Reciprocating Patents (Class 310/15)
  • Patent number: 6483207
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of generating magnetic centering force on the permanent magnets of a reciprocating permanent magnet motor or generator, by allowing the ferromagnetic structure of the machine to saturate magnetically when the permanent magnets are near the ends of their travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: Robert Walter Redlich
  • Publication number: 20020153782
    Abstract: A reciprocating motor for a reciprocating type compressor includes a bobbin having a coil wound inside thereof, a terminal formed at one side of the bobbin, for electrically connecting the coil and an external circuit, a core part at which a plurality of lamination sheets are radially stacked in a circumferential direction centering around the bobbin, and a fixing part for fixing at least one lamination sheet at the inner side of the core part. With this construction, the lamination sheets making the core part is prevented from vibrating and the collision between the lamination sheets and the terminal is prevented, so that when the motor operates, its noise is reduced and reliability of the operation of the motor is heightened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Kyung-Seok Kang, Gyoo-Jong Bae, Kyung Bum Hur, Jong-Tae Heo
  • Patent number: 6463623
    Abstract: A power brush assembly for vacuum cleaners is disclosed. In the power brush assembly, a casing is set in the suction part of a vacuum cleaner and defines a suction nozzle used for sucking dust-laden air under pressure into the suction part of the vacuum cleaner. A power brush is set within the casing such that the brush is rotatable and reciprocable to the left and right. This power brush is used for brushing dust and impurities on a target surface. A drive motor generates a rotating force for allowing the power brush to rotate and reciprocate to the left and right within the casing. A power transmission mechanism connects the drive motor to the power brush so as to transmit the rotating force of the drive motor to the power brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Ho Ahn, Jin Soo Park
  • Patent number: 6454548
    Abstract: An electromagnetic pump including a housing having an interior fluid containing region, a check valve operatively flow in a direction from an inlet toward an outlet and blocking fluid flow in a direction from the outlet to the inlet, an electromagnet carried by the housing located external to the fluid containing region, and a barrier of fluid impervious material for isolating the electromagnet from the fluid. An armature movable in the housing through pumping and return strokes has a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by the electromagnet and has a plunger portion extending from the pole portion. The armature plunger and pole portions have formations crimped together to secure the plunger and pole portions together. The barrier or an end surface of the armature pole portion are shaped to enhance separation of the barrier and armature pole portion at the beginning of the return stroke. The housing is provided with shims for adjustment of the delivered stroke volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Falk, Norbert W. Frenz, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020113500
    Abstract: A motor structure for a reciprocating compressor, by which an power lowering of the motor can be prevented by installing a magnet to be eccentric toward a direction compressing a fluid to compensate a backward moved amount of the magnet by compression pressure during operating the compressor and a motor saturation can be prevented, comprises: an outer core of cylindrical shape fixed inside a sealed chamber and including a winding coil wound therein; an inner core disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the outer core with a predetermined gap for forming a flux with the outer core when an electric source is applied to the winding coil; and a magnet disposed between the outer core and the inner core so as to move linearly for making a piston to perform a linear reciprocating movement, wherein an initial mid position of the magnet is located to be eccentric as a predetermined distance from a mid position of the outer core and of the inner core toward a moving direction of the piston when a fluid is compr
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Jung Sik Park, Jin Dong Kim
  • Patent number: 6421208
    Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed including a disk, an actuator arm including a head, and a voice coil motor for actuating the actuator arm to position the head radially over the disk. The voice coil motor includes a voice coil portion including a first side and a second side opposite the first side for conducting a current. The current conducted by the first side generates a first side magnetic flux in a first direction, and the current conducted by the second side generates a second side magnetic flux in a second direction different from the first direction. The voice coil motor further includes a rotary voice coil yoke including a first magnet for generating a unidirectional magnetic flux, and a magnetic flux conductor shaped to form an air gap with respect to the first magnet, the magnetic flux conductor for guiding the unidirectional magnetic flux through the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kamran Oveyssi
  • Publication number: 20020079748
    Abstract: The present invention provides an oscillating reluctance motor which includes a rotor a center of which a rotational shaft is fixed to, and from which a pair of teeth are protruded-formed outside, said rotor teeth facing each other centering on the rotational shaft, a stator in which a cylindrical space is formed so that the rotor can rotate and first and second winding parts are formed, and a rotation control means which is installed between the rotor and a stator thus to control rotation of the rotor, wherein a first winding coil is wound on the first winding part, a second winding coil is wound on the second winding part and the first winding part and the second winding part are formed having an angle centering around the rotational shaft as a pair so that the rotor can perform periodical rotation movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Dong Lee, Jun Young Lim
  • Patent number: 6355994
    Abstract: An ultra-high precision stage incorporating a novel, legged design suitable for applications requiring high voltage and vacuum is disclosed herein. The stage comprises: a base; a frame attached to the base; a platform with a bottom platform surface; at least three adjustable limbs coupled to the base and the bottom platform surface, each limb comprising a raising member attached to the base, a first attachment member attached to the raising member, a leg, a bottom end of the leg attached to the first attachment member, a second attachment member attached to a top end of the leg and the second attachment member attached to the bottom platform surface; and platform movement members coupled to the platform and the frame, providing precise positioning and movement of the platform. The attachment members can be flexure joints; further, they can be flexural thrust joints. The platform can have six degrees of freedom of movement and accommodate wafers with diameters of 300 mm. The stage can weigh less than 100 lbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignees: Multibeam Systems, Inc., Motorola Inc.
    Inventors: Gerry B. Andeen, Martin E. Lee
  • Publication number: 20020027393
    Abstract: A reciprocating rotary action actuator consisting of a rotor and stator that can be added to a bi-directional rotary motor or galvanometer scanner, where the stator has a ring magnet and a pair of soft iron pole pieces that concentrate the flux of the ring magnet into a concentric set of narrow, uniformly spaced, axially oriented, magnetic flux fields intersecting the rotor's field of travel. The rotor has small permanent magnets embedded in the periphery of a nonconductive, nonmagnetic rotor core. The rotor magnets have the same number and spacing as the stator's magnetic flux fields. The magnet poles are oriented opposite the flux fields of the stator pole pieces, so that upon rotation, the rotor magnets encounter the stator flux fields at each end of rotor travel, creating an opposing force that reverses the angular direction of the rotor with minimal requirement for actuator current and generation of thermal losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: David C. Brown, Michael B. Nussbaum, Felix Stukalin
  • Publication number: 20010022474
    Abstract: In a magnetic driving device, a fixing core has a housing portion, in which a plunger is housed to reciprocatingly move, and an attracting portion toward which the plunger is attracted upon energizing a coil. The housing portion is provided with a ring portion, which is formed by machining an outer circumference wall thereof and whose thickness is thinner than that of a part of the housing portion adjacent to the ring portion to an extent that mechanical strength of the housing portion is not damaged practically. The ring portion is provided with a plurality of through-holes penetrating radially the wall thereof. A magnetic flux area of the ring portion is limited due to the thin wall and the through-holes so that magnetic resistance is enlarged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: Seiji Tachibana, Hiroyuki Nakane, Mitsuhiro Watanabe, Naoya Suda, Yoshitaka Kamiya
  • Patent number: 6291901
    Abstract: A method and device for generating electrical energy from the rotation of a wheel of a vehicle is disclosed. The device is disposed within a pneumatic tire and includes a coil housing having an interior chamber with a coil disposed thereabout, which is aligned for receiving a magnet within the chamber. The magnet is mounted within a magnet housing which has a first end aligned for reception in the groove of the coil housing, and a second end in communication with the interior wall of a tire. As the tire rotates, the tire deflection causes relative motion between the magnet and the coil generating electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Nevres Ćefo
  • Patent number: 6268671
    Abstract: A vibration generation apparatus allows vibration frequency and amplitude to be independently controlled and to produce various modes of vibration involving shocks in addition to simple modes of vibration. The apparatus comprises a coil and a vibratory assembly comprising a-yoke providing a magnetic circuit, the coil being supplied with a drive current for a rectangular pulse of a constant peak value to cause the vibratory assembly to vibrate such that the amplitude of the vibration assembly corresponds to the duration of the rectangular-pulse drive current. The vibration generation apparatus allows the frequency and the duration of the rectangular-pulse drive current to be varied independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Furuki
  • Patent number: 6264439
    Abstract: An electromagnetic pump including a housing having an interior fluid containing region, a check valve operatively associated with the fluid containing region for allowing fluid flow in a direction from an inlet toward an outlet and blocking fluid flow in a direction from the outlet to the inlet, an electromagnet carried by the housing located external to the fluid containing region, and a barrier of fluid impervious material for isolating the electromagnet from the fluid. An armature movable in the housing through pumping and return strokes has a pole portion located for magnetic attraction by the electromagnet and has a plunger portion extending from the pole portion. The armature plunger and pole portions have formations crimped together to secure the plunger and pole portions together. The barrier or an end surface of the armature pole portion are shaped to enhance separation of the barrier and armature pole portion at the beginning of the return stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Falk, Norbert W. Frenz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6262500
    Abstract: A vibration generator which is durable, provides strong thrust and is capable of being reduced in size, cost and weight includes a movable element (50) having a permanent magnet (60) attached thereto; a stationary element (10) having end faces (23), (25) which oppose, across prescribed gaps, respective ones of end faces (53), (54) of the movable element, with the stationary element being excited by passing a current through an attached coil (30) to form a magnetic path with the movable element; and resilient support members (80) for supporting the movable element so that the movable element can vibrate in a direction in which the stationary element is magnetized by the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Teikoku Tsushin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Wakiwaka, Mitsuharu Ezawa, Naoki Fukuda, Haruo Ito
  • Patent number: 6262498
    Abstract: An electromagnetic drive is described that exhibits two electromagnets (2, 3) situated opposite one another and an armature (10) between them that can be moved back and forth. The armature (10) is held in an intermediate position by elastic forces and brought into a terminal position by the power of the electromagnets (2, 3). The armature (10) is mounted using a torsion spring (6) and at least one drive together with its bearings forms a single structural unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Heinz Leiber
  • Publication number: 20010007400
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to linear electric machines, capable of converting electrical current into mechanical work or mechanical work into electrical current. More specifically, this invention relates to an electric machine having a ferromagnetic vessel containing a single-pole magnetic field, end caps for reflecting magnetic energy and a shaft having an electromagnetic coil which moves relative to the magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 12, 2001
    Inventor: Wayne Griswold
  • Patent number: 6246131
    Abstract: A magnetic power apparatus includes an outer shell made of magnetically conductive metal, the outer shell having a through hole on one side wall thereof, an iron core axially movably disposed inside the outer shell, a coil positioned in the outer shell around the iron core and controlled to move the iron core axially in the outer shell, a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet symmetrically mounted inside the outer shell and axially aligned at two opposite sides of the iron core with same pole aimed against each other, and a driving circuit disposed outside the outer shell and connected with a power output line thereof to the coil to charge a capacitor, the driving circuit outputting to the coil a positive impulse voltage when electrically connected, or a negative impulse voltage when electrically disconnected, causing the iron core to shift the iron core, and causing the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet to change magnetic path and to keep the iron core in shifted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Chih-Sheng Sheng
  • Patent number: 6229231
    Abstract: To provide a reciprocation motor capable to detect rotation angle of rotor accurately. Rotor 1 is a magnet having two poles to radial direction and comprises half-cylindrical magnets. Driving coils 5a and 5b are bound equally at coil board 3. Magnetic sensor 7 is fixed at outside and under side of driving coil 5b on coil board 3. Such a construction makes magnetic sensor hard to be influenced by flux generating caused by current flowing through driving coil 5b. Therefore, it is possible to improve position detecting accuracy of rotor 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Seiko Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Ishida, Shigeru Ooki
  • Patent number: 6225713
    Abstract: An electromagnetic force motor comprising: a magnetic housing having a housing chamber formed therein; a stationary magnetic member received in the housing chamber in stationary relationship with respect to the magnetic housing; a movable magnetic member received in the housing chamber to be movable with respect to the stationary magnetic member, the stationary magnetic member, and the movable magnetic member forming with a magnetic flux gap to permit a magnetic flux to pass therethrough, the magnetic housing, the stationary magnetic member, and the movable magnetic member each made of a magnetic substance and collectively forming a magnetic circuit unit that is to allow a magnetic flux to pass therethrough; a permanent magnet positioned in the housing chamber and generating a magnetic flux; and an electromagnetic coil positioned in the housing chamber and generating a magnetic flux with an electric current imparted thereto, the magnetic circuit unit partly having a diminished cross-sectional area being small
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Teijin Seiki Co., LTD
    Inventors: Masakazu Hattori, Naohiro Makino
  • Patent number: 6225712
    Abstract: A voice coil motor capable of quickly and precisely positioning a magnetic head with high precision is provided with a bearing rotatably supporting a head carriage without being influenced by a radial load. Two coils having radial sections contributing to generate a torque are provided to be rotatable in a magnetic space formed by a permanent magnet and a pair of yokes, and are layered along a central rotating axis in such a manner that an extension angle of the radial sections of one coil differs in direction from that of the radial sections of the other coil. When electric current flows, no radial load works, and a resultant force generated in these coils can be a couple of forces in the direction vertical to the movement direction of the magnetic head, so that the magnetic head can be quickly positioned with high precision, realizing a small magnetic disk device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Miyamoto, Hideki Kuwajima, Kenichi Sakamoto, Hiromi Kita, Kaoru Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 6215206
    Abstract: An actuator, with two independent degrees of freedom, rotates a stage about an axis and moves the stage along the axis, the range of motion defining a cylinder or cylindrical section. The stage is mounted on a hollow cylindrical plunger fitting in an annular well. A bearing allows the plunger to move axially and rotationally, in the preferred embodiment the bearing is an air bearing. The plunger has an array of permanent magnets on its external cylindrical face opposite coils in the well. Equal numbers of oppositely-polarized permanent magnets are arranged in a regular cylindrical pattern at 50% packing density forming rings and columns of like-polarity magnets, the rings of one polarity alternating with rings of opposite polarity and the columns of one polarity alternating with columns of opposite polarity. A set of Z-axis coils (for axial movement) curve around the plunger and are shaped to allow a current in them to produce an axial force with respect to the rings of magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Anorad Corporation
    Inventor: Anwar Chitayat
  • Patent number: 6204585
    Abstract: A work unit for automatic machine tools is provided with a spindle that moves in translation and rotates with respect to a work axis. The spindle is housed within a sleeve that is slidable along the work axis, with the spindle being rotatable within. Rotation of the spindle is controlled by a drive unit mounted directly on the spindle and arranged inside the sleeve, which eliminates the need for a separate transmission mechanism and thereby results in a simplified construction of the work unit and an increase in performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Riello Macchine Transfer SRL
    Inventors: Andrea Riello, Zeno Borsaro
  • Patent number: 6175168
    Abstract: An encapsulated stator for use in solenoid-actuated liquid metering device has a bobbin assembly and a plunger guide which are substantially surrounded by a plastic overmold to hold the assembly together and provide a protective housing. Upper and lower ends of the plunger guide are not covered by the overmold, but rather are left exposed so that additional manufacturing and assembly steps may be performed upon the stator. The plunger guide is formed integrally with a support plate and two threaded body for receiving bolts to secure the stator in its operating position. A plastic cap with an integrally molded electrical connector housing for mating engagement with an electrical power supply is secured to the bobbin assembly and retains the core and plunger guide in proper positions relative to the bobbin prior to the assembly being encased in the overmold. A method of manufacturing the encapsulated stator is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Pontiac Coil, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Budd, Steve R. Hojnacki
  • Patent number: 6172426
    Abstract: An energy platform system for generating electrical energy from the weight of a moving vehicle. The system comprises a fluid bed containing a volume of fluid which is compressible by the weight of the moving vehicle driven thereover. A circulation system is in fluid communication with the fluid bed for receiving the fluid forced from within the bladder. The circulation system is operable is operable to translate the energy of the fluid circulated therethrough into mechanical energy. The platform system additionally comprises a generator cooperatively engaged to the circulation assembly and operable to convert the mechanical energy of the circulation system into electrical energy. It is further contemplated that electricity may be produced by the movement of a vehicle over a platform mechanically coupled to a linear generator. Accordingly, the linear generator moves in relation to the movement of the platform such that the linear generator is operative to generate an electrical current thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas P. Galich
  • Patent number: 6169343
    Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus to improve the efficiency of motors and generators by reducing counter electro motive force, including rotary and reciprocating piston embodiments constructed and arranged such that the motion is aided by the magnetic field rather than hindered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Joe G. Rich, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6163092
    Abstract: A motor for providing reciprocating motion comprises a stator defining an arcuate pole face and a flat pole face and an armature defining a complimentary arcuate pole face and flat pole face, where the armature rotates about a pivot point in order to maintain a fixed air gap between the arcuate pole faces of the stator and the armature and a variable air gap between the flat pole faces of the stator and the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel S. Soultanian
  • Patent number: 6157100
    Abstract: An electromagnetic drive for a focal-plane shutter of a camera having two light-excluding shutter curtains, each of the two shutter curtains being having its own electric drive motor, which is a linear motor constructed from permanent magnets and electromagnetic coils. The linear motor has at least two mutually aligned permanent magnets. The opposite pole faces of the magnets have the same polarity. A soft-magnetic disk is disposed between the permanent magnets. A soft-iron casing encloses the magnets and the soft-magnetic disk with an annular gap therebetween. A coil former is displaceably mounted in the annular gap such that it can exert an operating stroke between two stops. The coil former has a drive element for transferring the axial displacement of the coil former to the assigned shutter curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Rollei Fototechnic GmbH
    Inventor: Bodo Mielke
  • Patent number: 6141971
    Abstract: A cryocooler having an improved linear motor assembly. The cryocooler comprises a displacer unit, heat exchanger unit and compressor and linear motor assembly. The compressor and linear motor assembly includes a linear motor having both a stationary internal return iron element and a moving internal return iron element, thus enabling the motor to operate at a predetermined resonant frequency. In a preferred form, the compressor and linear motor assembly comprise a unitary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Superconductor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark W. Hanes
  • Patent number: 6137195
    Abstract: An actuator, with two independent degrees of freedom, rotates a stage about an axis and moves the stage along the axis, the range of motion defining a cylinder or cylindrical section. The stage is mounted on a hollow cylindrical plunger fitting in an annular well. A bearing allows the plunger to move axially and rotationally, in the preferred embodiment the bearing is an air bearing. The plunger has an array of permanent magnets on its external cylindrical face opposite coils in the well. Equal numbers of oppositely-polarized permanent magnets are arranged in a regular cylindrical pattern at 50% packing density forming rings and columns of like-polarity magnets, the rings of one polarity alternating with rings of opposite polarity and the columns of one polarity alternating with columns of opposite polarity. A set of Z-axis coils (for axial movement) curve around the plunger and are shaped to allow a current in them to produce an axial force with respect to the rings of magnets. A set of .phi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Anorad Corporation
    Inventor: Anwar Chitayat
  • Patent number: 6130490
    Abstract: A stage assembly for precision movement in the x and y-directions, especially adapted for use in electron beam lithography for holding a reticle. The stage assembly includes a vacuum enclosure in which a magnet plate structure moves in the y-direction under the influence of a linear motor with respect to the enclosure. Riding inside the magnet plate is the stage which holds the reticle and moves in both the x and y-directions. x-direction movement is accomplished by the stage moving under the influence of "turnaround motors" in the x-direction. A turnaround motor at each end of the stage is only on for a brief period in order to drive the stage relative to the magnet plate in the x-direction. Then the other turnaround motor at the other end of the stage turns on and stops the movement of the stage in that direction and drives it back in the opposite direction. Reaction forces used to move the stage are transferred to the ground independent of the electron beam column supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Martin E. Lee
  • Patent number: 6121697
    Abstract: A motor for providing reciprocating motion comprises a stator defining an arcuate pole face and a flat pole face and an armature defining a complimentary arcuate pole face and flat pole face, where the armature rotates about a pivot internal to the structure of the armature in order to maintain a fixed air gap between the arcuate pole faces of the stator and the armature and a variable air gap between the flat pole faces of the stator and the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel S. Soultanian
  • Patent number: 6084330
    Abstract: The invention resides in permanent magnet rotors and methods for assembling the same. In one embodiment, one of more arcuate magnetic elements are disposed around a cylindrical rotor core. In turn, a hollow retaining shell is slip-fit around the magnetic element or elements. Spring biasing members are inserted into longitudinal channels defined by grooves in the core and corresponding grooves or chamfers on the one or more magnetic elements. The spring biasing members prevent relative movement between the core, the magnetic element(s), and the retaining shell. Annular end plates are secured to the ends of the core to seal off the interior of the device. In another embodiment, relative movement between the core, magnetic element(s), and retaining shell is prevented by applying adhesive between those parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Kollmorgen Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Fisher, Daniel H. Snuffer
  • Patent number: 6077054
    Abstract: There is disclosed a stator of a linear compressor which comprises a bobbin of a cylindrical shape having a recess for winding coils at the outer circumference thereof, coils wound in the coil winding recess, and a plurality of cores inserted into the bobbin. A plurality of guide rails extending to the axial direction of the bobbin are arranged radially at regular intervals on the inner circumference of the bobbin and the cores are mounted between the respective guide rails. Further, a plurality of guide projections extending outward from the outer circumferences of the upper and lower ends of the bobbin are arranged at regular intervals. In addition, there are further provided a plurality of supporting jaws extending toward the inside of the bobbin between the respective guide rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Jae Lee, Phil-Soo Jang
  • Patent number: 6069420
    Abstract: Actuators for power driven accessories for moving objects, such as vehicle power windows, windshield wipers, vehicle power antennas, power side view mirrors, catheter drivers, curtain moving machines, bi-directional rotary motors, thruster mechanisms that move relative to a reaction surface or that drive a driven member relative to itself, use orthogonal oscillatory transducers cooperatively to drive intermediary elements to move these objects bi-directionally along constrained paths. The actuators may also power a pneumatically driven autonomous robot element using dual pneumatic DSES elements such as planar contact surfaces with an array of apertures which are cyclically switched form a source of compressed air which acts as a lubricant to greatly reduce surface friction to a vacuum source, which acts as a clamping medium increasing contact frictional force. Orthogonal bladders are cyclically pressurized or vented to move a central block relative to a surrounding frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Omnific International, Ltd.
    Inventors: John V. Mizzi, Bruce M. Smackey, Edward K. Woo
  • Patent number: 6066998
    Abstract: An actuator made up of a plurality of actuator elements is provided which actuator provides long travel in one dimension and short travel in five additional dimensions, with each actuator element providing long travel in the one dimension and short travel in at least two additional dimensions. For preferred embodiments, each actuator element includes a suspension core, the long travel being in one linear dimension and each actuator element providing short travel in two additional linear dimensions and at least one rotary dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: David L. Trumper, Lawrence S. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 6064129
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromagnetic motor, in particular a linear motor, and to active vibration-control apparatus including at least one such motor. Said motor has a plurality of actuators, at least of which are disposed side by side and operate in alternation to exert forces in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventor: Michel Pompei
  • Patent number: 6060804
    Abstract: A vibration generating mechanism includes first and second permanent magnets spaced from each other with the same magnetic poles opposed to each other, and an electromotive actuator for driving the first permanent magnet. The electromotive actuator moves the first permanent magnet periodically and reciprocatingly relative to the second permanent magnet to change the opposing area of the first and second permanent magnets thereby causing the second permanent magnet to vibrate relative to the first permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignees: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Special Metals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsunori Fujita, Yutaka Sakamoto, Hitoshi Mikami, Yasuhiro Marukawa
  • Patent number: 5994854
    Abstract: A vibrational acoustic unit comprises a dynamic force motor, a power take-off spring having one end attached to the dynamic force motor and the other end attached to a fluid filled acoustic resonator. The motor oscillates the entire acoustic resonator so as to excite a resonant mode of the acoustic resonator.A method of delivering power to an acoustic resonator comprises resiliently connecting a motor to the resonator, and driving the motor to oscillate the entire acoustic resonator so as to excite a resonant mode of the acoustic resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: MacroSonix Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher C. Lawrenson, Thomas W. Van Doren, F. Joseph Keith, Timothy S. Lucas
  • Patent number: 5973422
    Abstract: A low frequency vibrator has a stator member with a cylindrical, central chamber, a cylindrical, tubular liner of low friction, non-ferromagnetic material positioned in the chamber to form a bearing and a cylindrical, ferromagnetic, reciprocating piston slidably mounted in the liner. The stator has a pair of coils and a permanent magnet is positioned centrally in the reciprocating piston. A ferromagnetic flux conductor surrounds the coils and extends between opposite ends of the chamber. This structure creates a magnetic spring, having a spring constant K. The ratio of K to the mass M of the reciprocating member is made substantially equal to the square of a radian frequency in the operating frequency range of the vibrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: The Guitammer Company
    Inventor: Marvin L. Clamme
  • Patent number: 5965964
    Abstract: A downhole current generator generates power in a wellbore and includes a power section and an generator section. The power section has a sleeve slidably disposed within a housing which oscillates in response to the application of fluid pressure to the current generator. A piston is slidably attached to the sleeve and oscillates relative to the sleeve and the housing. The piston extends longitudinally into an generator section and has a plurality of magnets attached thereto which oscillate with the piston. Wire coil sections are fixed relative to the housing of the generator section and are positioned between the oscillating magnets such that a current is induced in the wire coil sections upon oscillation of the magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal G. Skinner, Paul D. Ringgenberg
  • Patent number: 5952744
    Abstract: An actuator, with two independent degrees of freedom, rotates a stage about an axis and moves the stage along the axis, the range of motion defining a cylinder or cylindrical section. The stage is mounted on a hollow cylindrical plunger fitting in an annular well. A bearing allows the plunger to move axially and rotationally, in the preferred embodiment the bearing is an air bearing. The plunger has an array of permanent magnets on its external cylindrical face opposite coils in the well. Equal numbers of oppositely-polarized permanent magnets are arranged in a regular cylindrical pattern at 50% packing density forming rings and columns of like-polarity magnets, the rings of one polarity alternating with rings of opposite polarity and the columns of one polarity alternating with columns of opposite polarity. A set of Z-axis coils (for axial movement) curve around the plunger and are shaped to allow a current in them to produce an axial force with respect to the rings of magnets. A set of .phi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Anoiad Corporation
    Inventor: Anwar Chitayat
  • Patent number: 5945749
    Abstract: The invention provides an on-board electrical power generator for application on railway cars as a power supply for Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brake equipment and other on-board electronic devices, such as an end of train unit. The generator unit can by operated by vehicle vibration when the train is moving, or by fluid pressure from the brake line when the train is stopped. The generator unit has a magnetic piston surrounded by a coil and is engaged on either end by diaphragm-spring combinations. This arrangement creates a mass-spring system in which the magnetic piston vibrates under external excitation. The oscillation of the magnetic piston as a result of vehicle movement allows interaction between the magnetic piston and a coil and thus generates electrical voltage across the coil as a result of vibration. The diaphragms of the diaphragm-spring combinations create two sealed chambers on the first and second ends of the generator which allows the piston to be actuated by fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: Wei Li
  • Patent number: 5920133
    Abstract: Improved flexures and flexure assemblies are taught for use in thermal regenerative machines. In one aspect, the flexure is a flat spring formed from a flat metal sheet having kerfs forming axially movable arms across them, and at least one aperture communicating with and extending from an end portion of the kerf. One variation includes a flexure bearing assembly having such a flexure. In accordance with another aspect, a thermodynamic machine has a housing carried stator and a piston and linear moving element carried by a flexure bearing assembly. In accordance with yet another aspect, a piston and displacer assembly are configured to be movably supported together within a chamber in a housing of a thermal regenerative machine via a flexure assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Stirling Technology Company
    Inventors: Laurence B. Penswick, Donald C. Lewis, Ronald W. Olan, Brad Ross, Leon Montgomery
  • Patent number: 5909068
    Abstract: A small-size, thin-profile vibration generating device capable of functioning with improved durability and reliability and with less consumption of power includes a yoke constituting an electromagnet on which a coil has been wound, and a movable element having permanent magnets. The movable element is disposed in a gap, which is provided in the closed magnetic circuit of the yoke, in such a manner that both end faces of the movable element form prescribed gaps with end faces of the yoke. The movable end of a leaf spring is attached to the movable element. The other, fixed end of the leaf spring is attached to the center of the yoke. When the movable element vibrates in the gap, magnetic poles at the end faces of the yoke approached by the end faces of the movable element are magnetically energized by flow of a current in order to be made identical with magnetic poles at the end faces of the movable element, thereby repelling the movable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Teikoku Tsushin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Wakiwaka, Hisashi Yajima, Katsuhiko Haruyama
  • Patent number: 5907201
    Abstract: A displacer assembly for a Stirling cycle system includes a displacer and a synchronous linear electric motor linked so as to drive the displacer. The electric motor features at least one stator assembly having first and second soft-magnetic pole pieces defining therebetween a gap. The width of the gap is oriented perpendicular to an axis of movement of the motor, and the stator assembly is constructed so as to generate a magnetic field aligned primarily parallel to the width of the gap. The motor also includes at least one compound permanent magnet system located within the gap. The compound permanent magnet system has a first section magnetized in a first direction parallel to the width of the gap and a second section axially displaced from the first section magnetized in a direction opposite to the first direction. The result of this structure is that the electric motor operates as a magnetic spring which, when no power is supplied to the motor, returns the displacer to a predefined rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Medis El Ltd.
    Inventors: Misha Hiterer, Mark Kushnir
  • Patent number: 5903069
    Abstract: A synchronous reciprocating electric machine includes a first magnet system having first and second opposing surfaces forming between them a gap, and a second magnet system mounted within the gap so as to be displaceable relative to the first magnet system along a line of travel through the gap. The the first magnet system is configured for generating a magnetic field, referred to as the "gap field", directed across the gap primarily perpendicular to the first surface. The second magnet system includes two magnetic elements configured to generate equal but opposite magnetic fields primarily perpendicular to the first surface. These magnetic elements are spaced from each other along the line of travel by a distance b, where b>0. One of magnet systems produces a non-alternating magnetic field and the other is a coil assembly for producing an operating magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Medis El, Ltd.
    Inventor: Misha Hiterer
  • Patent number: 5886442
    Abstract: A magnetic attraction driving engine utilizing a permanent magnet is provided with a permanent magnet, an electromagnet formed by winding a coil on a magnetic core with one end thereof stuck to one magnetic pole end of the permanent magnet, an excitation controller for exciting the electromagnet to change a state of magnetic fluxes in the vicinity of the magnetic pole end of the permanent magnet, a movable member having magnetic attractivity set in the vicinity of the magnetic pole end of the permanent magnet by being supported and guided so as to be capable of coming close to or separating away from the permanent magnet and a returning force applying member for causing by pressure the movable member to retreat against a magnetic attracting force and move back and forth by changing a magnetic attracting force of the permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventors: Sanshiro Ogino, Keiichiro Asaoka
  • Patent number: 5886432
    Abstract: The respective square cross-section permanent magnets of each of a plurality of spaced Halbach magnet arrays, attached to the bottom of movable X-Y stage and aligned with a given one of the X and Y axes, are spaced from one another parallel to the other one of the X and Y axes of by the width of the square cross-section cooperates with both a first set of a plurality of flat stationary electromagnet coils of wire and a second set of a plurality of flat stationary electromagnet coils of wire that substantially lie in proximate horizontal X, Y planes and, respectively, are angularly offset by +45.degree. and -45.degree. with respect to the given one of the X and Y horizontal axes to provide a lateral translational force on the stage with respect to the horizontal X and/or Y axes and/or a levitating translational force on the stage with respect to the vertical Z axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Ultratech Stepper, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Markle
  • Patent number: 5850111
    Abstract: A free-piston variable stroke linear-alternator AC power generator for a combustion engine. An alternator mechanism and oscillator system generates AC current. The oscillation system includes two oscillation devices each having a combustion cylinder and a flying turnbuckle. The flying turnbuckle moves in accordance with the oscillation device. The alternator system is a linear alternator coupled between the two oscillation devices by a slotted connecting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp.
    Inventor: Carsten M. Haaland
  • Patent number: 5818131
    Abstract: A compressor (10; 100; 200; 300; 500) with a build-in reciprocating motor, comprises a cylindrical housing (20; 120; 210; 510) with two ends thereof fitted with two opposing electromagnets (30; 130; 230; 530), each has a circular inner pole (36; 136) and a coaxial annular outer pole (34; 134). A free piston (50; 150; 250; 560; 600) is disposed in the housing between the two electromagnets, dividing the interior of the housing into two chambers (I, II). The piston carries permanent magnet (40; 140, 145; 561; 610), providing inner and outer poles (44, 46; 141, 146) which have conical surface portions (43, 49; 141, 146) complementary with the corresponding poles (34, 36; 134, 136) of the electromagnets. Sliding pole pieces (630 and 660) can be used to increase the stroke length and reduce the piston's total weight. Valves (61, 63, 65; 161, 165) are fitted to form one-way flow passage connecting the inlet and the outlet of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Wei-Min Zhang