Abstract: A gradient sensor of a component of a magnetic field comprising at least one elementary sensor comprising a deformable mass (31) equipped with a permanent magnet (32) having a magnetization direction substantially colinear to the direction of the gradient of the component of the magnetic field to be acquired by the sensor. The deformable mass (31) is able to deform under the effect of a force exerted on the magnet by the gradient, the effect of this force being to shift it, by dragging the deformable mass (31), in a direction substantially colinear to the component of the magnetic field for which the sensor has to acquire the gradient. The deformable mass (31) is anchored to a fixed support device (33) in at least two anchoring points (36) substantially opposite relative to the mass (31). The elementary sensor also comprises measuring means (35, 35.1, 35.2, 35.3) of at least one electric variable translating deformation or stress of the deformable mass (31) engendered by the gradient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic actuation method according to which a magnetized mobile (4) is directed by means of at least one magnetic element (2, 2a, 2b) placed opposite said magnetized mobile, characterized in that the preferred direction (or easy axis) of magnetization is made to turn at every point of said element by applying at least one mechanical constraint to said magnetic element(s) (2, 2, 2b), causing anisotropy within said element and thus moving the magnetized mobile in a preferred linear direction or causing the same to rotate.

Abstract: A magnetic field vector sensor includes a substrate parallel to a plane, a support mobile relative to it and rotatable about a vertical rotation axis perpendicular to it, a magnetic field source generating a field having a moment in a non-perpendicular direction, the source being fixed to the support with no degree-of-freedom to exert torque on the support when a field to be measured is present, the field being non-collinear with the moment, a transducer to convert torque exerted on the support into a field amplitude of a component of the field along a measurement axis in the plane, wherein the source comprises a magnetostrictive permanent magnet for generating the field having a moment whose direction varies with stress on the magnet, and wherein the sensor further comprises a controllable device to reversibly modify the moment direction, and a stress generator to vary stress and hence moment direction.

Abstract: A magnetic field vector sensor includes a substrate parallel to a plane, a support mobile relative to it and rotatable about a vertical rotation axis perpendicular to it, a magnetic field source generating a field having a moment in a non-perpendicular direction, the source being fixed to the support with no degree-of-freedom to exert torque on the support when a field to be measured is present, the field being non-collinear with the moment, a transducer to convert torque exerted on the support into a field amplitude of a component of the field along a measurement axis in the plane, wherein the source comprises a magnetostrictive permanent magnet for generating the field having a moment whose direction varies with stress on the magnet, and wherein the sensor further comprises a controllable device to reversibly modify the moment direction, and a stress generator to vary stress and hence moment direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic actuation method according to which a magnetised mobile (4) is directed by means of at least one magnetic element (2, 2a, 2b) placed opposite said magnetised mobile, characterised in that the preferred direction (or easy axis) of magnetisation is made to turn at every point of said element by applying at least one mechanical constraint to said magnetic element(s) (2, 2, 2b), causing anisotropy within said element and thus moving the magnetised mobile in a preferred linear direction or causing the same to rotate.

Abstract: A gradient sensor of a component of a magnetic field comprising at least one elementary sensor comprising a deformable mass (31) equipped with a permanent magnet (32) having a magnetization direction substantially colinear to the direction of the gradient of the component of the magnetic field to be acquired by the sensor. The deformable mass (31) is able to deform under the effect of a force exerted on the magnet by the gradient, the effect of this force being to shift it, by dragging the deformable mass (31), in a direction substantially colinear to the component of the magnetic field for which the sensor has to acquire the gradient. The deformable mass (31) is anchored to a fixed support device (33) in at least two anchoring points (36) substantially opposite relative to the mass (31). The elementary sensor also comprises measuring means (35, 35.1, 35.2, 35.3) of at least one electric variable translating deformation or stress of the deformable mass (31) engendered by the gradient.

Abstract: This is a magnetic actuator including a mobile magnetic portion (20), a fixed magnetic portion (10) provided with at least two attraction areas (11, 12) for the mobile magnetic portion (20), and means (30) for triggering the displacement of the mobile magnetic portion (20), the mobile magnetic portion (20) being in levitation when it is not in contact with an attraction area (11, 12). The mobile magnetic portion (20) includes a magnet-based part (200) with reduced magnet weight, this part (200) having an overall volume, and a mass which is less than the one it would have if its overall volume was totally occupied by the magnet.

Abstract: A magnetic actuator including a mobile magnetic part, a fixed magnetic part, and a mechanism for triggering displacement of the mobile magnetic part relatively to the fixed magnetic part. At least two amagnetic supports, placed in different planes, delimit a gap between them, the fixed magnetic part being integral with at least one of the supports. The supports each have an abutment area for the mobile magnetic part, the abutment area being distinct from the fixed magnetic part. The mobile magnetic part is in levitation in the gap between both supports by magnetic guiding due to the fixed magnetic part when it does not abut against the abutment area of one of the supports. The mobile magnetic part can assume plural stable magnetic positions; in each of these positions, it abuts against a support.

Abstract: This magnetic actuator comprises a fixed magnetic part (3) cooperating magnetically with a mobile magnetic part (1) and means (4) for initiating movement of the mobile magnetic part (1). The mobile magnetic part (1) comprises at least one magnet (1-1) and the fixed magnetic part (3) has at least two attraction zones (3-2) onto which the mobile magnetic part is able to come to attach itself. The mobile magnetic part (1) levitates when it is not attached to one of attraction zones (3-2), its movement being magnetically guided.

Abstract: This is a magnetic actuator including a mobile magnetic portion (20), a fixed magnetic portion (10) provided with at least two attraction areas (11, 12) for the mobile magnetic portion (20), and means (30) for triggering the displacement of the mobile magnetic portion (20), the mobile magnetic portion (20) being in levitation when it is not in contact with an attraction area (11, 12). The mobile magnetic portion (20) includes a magnet-based part (200) with reduced magnet weight, this part (200) having an overall volume, and a mass which is less than the one it would have if its overall volume was totally occupied by the magnet.

Abstract: An actuator is described having two fixed magnetic structures, and a mobile magnetic part able to move towards either one of the two ends of the magnetic structures. The actuator can be in the form of a microactuator, and can be used in the fabrication of microrelays, microvalves, and micropumps.

Abstract: A magnetic actuator including a mobile magnetic part, a fixed magnetic part, and a mechanism for triggering displacement of the mobile magnetic part relatively to the fixed magnetic part. At least two amagnetic supports, placed in different planes, delimit a gap between them, the fixed magnetic part being integral with at least one of the supports. The supports each have an abutment area for the mobile magnetic part, the abutment area being distinct from the fixed magnetic part. The mobile magnetic part is in levitation in the gap between both supports by magnetic guiding due to the fixed magnetic part when it does not abut against the abutment area of one of the supports. The mobile magnetic part can assume plural stable magnetic positions; in each of these positions, it abuts against a support.

Abstract: Magnetic actuator having a closed magnetic circuit (26) capable of guiding a magnetic flux. The magnetic circuit (26) comprises a fixed magnetic part (30, 31, 32) with a yoke (30) and a mobile part (22), magnetically connected to each other and also at least one main air gap (29) delimited by at least one portion (28) of the mobile part (22) and by the yoke (30). In the main air gap (29), the flux is closed by being set up approximately transverse to the mobile part (22). The fixed part (30, 31, 32) also comprises flux recuperation means (40) that contribute with the mobile part (22) to delimiting an auxiliary air gap (38) in which the magnetic flux is set up laterally to the mobile part (22). The flux is contained on each side of the main air gap (29), on one side by the yoke (30), and on the other side jointly by the mobile part (22) and the flux recuperation means (40) through the part (28) contributing to delimiting the main air gap (29).

Abstract: Magnetic actuator having a closed magnetic circuit (26) capable of guiding a magnetic flux. The magnetic circuit (26) comprises a fixed magnetic part (30, 31, 32) with a yoke (30) and a mobile part (22), magnetically connected to each other and also at least one main air gap (29) delimited by at least one portion (28) of the mobile part (22) and by the yoke (30). In the main air gap (29), the flux is closed by being set up approximately transverse to the mobile part (22). The fixed part (30, 31, 32) also comprises flux recuperation means (40) that contribute with the mobile part (22) to delimiting an auxiliary air gap (38) in which the magnetic flux is set up laterally to the mobile part (22). The flux is contained on each side of the main air gap (29), on one side by the yoke (30), and on the other side jointly by the mobile part (22) and the flux recuperation means (40) through the part (28) contributing to delimiting the main air gap (29).

Abstract: This magnetic actuator comprises a fixed magnetic part (3) cooperating magnetically with a mobile magnetic part (1) and means (4) for initiating movement of the mobile magnetic part (1). The mobile magnetic part (1) comprises at least one magnet (1-1) and the fixed magnetic part (3) has at least two attraction zones (3-2) onto which the mobile magnetic part is able to come to attach itself. The mobile magnetic part (1) levitates when it is not attached to one of attraction zones (3-2), its movement being magnetically guided.

Abstract: The invention concerns a machine forming a motor or generator including a stator and a rotor. The rotor is a passive rotor, consisting of two ferromagnetic discs whereof at least one is toothed. The stator includes a fixed polyphase field coil arranged in an air gap defined by the space provided between the two discs and generating a rotating magnetic field, and a field coil likewise fixed. The invention is applicable to a cylindrical rotary machine or to a machine with linear displacement.

Abstract: According to the invention, the actuator comprises two fixed magnetic structures (321, 341) (322, 342), and a mobile magnetic part (36) able to move towards either one of the two ends of the magnetic structures. The actuator is preferably in the form of a microactuator.

Abstract: The invention concerns a machine forming a motor or generator comprising a stator and a rotor, characterised in that the rotor (6) is a passive rotor, consisting of two ferromagnetic discs whereof at least one is toothed, and the stator comprises a fixed polyphase (P1,P2,P3) field coil (13) arranged in an air gap defined by the space (12) provided between the two discs (8,9) and generating a rotating magnetic field, and a field coil (14) likewise fixed. The invention is likewise applicable to a cylindrical rotary machine or to a machine with linear displacement.

Abstract: A magnetic bearing for centering and controlling tilting of a first body relative to a second body includes centering members adapted to center the first body magnetically relative to the second body at least in the direction transverse to the reference axis, two permanently magnetized rings carried by a first ferromagnetic armature fastened to the first body, an annular plurality of (at least three) tilt windings fastened to the second body and each including two groups of circumferential strands respectively adapted to face each of the permanently magnetized rings regardless of the orientation of the hollow outer part, and an excitation circuit adapted to apply excitation currents to the tilt windings adapted to generate tilting forces in the air-gaps.

Abstract: A magnetic bearing for centering a first body, which is mobile in tilting, relative to a second body includes: a hollow outer part at least part of which is made from a ferromagnetic material and which is attached to the first body and which has an inside surface whose shape is a portion of a sphere, an inner part which is attached to the second body and which includes two separate members which are separated by a space and which each include a plurality of (at least three) ferromagnetic areas which are offset angularly about the reference axis, which each define in conjunction with the inside surface of the hollow outer part two air-gaps offset relative to the reference axis and which are each provided with a specific winding adapted to generate magnetic flux lines closing across the two air-gaps, and an excitation circuit for selectively applying excitation currents to the windings.