Oscillating Patents (Class 310/36)
  • Patent number: 8816565
    Abstract: A two-dimensional comb-drive actuator and manufacturing method thereof are described. The two-dimensional comb-drive actuator includes a supporting base, a frame and a movable body. The supporting base has first comb electrodes and the frame has internal comb electrodes and external comb electrodes. The external comb electrodes of the frame are interdigitated to the first comb electrodes of the supporting base. The movable body has second comb electrodes which are interdigitated to the internal comb electrodes of the frame. The thicknesses of the second comb electrodes of the movable body are unequal to the internal comb electrodes of the frame and the external comb electrodes of the frame are unequal to the first comb electrodes of the supporting base. The two-dimensional comb-drive actuator utilizes a conducting layer for the above-mentioned comb electrodes in order to increase the rotation angle and operation frequency thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Opus Microsystems Corporation
    Inventors: Chang-li Hung, Ta-wei Lin
  • Patent number: 8810083
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetic drive (11), which is connected or can be connected to an open-loop control device or closed-loop control device (54) and together with the latter can form an electromagnetic drive installation. The electromagnetic drive (11) contains a hollow-cylindrical drive coil (12), in which an armature (14) can be driven in each case from one to the other of two end stations (26, 28) or back by an electromagnetic pulse of the drive coil (12). Holding means (40, 42), preferably permanent magnets, hold the armature (14) in the end station respectively reached until the electromagnetic pulse is generated once again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Gerhard Kirstein
  • Patent number: 8792152
    Abstract: An actuator includes a movable section swinging around a predetermined swing axis, a connecting section extending from the movable section, and being torsionally deformed in accordance with swing of the movable section, a support section supporting the connecting section, a magnet being disposed on a plate surface of the movable section, and a coil generating a magnetic field acting on the magnet to thereby swing the movable section, and the movable section has a cross shape in a plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Makiko Hino, Yasushi Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 8786145
    Abstract: Described herein is a ball joints universal rotary motor, a manufacturing method and a working mechanism thereof. The ball joints universal rotary motor comprises a housing, a spherical-cap shaped stator body, and a rotor body configured to be secured within the stator body. The stator body is made from a permanent magnet. The rotor body comprises multiple layers of armatures and multiple spacer layers. The multiple layers of armatures are symmetrically distributed along the axis of the rotor body. A spacer layer is provided between two adjacent layers of armatures. The multiple layers of armatures and multiple spacer layers are securely connected by a bolt. The bolt and the rotor body are axially connected. The rotor body is of a spherical shape. Each layer of the armatures is wound with two layers of coils: a first layer and a second layer. The motor as provided is configured to realize movement in multiple directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventor: Kuokwa Ho
  • Patent number: 8780429
    Abstract: A galvanoscanner including: a rotor including a shaft as a rotational center, and permanent magnets disposed around the shaft and polarized to a plurality of poles in a circumferential direction of the shaft; and a stator disposed in the outside of the rotor through a clearance and including coils, a yoke, and an outer casing so that the rotor swings in a predetermined angle range; wherein: the permanent magnets are provided with grooves which are formed in a direction of the rotation shaft so as to straddle circumferentially adjacent magnetic poles of the permanent magnets; and the permanent magnets are parted into at least two parts per pole by parting lines. Thus, the ratio of the torque constant to the moment of inertia can be improved so that the current required for driving can be reduced and reduction of power consumption at driving time can be attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Via Mechanics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Yamamoto, Akira Doi, Daisuke Matsuka, Souichi Toyama, Hiroyuki Sugawara
  • Patent number: 8729747
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for motional/vibrational energy harvesting are disclosed. Embodiments of the subject invention utilize the non-resonant chaotic behavior of a free-rolling magnet to generate power. In one embodiment, the magnet can be spherical, cylindrical, or elliptical. The magnet can roll about a linear, cylindrical, helical, or cage-like track. The changing magnetic flux due to the magnet rolling about the track induces current in surrounding coils. The coils can be provided around the track using a continuous winding placement, segmented winding placement, or fractional winding placement. Multiple coil phases are also possible. For embodiments utilizing multiple magnets, spacers can be used to maintain a separation between magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Arnold, Benjamin James Bowers
  • Publication number: 20140125153
    Abstract: Described herein is a ball joints universal rotary motor, a manufacturing method and a working mechanism thereof. The ball joints universal rotary motor comprises a housing, a spherical-cap shaped stator body, and a rotor body configured to be secured within the stator body. The stator body is made from a permanent magnet. The rotor body comprises multiple layers of armatures and multiple spacer layers. The multiple layers of armatures are symmetrically distributed along the axis of the rotor body. A spacer layer is provided between two adjacent layers of armatures. The multiple layers of armatures and multiple spacer layers are securely connected by a bolt. The bolt and the rotor body are axially connected. The rotor body is of a spherical shape. Each layer of the armatures is wound with two layers of coils: a first layer and a second layer. The motor as provided is configured to realize movement in multiple directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventor: Kuokwa Ho
  • Patent number: 8704625
    Abstract: An electromagnetic energy transducer configured to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy comprises two magnetic elements including a permanent magnetic element and a soft-magnetic element and an electrical coil. The permanent magnetic element and the soft-magnetic element are arranged to form a magnetic circuit and one of the two magnetic elements is movable in relation to the other of the two magnetic elements. The electrical coil surrounds a part of the soft magnetic element. The movable magnetic element is held in a first position by a spring force and moved into a second position by applying an external mechanical force exceeding the spring force, and at the first position the magnetic flux within the soft magnetic element is different than the flux at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: EnOcean GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8704649
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vibrotactile device intuitively providing information by inducing a tactile sense to a user, and a method using the same. The device according to an embodiment includes a vibrating contact panel contacting with a user's hand; a plurality of vibratory modules that are attached to the lower part of the vibrating contact panel and vibrate with different intensities according to the amount of supplied power; and a plurality of vibration isolating links that are coupled, respectively, to an end of each of the modules to support the modules and to isolate the vibration from the modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Dong Seok Ryu, Sung Chul Kang, Gi Hun Yang
  • Patent number: 8680723
    Abstract: A linear actuator includes a stationary part, a movable part moveably supported by the stationary part, and at least one elastic member disposed between the movable part and the stationary part. The stationary part includes a stator core with a pair of teeth extending inwardly there from, and a winding wound on each of the teeth. The movable part disposed between the teeth includes two pairs of permanent magnetic poles respectively facing the teeth and an output shaft projecting in a first direction. When the windings are electrified, the stationary part generates a magnetic field which interacts with the permanent magnetic poles to reciprocate the movable part relative to the stationary part in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: Arunkumar Subramanian, HongTao Wang, JinHui Huang
  • Patent number: 8682396
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration module for a portable terminal that includes a housing, a magnetic moving part movable in a first direction within the housing; an elastic member supported between the opposite ends of the magnetic moving part and inner walls of the housing, and a solenoid coil provided in the housing. The vibration module is positioned at one end of the moving section by the magnetic force of the magnetic moving part and an object around the magnetic moving part, allowing the vibration module to provide a user with a feeling similar to a click feeling via the acceleration produced at a stopping instant. In addition, when vibrating, the vibration module generates sufficient vibration power through acceleration at the instant of changing moving direction at the ends of the moving section, to provide an alarm function, such as an incoming call notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Tae-Heon Yang, Yu-Dong Bae, Dong-Soo Kwon, Young-Min Lee, Eun-Hwa Lee, Jeong-Seok Lee, Dong-Bum Pyo, Young-Jun Cho
  • Patent number: 8633791
    Abstract: A rotary solenoid (1) includes a stator (10), a rotor (40), and a torsion spring (50) connected between the stator (10) and the rotor (40). The stator (10) includes an armature (13) having three stator poles (14, 15) cooperatively defining a substantially cylindrical space (18) and a coil (19) wound about one of the stator poles (14). The rotor (40) includes a shaft (42) rotatably assembled to the stator (10) and a rotor core (44) fixed to the shaft (42) and received in the cylindrical space (18). The rotor core (44) has three rotor poles (43) corresponding to the stator poles (14, 15). The rotor (40) stays at a first position under the force of the torsion spring (50) and rotates to a second position under the force of the torsion spring (50) and the magnetic force of stator (10) when the coil (19) is powered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: Yue Li, Mao Xiong Jiang, Chui You Zhou, Jin Yun Gan, Xiao Mei Yuan, Ying Chen
  • 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: 8618702
    Abstract: A vibration energy generator includes a case, a coil, a permanent magnet, and a shield magnet. The case is elongated in one direction and is made from a nonmagnetic material. The coil surrounds around an outer surface of the case. The permanent magnet reciprocates inside the case along the one direction. The permanent magnet is magnetized with a polarity oriented in the one direction. The shield magnet is disposed in one end portion of the permanent magnet in the one direction. Each of a surface of the one end portion and a surface of the shield magnet facing the surface of the one end portion has the same magnetic polarity. The length of the shield magnet in the one direction is less than the length of the permanent magnet in the one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuta Iijima
  • Publication number: 20130334904
    Abstract: An electric power generating module includes an electromotive force (EMF) generator and a circuit unit. The EMF generator has a shell having two opposite plates, a coil unit mounted to one of the plates, first and second stationary magnets disposed in the shell with different magnetic pole, and a moveable magnet having a magnetic pole opposite to that of the first stationary magnet. The moveable magnet is moveable between a first position adjacent to a first side of the second stationary magnet and a second position adjacent to a second side of the second stationary magnet along a circumference of the first stationary magnet across a space defined between the coil unit and the other one of the plates. The circuit unit is electrically connected with the coil unit. When the EMF generator is shaken, electric power is produced by the electric power generating module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: ARBL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Pin LIAO, Jyun-Lin HUANG, Zi-Peng ZHAO
  • Patent number: 8604649
    Abstract: An electric generator. Implementations may have a pendulum extending downwardly from an axle. The pendulum may include a plurality of bar magnets oriented parallel to the axle and being arranged in an arc equidistant and coaxial from the axle. The plurality of bar magnets may be arranged in an alternating pole arrangement. The axle may be mounted between two base units with each base unit including a pickup coil positioned proximate to the arc. The pickup coils may generate an alternating electrical current as the bar magnets pass thereover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Robert J. Bartol, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8587162
    Abstract: Disclosed is an actuator that realizes reciprocal rotational motion of an electric toothbrush, for example, without utilizing a drive transmission mechanism that is separate from the drive source. In the actuator, a fixed body (120) has a coil (128) that is disposed around a magnet (160) and faces the magnetic planes with different polarities within the magnet (160) at individual prescribed distances, and an outer yoke (150) that covers the outer periphery of the coil (128). The fixed body (120) rotatably supports a movable body (110), which holds the magnet (160), via a coil spring that is an elastic member (130) made from a wire. An alternating current supplying part (140) supplies an alternating current having roughly the same resonance frequency as that of the fixed body (120) to the coil (128) to cause the movable body (110) to vibrate in a reciprocal rotational motion. The coil spring that is the elastic member (130) uniformly disperses stress generated by the vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Kagami, Kazutaka Sakaguchi, Yuki Takahashi, Shigenori Inamoto
  • Patent number: 8575793
    Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a mount, a movable unit and a number of rollers. The mount includes a through hole, a number of recesses opposing the through hole, and a number of magnetic blocks mounted in the through hole. The movable unit includes a barrel and a coil of wire surrounding the barrel. The movable unit is movably received in the through hole of the frame and surrounded by the magnetic blocks. The rollers are rotatably received in the respective recesses and come in contact with the barrel. The rollers hold the movable unit in position when no magnetic force needed to be applied on the movable unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun-Fan Chiang
  • Patent number: 8569916
    Abstract: A mover includes a permanent magnet array including permanent magnets magnetized in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to a motion direction of the mover such that magnetic poles having different polarities alternately appear on magnetic pole surfaces of the permanent magnets along the motion direction. A stator includes first and second magnetic pole portion assemblies disposed on both sides of the permanent magnet array in the perpendicular direction and each including magnetic pole portions facing the magnetic pole surfaces, and a single phase winding that excites the magnetic pole portions forming the first and second magnetic pole portion assemblies. The winding has a hollow structure formed by winding a winding conductor into a coil such that the magnetic pole portions included in the first magnetic pole portion assembly and the magnetic pole portions included in the second magnetic pole portion assembly are located in an internal space of the winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Sugita, Yasushi Misawa, Yuqi Tang
  • Patent number: 8552599
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vibration generating device including: a stator which includes a bracket, a case which has an inner space and is assembled with the bracket, and magnets which are fixed symmetrically at a lower surface of the bracket and an upper surface of the case; and a vibrator which includes an elastic member which is fixed at central portions of opposite side surfaces of the case to support vertical vibration, a coil which is connected with an inner diameter of the elastic member, yokes which are symmetrically assembled with upper and lower portions of the elastic member, and weight bodies which are assembled with the yokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Jae Jeon
  • Patent number: 8546995
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical actuator consists of a first semiconductor layer comprising a movable element with comb electrodes, a support element with inner and outer comb electrodes and a stationary element with comb electrodes, an electrical insulation layer, and a second semiconductor layer with a cavity to allow out-of-plane rotation of the movable and support elements. The movable element is mounted to the support element by a first pair of torsional hinges whereas the support element is mounted to the stationary element by a second pair of torsional hinges such that the actuator is in gimbaled structure. Inner comb electrodes of the support element interdigitate with comb electrodes of the movable element, and outer comb electrodes of the support element interdigitate with comb electrodes of the stationary element in the same plane defined by the first semiconductor layer to form in-plane comb-drive actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Opus Microsystems Corporation
    Inventors: Chang-Li Hung, Ta-Wei Lin
  • Publication number: 20130234539
    Abstract: An actuator includes an electrically conductive coil defining a longitudinal axis (L) and having a plurality of winding turns. A magnet is spaced from the winding turns in radial direction. A first conductive element has a mid region covering the coil on a side thereof facing away from the magnet. A second conductive element has a mid region covering the magnet on a side thereof facing away from the winding turns of the coil. The first conductive element projects beyond the coil in axial direction and the second conductive element projects beyond the magnet also in axial direction. The first and second conductive elements have respective collar-shaped projections whereat the first and second conductive elements project beyond the coil and the magnet, respectively. At least one of the first and second conductive elements is made of soft-magnetic powder composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: ContiTech Vibration Control GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Genderjahn, Peter Marienfeld, Hans-Juergen Karkosch
  • Patent number: 8525373
    Abstract: An oscillatory system for a motorized drive unit for the generation of a rotary oscillatory movement is provided. The system includes a first oscillatory component and a second oscillatory component, the components capable of oscillating relative to one another around an axis of oscillation; and at least two elongate spring elements, each spring element having a first fastening point and a second fastening point spaced apart from one another. The spring elements are elastic in the direction of the rotary oscillatory movement. For each spring element the first fastening point is connected to the first oscillatory component and the second fastening point is connected to the second oscillatory component such that the spring elements intersect at the axis of oscillation, the axis of oscillation having an angle of intersection different from 0 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Jungnickel, Benedikt Heil
  • Publication number: 20130200823
    Abstract: A motor is provided which includes a pivotable portion having a permanent magnet mounted thereto, and first and second lamination arms, wherein the magnet induces positive and negative polarities in the first and second lamination arms, respectively. The motor further includes a fixed portion including an “E” shaped lamination having three lamination arms and a coil wound about one of the three lamination arms. When a current flowing in a first direction is applied to the coil, a first magnetic field is induced that affects polarity of at least on of the three lamination arms and thus generates a force that causes the first portion to pivot in a first direction. When the current flows in a second direction, a second magnetic field is induced that affects polarity of at least one of the three lamination arms and causes the first portion to pivot in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Conair Corporation
    Inventor: Hon Hung Joseph Chan
  • Patent number: 8502426
    Abstract: A single phase electromagnetic servo-actuator that includes a rotary actuator which moves a mobile member along a limited travel including a 2N ferromagnetic pole stator structure and at least one excitation coil, the stator structure being made of a material with high magnetic permeability and a rotor having ferromagnetic yoke and a thin magnetized portion of 2N pairs of axially magnetized poles, in alternate directions, and a rotor angular position sensor, the thin magnetized portion being a separate element from the ferromagnetic yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: SONCEBOZ SA
    Inventors: Guillaume Loussert, Pierre Gandel
  • Publication number: 20130169072
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration generator which is used in devices, such as mobile phones, requiring a vibration mode. More specifically, the invention relates to a horizontal vibration type vibration generator which includes a casing that is open on one surface thereof, a vibration part having a weight provided inside the casing, and a spring mounted inside the casing, and which produces horizontal vibration by using the phenomenon of resonance which occurs by causing oscillation in an electromagnetic force having the same frequency as the intrinsic vibration frequency of the spring, and which solves the problem of a reduction in the life span of the vibration generator due to mechanical friction as seen in existing mechanical vibration generators, and generates a large vibration force despite having a thin construction unachievable in a vertical moving type vibration generator. The invention also relates to a production method of the vibration generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Seong-Kwan Oh, Hyuk-Sang Ahn, Ki-Hwan Hong, In-Jae Lee, Hyun-Ki Yang
  • Patent number: 8472096
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an oscillator device having first and second oscillators being driven at first and second driving resonance frequencies gf1 and gf2, the method including a first step for processing the two oscillators, wherein, when the two oscillators are going to be processed as oscillators having first and second resonance frequencies different from the two driving resonance frequencies with a certain dispersion range, the two oscillators are so processed that the first and second resonance frequencies different from the two driving resonance frequencies become equal to first and second resonance frequencies f1 and f2, respectively, which are included in adjustable resonance frequency ranges, respectively, and a second step for adjusting the first and second resonance frequencies f1 and f2 so that they become equal to the first and second driving resonance frequencies gf1 and gf2, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunari Fujii, Takahisa Kato, Yoshio Hotta, Suguru Miyagawa, Takahiro Akiyama
  • Patent number: 8469909
    Abstract: The motor includes a rigid anchor member which is fixedly mounted to the applicator housing, an electromagnetic stator member and an armature. The armature includes a permanent magnet assembly and two leaf springs which connect the anchor member and the armature, the leaf springs being positioned at right angles to each other. The ratio of the lengths of the spring members is within the range of 0.75:1 to 0.95:1. A driving assembly produces an alternating current drive signal to the stator member which moves the armature and a skin contact member attached thereto in a reciprocating motion which includes a first component perpendicular to the skin, a second component parallel to the skin and a third arcuate component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: L'Oreal, SA
    Inventors: Kenneth A Pilcher, Richard A Reishus, Robert E Akridge
  • Patent number: 8456042
    Abstract: A linear vibrator is disclosed. The linear vibrator includes a cover, a base forming a hollow space together with the cover and defining a plurality of sidewalls, a pair of elastic members received in the hollow space, a weight with a plurality of laterals suspended in the hollow space by the elastic members, and a magnet assembly provided with a plurality of magnetic poles and accommodated in the weight. Each elastic member defines at least a fastening arm comprising a connecting portion, an inner arm extending from one end of the connecting portion for abutting against the lateral of the weight, and an outer arm extending from another end of the connecting portion for abutting against the sidewall of the base. The extending direction of the inner arm and the outer arm of each fastening arm is the same. The magnetic poles of magnet assembly near the coil are opposite to each other. A height of the linear vibrator with the structure can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignees: AAC Acoustic Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., American Audio Components Inc.
    Inventors: Le-Ping Dong, Yong-Hua Pu
  • Publication number: 20130135622
    Abstract: A quasi-translator for economically producing pure, smooth translational motion with broad arcuate or error-free motion regardless of orientation, which is useful in numerous interferometer applications including spectroscopy, a Fourier modulator and a Fourier spectrometer are provided. The quasi-translator utilizes a support, an arm including a driving magnet on a first end and a driven element on a second end, an axis for rotation of the arm, a bearing system that controls the rotation of the arm about the axis, a drive coil and a drive amplifier to drive the arm in the arcuate motion. The quasi-translator may be employed in a Fourier modulator to change the optical path difference of the interferometer/quasi-translator at a substantially constant rate of change. The quasi-translator and/or Fourier modulator may be used in a Fourier spectrometer to create an optical spectrum from a light beam and/or electrical signal created from the light beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: FTRX LLC
    Inventor: FTRX LLC
  • Patent number: 8448289
    Abstract: The invention relates to a windscreen wiper drive arrangement (1) having a drive shaft (4), extending out of a gear mechanism housing (3), for a windscreen wiper, in which the drive shaft (4) is guided axially through a protective sleeve (15) which is sealed with respect to the drive shaft (4) by means of at least one inner sealing element (18) and with respect to a vehicle component (11) by means of at least one outer sealing element. The invention provides for the protective sleeve (15) to be secured to the gear mechanism housing in order to protect said protective sleeve against axial movement in the direction of the vehicle component (11) and/or against rotational movement relative to the gear mechanism housing (3) by frictional engagement and/or by means of at least one separate securing element (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Reith, Gerard Albrecht, Verena Lipps, Roland Bohn, Mario Huesges, Guenther Friderichs, Paul Geubel
  • Patent number: 8446055
    Abstract: A linear type vibration motor having a magnet casing is disclosed. The linear type vibration motor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a magnet assembly having a pair of magnets, in which same magnetic poles thereof face each other, a magnet casing, which has a hollow part formed therein and houses the magnet assembly in the hollow part, a base, which has a bobbin formed thereon and in which the magnet casing is inserted into the bobbin, a coil, which is coupled to the bobbin, a weight, which is coupled to both ends of the magnet casing, and a pair of elastic bodies, which are interposed between either end of the base and either end of the weight, respectively. Thus, the operating lifetime of the linear type vibration motor can be extended, and this arrangement can prevent the linear type vibration motor from being damaged by an external shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Woo Jun, Jun-Kun Choi, Hwa-Young Oh, Jee-Sung Lee, Yong-Jin Kim, Kyung-Ho Lee, Seok-Jun Park, Kwang-Hyung Lee, Je-Hyun Bang
  • Patent number: 8441159
    Abstract: A self-latching sector motor for producing a net torque from two integral independent sources where one can serve as a spare backup or paralleled for double net torque or used alternately for extended life operation. The self-latching sector motor includes a housing, a magnet-shaft assembly, and two pair of electromagnetic poles. The magnet-shaft assembly rotates within the housing. The two pair of electromagnetic poles extend fixedly and radially inwardly from the housing, towards the magnet-shaft assembly. The electromagnetic poles of an associated pair of electromagnetic poles are diametrically and magnetically opposed to each other, and each pair of electromagnetic poles are similarly poled to each other for North and South poles so as to provide the net torque to the magnet-shaft assembly that can be backed-up or doubled. The self-latching torque at the stops is achieved by restraining the magnet-shaft assembly from seeking a position of maximum flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Victor Nelson
  • Patent number: 8418302
    Abstract: A motorized toothbrush includes a shaft, a tooth brush mounted to a distal end of the shaft, a coil mounted to and surrounding the shaft, a first magnet adjacent to a periphery of the coil, and a second magnet adjacent to the periphery of the coil and on an opposite side of the coil with respect to the first magnet. Passing a current through the coil causes the shaft to rotate alternately clockwise and counterclockwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Chi Ming Suen
  • Patent number: 8411341
    Abstract: An actuator includes: a first oscillatory system including a frame-shaped driving member and a pair of first axial members holding the driving member from both ends so as to allow the driving member to rotate around an X-axis; a second oscillatory system including a movable plate provided inside the driving member and a pair of second axial members holding the movable plate to the driving member from both ends so as to allow the movable plate to rotate around a Y-axis perpendicular to the X axis; and a driving unit including a permanent magnet provided on the driving member, a coil provided so as to face the permanent magnet, a voltage applying unit applying a voltage to the coil, and the permanent magnet has a relief section to avoid making contact with the movable plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 8390137
    Abstract: The fluid-driven electrical generator utilizes internal driven fluid currents to generate a regular, mechanical oscillation that is used to generate electricity through electromagnetic induction. The fluid-driven electrical generator includes a base having opposed upper and lower surfaces. A linearly oscillating disc having opposed upper and lower surfaces and having a central passage formed therethrough is resiliently supported above the base to form a lower fluid flow path therebetween. An upper housing is mounted above the upper surface of the linearly oscillating disc. A lower surface of an upper wall thereof is spaced apart from the upper surface of the linearly oscillating disc to form an upper fluid flow path therebetween. At least one permanent magnet is attached to an outer edge of the linearly oscillating disc for generating alternating electrical current in at least one induction coil mounted adjacent the at least one permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Mark Bryfogle
  • Patent number: 8373514
    Abstract: Wireless power transfer is received using a magneto mechanical system. A magneto mechanical system may include an array of magneto-mechanical oscillators, wherein each oscillator may comprise a magnetic symmetrical part and a suspension engaged to the magnetic part. The system may further include a coil formed around the array and electromagnetically coupled to the oscillators to produce an electric current caused by electromagnetic coupling with the oscillators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Nigel P. Cook, Stephen Dominiak, Hanspeter Widmer
  • Publication number: 20130033131
    Abstract: An inductive energy converter includes a non-magnetic housing, at least one magnet and at least one induction coil disposed within the housing, and at least one spring coupled to the magnet or induction coil. Thus, the spring and the magnet or induction coil form a spring-mass system that oscillates relative to the housing when the housing is subjected to movement. The other of the magnet and induction coil does not move relative to the housing. In an alternative embodiment, human movement results in the depression of a push plate that is coupled to a wheel that causes a ring magnet to rotate relative to one or more induction coils or vice-versa. In either case, the movement of the magnet relative to the coil results in a voltage being induced on the coil according to Faraday's law.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: ATLANTIC INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Seun K. Kahng, Leopold Kahng, Jennifer Kahng
  • Patent number: 8320033
    Abstract: An actuator includes: a first oscillatory system including a frame-shaped driving member and a pair of first axial members holding the driving member from both ends so as to allow the driving member to rotate around an X-axis; a second oscillatory system including a movable plate provided inside the driving member and a pair of second axial members holding the movable plate to the driving member from both ends so as to allow the movable plate to rotate around a Y-axis perpendicular to the X axis; and a driving unit including a permanent magnet provided on the driving member, a coil provided so as to face the permanent magnet, a voltage applying unit applying a voltage to the coil, and the permanent magnet has a relief section to avoid making contact with the movable plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 8304937
    Abstract: An AMPG device for generation of electrical energy, including a bobbin, at least one magnet, and at least one spring member. The magnet is arranged to be movable together with the spring member. The device is arranged so that when exposed to an acceleration component in a possible path of mobility of the first magnet, the first magnet will, due to its association with the spring member, move in an oscillating manner in relation to the bobbin, so as to generate electrical energy. The device is arranged to at a limiting position of the mobile magnet's path of mobility a spring member with an equal or higher spring constant than the remainder portions of the magnet's mobile path acting on the magnet. An AMPG device assembly includes several AMPG devices. A method to optimize the electrical output of the device adapts the device to the frequencies appearing in the application where it shall be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Saab AB
    Inventors: Per Cederwall, Dan Erichsen
  • Patent number: 8304938
    Abstract: An oscillatory system for a motorized drive unit for the generation of a rotary oscillatory movement is provided. The system includes a first oscillatory component and a second oscillatory component, the components capable of oscillating relative to one another around an axis of oscillation; and at least two elongate spring elements, each spring element having a first fastening point and a second fastening point spaced apart from one another. The spring elements are elastic in the direction of the rotary oscillatory movement. For each spring element the first fastening point is connected to the first oscillatory component and the second fastening point is connected to the second oscillatory component such that the spring elements intersect at the axis of oscillation, the axis of oscillation having an angle of intersection different from 0 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Jungnickel, Benedikt Heil
  • Patent number: 8299659
    Abstract: A power generator has a pendulum extending downwardly from an axle. The pendulum includes a plurality of bar magnets oriented parallel to the axle and being arranged in an arc equidistant and coaxial from the axle. The plurality of bar magnets are arranged in an alternating pole arrangement. The axle is mounted between two base units with each base unit including a pickup coil positioned proximate to the arc. The pickup coils generate an alternating electrical current as the bar magnets pass thereover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Robert J. Bartol, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120249804
    Abstract: A work hardening treatment which decreases the Young's modulus, and an age hardening treatment which recovers or increases the Young's modulus decreased by the work hardening treatment are performed to form a vibrating portion, thereby attaining a vibrating element (30) advantageous in downsizing while ensuring desired fatigue characteristics and vibration characteristics. This downsizes, for example, an actuator device (1), an optical scanning device, a video projection apparatus, and an image forming apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: CANON DENSHI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naruki Suzuki, Katsumi Arai, Takayuki Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 8278787
    Abstract: A motor includes a base plate and an armature having two or more arms mounted to the base plate for rotation about an axis. At least two powerstroke solenoids are positioned on each arm for applying force effecting first rotational motion of the armature. At least one reset solenoid is positioned on each arm for applying force effecting second rotational motion of the armature opposite the first rotational motion. Means are provided for sequentially applying current to the powerstroke solenoids and then to the reset solenoids to effect an oscillating motion of the armature. Further means are provided for transferring the first rotational motion to a disk cylinder rotatably mounted to the base plate for rotation about the axis, but for restraining the transfer of the second rotational motion to the disk cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Raymond James Walsh
  • Patent number: 8278786
    Abstract: A linear vibrator is disclosed. The linear vibrator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a base, a coil unit, which is coupled to the base, a magnet assembly, which forms a closed circuit of a magnetic force perpendicular to an electric current flowing through the coil unit and in which the magnet assembly relatively moves with respect to the coil unit, and an elastic member, which elastically supports the magnet assembly. Thus, a linear vibrator with an increased driving force can be provided by preventing the leakage of magnetic flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-Suk Woo, Kyung-Ho Lee, Jun-Kun Choi, Yong-Jin Kim, Hwa-Young Oh, Je-Hyun Bang, Young-Bok Yoon, Suck-Jun Park, Kwang-Hyung Lee
  • Publication number: 20120236383
    Abstract: An actuator includes a base made of silicon and including a movable portion capable of oscillating around an oscillation axis, at least one connection portion extending from the movable portion, and a support portion that supports the connection portion, an insulating layer provided on a surface of the base, and a conductive portion having conductivity and provided on the insulating layer. In a plan view of the base viewed in a thickness direction of the base, the insulating layer is provided on portions other than an edge of the connection portion, an edge that connects an edge of the movable portion to the edge of the connection portion, and an edge that connects an edge of the support portion to the edge of the connection portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasushi MIZOGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8264105
    Abstract: The drive system for a personal care appliance, such as a toothbrush, includes a first opposing pair of permanent magnet assemblies positioned longitudinally along the length of the internal surface of a cylindrical appliance housing, each first permanent magnet assembly having one portion with a north polarity and the other portion a south polarity, and a second pair of permanent magnet assemblies which are orthogonal to the first pair of permanent magnet assemblies, one second permanent magnet assembly having a plurality of abutting first parts along the length thereof, the parts alternating between a north polarity and a south polarity, the other second permanent magnet assembly having similar parts with reversed polarity. First and second armatures are mounted on, or a portion thereof forms, a spindle element which extends along the length of and outward from the cylindrical housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Pieter Johannes Bax
  • Patent number: 8258656
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cover (20) for a secondary part (2) of an electrical linear motor (1), wherein the secondary part (2) includes at least one first and one second secondary partial element (12), and wherein each secondary partial element (12) comprises a toothed profile, and wherein the cover (20) extends over the toothed profiles of the first and second secondary partial elements (12), forming a continuous surface. The invention further relates to a secondary part (2) comprising a cover (20) and a linear motor (1) comprising a secondary part (2) and a cover (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Hoppe
  • Patent number: 8253283
    Abstract: A power generation device that includes an excitation coil with a central opening, and a magnetic circuit extending through the central opening of the coil and including at least one permanent magnet and a plurality of ferromagnetic members arranged in a fixed portion and two mobile portions. The two mobile portions are mounted on two parallel rotary axes and can each assume two positions. The device further includes a mechanism rotating the two mobile portions between the two positions thereof so as to create two states of the magnetic circuit, i.e. a first state in which a magnetic flow flows through the coil in one direction and a second state in which a magnetic flow flows through the coil in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Christian Bataille, Didier Vigouroux
  • Patent number: 8253281
    Abstract: An energy harvesting apparatus, for deployment on a vehicle, comprises a vehicle shock absorber including a dust tube, and a damper tube telescopically mounted within the dust tube and configured for oscillating translational movement with respect thereto. A magnet is fixedly coupled to one of the dust tube or the damper tube, and a coil is fixedly coupled to the other of the dust tube or the damper tube to achieve relative translational movement between the magnet and the coil to induce a current in the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, Yunjun Li, Timothy J. Talty, Robert B. Elliott, Nancy McMahon