Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an induction motor. An induction motor includes a spherical rotor and a plurality of curved inductors positioned around the spherical rotor. The plurality of curved inductors are configured to rotate the spherical rotor continuously through arbitrarily large angles among any combination of three independent axes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an induction motor. An induction motor includes a spherical rotor and a plurality of curved inductors positioned around the spherical rotor. The plurality of curved inductors are configured to rotate the spherical rotor continuously through arbitrarily large angles among any combination of three independent axes.

Abstract: The invention discloses a modular rectangular stator or platen for planar motors (sometimes referred to as planar linear motors) which is in light weight tile form, permitting multiple platens to be temporarily joined together in an ensemble to provide a continuous stator for a plurality of planar motors operating thereon. Provision is made for the array of operative features of the platen tiles to be strictly parallel to the platen tile edges and for the rows of operative features to be strictly positioned with respect to the platen tile edges, thereby permitting a continuous, unbroken pattern of operative features across the interface crack between conjoined tiles. Provision is made for supporting and adjusting the height of tiles above the floor, as well as their levelness, by a plurality of precision height adjusters preferably using a differential mechanism.

Abstract: The invention discloses a closed loop planar linear motor which includes a stationary stator (or platen) of arbitrary extent, and a moving forcer which is a single rigid body that can move over the planar stator surface on an air bearing with high speed and high precision in two orthogonal translational directions and a small rotation (or combinations thereof). An important distinguishing feature is a monolithic position and orientation sensor based on alternating current (AC) magnetic techniques which is an integral part of the forcer and occupies otherwise unused space in the forcer body. Also incorporated within the forcer is a special electronic processing element which converts weak AC signals from the sensor into usable high precision position and orientation information relative to the stator surface.

Abstract: The invention discloses an Ultrafast Electro-Dynamic X, Y and Theta Positioning Stage. A positioning stage made according to this invention allows light payloads to be moved with extremely high linear and angular accelerations over finite distances and angles with a plane. An important feature of this invention is a momentum-cancelling design which allows reaction forces and torques on the fixed member to approach zero, thereby, allowing for a smooth and an ultrafast performance by the positioning stage.

Abstract: A programmable computer user input/output (I/O) system having a multiple degree-of-freedom magnetic levitation (maglev) device with a matched electrodynamically levitated flotor and stator combination and an electrodynamic forcer means for receiving coil currents for applying controlled magnetic forces mutual to the flotor and stator. A sensing means measures the relative position and orientation of the flotor and stator. The I/O system includes a maglev I/O device control software module for measuring the relative movement of the flotor-stator combination of the maglev device and for controlling the coil currents provided to the electrodynamic forcer means. At least one active device model module, comprising a software representation of a mechanical I/O device, controls the maglev I/O device control software module to generate signals which emulate the mechanical I/O device represented by the active device model.

Abstract: Selective compliance in up to six degress of freedom in a magnetically levitated fine motion device, or robot wrist, with limited motion in X,Y,Z, ROLL, PITCH, YAW, is provided by controlled actuation currents applied to six electrodynamic forcer elements. The wrist has a stator support base defining a dual periphery, carrying a number of stator magnet units. A shell flotor unit nests within the stator support base dual periphery, and carries forcer coils at locations corresponding to respective magnet units. The magnet unit and related flotor coil form a forcer element. There are a number of forcer elements. The vector sum of all the translational forces and rotational torques established at the forcer elements determines the X,Y,Z, ROLL, PITCH, and YAW motion of the flotor. The flotor carries an end effector which may be a tool. Position and orientation of the flotor is monitored by light emitting diodes and lateral effect cells.

Abstract: An automatic assembly apparatus or robot holds a pin in an instrumented gripper, moves open loop to the "detection region" in which airflow forces, primarily lateral forces, in the vicinity of the hole may be dependably sensed. Relatively large lateral airflow forces in the detection region are sensed and the pin is moved toward the hole. The airflow forces exhibit an abrupt force change as the pin reaches the insertion point within the "capture region" of the hole defined by the mechanical chamfer or significantly extended as a result of the virtual chamfer of airflow through the hole. The insertion point is the point where lateral X,Y force vectors balance to a null, where Z force readings change from complex X,Y,Z force vectors to simple Z force vectors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for format patterning magnetic recording media with servo-control patterns is disclosed herein. The method comprises the steps of printing the control pattern using a resist in liquid form onto the media material by conventional printing techniques. A layer of a thin metallic film is then deposited over the resist and uncovered substrate areas. The resist and its overlayered metal is then removed using a liftoff technique by dissolving the resist in its particular solvent. A control pattern of deposited metallic film remains in those non-resist areas. In the alternative, the process can also use an etching bath to create the servo control pattern.

Abstract: The positioner comprises a fixed frame (1) from which extends a first pair of parallel piezoelectric benders ("bimorphs") (2, 3) which carry an intermediate frame (4). Actuation of the bimorphs (2, 3) causes lateral translation of the intermediate frame (4) with respect to the fixed frame with the bimorphs (2, 3) forming the flexible sides of a parallelogram.Attached to the intermediate frame (4) is a second pair of bimorphs (12, 13) which extend in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the first pair of bimorphs (2, 3) thus permitting a support frame (14) to exercise a deflection in a direction orthogonal with respect to the movement of the intermediate frame (4).The bimorphs used consist of one or two piezoelectric elements carrying two or more electrodes on either side the proper actuation of which causes the benders to bend with parallel end surfaces at all times.

Abstract: Mounting a position sensor equipped planar armature, in operative juxtaposition to a stator, by a spring colonnade basket of flexure columns, provides a low-friction precision X-Y-Theta positioner which has computer control of operations with feedback of actual position for closed loop servo operation.The spring colonnade basket provides freedom of motion in the X, Y and Theta (rotation about an axis mutually perpendicular to X and Y) dimensions without static friction present in sliding or rolling motions. The armature, which carries a gripper or other end effector and is free to move only within its own plane, is positioned by a motor made up of the armature and a stator mounted on a support platform. The stator is made up of a pair of U-shaped permanent magnets, each having U-shaped pole pieces mounted orthogonally to each other, at 45 degree angles to the axis of the magnet, so that each electromagnet controls motive power in both X and Y dimensions.

Abstract: Suspending an armature on a parallelopiped basket of flexure springs, with a lateral effect cell position sensor and an X-Y source of motive power, provides a precision X-Y positioner with minimum static friction and with feedback of actual position for closed loop servo operation under computer control. The armature is arranged for X-Y motion within its own plane, and is arranged to carry a gripper, cutting tool, or other end effector. The parallelopiped basket includes a stator, a first set of flexure springs, a flexure spring carrier mounted on the first set of flexure springs, a second set of flexure springs mounted on the flexure spring carrier, and the armature mounted on the second set of flexure springs in turn mounted on the carrier. The basket suspends the armature with freedom of motion in the X and Y dimensions without static friction associated with sliding or rolling motions.