Motion Conversion Patents (Class 310/80)
  • Publication number: 20040140722
    Abstract: A non-linear magnetic harmonic motion converter apparatus for transferring non-linear motion into rotational motion for producing work from an interaction of at least two magnetic fields. An axial shaft is disposed in rotating relationship with at least one gimbal supported magnet that reciprocates in relation to the axial shaft. At least one rotor magnet is disposed to rotate in relation to the axial shaft in response to non-linear movement of the at least one gimbal supported magnet. A plurality of rotor magnet units may be proximally disposed to rotate about separate axial shafts, with each rotor magnet unit having a rotor magnetic field influenced by the non-linear movement of the at least one gimbal supported magnet disposed proximal to each rotor magnet unit. Movement of the each gimbal supported magnet creates repulsion and attraction of each respective rotor magnet, with inducement of axial shaft rotation, thereby producing rotational movement that is harnessed to perform work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: Harmonic Drive, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Long
  • Publication number: 20040135448
    Abstract: In a motor, a shaft passes through a magnet of a rotor and is fixed to the magnet by way of a rotor sleeve formed by resin-molding between the magnet and the shaft. A resin-molded boss is fixed to a front end of a stator, has a center hole, and defines an inner surface continuous from the center hole and beveled so as to obliquely face a front end of the rotor sleeve. A plurality of bearing balls are rotatably disposed between the front end of the rotor sleeve and the beveled inner surface of the boss, thereby constituting a ball bearing which rotatably supports the shaft. Thus, the shaft is prevented from bowing, whereby the motor achieves a high rotational accuracy of the shaft without an additional bearing attached separately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Kunitake Matsushita, Hiroshi Sano, Toshihiko Nagata
  • Patent number: 6762524
    Abstract: The magnetic drive system includes a motor and associated motor shaft and a motor assembly, the motor assembly including an electronically conductive cylinder. A machine assembly for driving a machine includes a permanent magnet assembly. The motor assembly and the machine assembly are arranged and supported relative to each other so that the permanent magnet assembly and the electrically conductive cylinder are in longitudinal juxtaposition so that rotation of the motor shaft results in rotation of the machine shaft through magnetic action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Inventor: Albert Six
  • Publication number: 20040124729
    Abstract: A dynamoelectric device that is highly adaptable to a broad range of applications while providing robust output and energy conversion. The magnetic pole faces of the rotor lie in an ellipsoid. With or without a rotor shaft, the device allows options of either physical connection or contact-less, magnetic coupling. Surrounding the rotor is a brush-less stator having a bobbin-type, axial-centered coil conductor that provides a total capture of magnetic flux emanating from a rotor having an entire surface area of uniform flux density. Devices without a rotor shaft, and those having an air gap filled with ferrofluid, provide a two part generator with remarkable efficiency that is easily waterproofed and mechanically stable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Johnny D. Long
  • Patent number: 6740998
    Abstract: A movable stage system includes a motor which rotates a rotational element, a transmission system engaged with the motor and selectively engaged with a platform, a first lock which engages the transmission system such that the transmission system moves the platform according to a rotation of the rotational element, a second lock which engages the transmission system such that the transmission system moves the platform moves according to the rotation of the rotational element. When the first lock engages and the second lock does not engage the transmission system, the transmission system moves the platform in a first direction according to the rotation of the rotational element. When the first lock does not engage and the second lock engages with the transmission system, the transmission system moves the platform in a second direction other than the first direction according to the rotation of the rotational element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventor: Shambhu N. Roy
  • Patent number: 6731035
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating autogenic energy includes a base, a first magnetic device, a second magnetic device and a transmission member. The transmission member is mounted movably on the base. The second magnetic device is connected to the transmission member and is movable together with the transmission member in a predetermined rotational direction by the interaction force of the first and second magnetic devices. The second magnetic device is capable of being disposed adjacent to the first magnetic device in an interaction position and is receives a positive force such that the second magnetic device is rotatable away from the first magnetic device in a first rotational direction to produce an angular momentum. The second magnetic device and the transmission member respond to the inertial force and the positive force to be moved past a counterbalance position without being stopped by a negative force and to continue moving in the first direction back to the interaction position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Sunyen Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Nan Mu, Yu-Ta Tu
  • Publication number: 20040075350
    Abstract: Spring support having at least one axially moveable spring plate, an actuator with a rotor producing a rotational movement relative to its stator, which is converted into an axial movement of the spring plate, and a torsional locking element which prevents torsional movement of the spring plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Joachim Kuhnel
  • Patent number: 6720691
    Abstract: A vibrating assembly comprises a yoke having a center pole and a peripheral flange, an annular permanent magnet secured to the flange, and an annular top plate secured to the permanent magnet. A supporting plate is provided for resiliently supporting the vibrating assembly in the frame. A preventing means is provided for preventing the vibrating assembly from moving in a radial direction of the vibrating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Yoneyama, Toshio Itakura
  • Patent number: 6717303
    Abstract: Improving layout characteristics of a detecting switch with respect to a control board to miniaturize an electric actuator. Switch-side connecting terminals are provided in a limit switch constituting a panel-position detecting mechanism, which is fixed to an outer face of a motor cover. Meanwhile, board-side connecting terminals having connecting portions to be terminal-connected to the switch-side connecting terminals are fixed to the control board, and the control board is disposed inside the motor cover and is fixed in a board case. By moving the limit switch toward the connecting portions, the switch-side connecting terminals and the connecting portions are connected, whereby the limit switch and the control board are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakai, Takao Ochiai, Yukiyoshi Iso
  • Patent number: 6716074
    Abstract: A differential displacement electromagnetic device providing forward thrust over water of a watercraft. This electromagnetic device includes an elongated rigid rail member anchored against the watercraft bilge, a first magnet module, slidingly carried by one end portion of the rail member, and a second magnet module, slidingly carried by another end portion of the rail member. The second module has the same mass as the first module but has a pivot mount at a central portion thereof. A pair of elongated rigid arms are pivotally mounted at their inner ends to the second module member pivot mount, while a pair of electromagnets are fixedly mounted to corresponding outer ends of the rigid arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Maurice Coulombe
  • Patent number: 6713920
    Abstract: A linear actuator capable of inducing a linear motion as well as a rotational motion using only two rotors is provided. The linear actuator includes: first and second rotors connected to respective driving force sources; a linear motion unit formed on the first rotor to be linearly movable; and a driving power transmission unit which is fixed to the second rotor and engages the linear motion unit. A linear motion on a rotor can be easily induced using a relative angular velocity difference between two rotors without an additional driving power source for the linear motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji-yoon Kang, Woo-sup Han, Jun-o Kim, Yong-kyu Byun, Kyu-yong Kim
  • Patent number: 6710482
    Abstract: A generator comprising a generator housing and a generator drive shaft including a power input shaft coupled to a drive member through a coupling arrangement, whereby in use the drive member is coupled to an output shaft of an associated engine. The coupling arrangement is arranged within the generator housing and comprises first and second coupling members and an insulator member interposed between the first and second coupling members. The coupling arrangement is configured such that the input shaft is electrically insulated from the drive member and, hence, from the engine output shaft, in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Lucas Aerospace Power Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan J Mackulin, Todd A Travers, John R Karabinus
  • Publication number: 20040046468
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for transmitting force, in particular an impetus, by magnetic interaction. Thereby, a plurality of supports are fitted with one or more magnets and rotatably supported by bearing means. Each support is connected to one or more freewheel means, i.e. freewheeling bearings, so that each support can be put into rotation or motion, about an axis of rotation or along a straight or curved path in only one direction. Also, each supports is fitted with one or more individual magnets in a predetermined arrangement. A plurality of such supports are arranged at a distance relative to one another in such a way that an impetus transmitted to a first support is transmitted by this first support to an adjacent second support by magnetic interaction, is transmitted by said second support to the third support adjacent said second support, and so on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Johannes Schrotter
  • Patent number: 6700249
    Abstract: A direct drive vertical lift and rotation stage comprises an annular z-axis housing having a central opening, a z-axis rotor assembly journaled within the central opening of the z-axis housing, a motor between the z-axis housing and the z-axis rotor, an annular theta-axis housing having a central opening, a theta-axis rotor assembly journaled within the central opening of the theta-axis housing, and a motor between the theta-axis housing and the theta-axis rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Aerotech, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Botos
  • Patent number: 6700247
    Abstract: Disclosed is a permanent magnet generator incorporated in a 3.5″ diskette that can be used as an input/output adapter for memory cards that can generate a power generation output of 40 mW or more when the rotor of the generator is rotated at 300 rpm. The permanent magnet generator has such a construction that rotor magnetic poles are provided only on one end face of a disc-shaped permanent magnet serving as a rotor, a plurality of stator magnetic poles are provided only on that end face of the permanent magnet in such a manner as to face the rotor magnetic poles, and a soft magnetic hub is fixedly fitted to the other end face of the permanent magnet. Even when a bonded NdFeB magnet is used as the permanent magnet, a sufficient power can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Masuzawa, Masahiro Mita, Fumio Kimura, Toshiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6700248
    Abstract: A non-linear magnetic harmonic motion converter apparatus for transferring non-linear motion into rotational motion for producing work from an interaction of at least two magnetic fields. An axial shaft is disposed in rotating relationship with at least one gimbal supported magnet that reciprocates in relation to the axial shaft. At least one rotor magnet is disposed to rotate in relation to the axial shaft in response to non-linear movement of the at least one gimbal supported magnet. A plurality of rotor magnet units may be proximally disposed to rotate about separate axial shafts, with each rotor magnet unit having a rotor magnetic field influenced by the non-linear movement of the at least one gimbal supported magnet disposed proximal to each rotor magnet unit. Movement of the each gimbal supported magnet creates repulsion and attraction of each respective rotor magnet, with inducement of axial shaft rotation, thereby producing rotational movement that is harnessed to perform work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive, Inc.
    Inventor: Johnny D. Long
  • Publication number: 20040036364
    Abstract: To provides a lead screw type stepping motor which is excellent in a response and controllability and can carry out an accurate initial alignment, a rotor (2) is rotatably supported inside of a stator (1) around which an exciting coil (1A) is wound, a female threaded hole (2A) is provided in the center of the rotor (2), a slider (6) is arranged to be engaged with the female threaded hole (2A), a slit groove (6C) shaped in an oblong hole is pierced through in the slider (6), which is movably arranged in a guide hole (3B) of a case (3), a guide pin (7) is arranged to be inserted into the slit groove (6C), and both ends of the guide pin (7) are press inserted and fixed to a bearing portion (3A) in which the guide hole (3B) is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Yasushi Kondo
  • Patent number: 6670734
    Abstract: A linear actuator includes a screw shaft rotatably supported within a housing with play in motion in the axial direction of the screw shaft, and a cushioning stopper disposed between the housing and the screw shaft and elastically deformable to absorb a force acting from the screw shaft to the housing when the screw shaft is forced to move relative to the housing in the axial direction within the range of the play at an abutment of a rod with an obstacle or stopper. When the rod is stopped moving, the motor current increases with the degree of elastic deformation of the cushioning stopper. An overload sensor cuts off the supply of power to an electric motor when excessive current in the motor is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Satoshi Morishima, Kyoshi Kawamoto, Yutaka Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20030214191
    Abstract: The electro drive comprises a stator, a rotor, and a rotor bearing which is axially arranged within the axial length of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: SAIA-Burgess Murten AG
    Inventors: Michael Watzek, Axel Boettger, Daniel Riedo
  • Publication number: 20030204925
    Abstract: A first aspect of the disclosure concerns a driving assembly for a power toothbrush which includes a drive member, specifically an E-core electromagnet, a driven member which is responsive to the action of the drive member and a workpiece mounted on the distal end of the driven member. The drive assembly includes an interface registration member, to one end surface portion of which is secured the end face of E-core electromagnet, another portion of which is configured to produce a selected registration of the driven member and the driving assembly, and still another portion of which is configured to produce a selected registration of the interface member relative to the handle of the toothbrush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Scott E. Hall, Craig D. Hanela, Richard K. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20030204924
    Abstract: The apparatus for converting side-to-side to rotational motion for a workpiece includes a spring assembly with a movable base mounting element which is driven in a slightly arcuate reciprocal side-to-side motion and a fixed mounting element spaced apart from the base element and mounted in the appliance so that it does not rotate or move in operation of the apparatus. A spring member, such as two planar leaf springs positioned at an angle to each other, is mounted between the movable base element and the fixed mounting element. A drive shaft member extends from the movable base element through the fixed mounting element and beyond. A workpiece such as a brushhead is mounted on the distal end of the drive shaft. The spring member is configured so that it is substantially less resistant to twisting action than bending action, such that the side-to-side motion of the base element results in rotation of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph W. Grez, Jeffrey R. Gueble, Jerry C. Wood, Devin M. Nelson, Kevin A. Miller, Craig D. Hanela, Bruce E. Taber, Richard K. Taylor, William Bryant, Scott E. Hall, Andreas Loibnegger, Piet C.J. van Rens, Kurt Sadek, Paulus L.W.M. Barten, D.I. Stephan Leitner
  • Publication number: 20030184171
    Abstract: An actuator 1 is disclosed including a stationary member 15, a rotational member 17 disposed for rotating capability with respect to the stationary member 15, a movable member 19 disposed for movements with respect to the rotational member 17, a drive power source 25 rotating the rotational member 17, and a converting mechanism disposed between the rotational member 17 and the movable member 19 to convert rotation of the rotational member to an operating force for an operative unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Masao Teraoka, Noriyuki Sudou, Giichirou Takahashi, Maaaki Fusegi, Masashi Aikawa, Tetsushi Tomita
  • Patent number: 6603229
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a linear actuator, including: front and rear end bells; a stator structure; a rotor structure having first and second bearings journaled, respectively, in cavities formed in inner surfaces of the front and rear end bells; a captivation sleeve having its proximal end threadedly inserted in a cavity formed in an outer surface of the front end bell; and all foregoing elements being coaxially aligned to permit the insertion therethrough of a lead screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Tri-Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Toye, IV
  • Patent number: 6592338
    Abstract: A vapor-compression distiller includes a rotary heat exchanger. A reciprocating compressor (26) maintains a pressure difference between the compressor's evaporation chambers (46) and its condensation chambers (44). The compressor is assembled in a common rotating assembly with the heat exchanger, so the distiller does not need rotating seals between the compressor and heat exchanger. The compressor includes two pistons (56 and 58) driven in opposite directions in a rotating piston chamber (54). The directions in which they thereby reciprocate are substantially parallel to the rotating assembly's axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Ovation Products Corporation
    Inventor: William H. Zebuhr
  • Patent number: 6570282
    Abstract: A cylinder servo motor includes a servo motor having a rotor and a stator; a cylinder servo main unit which is connected to a rotary shaft of the rotor of the servo motor by way of a ball screw nut and which has a ball screw shaft, the ball screw shaft moving in an axial direction; a rotation sensor for detecting a rotary position of the servo motor; and control means for controlling the rotation sensor and the servo motor. The cylinder servo motor main unit, the rotation sensor, and the control means are integrated together, thereby providing a cylinder servo motor which obviates a necessity of wiring a line between the servo motor, the rotation sensor, and the control device section at a location to which the cylinder servo motor is to be shipped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidenobu Ito, Kouichi Takamune, Takao Mizutani
  • Patent number: 6570275
    Abstract: A motor having two degrees of free motion includes: a motor casing; a combined core of cylindrical shape having a plurality of inner teeth inside and a plurality of outer teeth outside and fixedly coupled inside the motor casing; a first coil winding wound on the inner teeth of the combined core; a second coil winding coil wound on the outer teeth of the combined core; a rotating armature having a permanent magnet inside inserted inside the combined core and rotated by an interaction of a magnetic flux formed by the first coil winding and the permanent magnet; a linear armature located at one side of the second coil winding undergoing a linear movement by the flux formed by the second coil winding; a driving shaft penetratingly coupled to the rotating armature and to the linear armature and undergoing rotating and linear movements therewith; and a spring urging the linear armature away from the combined core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Heoung Kim, Jin Soo Park
  • Patent number: 6545378
    Abstract: An electric spindle motor for use in precision instruments such as hard disk drives comprises a stationary sub-assembly and a rotary sub-assembly movable relative to the stationary sub-assembly for carrying magnetic disks. The electric spindle motor has an integrated bearing system including a hydrodynamic journal bearing for providing desired radial load and a magnetic bearing for reducing friction resistance during staring/stopping and running of the electric spindle motor. The rotary sub-assembly is suspended from the stationary sub-assembly by the activation of the magnetic bearing during the rotating of the electric spindle motor. The electric spindle motor having integrated hydrodynamic journal bearing and magnetic bearing of the present invention is capable of high speed and high accuracy running, providing increased radial load and stiffness, and reduces the friction resistance therefore improves the performance and power saving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Data Storage Institute
    Inventors: Shixin Chen, Qide Zhang
  • Patent number: 6531798
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a linear/rotary motor, including: first and second stator structures, having magnetically coupled thereto, respectively, first and second rotors; a first, externally threaded shaft fixedly attached to the first rotor and extending axially therefrom, such that rotation of the first rotor causes rotation of the first, externally threaded shaft; a second shaft, having a splined external surface, extending through a complementarily shaped opening defined through the second rotor, and axially movable with respect thereto, such that rotation of the second rotor causes rotation of the second shaft; and the second shaft including threaded apparatus cooperatively engaging the first, externally threaded shaft, such that rotation of the first, threaded shaft can cause linear motion of the second, cylindrical shaft. The motor can be operated to provide rotary, linear, or simultaneous rotary and linear motion of the second shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Tri-Tech, Inc
    Inventor: Albert Palmero
  • Publication number: 20030001443
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a threaded rotor for a linear actuator, including: a generally cylindrical, metallic shell/insert (20); and a generally cylindrical threaded thermoplastic member (72) disposed in a wall of the generally cylindrical shell/insert, the threaded thermoplastic member having threads formed on an inner surface thereof and engagable with complementary threads formed on an outer surface of a shaft to be inserted in the generally cylindrical shell/insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Keith Kowalski, Nino Maini
  • Publication number: 20020167235
    Abstract: A non-linear magnetic harmonic motion converter apparatus for transferring non-linear motion into rotational motion for producing work from an interaction of at least two magnetic fields. An axial shaft is disposed in rotating relationship with at least one gimbal supported magnet that reciprocates in relation to the axial shaft. At least one rotor magnet is disposed to rotate in relation to the axial shaft in response to non-linear movement of the at least one gimbal supported magnet. A plurality of rotor magnet units may be proximally disposed to rotate about separate axial shafts, with each rotor magnet unit having a rotor magnetic field influenced by the non-linear movement of the at least one gimbal supported magnet disposed proximal to each rotor magnet unit. Movement of the each gimbal supported magnet creates repulsion and attraction of each respective rotor magnet, with inducement of axial shaft rotation, thereby producing rotational movement that is harnessed to perform work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: Harmonic Drive, Inc.
    Inventor: Johnny Long
  • Publication number: 20020167236
    Abstract: A linear magnetic harmonic motion converter apparatus for transferring linear motion into rotational motion for producing work from an interaction of at least two magnetic fields. An axial shaft and a perimeter frame member are disposed in sliding or pivoting orientation. The frame member includes at least one perimeter magnet positioned to provide a first magnetic field moved between different positions in response to external forces on the frame member. The first magnetic field reciprocates parallel to a longitudinal axis of the frame member that is aligned with the axial shaft. One or a plurality of rotor magnets are orientated proximal to the axial shaft to provide a second magnetic field that is attracted or repulsed by the first magnetic field. Movement of the perimeter magnet creates repulsion and attraction of the rotor magnets, with inducement of axial shaft rotation, thereby producing rotational movement that is harnessed to perform work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: Harmonic Drive, Inc.
    Inventor: Johnny D. Long
  • Publication number: 20020145345
    Abstract: The present invention is a portable device for rocking objects such as baby carriages and strollers. The device comprises a base, a motor, a gear, a sliding member and a fastening means. The gear is attached to the shaft of the motor and the sliding member is attached to the gear. Attached to the sliding member is a fastening means for fastening the present invention to the device to be rocked, When the present invention is activated the rotational motion of the motor is converted into a linear motion with an adjustable length and speed. When attached to an object such as a baby stroller, the present invention rocks the object back and forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventor: Darrin Costa
  • Publication number: 20020140302
    Abstract: A drum-type motor combines planet gear and spindle motor. The planet gear is arranged on lateral side of the spindle motor and the axis of the spindle motor is functioned as sun gear. The drum-type motor of the present invention has an inner gear engaged with the planet gear. The inner gear and the sun gear have such tooth ratio that the drum-type motor of the present invention has high torque at low rotation speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: Chun-pu Hsu
  • Patent number: 6453761
    Abstract: A linear actuator comprises a ball screw carrying an axially restrained rotatable ball nut driven by an electrically energized motor. An enclosing motor housing has front and rear walls with axially aligned openings for passing the ball screw. The motor has a radially inner hollow stator assembly and a generally concentric radially outer rotor assembly. A can member is integrated with the rotor assembly to rotate therewith and has a radial end wall connected to the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Thomson Saginaw Ball Screw Company, L.L.C.
    Inventor: James A. Babinski
  • Patent number: 6417589
    Abstract: A motor includes (a) a stator having a stator core wound with a coil, (b) a rotor having a magnet facing the stator core via an annular space and a yoke disposed on an outer wall of the magnet, and (c) an unbalancing weight disposed on an outer wall of the yoke. This structure allows the motor to be small in size, light in weight, thin, flat and to function as a vibrating motor producing maximum vibration at low power consumption. The motor thus contributes to realizing a portable device with a small size, a low weight, and which is operable for many hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Kuyama, Shigeru Yoshida, Kodo Fukuoka, Mikio Umehara
  • Patent number: 6404097
    Abstract: A rotary electrical machine comprising a stator (10) and at least one rotor (12) having a plurality of permanent magnets (14). The rotor consists of a rotor disc, at the outer edge of which the permanent magnets are mounted. The rotor disc (12) is provided with airgap varying means (19) which are angled towards the stator (10) and mounted on the rotor hub (24) for rotation therewith. When the rotor is stationary, the airgap (30) between the magnets (14) and the stator (10) is at a minimum. In operation, as the speed of rotation of the rotor (12) increases, a centrifugal force is generated which acts to bend the airgap varying means (19) and, therefore, the rotor disc (12) back, away from the stator (10), thereby drawing the magnets (14) away from the stator and increasing the size of the airgap (30). The increase in size of the airgap results in a corresponding decrease in flux and therefore a decrease in the maximum output voltage for that rotor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: The Turbo Genset Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keith Robert Pullen
  • Patent number: 6384508
    Abstract: A device for transmitting motion between the rotor of a synchronous permanent-magnet motor and the working part, having an increased free rotation angle, which comprises at least two motion transmission couplings which mutually cooperate in a kinematic series. Each coupling is constituted by at least one driving element which is eccentric with respect to the rotation axis and is rigidly coupled to a first component of the motion transmission system and by at least one driven element, which is also eccentric with respect to the rotation axis and is rigidly coupled to the component arranged kinematically after the preceding one. The angle covered by the elements of each coupling is, as a whole, less than a round angle. The intermediate components of the kinematic transmission have both a driven element and a driving element for receiving the motion from the preceding one and transmitting it to a subsequent one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Askoll Holding S.r.l.
    Inventor: Elio Marioni
  • Publication number: 20020047367
    Abstract: A motor having two degrees of free motion includes: a motor casing; a combined core of cylindrical shape having a plurality of inner teeth inside and a plurality of outer teeth outside and fixedly coupled inside the motor casing; a first coil winding wound on the inner teeth of the combined core; a second coil winding coil wound on the outer teeth of the combined core; a rotating armature having a permanent magnet inside inserted inside the combined core and rotated by an interaction of a magnetic flux formed by the first coil winding and the permanent magnet; a linear armature located at one side of the second coil winding undergoing a linear movement by the flux formed by the second coil winding; a driving shaft penetratingly coupled to the rotating armature and to the linear armature and undergoing rotating and linear movements therewith; and a spring urging the linear armature away from the combined core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Tae Heoung Kim, Jin Soo Park
  • Patent number: 6377010
    Abstract: A electromotive drive for a furniture item, in particular lifting device; includes a housing, a drive motor mounted to the housing, a reduction gear unit interacting with the motor, a rotating spindle driven by the reduction gear unit and carrying a spindle nut which is secured against executing a rotational movement so as to move in a linear direction. A flanged tube is mounted to the housing and accommodates a lifting tube which is mounted to the spindle nut so as to be movable between retracted and extended positions when the spindle rotates and the nut is moved in a linear direction. At least one gas spring is arranged within the flanged tube for assisting the lifting tube during a movement of the lifting tube to the extended position, with the gas spring having a piston rod which is movable in retracted and extended positions in synchronism with the lifting tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Dewert Antriebes- und Systemtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Roither
  • Publication number: 20020043880
    Abstract: In order to reduce cost through reduction in material cost and improvement of productivity, in a linear type actuator comprising: a stator unit having coils consisting of wound magnet wires and housed inside stator sub-assemblies and pole teeth arranged on the inner circumference thereof; a rotor unit having a field magnet arranged on the outer circumference thereof and rotatably disposed so as to oppose the pole teeth with a given gap; an output shaft attached to a center portion of the rotor unit and movable in the axial direction thereof; and converting means provided on the innermost diametral circumferential surface of the rotor unit and adapted to convert rotary motion of the rotor unit into linear motion of the output shaft, the converting means is made of a material different from that of the rotor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuzuru Suzuki, Sakae Fujitani, Naoyuki Harada, Kunitake Matsushita
  • Patent number: 6362547
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a linear/rotary motor, including: a housing; an output shaft extending from the housing; a rotary motor disposed within the housing, the output shaft being given rotational motion by the rotary motor; a linear motor disposed within the housing; a linear shaft axially moveable by the linear motor; and a coupling to join the linear shaft and the output shaft to permit transfer of axial motion from the linear shaft to the output shaft but to isolate rotational motion of the output shaft from the linear shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Tri-Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Peterson, Robert Pulford, Jr., Adam Szepesi
  • Patent number: 6356000
    Abstract: A magnetically augmented rotation system for improving the efficiency of drive wheel and prime mover efficiency. The magnetically augmented rotation system includes includes a wheel assembly having a central portion, a first magnetic assembly with a first magnetic polarity, and a second magnetic assembly having a second magnetic polarity opposite the polarity of the first magnetic assembly; a bearing assembly for facilitation the rotation of the wheel assembly and comprised of non-magnetic material; a magnetic biasing assembly positioned such that a torquing force is applied to the wheel assembly by an interaction between the magnetic biasing assembly and the first and second magnetic assemblies; and an anti-reversing gear assembly coupled to the wheel assembly allowing the magnetically augmented rotation system to rotate in a first direction while preventing it from rotating in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventors: Chun-Yuan Ho, Tien-See Chow
  • Patent number: 6344718
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electric actuator comprising a feed nut member and a movable member for making displacement along a longitudinal direction of a frame by the aid of a rotary driving force transmitted by a ball screw shaft in accordance with a driving action of a rotary driving source, and guide blocks formed separately from the movable member and the feed nut member, for making displacement along the frame integrally with the movable member, wherein the movable member is detachably installed to the guide blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigekazu Nagai, Akio Saitoh, Masaru Saitoh
  • Publication number: 20010045783
    Abstract: A low-vibration and precise electrically driven actuator is provided. A disk is fixed to an input shaft, and a planetary gear is fixed to an output shaft. A circular recess is formed in the disk so as to be eccentric with respect to the input shaft. A ring gear engaged with the planetary gear is rotatably supported by the circular recess. A weight portion W is provided in an unrecessed portion of the disk in order to recover an axial dynamic balance of the disk, which is lost by arranging the circular recess and the ring gear. Since the planetary gear is coaxially fixed to the output shaft, it does not make an eccentric motion and thus its dynamic balance is secured. Accordingly, the axial dynamic balance can be secured in every individual rotating element composing a gear device. The gear device is employed in the electrically driven actuator for the purpose of providing an electrically driven actuator with a low vibration and a property of high precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Junji Hagiike
  • Patent number: 6310455
    Abstract: An electric motor, gearbox, position phase angle sensor and motor phase angle sensor are integrated in a common housing to reduce the size of a positioning and actuating system. The housing also includes electronics for detecting and processing the signals from the phase angle sensors. The rotor shaft of the electric motor is designed to be hollow, and the drive shaft is mounted coaxially. The output shaft passing coaxially through the gearbox, and the end of the shaft which protrudes from the gear box is provided with a coupling. The drive shaft passes coaxially through the rotor of the electric motor and carries a position phase angle sensor at the end of the electric motor opposite the gear box. The motor phase angle sensor on the rotor shaft coaxially encloses the position phase angle sensor. The scanning detectors of both sensors are arranged on a common circuit board, which also carries the electronics for detecting and processing the signals of these sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Max Stegmann GmbH Antriebstechnik-Elektronik
    Inventors: Josef Siraky, Siegfried Held
  • Patent number: 6259177
    Abstract: A motion imparting system for converting rotary motion to linear motion comprises a centrifuge. The centrifuge has a chamber. A quantity of fluid fills a portion of the chamber. A motor imparts a rotary motion about a major axis to the centrifuge and moves the water outwardly under the influence of centrifugal forces. An object has its exterior end positioned within the fluid during rotation of the centrifuge and its interior end positioned exterior of the fluid in the air during rotation of the centrifuge. A rod has an axis parallel with but laterally offset from the axis of the centrifuge. A driver rotates the rod at the same speed as the centrifuge. A connector couples the object and the rod whereby when the rod and centrifuge are rotated simultaneously during operation and use, the rotational forces within the system will be converted to a linear force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: David Deschamplain
  • Patent number: 6232689
    Abstract: An energy converting mechanism includes at least two permanent magnets spaced from each other with the same magnetic poles opposed to each other, and a magnetic spring formed by the at least two permanent magnets. The magnetic spring provides negative damping characteristics or changes static magnetic energy by changing an opposing area of the at least two permanent magnets so that an output is extracted from one of the at least two permanent magnets by applying an input to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsunori Fujita, Yoshimi Enoki, Hiroshi Nakahira, Seiji Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 6211591
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a linear/rotary electromagnetic device, including: a housing (20); first and second stators (22 and 40) disposed in the housing, first and second rotors (24/26 and 42/44) disposed in the housing and magnetically interacting, respectively, with the first and second stators; the first stator and the first rotor comprising a rotary motor; the second stator and the second rotor comprising an electromagnetic brake; a shaft (28) extending through a portion of the housing and axially through the first and second rotors, the shaft having a threaded portion (50) extending through a complementary threaded portion (44) of one of the first and second rotors; whereby; when the electromagnetic brake is locked and the rotary motor is rotated in a first direction, the shaft will move axially in a first direction; when the electromagnetic brake is locked and the rotary motor is rotated in the second direction, the shaft will move axially in a second direction; and when the electromagnetic brake is r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Tri-Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Kowalski, Albert Palmero
  • Patent number: 6204585
    Abstract: A work unit for automatic machine tools is provided with a spindle that moves in translation and rotates with respect to a work axis. The spindle is housed within a sleeve that is slidable along the work axis, with the spindle being rotatable within. Rotation of the spindle is controlled by a drive unit mounted directly on the spindle and arranged inside the sleeve, which eliminates the need for a separate transmission mechanism and thereby results in a simplified construction of the work unit and an increase in performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Riello Macchine Transfer SRL
    Inventors: Andrea Riello, Zeno Borsaro
  • Patent number: 6166465
    Abstract: A vibration generating mechanism includes at least first and second permanent magnets spaced from each other with the same magnetic poles opposed to each other. The first permanent magnet is coupled to a link mechanism so that the drive force of a drive source may be transmitted to the first permanent magnet via the link mechanism. A periodic and reciprocating movement of the first permanent magnet relative to the second permanent magnet changes the opposing area thereof, causing vibration of the second permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsunori Fujita, Hiroki Honda