Pivoted Or Flat-spring Armature Patents (Class 310/32)
  • Patent number: 11622784
    Abstract: Arthroscopic cutters are used for resecting tissues, such as meniscal tissues, in meniscectomies or other arthroscopic procedures. The arthroscopic cutters have a shaft assembly with openable-closeable jaws at a working end of the shaft. A handpiece having a motor drive may be detachably coupled to a hub on a hub end of the handpiece. When the shaft is coupled to the handpiece, the motor drive will couple to the jaw structure to open and close the jaw structure to cut meniscal and other tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Relign Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Germain, Jeffrey Norton, Salvatore G. Mangano, Michael D. Walker, Steffan Benamou
  • Patent number: 11276540
    Abstract: A yoke assembly for a magnetic switching device comprises a pair of pole faces including a first pole face and a second pole face, a first element, and a second element. The first element has a first section and a second section extending in a direction perpendicular to the first section and forming a part of the second pole face. The second element has a first section extending parallel to the first section of the first element in a mounted state. The second element forms a protrusion of the second pole face projecting beyond the second section of the first element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Gutmann, Philipp Harrer, Bernd Wesely
  • Patent number: 11159008
    Abstract: A mobile application including a motive power circuit including a power storage device and an electrical load; a power distribution unit (PDU) electrically interposed between the power storage device and the electrical load, wherein the PDU includes a breaker/relay positioned on one of a high side and a low side of the power storage device; wherein the breaker/relay includes: a fixed contact electrically coupled to the power bus; a movable contact selectively electrically coupled to the fixed contact; an armature operationally coupled to the movable contact; a first biasing member biasing the armature into one of the first position or the second position; and a means for selecting a down force value of the movable contact, thereby providing for a physical opening response of the breaker/relay in response to a selected current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Brandon William Fisher
  • Patent number: 9964174
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator for an active vibration isolation system, the electromagnetic actuator includes: a fixed core; a movable core that is opposed to the fixed core and is joined to a vibration member; and a coil unit having coils that surround part of the fixed core and the movable core. The movable core and the vibration member are vibrated in a reciprocating manner by energization to the coils, and the coils include a main coil to which an alternating current with a waveform corresponding to vibrations of a vibration generation source is input and a sub-coil that amplifies magnetic flux generated by the main coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: KEIHIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ken Motohashi
  • Patent number: 8624450
    Abstract: A linear vibration device is disclosed. The linear vibration device includes a housing, a plurality of elastic members received in the housing, each of the elastic member has a fastening portion connecting to the housing, an elastic arm extending from the fastening portion, and a mounting portion extending from the elastic arm, a moving unit suspended in the housing by the elastic members, a coil located below the moving unit, a supporting portion coupling to the elastic member, the supporting portion has a supporting plate covering at least a part of a top surface of the moving unit and a supporting arm extending downwardly from the supporting plate for pushing the mounting portion toward the positioning portion of the moving unit, the mounting portion has a fender defining a top part above the top surface of the moving unit for restricting the position of the supporting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignees: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., American Audio Components Inc.
    Inventors: Le-Ping Dong, Hong-Fu Xu, Shi Zhou
  • Patent number: 8492937
    Abstract: An electromechanical generator for converting mechanical vibrational energy into electrical energy, the electromechanical generator comprising a housing, an electrically conductive coil assembly movably mounted in the housing, the coil assembly having radially inner and outer sides, and upper and lower edges, thereof, a mount for the coil assembly extending inwardly of the radially inner side for mounting the coil assembly for linear vibrational motion along an axis about, a first biasing device mounted between the housing and the mount to bias the electrically conductive coil assembly in opposed directions along the axis towards a central coil position, a magnetic core assembly movably mounted in the housing for linear vibrational motion along the axis, and a second biasing device mounted between the housing and the magnetic core assembly to bias the magnetic core assembly in opposed directions along the axis towards a central magnet position, wherein the magnetic core assembly encloses the electrically cond
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Perpetuum Ltd
    Inventor: Stephen Roberts
  • Patent number: 8354762
    Abstract: A spring plate includes an engaging portion, a connecting portion, a first elastic portion, a second elastic portion, a first fixing portion, and a second fixing portion. The first elastic portion and the second elastic portion are connected to the engaging portion and the connecting portion, the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion are formed on opposite ends of the connecting portion. The engaging portion defines a recess. The present disclosure further provides a voice coil motor using the spring plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun-Fan Chiang
  • Patent number: 8196895
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuation device (5) for shifting an actuation member (4) between two end positions, in particular for controlling a gas flow in an internal combustion engine, with an armature (13) which is mounted in a stator (14) such that it can move between two end positions in a pivoting manner about a pivot axis (7) and which is connected or can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the actuation member (4), with at least one electromagnet (10), which is arranged on or in the stator (14), for generating electromagnetic attractive forces, with at least one first stator-side bearing face (18), against which a first contact face (20) of the armature (13) bears when the armature (13) is in the first end position, and with at least one second stator-side bearing face (19), against which a second contact face (21) of the armature (13) bears when the armature (13) is in the second end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Baumbach, René Dingelstadt, Alfred Elsäβer, Patric Genieser, Georg Kaltwasser, Martin Helmis
  • Patent number: 7898122
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetic actuator comprised of a mobile assembly, a fixed ferromagnetic stator assembly, at least one electric field coil, and of at least one permanent magnet, having two stable positions of equilibrium without current at its ends of travel. The invention is characterized in that the mobile assembly has two distinct ferromagnetic armatures placed on both sides of the stator assembly and each forms, together with the stator assembly, at least one magnetic circuit, and is characterized in that the permanent magnet magnetically cooperates with one of the other ferromagnetic mobile parts in a stable position of equilibrium without current at the end of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Moving Magnet Technologies (MMT)
    Inventors: Gael Andrieux, Stephane Biwersi
  • Patent number: 7868492
    Abstract: A flexure for an electromagnetic nano-positioning linear actuator having a support and an actuating body, the flexure comprising: a first resilient end for attaching to the support; a second resilient end for attaching to the actuating body; and a substantially rigid intermediate portion located between the first resilient end and the second resilient end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Tat Joo Teo, Guilin Yang
  • Patent number: 7623012
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromagnetic actuator drive (1) for adjusting an actuator drive among at least three positions, comprising a soft magnetic armature (2) which is drive-coupled to the final controlling element and has a plurality of armature faces (5, 6), a plurality of soft magnetic pole elements (7) having a plurality of pole faces (8, 9) on which the armature faces (5, 6) come to rest in two end positions of the armature (2) a restore position (10) which drives the armature (2) by spring force into a horizontal starting position, and a holding device (11) with the help of which the armature (2) can be secured in its end positions by electromagnetic forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Baumbach, Frank Beyer, Alfred Elsässer, Eberhard Kallenbach, Rainer Otto, Wolfgang Schilling, Jan Schmidt, Dietmar Türpe
  • Patent number: 7482902
    Abstract: The invention relates to a linear magnetic drive consisting of an iron core and a coil. A yoke and a constant magnet are connected to a movable armature. When the armature is placed in a first terminal position, it is supported by magnetic forces produced by the constant magnet and the yoke which is used as a bridge in the iron bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marcus Kampf, Carsten Protze
  • Patent number: 7239052
    Abstract: A magnetic actuator. A yoke includes a first opening and a second opening, a frame, and a path. A first magnet is disposed in the first opening in the vicinity of the frame. A second magnet is disposed in the second opening in the vicinity of the frame. A coil comprises a wire surrounding the path. A light shield is connected to an end of the coil. A guiding element disposed outside the path is connected to an end of the coil. When current passes through the coil, the coil moves along the path by magnetic induction between the first magnet and the second magnet such that the iris diaphragm is adjustable by the light shield. When there is no current through the coil, dynamic force produced by the guiding element returns the light shield to its original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chii-How Chang, Sean Chang
  • Patent number: 7148590
    Abstract: An improved hybrid variable reluctance linear forcer design of the type known as a Sawyer motor forcer is provided with a 6-phase magnetic design. The 6-phase magnetic design has reduced force ripple compared to existing 2/4-phase and 3-phase designs providing smoother motion with lower velocity ripple. Three identical electromagnets each having four salient toothed poles with each pole being spaced at a unique 30 degree phase increment form a 12-pulse force function equivalent to a 6-phase motor. The electromagnets are provided with split-phase windings, which enable balanced 3-phase amplifiers to drive 6-phase coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventor: Clark E. Lampson
  • Patent number: 6956453
    Abstract: A magnetic bi-stable latch with an upper stator and a lower stator, a rotor between the upper stator and lower stator and adapted for rotation between a first latched position and a second latched position. Each of the stators is a magnetic assembly having at least two inner poles and two outer poles of magnetic material, and at least one stator further having a coil disposed in relation to the inner pole and the outer pole to form an electromagnet. The stators are positioned such that the outer poles of the upper stator align with the inner poles of the lower stator and the inner poles of the upper stator align with the outer poles of the lower stator. The rotor has permanent magnets mounted thereon such that in the first latched position the permanent magnets are aligned with poles of the upper and lower stators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Osterberg
  • Patent number: 6859120
    Abstract: An optical switch using Risley prisms and rotary microactuators to independently rotate the wedge prisms of each Risley prism pair is disclosed. The optical switch comprises an array of input Risley prism pairs that selectively redirect light beams from a plurality of input ports to an array of output Risley prism pairs that similarly direct the light beams to a plurality of output ports. Each wedge prism of each Risley prism pair can be independently rotated by a variable-reluctance stepping rotary microactuator that is fabricated by a multi-layer LIGA process. Each wedge prism can be formed integral to the annular rotor of the rotary microactuator by a DXRL process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: William C. Sweatt, Todd R. Christenson
  • Patent number: 6667678
    Abstract: An actuator is constructed so that the rotor is rotated within the range of a preset angle in a direction corresponding to the direction of current supply to the stator coil. The rotor includes a column-shaped permanent magnet having surfaces perpendicular to a center line of rotation and a surface surrounding the center line of rotation and a frame body configured integrally with the permanent magnet. The frame body covers two center portions of rotation of the permanent magnet and the surface surrounding the center line of rotation of the permanent magnet so that a plurality of exposed surfaces are provided. Each of areas in which these center portions of rotation are covered is provided with a journal supported by the bearing of the stator, and a portion extending in the radial direction from one of the center portions of rotation is provided with the out-put pin to be parallel to the center line of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Tomio Kurosu, Toshiaki Takei
  • 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: 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: 4673833
    Abstract: An electromagnetic vibratory exciter for use in vibratory equipment incorporates a free mass housed in an elongate housing having electromagnets mounted inboard at each end of the housing. The free mass is totally enclosed and carries a pair of armatures for cooperation with the electromagnets. An air gap is maintained during operation between the electromagnets and the armatures through the use of compression elements interposed between the electromagnet housing and the armatures of the free mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur L. Dean, Robert E. Kraft, Kenneth M. Marshall
  • Patent number: 4534714
    Abstract: A fluid operating device including a cylinder assembly with a cylinder bore and a pair of pistons slidably disposed therein. A plurality of electromagnets are mounted on each piston in opposed relation and extend the pistons by magnetic repulsion when energized. Inlet and outlet valves are provided in the cylinder and include permanent magnet valve members which open and close the valves upon energization and de-energization of the electromagnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Inventor: Raymond H. Smith
  • Patent number: 4494023
    Abstract: A magnetic motor machine is provided in a compact housing and comprises a pair of electromagnetics rigidly attached within said housing in spaced apart relationship. Electronic circuits and power supplies are provided for each of said electromagnetics. The electronic circuits and power supplies have turn-on switches as well as a micro switch which, upon activation of same, alternatively makes and breaks the circuits for each of the electromagnetics. A yoke is positioned between the electromagnetics by a support shaft which is mounted on a bearing for movement thereabout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Inventor: Raymond Cook
  • Patent number: 4378510
    Abstract: An accelerometer comprising a piezoelectric device hard mounted to the gate electrode of a field effect transistor, thus avoiding the capacitance of an interconnecting coaxial cable connection and providing, therefore, improved frequency response in a smaller, more efficient package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1983
    Assignee: Motorola Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Bennett
  • Patent number: 4228373
    Abstract: A pair of spaced, toroidal-shaped, electromagnetic coils, when supplied with alternating DC current, cause a floating armature to reciprocate therebetween. The armature itself includes a second pair of back to back, toroidal-shaped electromagnetic coils mounted on a non-conductive linear output drive rod which extends through an opening in at least one of the first mentioned pair of coils to deliver the force generated by the reciprocating armature to a suitable force transmitting mechanism. The armature floats between the first pair of electromagnets and is so positioned with respect thereto that its path of movement is totally between the two opposed electromagnetic coils and never enters the central opening formed therein, whereby frictional losses are eliminated, the strength of the magnetic flux field is maximized and the magnetic force generated by each electromagnet acts more consistently over the entire armature throughout its path of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Inventor: William S. Funderburg
  • Patent number: 4184088
    Abstract: In an apparatus which is driven by an electric motor, for example, a dry-shaving apparatus or the like, which consists of a basic appliance on which a structural unit equipped with a tool can be placed and which comprises an appliance element which performs a reciprocatory oscillating movement, which element is movably guided in the direction of the oscillating movement by means of springs, the springs are also used for cooperation with catches by means of which the structural unit is detachably secured to the basic appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1980
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond Richert
  • Patent number: 4179631
    Abstract: A pair of spaced, toroidal-shaped, electromagnetic coils are enclosed in a cylindrical housing and when supplied with alternating D.C. current, cause a floating armature to reciprocate therebetween. The armature includes a non-conductive linear output drive rod secured thereto and extending therefrom through the central opening in at least one of the electromagnetic coils to deliver the force generated by the reciprocating armature to a suitable force transmitting mechanism. The armature floats within the cylindrical housing and is so positioned with respect to the electromagnets, that its path of movement is totally between the two opposed electromagnets and never enters the central opening formed therein, whereby frictional losses are eliminated, the strength of the magnetic flux field is maximized, and the magnetic force generated by each electromagnet acts more consistently over the entire armature throughout its path of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1979
    Inventor: William S. Funderburg
  • Patent number: 4016439
    Abstract: A magnetically activated oscillatory motor comprises a pendulum pivotally mounted on mounting means, a pendulum magnet mounted on the pendulum with its poles aligned in the direction of pendulum movement, and first and second electromagnets mounted on the mounting means with their poles aligned to face like poles of the pendulum magnet. An electric circuit includes electric power means and electric switch means, which are associated with the first and second electromagnets to control the flow of current thereto. The electric switch means are mounted on the mounting means in a manner to be engaged by the pendulum when it is near the extremities of its swing to pass current to those electromagnets then adjacent the pendulum repelling the like polarity pole of the pendulum magnet. Thus the pendulum is driven downwardly alternately from the opposite ends of its swing to maintain pendulum oscillation. Drive means is connected to the pendulum to transmit its oscillatory motion to a driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1977
    Inventor: Francis R. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 3950660
    Abstract: An ultrasonic nondestructive testing system and a contact-type, ultrasonic search unit for use in connection therewith are disclosed. The ultrasonic search unit includes a transducer crystal for receiving and transmitting ultrasonic energy, a housing in which the crystal is mounted, a dampening backing compound, and a wear-resistant cylindrical member or ring disposed within the housing and in which the crystal is mounted to provide a hard, durable, long-lasting contact face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1972
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1976
    Assignee: Automation Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry T. McElroy