that detent torque is kept to a minimum, while also increasing holding and dynamic torque levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2020Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: Lin Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Ted T. Lin, JianJun Gan
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Publication number: 20210384807Abstract: A miniature step motor is constructed with a permanent magnet rotor and a hybrid stator assembly. The rotor, mounted for rotation on an axial shaft, has one or more rotor sections or pieces with a pair of magnetic poles on opposed circumferential surfaces of each piece. The stator assembly, with an inner diameter to receive the rotor, is formed from a stack of bipolar phase-stators positioned in different axial planes, each phase-stator interacting with a rotor section via a two-dimensional magnetic flux path that is independent of every other phase-stator in the stack. The at least one rotor section and the phase-stators have different amounts of rotor-stator rotational offsets at specified angles 180°/N relative to each other about the axial shaft, where N is the number of motor phases. The phase-stators can be mutually offset from one another, or the rotor sections can be mutually offset.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2020Publication date: December 9, 2021Applicant: Lin Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Ted T. Lin
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Patent number: 10958146Abstract: A step motor that provides reduced detent torque while maintaining adequate holding torque is characterized by a rotor that includes an annular ring of soft magnetic material (such as medium carbon steel) that surrounds the outer diameter of the rotor permanent magnet and is sandwiched by magnetic insulators of specified axial thickness. This provides a path within the rotor for flux from the permanent magnet in those areas where the radially adjacent stator poles are unenergized, but the magnetic flux can be pulled out by the ampere-turns of energized stator poles.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Lin Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Ted T. Lin, Guangming Peng
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Patent number: 10855161Abstract: A step motor comprises both a rotor and a stator winding assembly. The rotor has a plurality Nr of rotor teeth. The rotor fits within the stator winding assembly and is seated by bearings on an axial shaft to rotate within the stator winding assembly. The stator winding assembly includes a stator with a plurality of stator poles and is wound with coils that can be driven in a series of phases to magnetically interact with the rotor. Each stator pole has a plurality of stator teeth. The total number Ns of stator teeth on all poles of the stator is equal to or greater than the number of rotor teeth (Ns?Nr) to deliver more torque. Various embodiments of two-phase, three-phase and five-phase bipolar step motors having 8, 9 and 10 stator poles, respectively, and different numbers of teeth are provided, including two embodiments with nonuniform stators.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2017Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Lin Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Ted T. Lin, Harlan H. Nguyen, Nicholas A. Vergara
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Publication number: 20200350797Abstract: An electric motor comprises a stator and a rotor having a specified number of rotor poles that magnetically interact with the stator so as to rotate in relation to the stator. The stator is a slotted stator with a specified number of stator poles with slots between those poles and is provided with a set of conductive windings that are fitted into the slots and wound around the stator poles according to a specified pattern. The motor has a single-layer winding configuration, wherein there are one or more empty stator poles without windings on each side adjacent to those stator poles with a winding, so that only one set of windings is present in each slot. Stator poles with a winding terminate in a stator shoe, while stator shoes are absent from each empty stator pole, thereby expanding the gap for machine winding into the slots.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2020Publication date: November 5, 2020Applicant: Lin Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Vergara, Harlan H. Nguyen, Hoang Le
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Publication number: 20200313534Abstract: A step motor that provides reduced detent torque while maintaining adequate holding torque is characterized by a rotor that includes an annular ring of soft magnetic material (such as medium carbon steel) that surrounds the outer diameter of the rotor permanent magnet and is sandwiched by magnetic insulators of specified axial thickness. This provides a path within the rotor for flux from the permanent magnet in those areas where the radially adjacent stator poles are unenergized, but the magnetic flux can be pulled out by the ampere-turns of energized stator poles.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2019Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: Lin Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Ted T. Lin, Guangming Peng
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Patent number: 10090746Abstract: Step motors have a uniformed 8-stator pole design, while maintaining the number of stator teeth very close to the number of rotor teeth for better torque. A two-phase bipolar stepper includes an 8-pole stator with a plurality of stator teeth uniformly arranged on each pole. If D is the nominal inner diameter of the stator expressed in millimeters, a number of stator teeth per pole equal to D÷3 (rounded to the nearest integer) will accommodate the required winding needle space between adjacent stator poles. The step motor also has a rotor mounted for rotation within the stator with a plurality of rotor teeth. The respective numbers of rotor and stator teeth may differ at most by two or have a tooth ratio greater than 95%. The teeth should have minimum tooth width and separation of at least 0.5 mm for adequate contrasting magnetic definition (polarity and/or flux amplitude) in the rotor-stator interaction.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Lin Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Ted T. Lin, Richard L. Badgerow
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Publication number: 20180269763Abstract: A step motor comprises both a rotor and a stator winding assembly. The rotor has a plurality Nr of rotor teeth. The rotor fits within the stator winding assembly and is seated by bearings on an axial shaft to rotate within the stator winding assembly. The stator winding assembly includes a stator with a plurality of stator poles and is wound with coils that can be driven in a series of phases to magnetically interact with the rotor. Each stator pole has a plurality of stator teeth. The total number Ns of stator teeth on all poles of the stator is equal to or greater than the number of rotor teeth (Ns?Nr) to deliver more torque. Various embodiments of two-phase, three-phase and five-phase bipolar step motors having 8, 9 and 10 stator poles, respectively, and different numbers of teeth are provided, including two embodiments with nonuniform stators.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2017Publication date: September 20, 2018Applicant: Lin Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Ted T. Lin, Harlan H. Nguyen, Nicholas A. Vergara