Abstract: A constant force generator comprises a stator having a longitudinal axis and a permanently magnetic stator region, and an armature arranged to be movable relative to the stator in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the armature having a permanently magnetic armature region. The permanently magnetic stator region and the permanently magnetic armature region are each magnetised in a magnetisation direction perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal axis. The permanently magnetic armature region has a first sub-region which has a magnetisation having a net magnetisation component in a direction opposite to the magnetisation direction of the permanently magnetic stator region, so that in the case of an only partly overlapping arrangement of the first sub-region and the permanently magnetic stator region, the net force component has a repulsive net force component which repels the armature away from the stator in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus (2;3;4;5) for determination of the axial position of the armature (11) of a linear motor comprises at least one pair of magnetically permeable, annular elements (12;20,21;30,31,34,35;40,41,44,45;48;50,51), which are arranged essentially coaxially and at a short distance (dr;db) from one another, such that an air gap (22;32,36;42,46) is formed between them, in which a magnetic field sensor (23;33,37;43,47;Si) for measurement of the magnetic field (B) in the air gap is arranged.

Abstract: In a linear motor (1) having a stator (2) and an armature (3), the stator (2) comprises a winding former (21) and a drive winding (22) provided on the winding former (21). Further, means are provided for preventing any contact between the drive winding (22) and the armature (3) in case the armature (3) penetrates through the winding former (21).

Abstract: An apparatus (2;3;4;5) for determination of the axial position of the armature (11) of a linear motor comprises at least one pair of magnetically permeable, annular elements (12;20,21;30,31,34,35;40,41,44,45;48;50,51), which are arranged essentially coaxially and at a short distance (dr;db) from one another, such that an air gap (22;32,36;42,46) is formed between them, in which a magnetic field sensor (23;33,37;43,47;Si) for measurement of the magnetic field (B) in the air gap is arranged.

Abstract: In a linear motor (1) having a stator (2) and an armature (3), the stator (2) comprises a winding former (21) and a drive winding (22) provided on the winding former (21). Further, means are provided for preventing any contact between the drive winding (22) and the armature (3) in case the armature (3) penetrates through the winding former (21).

Abstract: A constant force generator comprises a fixedly arranged part (10) and a part (11) arranged to be moveable in the axial direction relative to this fixedly arranged part (10). At least one of the two parts (10, 11) comprises a magnetically conductive region or a permanent magnetic region. At least the other part comprises a permanent magnetic region, whose magnetization is such that at least a portion of the magnetic flux (&PHgr;) produced emerges from the permanent magnetic region at right angles to the axial direction of movement of the moveably arranged part (11), enters the magnetically conductive region, is guided therein, emerges from the magnetically conductive region again and runs back to the permanent magnetic region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for increasing the positioning accuracy of an element (13) which is movably arranged relative to a stator (10). At least two sensors (11, 12) are provided in the stator (10), a first sensor (11) and a second sensor (12), which are arranged at a distance (a) from one another in the stator (10), with respect to the movement direction (P) of the movably arranged element (13). The element (13) which is arranged such that it can move relative to the stator (10) is provided with encoders (130) which can move together with the movable element (13) and, when the element (13) carries out a movement relative to the stator (10), firstly produce a sensor signal (S11) in the first sensor (11) and then, as the movement of the element progresses, produce a sensor signal (S12) in the second sensor (12). First of all, in a calibration run, the movable element (13) is moved over the entire possible range of movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for increasing the positioning accuracy of an element (13) which is movably arranged relative to a stator (10). At least two sensors (11, 12) are provided in the stator (10), a first sensor (11) and a second sensor (12), which are arranged at a distance (a) from one another in the stator (10), with respect to the movement direction (P) of the movably arranged element (13). The element (13) which is arranged such that it can move relative to the stator (10) is provided with encoders (130) which can move together with the movable element (13) and, when the element (13) carries out a movement relative to the stator (10), firstly produce a sensor signal (S11) in the first sensor (11) and then, as the movement of the element progresses, produce a sensor signal (S12) in the second sensor (12). First of all, in a calibration run, the movable element (13) is moved over the entire possible range of movement.