Magnetostrictive Patents (Class 310/26)
  • Patent number: 12225827
    Abstract: A power generation element includes a first magnetostrictive plate and a second magnetostrictive plate each including a magnetostrictive material, a magnet unit including a magnet fixed to at least one of the first magnetostrictive plate or the second magnetostrictive plate, and a coil containing at least part of the first magnetostrictive plate and the second magnetostrictive plate therein, wherein the first magnetostrictive plate and the second magnetostrictive plate are laid out in such a manner that stresses applied to the first magnetostrictive plate and the second magnetostrictive plate are in opposite directions to each other, and the magnet unit is disposed in such a manner that magnetic fields applied to the first magnetostrictive plate and the second magnetostrictive plate are in opposite directions to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichiro Miyauchi, Masakazu Mori, Noriyuki Chino
  • Patent number: 12119193
    Abstract: An electromagnetic energy converter for a remote switch. The energy converter has an electrical coil and magnetic components, which comprise at least one permanent magnet and at least one ferromagnetic element. The permanent magnet and/or the ferromagnetic element are each movable between two extreme positions, where the movement of the permanent magnet and/or of the ferromagnetic element between the extreme positions leads to a directional reversal of a magnetic flux in the magnetic circuit. The magnetic flux is enclosed at least in part by the coil. At least one of the extreme positions is configured as a contactless extreme position at which at least two of the magnet components do not contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: EnOcean GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Klausnitzer, Frank Schmidt, Dmitry Yudnikov
  • Patent number: 12069954
    Abstract: A power generating element according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes at least one magnetostrictive portion containing a magnetostrictive material, at least one magnetic portion containing a magnetic material, part of a surface of the magnetic portion being fixed to the magnetostrictive portion, a coil housing part of one of the magnetostrictive portion and the magnetic portion, and a magnet portion including a magnet and fixed to the magnetostrictive portion, wherein the magnetic portion is magnetically connected in parallel to the magnetostrictive portion and is fixed to the magnetostrictive portion so as to have an interval between the magnetostrictive portion and the magnetic portion, the interval being magnetically connected in series to the magnetic portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuichiro Miyauchi, Masakazu Mori, Noriyuki Chino
  • Patent number: 11941182
    Abstract: A housing of an example of an electronic apparatus has a top surface and a bottom surface and has a flat shape. A power supply section having a flat shape is a power supply section, which is a housing case capable of accommodating a battery or is a battery, and the power supply section is provided at a position inside the housing that intersects with a reference plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. A first substrate is provided parallel to the reference plane on the top surface side relative to the power supply section. A second substrate is provided parallel to the reference plane on the bottom surface side relative to the power supply section. The electronic apparatus includes at least one of a vibrator and a speaker at a position that intersects with the reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wakana Ohori, Kazuhiro Maruyama, Yoshitaka Tamura, Masaya Takei, Takahiro Sato, Koji Saito, Mitsuru Katayama
  • Patent number: 11837211
    Abstract: An acoustically driven ferromagnetic resonance (ADFMR) device includes a piezoelectric element, a pair of transducers arranged to activate the piezoelectric element to generate an acoustic wave, a magnetostrictive element arranged to receive the acoustic wave, and a readout circuit to detect one of either a change in the magnetostrictive element or a change in the acoustic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Sayeef Salahuddin, Dominic E. Labanowski
  • Patent number: 11584090
    Abstract: There is provided a an apparatus for manufacturing a display device. An apparatus for manufacturing a display device comprises a body generating ultrasonic vibration; and a horn including a horn body portion connected to the body and amplifying the ultrasonic vibration and a horn tip portion connected to the horn body portion and applying the ultrasonic vibration onto a bonding object, wherein the horn body portion includes at least one body groove surrounded by the horn body portion and completely penetrating the horn body portion in a thickness direction from the surface of the horn body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joo Nyung Jang
  • Patent number: 11522122
    Abstract: A system may include a magnetic shape memory (MSM) element having a long axis that extends from a first end of the MSM element to a second end of the MSM element. The system may further include a first solenoid, where a longitudinal axis of the first solenoid is positioned at a first angle relative to the long axis of the MSM element. The system may also include a second solenoid, where a longitudinal axis of the second solenoid is positioned at a second angle relative to the long axis of the MSM element and at a third angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the first solenoid, where the longitudinal axis of the first solenoid and the longitudinal axis of the second solenoid are not parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Boise State University
    Inventor: Peter Müllner
  • Patent number: 11519200
    Abstract: A security tag includes a tag body member, a connecting member releasably engageable with the tag body member, and a locking member having a locked position in a first thermal state configured to lock the connecting member to the tag body member, and having an unlocked position in a second thermal state configured to unlock the connecting member from the tag body member. The locking member includes a locking body comprising a shape memory alloy, and a clamping member connected to the shape memory alloy. A transition of the shape memory alloy element from the first thermal state to the second thermal state moves the clamping member from the locked position to the unlocked position, thereby enabling the connecting member to be detached from the tag body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick S. Claeys, Kelvin L. Hunter, Thomas P. Solaski, Sergio M. Perez
  • Patent number: 11497582
    Abstract: An ultrasonic unit manufacturing system and process are based on a universal ultrasonic generator unit that operates interchangeably with either one of piezoelectric and magnetostrictive ultrasonic devices, and optionally as well as with either on-off or power level control footswitches. The ultrasonic units use a generator unit having a detector that determines whether the connected device is piezoelectric or magnetostrictive, and activates the generator for the appropriate piezoelectric or magnetostrictive operating mode. The ultrasonic units so made and methods of using them are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: James Feine
  • Patent number: 11444556
    Abstract: An electrical current generating device having a sound wave force magnifying structure in the form of a force transmission pin which is longitudinally slidable within a body bore and having a proximal end of a large area for receiving sound wave forces, and having a greatly reduced area distal end which bears on a piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: John M. Leslie
  • Patent number: 11389183
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical probe has an elongate shaft and a probe head that is enlarged to extend laterally or transversely in two opposed directions relative to the shaft The head is formed with a recess or cavity facing laterally in a third direction relative to the shaft and the axis. Where the head lies in a plane, owing to its lateral enlargement or extension, the recess or cavity faces in a direction perpendicular to that plane. The recess or cavity is defined in part by an inclined floor or base surface contiguous at a proximal end with the shaft. The recess or cavity is defined in part by a peripheral wall extending only partway around the recess or cavity, along a distal side and two lateral sides thereof. The cavity or recess is closed on a proximal side by the inclined surface and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: MISONIX, LLC
    Inventors: Dan Voic, Scott Isola, Paul Mikus
  • Patent number: 11309809
    Abstract: An electrical current generating device having a sound wave force magnifying structure in the form of a force transmission pin which is longitudinally slidable within a body bore and having a proximal end of a large area for receiving sound wave forces, and having a greatly reduced area distal end which bears on a piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventor: John M Leslie
  • Patent number: 11302862
    Abstract: Exemplary practice of the present invention provides a magnetostrictive actuator characterized by linear force output and uniform magnetic biasing. A center bias magnet combined with a flux transfer tube produces a uniform magnetic bias down the length of a magnetostrictive component. Depending on the inventive embodiment, the magnetostrictive component may include one magnetostrictive element or a pair of collinear magnetostrictive elements. A center bias magnet, in combination with a flux transfer tube, drives magnetic flux through the magnetostrictive component (e.g., a series of magnetostrictive rods) in opposite directions, while surrounding drive coils apply flux in the same direction through the magnetostrictive component. The net response is substantially linear with respect to the drive coil current. The flux transfer tube applies distributed magnetic flux to the magnetostrictive component at a rate that ensures uniform magnetic flux density down the length of the magnetostrictive component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: John E. Miesner
  • Patent number: 11289643
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to electroactive material actuators (and combined sensor-actuators) having embedded magnetic particles (42) for facilitating enhanced actuation and/or sensing effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Eduard Gerard Marie Pelssers, Daan Anton Van Den Ende, Mark Thomas Johnson, Cornelis Petrus Hendriks
  • Patent number: 11275055
    Abstract: A detonation pickup testing system, comprising: (i) apparatus for coupling to at least one terminal of a detonation pickup; and (ii) a computational system, for communicating with the pickup via with the apparatus, to test at least one characteristic, excluding or in addition to DC resistance, of the detonation pickup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: OMNI IP LLC
    Inventor: Chad Alan Michaelis
  • Patent number: 11276728
    Abstract: A heterostructure includes a substrate exhibiting a piezoelectric effect, and a magnetostrictive film supported by the substrate. The magnetostrictive film includes an iron-gallium alloy. The iron-gallium alloy has a gallium composition greater than 20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of Michigan, Cornell University
    Inventors: John Thomas Heron, Peter Benjamin Meisenheimer, Darrell G. Schlom, Rachel Steinhardt
  • Patent number: 11270827
    Abstract: A magnetic transmitter including at least one magnetoelastic element, a magnetic field source, and an actuator operably coupled to the magnetoelastic element. The magnetoelastic element is oriented parallel to the magnetic field source. The magnetic field source is configured to induce a magnetic flux in the magnetoelastic element, and the actuator is configured to induce harmonic vibration in the magnetoelastic element. The magnetoelastic element is oriented parallel to the magnetic field source. The harmonic vibration of the magnetoelastic element is configured to change a net magnetic dipole of the magnetic transmitter due to magnetostriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey P. McKnight, Christopher B. Churchill, Walter S. Wall
  • Patent number: 11249105
    Abstract: A SAW-based inertial sensor incorporates a curved SAW drive resonator and graphene electrodes to increase the Coriolis force on a pillar array and generate secondary SAW waves that create a strain-induced hyperfine frequency transition in an enclosed alkali atom vapor, in conjunction with an integrated FP resonator to measure very small inertial signals corresponding to 10 ?g and 0.01°/hr, representing a dynamic range of 10 orders of magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: CORNELL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Amit Lal, Serhan Mehmet Ardanuc
  • Patent number: 11210912
    Abstract: The tactile feedback actuator generally has a stopper, a damper, a hammer path between the stopper and the damper, a coil element fixedly mounted relative to the hammer path, and a magnetic hammer guidingly mounted for movement along the hammer path. The magnetic hammer has two opposite ends. Each end of the magnetic hammer has a corresponding permanent magnet. The two permanent magnets have opposing polarities. The magnetic hammer is electromagnetically engageable by a magnetic field emitted upon activation of the coil element so as to be longitudinally slid along the hammer path in any one of two opposite directions depending on a polarity of activation of the coil element. The stopper has a striking surface adapted for stopping the magnetic hammer, and the damper is adapted for decelerating the magnetic hammer as the magnetic hammer is longitudinally slid towards the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: NANOPORT TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Jing Yin Szeto, Matthew Angle
  • Patent number: 11201534
    Abstract: A segmented secondary part of a linear motor includes at least two segments, each having a plurality of magnets attached to a yoke plate, having alternating polarity, and having a direction of magnetization perpendicular to the yoke plate. The yoke plates include an overlapping region, in which the yoke plates of adjacent segments are superposed in the direction of magnetization but do not touch each other in the overlapping region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: ETEL S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre Alexandre Bischoff, Loïc Moreno, Sylwia Szczukiewicz, Valerio Tamellini
  • Patent number: 11143965
    Abstract: An optical lithography system for patterning semiconductor devices and a method of using the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes an optical path; a prism disposed on the optical path; a lens disposed on the optical path; and a tunable mirror disposed on the optical path, the tunable mirror including a mirror having a concave surface at a front-side thereof; a rear support attached to a backside of the mirror; and a plurality of fine-adjustment screws extending from the rear support to the backside of the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Jui Kuo, Ting-Yang Yu, Ming-Tan Lee
  • Patent number: 11105922
    Abstract: A system is provided for imaging an underwater environment. The system includes a transducer assembly with at least one transmit transducer element and an array of receive transducer elements. Each receive transducer element is configured to receive sonar returns and form sonar return data. A sonar signal processor is configured to receive the sonar return data from each receive transducer element and generate sonar image data. The sonar return data from all of the receive transducer elements may be summed and used to form a high-definition 1D (e.g., time-based) sonar image. The sonar return data from only a subgroup may be summed and used to form a lower-definition 1D sonar image. In some systems, an array of series-connected transmit transducer elements can be used. The orientation of the emitting faces of the array may vary slightly to mimic a curved surface for increased beam coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: NAVICO HOLDING AS
    Inventors: Barry Antao, Alan Proctor, Jayme Caspall
  • Patent number: 11088435
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to using cobalt (Co) to fine tune the magnetic properties, such as permeability and magnetic loss, of nickel-zinc ferrites to improve the material performance in electronic applications. The method comprises replacing nickel (Ni) with sufficient Co+2 such that the relaxation peak associated with the Co+2 substitution and the relaxation peak associated with the nickel to zinc (Ni/Zn) ratio are into near coincidence. When the relaxation peaks overlap, the material permeability can be substantially maximized and magnetic loss substantially minimized. The resulting materials are useful and provide superior performance particularly for devices operating at the 13.56 MHz ISM band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael David Hill, David Bowie Cruickshank, Kelvin Mitchell Anderson
  • Patent number: 10998495
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided which comprises: a ferromagnetic (FM) region with magnetostrictive (MS) property; a piezo-electric (PZe) region adjacent to the FM region; and a magnetoelectric region adjacent to the FM region. An apparatus is provided which comprises: a FM region with MS property; a PZe region adjacent to the FM region; and a magnetoelectric region, wherein the FM region is at least partially adjacent to the magnetoelectric region. An apparatus is provided which comprises: a FM region with MS property; a PZe region adjacent to the FM region; a magnetoelectric region being adjacent to the FM and PZe regions; a first electrode adjacent to the FM and PZe regions; a second electrode adjacent to the magnetoelectric region; a spin orbit coupling (SOC) region adjacent to the magnetoelectric region; and a third electrode adjacent to the SOC region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Chia-Ching Lin, Sasikanth Manipatruni, Dmitri E. Nikonov, Ian A. Young
  • Patent number: 10944340
    Abstract: A power generation element uses an inverse magnetostrictive effect and includes: a frame yoke made of a magnetic material and having a bent part for forming a closed magnetic circuit, a magnetic part formed in a part of the frame yoke, a magnetostrictive plate made of a magnetostrictive material, a coil, and magnets. The magnetic part has rigidity and geometry for applying a uniform compressive force or tensile force to the magnetostrictive plate and is magnetically saturated by magnetic biases of the magnets. The magnetostrictive plate is attached to the frame yoke so as to be parallel to the magnetic part. The coil is wound around a parallel beam part including the magnetostrictive plate and the magnetic part and/or around the frame yoke. An application of an external force causes the magnetostrictive plate to be extended and compressed and causes the generation of electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KANAZAWA UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Ueno
  • Patent number: 10869127
    Abstract: Amplifier architecture that allows low-cost class-D audio amplifiers to be compatible with ultrasonic signals, as well as loads presented by thin-film ultrasonic transducers. The amplifier architecture replaces the traditional capacitor used as an output filter in the class-D amplifier with the natural capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer load, and employs relative impedance magnitudes to create an under-damped low-pass filter that boosts voltage in the ultrasonic frequency band of interest. The amplifier architecture includes a secondary feedback loop to ensure that correct output voltage levels are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Inventor: Frank Joseph Pompei
  • Patent number: 10809315
    Abstract: A calibration apparatus is configured to calibrate a magnetostrictive sensor. The magnetostrictive sensor is configured to measure an object and comprises a sensing element positioned adjacent to the object. The calibration apparatus comprises an estimation device and a calibrator. The estimation device is configured to estimate at least one of a gap between the sensing element and the object and a temperature of the object to obtain at least one of an estimated gap and an estimated temperature, based on geometric information, an excitation signal and an output signal of the magnetostrictive sensor, and geometric information of the object. The calibrator is configured to reduce an effect on the output signal of the magnetostrictive sensor imposed by variations in the at least one of the gap and the temperature, based on the at least one of the estimated gap and the estimated temperature, to obtain a calibrated output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ronghui Zhou, Pekka Tapani Sipila, Dan Tho Lu, Xu Fu
  • Patent number: 10781509
    Abstract: The invention relates to non-Joulian magnetostriction (NJM) materials comprising transition metals, such as iron alloy magnets with non-Joulian magnetostriction (NJM). The invention also relates to reversibly linear non-dissipative transition metals magnets. The materials are capable of simultaneously large actuation in longitudinal and transverse directions, without simultaneous heat loss. The invention relates as well to methods of making non-Joulian magnetostriction (NJM) materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Temple University—Of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Harsh Deep Chopra, Manfred Wuttig
  • Patent number: 10768149
    Abstract: An apparatus for improving transmission directivity according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a phased array probe including a channel 1 transducer and a channel 2 transducer which are arranged at intervals corresponding to a quarter wavelength at a center frequency of a guided wave pulse for long-range ultrasonic testing, and a drive unit which supplies electric pulses with opposite phases to the channel 1 transducer and the channel 2 transducer of the channel 1 transducer and the channel 2 transducer, which is disposed on the front end on the basis of an intended transmission direction, is driven with delay by a time corresponding to a quarter frequency of the center frequency than the other transducer disposed on the rear end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignees: RESEARCH COOPERATION FOUNDATION OF YEUNGNAM UNIVERSITY, DIGITAL ULTRASONICS CO. LTD
    Inventor: Myoung-Seon Choi
  • Patent number: 10715021
    Abstract: A mobile capsule device 10 comprises a long capsule body 11 having a permanent magnet 13 movable in the lengthwise direction with respect to the long capsule body and a coil for driving the permanent magnet 13, while a propulsion force is generated entirely by applying an alternate current to the coil and performing back and forth movements of the permanent magnet 13. The coil has first and second coil parts 15 and 16 arranged circumferentially in front and back of the permanent magnet 13, and a frequency of an alternate current applied to the first and second coil parts 15 and 16 is made to accord with a resonance frequency of the capsule device 10 generated by a back and forth vibration of the permanent magnet 13. Thereby, a self-propelled, mobile capsule device 10 which is downsized, compact and efficient and a control method thereof can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: KYUSHU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Takahiro Ito, Sunao Murakami
  • Patent number: 10702296
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body assembly, an acoustic waveguide, an ultrasonic blade, and a liquid dispensing feature. The ultrasonic blade is positioned distally relative to the body assembly. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The liquid dispensing feature is positioned distally relative to the body assembly. The liquid dispensing feature is positioned adjacent to the ultrasonic blade. The liquid dispensing feature is configured to deliver a flow of cooling liquid to the ultrasonic blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Kevin Bash, David A. Witt, Cory G. Kimball
  • Patent number: 10605239
    Abstract: The pump unit comprises a pump including a piezoelectric element and a discharge mechanism for discharging fluid according to operation of the piezoelectric element, and a valve mechanism attached to the pump. The discharge mechanism and the valve mechanism are separately formed by joining a plurality of metal layer pieces stacked in a predetermined stacking direction by diffusion welding, and are secured to each other by diffusion welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: DAIKEN MEDICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Uruma, Yasunari Kabasawa, Eulhyun Kim
  • Patent number: 10595931
    Abstract: A liquid feeder mounted on a treatment instrument, includes: a main tube that is arranged along a long member of the treatment instrument in which a longitudinal axis is defined and that is configured to flow a liquid to an outer circumference of the long member; a connection section that is arranged on a proximal end side of the main tube along the longitudinal axis and that is configured to connect an interior of the main tube and an interior of a liquid feed channel from a liquid source; and a fixing section that is arranged in the connection section and that is configured to fix the connection section to a handle unit arranged at a proximal end of the long member and grasped by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mizuki Komiya, Kazunori Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 10581345
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuator based on a magnetic shape memory alloy (MSMA), a new family of crystalline materials which exhibit strain deformation >10% when subjected to a magnetic field. Electromagnetic fields can be applied with very short response times, making MSMA-based actuators kHz capable. These materials have the unique property of retaining their strained state when the driving field is removed, making them unique in the world of shape memory materials, and desirable as an actuator material as they will maintain position when powered off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventor: Umeshkumar D. Patel
  • Patent number: 10516350
    Abstract: Provided is a power generator 1. The power generator includes two magnetostrictive rods 2 arranged side by side and formed on a magnetostrictive material, coils 3 respectively wound around the magnetostrictive rods 2 and a beam member 73 having a function of generating stress in the two magnetostrictive rods 2. The power generator 1 is configured so that elastic energy stored in the beam member 73 is larger than elastic energy stored in each of the magnetostrictive rods 2 when tip end portions of the two magnetostrictive rods 2 and the beam member 73 are displaced with respect to base end portions of the two magnetostrictive rods 2 and the beam member 73 to deform the two magnetostrictive rods 2 and the beam member 73.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Furukawa, Takayuki Numakunai
  • Patent number: 10498180
    Abstract: A stator magnetic core and manufacturing process thereof and brushless motor comprising the stator magnetic core, wherein the stator magnetic core is made of iron-based amorphous material containing Co and V, and the composition of the iron-based amorphous material by weight percentage is: Co 0.8-1.4%, V 0.6-1.2%, B 2.7-3.3%, Si 6.5-8%, and Fe for the rest. A brushless DC motor, comprising a rotor spindle, a front end cover, a housing, a stator magnetic core and a rear end cover, wherein the stator magnetic core is assembled inside the housing, a stator coil is disposed inside the stator magnetic core, and the stator magnetic core and the stator core don't contact each other and an insulating layer is formed between them. The stator magnetic core in the present invention is made of iron-based amorphous material containing Co and V. Through addition of Co and V elements, the stator magnetic core refines crystalline grain and raises material toughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: CANAS SUN, INC.
    Inventor: Hongxin Liang
  • Patent number: 10488278
    Abstract: A sensor is configured to detect a tensile, compressive and/or bending forces acting on a carrier (1, 1?) of the sensor. The carrier (1,1?) has at least one planar magnetizable surface (2). The sensor (13) comprises at least two sensor coils (12, 15) which are arranged at a predetermined angle to a longitudinal axis (14) of the carrier (1, 1?). The sensor (13) may be positioned on either side of the carrier (1, 1?). The sensor (13) is capable of detecting changes of the magnetisation due to tensile, compressive and/or bending forces acting on the carrier (1, 1?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: METHODE ELECTRONICS MALTA LTD.
    Inventor: Johannes Gießibl
  • Patent number: 10463381
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical probe has an elongate shaft and a probe head that is enlarged to extend laterally or transversely in two opposed directions relative to the shaft The head is formed with a recess or cavity facing laterally in a third direction relative to the shaft and the axis. Where the head lies in a plane, owing to its lateral enlargement or extension, the recess or cavity faces in a direction perpendicular to that plane. The recess or cavity is defined in part by an inclined floor or base surface contiguous at a proximal end with the shaft. The recess or cavity is defined in part by a peripheral wall extending only partway around the recess or cavity, along a distal side and two lateral sides thereof. The cavity or recess is closed on a proximal side by the inclined surface and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: MISONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Dan Voic, Scott Isola, Paul Mikus
  • Patent number: 10447135
    Abstract: An energy harvesting device for generating electrical power from low-frequency oscillations includes a high-frequency cantilever, a plurality of low-frequency cantilevers each configured to contact the high-frequency cantilever in response to environmental vibrations having a frequency within a near-resonance frequency range associated with said low-frequency cantilever, an a generator that produces electrical power in response to contact between at least one of the plurality of low-frequency cantilevers and the high-frequency cantilever. The energy harvesting device may also include an impact mass coupled to a free end of each of the plurality of low-frequency cantilevers. Some aspects may include a common base to which the high-frequency cantilever and the plurality of low-frequency cantilevers are coupled. Other aspects may include the generator comprising one or more of an induction coil and magnet, a variable distance capacitor, or a piezo-electric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventors: Nuh Sadi Yuksek, Mahmoud Almasri
  • Patent number: 10424717
    Abstract: An actuator device having an expansion unit, which has a magnetic shape memory alloy material (MSM), is configured to interact with a preferably non-magnetic ram unit and executes an expansion movement in an actuating direction as a reaction to an introduced magnetic flow, the expansion unit being oriented towards the ram unit along a longitudinal axis defined by the expansion direction, and being intended to exert an actuating force on said ram unit, wherein the ram unit is guided on the casing side in an associated housing section of the actuator unit, wherein an end section of the expansion unit and/or end section of the ram unit, the end section being realized in a transition region between the expansion unit and the ram unit, is configured such that, at least during the exertion of the actuating force along the longitudinal axis, an overlap that effects a form- and/or force-fit transversely to the longitudinal axis arises in the transition region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: ETO MAGNETIC GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Schiepp, Markus Laufenberg
  • Patent number: 10418541
    Abstract: A low-cost magnetostrictive torque sensor having a high sensitivity is obtained. A torque sensor 10 includes a substrate 12, a magnetostrictive portion 26, a magnetostrictive portion 28, a detection coil 18a, a detection coil 18b, a detection circuit 48, and a detection circuit 50. The substrate 12 has a tubular shape. Each of the magnetostrictive portions 26 and 28 is constituted by a plating film and disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate 12. The detection coil 18a generates a magnetic flux passing through the magnetostrictive portion 26. The detection coil 18b generates a magnetic flux passing through the magnetostrictive portion 28. Each of the detection circuits 48 and 50 detects a potential between the detection coil 18a and the detection coil 18b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Matsumoto, Satomi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 10397708
    Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a first piezoelectric layer which has a first polarization axis direction in a thickness direction of the first piezoelectric layer and is made of AlN. A second piezoelectric layer made of GeAlN which is deposited on the first piezoelectric layer and has a second polarization axis direction opposite to the first polarization axis direction. A first electrode is provided on a side of the first piezoelectric layer which is opposite from a side where the second piezoelectric layer is disposed. A second electrode provided on a side of the second piezoelectric layer which is opposite from a side where the first piezoelectric layer is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiichi Umeda, Takaaki Mizuno
  • Patent number: 10364760
    Abstract: An engine control unit includes an extracting portion acquiring a sound or vibration of an engine from external and extracting vibration components of frequency bands each of which including a resonant frequency of a vibration mode, a waveform synthesis portion synthesizing the vibration components extracted by the extracting portion to generate a synthesis vibration waveform, a calculation portion calculating a time average value by averaging the synthesis vibration waveform in a predetermined time, a peak detection portion detecting a peak strength of the vibration component of the frequency band including a lowest resonant frequency, a storage portion previously storing a first threshold and a second threshold, and a determination portion determining an existence of a knocking and whether a knock level is a first knock level or a second knock level, by comparing the time average value with the first threshold and comparing the peak strength with the second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masafumi Umeno
  • Patent number: 10367433
    Abstract: A power generating apparatus includes a power generating element, a lever mechanism including a force point, a support point, and an action point, a first magnetic body disposed on the lever mechanism, and a second magnetic body having magnetic characteristics of being attracted to the first magnetic body. Upon the lever mechanism being pressed, the action point applies a load to the power generating portion and the first magnetic body approaches the second magnetic body while being attracted to the second magnetic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kouhei Takahashi, Chikahiro Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 10320275
    Abstract: An electric generator includes a first magnet, a second magnet, and a first electric conductor. The first magnet may include a first surface. The second magnet may include a second surface having a same polarity as the first surface of the first magnet, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are oriented such the first surface of the first magnet is opposite of the second surface of the second magnet. The first electric conductor may be positioned in a space between the first surface of the first magnet and the second surface of the second magnet such that the electric generator provides an electric current as a result of a movement of the second magnet relative to the first magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: Charles Brent Curry
  • Patent number: 10312833
    Abstract: A power generator 1 includes a magnetostrictive rod 2 through which lines of magnetic force pass in an axial direction thereof, a beam member 73 having a function of generating stress in the magnetostrictive rod 2, and a coil 3 arranged so that the lines of magnetic force pass inside the coil 3 in an axial direction of the coil 3. The beam member 73 is arranged along the magnetostrictive rod 2 and configured to allow one end portion and the other end portion of the magnetostrictive rod 2 to approach to each other to generate compressive stress in the magnetostrictive rod 2. Further, in the power generator 1, it is preferable that a gap between the beam member 73 and the magnetostrictive rod 2 on the side of the one end portion of the magnetostrictive rod 2 is larger than a gap between the beam member 73 and the magnetostrictive rod 2 on the side of the other one end portion of the magnetostrictive rod 2 in a side view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD
    Inventors: Kenichi Furukawa, Takayuki Numakunai
  • Patent number: 10286510
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tool system including a drive for driving a tool holder including an electromagnetic generator for generating electrical energy from inertial energy of the tool holder. The tool holder may be driven in rotation, wherein the electromagnetic generator comprises a rotor part, which is rotatably mounted on the tool holder, and a stator part on the tool holder cooperating with each other for generating a voltage by electromagnetic induction. Alternatively, an axially movable inertial mass can be used for utilization of an oscillating linear movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: BILZ WERKZEUGFABRIK GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Fronius, Rudolf Bader, Ulrich Zierer
  • Patent number: 10281346
    Abstract: A magnetostrictive sensor capable of obtaining both enhanced productivity and reduced variations in outputs can be obtained. A torque sensor includes a substrate and a plating film disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate. The substrate includes a plating portion, masking portions, and tilt portions and. An outer peripheral surface of the plating portion is a surface parallel to a shaft center of the substrate in a side cross-sectional view. Outer peripheral surfaces of the tilt portions are slopes tilted relative to the shaft center in the side cross-sectional view. The plating film is formed on a plating surface and slopes in such a manner that end portions in the axial direction are located on the slopes. The plating film on the slopes has a thickness smaller than the thickness of the plating film on the plating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Matsumoto, Satomi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 10260486
    Abstract: A system may include an actuation member having a first end and a second end. A length of the actuation member is greater than a width of the actuation member. The length extends from the first end to the second end along a longitudinal axis when the actuation member is undeformed. The actuation member may include a magnetic shape memory alloy. The system may further include an anchor retaining the first end of the actuation member. The second end of the actuation member may be free to move laterally to the longitudinal axis in response to a deformation of the actuation member. The system may also include a magnetic field source in proximity to the actuation member. The magnetic field source may be configurable to alter a magnetic field applied to the actuation member to adjust the extent of deformation of the actuation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Peter Mullner, David C. Dunand, Nikole J. Kucza, Peiqi Zheng
  • Patent number: 10254424
    Abstract: Acoustic particle metamaterials in Smart Proppants reflect sound waves at distinct frequency ranges when receiving sounds from an above ground or in-ground source. Sound receivers at separated locations receive the reflected sound waves at distinct times, providing information on location of the Smart Proppants, which are mixed with conventional proppants. The Smart Proppants prevent transmission of waves at precise ranges of frequencies and reflect those waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Oceanit Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Freas Pollock, Vinod P. Veedu, Christopher J. Sullivan, Glen Nakafuji