Abstract: An electrical system includes a power inverter module (PIM) connected to DC and AC voltage buses and having a pair of inverter phase legs, at least one of which includes a plurality of semiconductor switche. A cycloidal electric machine with plurality of electrical phases is connected to the PIM via the AC voltage bus, and has a stator and a rotor with eccentric stator and rotor axes. The rotor moves with two degrees of freedom, including rotating motion about the rotor axis and orbiting motion about the stator axis. A controller applies, for each respective phase, a phase-specific offset value to a carrier signal and to a voltage reference signal. This generates a modified carrier signal and a modified reference signal, respectively, which in turn generate a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. The electric machine is powered via the PIM by energizing the semiconductor switches using the PWM signal.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer coil arrangement comprising: a first coil assembly including: at least a first magnetically permeable core including a base having first and second limbs extending away therefrom, wherein the first limb is located between two second limbs and extends further from the base than the second limbs, and at least one coil wound about at least one limb; and a second coil assembly including: at least a second magnetically permeable core for use in an inductive power transfer system, including a base having first and second limbs extending away therefrom, wherein the first limb is located between two second limbs that extend further from the base than the second limbs; and at least one coil wound about at least one limb; the first and second magnetically permeable cores being arranged in relatively moveable relationship such that in some relative positions the first and second magnetically permeable cores are opposed such as to provide effective magnetic coupling.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling an electromagnetic engine. The apparatus includes a signal generator, such as a device that plays a pre-recorded signal. The output of the signal generator is connected to an amplifier that is connected to one or more coils. The coils are positioned around a cylindrical cavity or sleeve in which a permanent magnet piston reciprocates in response to the amplified signal applied to the coils. The signal includes a plurality of snippets that forms a half-wave signal. The signal has an initial or starting portion and a steady state portion. The starting portion of the signal comprises a series of the snippets at selected intervals. The steady state portion comprises a series of the snippets that are repeated and alternatingly inverted to simulate a sine wave or other waveform.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to General Synchronized Vibration devices that provide haptic feedback to a user and improve the performance of existing vibratory devices. Different actuator types may be employed to provide synchronized vibration, including linear rotary actuators, rotating eccentric mass actuators including interleaved rotating mass actuators, and rocking mass actuators. A controller sends signals to one or more driver circuits to provide adjustment of vibration magnitude, frequency, and direction of the actuators. The system may apply forces onto an object, and a sensor measures a feature(s) of the object. This information is provided to a vibration device controller, which can then modify the vibration waveform to improve overall system performance. Fourier synthesis can be used to approximate arbitrarily shaped waveforms by controlling the phase and frequency of vibration actuators.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vibration absorbing device. A vibration absorbing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first magnetic force generation member fixed to an external portion that is separated from a vibration source and a second magnetic force generation member provided in one side of the vibration source. When vibration is generated by the vibration source, the direction and magnitude of a magnetic force of one of the first magnetic force generation member and the second magnetic force generation can be controlled such that the second magnetic force generation member can move in a direction for attenuating the vibration of the vibration source.

Abstract: In summary, the present invention relates to a device, a method and a computer program enabling a rotating and translating movement by means of a single motor. An electric motor (102) for linear and rotary movement can comprise a stator (104) having a multi-phase coil arrangement including a number of coils or coil sets and a rotor (106) being movable along a direction of its rotational axis and having a number of poles respectively comprising at least one permanent magnet. A control unit (108) may determine currents based on at least the number of coils or coil sets, an angle of rotation of the rotor and a parameter depending on an axial position of the rotor, and supply the determined currents to the coils or coil sets.

Abstract: A method of commutating a motor includes calculating an adjustment electrical angle, and utilizing the adjustment electrical angle in a common set of commutation equations so that the common set of commutation equations is capable of producing both one and two dimensional forces in the motor.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprising a spindle, a spindle nut, a transmission, an electrical motor, and an actuation element, is arranged to linearly move the actuation element by means of an interaction of the spindle and the spindle nut, which interaction is being driven by the electrical motor through the transmission. A position of the actuation element, the relative position between spindle and spindle nut, is determined by means of an absolute rotary position sensor and a counter. The counter keeps track of the number of under-flows and over-flows the absolute rotary position sensor generates during movement of the actuation element. A combination of a value from the absolute rotary position sensor and a count from the counter determines the position.

Abstract: A power saw having a reciprocating blade, including a housing having a handle portion for holding the saw; a variable speed motor in the housing for driving the reciprocating blade; a mechanism configured to move the reciprocating blade in a non-linear path; an electronic controller for controlling the operation of the motor; a trigger switch configured to provide an electrical signal to the controller that is proportional to the amount of travel that the switch is moved, wherein the signal causes the controller to operate the motor through a range of operating speeds; and a mode switch operatively connected to the controller and including a first mode providing normal operating speeds responsive to the trigger switch being selectively moved through its range of travel, and a second mode wherein the operating speeds are within the range of about 50% to about 80% of the normal operating speeds.

Abstract: A vibration-type motor controller controls a driving speed of a vibration-type motor relatively moving a vibrating body in which a vibration is excited by an electromechanical energy conversion element 20 to which a first frequency signal and a second frequency signal having a phase difference are applied, and a contacting body which contacts the vibrating body. The vibration-type motor controller includes a speed controller 1 configured to alternately switch a frequency control which changes frequencies of the first and second frequency signals while fixing the phase difference and a phase difference control which changes the phase difference while fixing the frequency so that at least one of a plurality of frequency controls or a plurality of phase difference controls are included to increase and decrease the driving speed of the vibration-type motor.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can comprise a plurality of magnetic elements configured to articulate an end effector of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument can comprise at least one electromagnet which can be selectively activated, or polarized, to generate a magnetic field sufficient to motivate a second magnetic element, such as a permanent magnet and/or an iron core, for example, mounted to the end effector. In certain embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can comprise a plurality of magnetic elements configured to open and/or close an end effector of the surgical instrument. In at least one embodiment, a surgical stapling instrument can comprise a plurality of magnetic elements configured to advance and/or retract a firing bar, cutting member, and/or staple sled within the surgical instrument in order to incise and/or staple tissue positioned within an end effector of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A load drive device (100) includes: a first terminal (LDOF) and a second terminal (LDOR) to which a load is connected; and a driver (103) which controls the terminal voltages of the first terminal (LDOF) and the second terminal (LDOR) according to an input signal (LDIN), where the driver (103) switches, based on an operation mode switching signal (MODE), between a first operation mode for driving the load by passing an output current between the first terminal (LDOF) and the second terminal (LDOR) and a second operation mode for driving the load by passing the output current both from the first terminal (LDOF) and from the second terminal (LDOR).

Abstract: The present invention relates to synchronized vibration devices that can provide haptic feedback to a user. A wide variety of actuator types may be employed to provide synchronized vibration, including linear actuators, rotary actuators, rotating eccentric mass actuators, and rocking mass actuators. A controller may send signals to one or more driver circuits for directing operation of the actuators. The controller may provide direction and amplitude control, vibration control, and frequency control to direct the haptic experience. Parameters such as frequency, phase, amplitude, duration, and direction can be programmed or input as different patterns suitable for use in gaming, virtual reality and real-world situations.

Abstract: In a polyphase electric motor, a voltage is sequentially applied to a plurality of windings on a phase-by-phase basis. Then, there is sensed a rotational speed of a rotor, which is rotated by a rotating magnetic field that is generated by sequentially flowing an electric current in the windings on the phase-by-phase basis upon the sequential application of the voltage to the windings. Then, an oscillation frequency of a periodic oscillation, which is generated in the motor at the sensed rotational speed of the rotor, is obtained. Thereafter, it is determined whether the obtained oscillation frequency is a predetermined resonance frequency. Next, the voltage to be applied to the windings is corrected in a manner that reduces a resonance generated in the motor when a result of the determination indicates that the obtained oscillation frequency is the predetermined resonance frequency.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an actuator includes a plurality of stator windings adapted to produce a first stator magnetic field that translates along a stator axis, and to produce a second stator magnetic field that rotates around the stator axis. In addition, the actuator includes a rotor, coupled to a shaft, and positioned within a central stator channel. The rotor is adapted to produce a first rotor magnetic field that translates along a shaft axis and to produce a second rotor magnetic field that rotates around the shaft axis. An actuator system includes an actuator and an actuator controller unit, which is adapted to produce actuator inputs. An embodiment of a method for controlling the actuator includes providing actuator inputs to produce a translating magnetic field in the stator, a translating magnetic field in the rotor, a rotating magnetic field in the stator, and a rotating magnetic field in the rotor.

Abstract: The stage device of the present invention includes a linear motor having a coil and a plurality of permanent magnets, a current driver that supplies current to the coil, and a control section that generates a command for the current driver. The control section generates the command through commutation processing in which a sinusoidal wave using an electrical angle obtained by calculation based on the relative position between the coil and the permanent magnet is multiplied by a thrust force command value for the linear motor, and further ensures that a sinusoidal wave component, which has an amplitude proportional to a thrust force command value and is 90 degrees out of phase from the sinusoidal wave, is included in the command.

Abstract: A stamping system using a portable communication device is provided. In a preferred form, the stamping system has a server and a portable communication device, the server has a computer program for generating a file code and a log file, the portable communication device has a central processor, a communication unit, and a seal, the seal is used for generating a seal impression, when receiving a file code generation request, the server generates a file code and sends the file code to the portable communication device, the central processor sends a control signal to the seal in response to the file code, the seal generates a seal impression corresponding with the file code, the communication unit sends a log file generation request to the server, and the server generates a log file in response to the log file generation request.

Abstract: A device and method for matching the rates of speed at which an electric motor that is drivingly connected to a worm gear raises and lowers a window in an automobile power window assembly. By axially displacing the motor's armature, and/or by varying the thread and tooth profiles of the worm and the gear, the amount of torque produced by the motor and transmitted through the worm gear can be altered. In order to compensate for the effect of gravity on the motor load and on the window's speed of ascent and descent, more torque is provided when the window is being raised and less torque is provided when the window is being lowered.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmission of electrical power includes an AC voltage source configured to produce AC voltage. A stator includes a primary winding arrangement electrically fed from the AC voltage source, the primary winding arrangement having at least two primary windings. A rotor includes a secondary winding arrangement inductively coupled to the primary winding arrangement of the stator, the rotor being rotatable in a rotation direction about a rotation axis. The rotation axis does not pass through the at least two primary windings, and the at least two primary windings each extend over a predetermined sector with respect to the rotation direction and are disposed offset with respect to one another with in the rotation direction.

Abstract: A stepping motor controlling device includes first and second clock signal generators, plural drivers, and a controller. The first clock signal generator generates a reference clock signal for rotationally driving of plural stepping motors. The second clock signal generator generates, on the basis of the reference clock signal, for each of the stepping motors, speed control clock signals. The plural drivers are provided respectively for the stepping motors and, on the basis of the speed control clock signals for the respective stepping motors, generate pulse excitation signals and input the pulse excitation signals to the stepping motors to rotationally drive the stepping motors. The controller controls the second clock signal generator to generate the speed control clock signals such that phases of the respective speed control clock signals for the stepping motors differ from one another.

Abstract: In summary, the present invention relates to a device, a method and a computer program enabling a rotating and translating movement by means of a single motor. An electric motor (102) for linear and rotary movement can comprise a stator (104) having a multi-phase coil arrangement including a number of coils or coil sets and a rotor (106) being movable along a direction of its rotational axis and having a number of poles respectively comprising at least one permanent magnet. A control unit (108) may determine currents based on at least the number of coils or coil sets, an angle of rotation of the rotor and a parameter depending on an axial position of the rotor, and supply the determined currents to the coils or coil sets.

Abstract: A method for position and/or speed control of a linear drive utilizing a converter having a control unit and being coupled to a motor of the linear drive. The method includes determining, in a sensor-free manner, a motor position, generating a motor position signal, generating an acceleration signal utilizing an MEMS accelerometer provided in the control unit and arranged on a moving part of the linear drive, mathematically converting the motor position signal and the acceleration signal to a speed signal, and utilizing the speed signal to control the linear drive.

Abstract: Magnetically latching and releasing a voice coil actuator for controlling electrical switchgear. The voice coil actuator includes a voice coil magnet disposed on a common longitudinal axis with respect to a voice coil assembly. A coil of the voice coil assembly exerts a magnetic force on the voice coil assembly, thrusting the voice coil assembly towards the voice coil magnet. At least one pair of latching members mounted to the voice coil assembly creates a permanent magnet circuit between the latching members and the voice coil magnet. The permanent magnet circuit maintains the position of the voice coil assembly relative to the voice coil magnet, even when power to the coil is removed. This latch can be released by applying a current in the coil or by applying an external, physical force to a member coupled to the voice coil assembly.

Abstract: A motor drive control unit includes a chip in which everything about a control system is provided and controls a spindle motor which rotates magnetic disks at a constant speed. When a measurement instruction is received from a disturbance generating unit and the upper-level device, sine wave disturbance is generated in the revolution speed of the spindle motor which depends on the motor drive control unit. A speed detecting unit detects the revolution speed of the spindle motor as measured data while the disturbance is being generated by the disturbance generating unit. A measured data transferring unit transfers the detected measured data detected by the speed detecting unit to the upper-level device, wherein control characteristics such as gains and phases with respect to frequencies of the motor control unit are computed.

Abstract: A linear drive apparatus comprising: a guide having an internal body; a slider moved along the guide, a driving mechanism for generating a driving force by magnetic interaction of the slider with the guide so as to linearly drive the slider; and a magnetic measurement unit having a magnetic scale and a detector which are opposed to each other and change a relative position relative to each other in order to obtain the relative position of the slider relative to the guide, wherein an opposing direction of the magnetic scale and the detector is the direction of the outer circumference of the guide, and the detector detects a signal from the magnetic scale in accordance with the relative position of the slider, whereby the relative position of the slider is obtained.

Abstract: A method of commutating a motor includes calculating an adjustment electrical angle, and utilizing the adjustment electrical angle in a common set of commutation equations so that the common set of commutation equations is capable of producing both one and two dimensional forces in the motor.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an actuator includes a plurality of stator windings adapted to produce a first stator magnetic field that translates along a stator axis, and to produce a second stator magnetic field that rotates around the stator axis. In addition, the actuator includes a rotor, coupled to a shaft, and positioned within a central stator channel. The rotor is adapted to produce a first rotor magnetic field that translates along a shaft axis and to produce a second rotor magnetic field that rotates around the shaft axis. An actuator system includes an actuator and an actuator controller unit, which is adapted to produce actuator inputs. An embodiment of a method for controlling the actuator includes providing actuator inputs to produce a translating magnetic field in the stator, a translating magnetic field in the rotor, a rotating magnetic field in the stator, and a rotating magnetic field in the rotor.

Abstract: An electromechanical device has a rotor, a stator, and a module that at least partially houses the rotor. During normal operation of the electromechanical device, the stator is positioned external to and separate from the module.

Abstract: Stator position feedback controller. A first position monitoring device responds to the position of a stator supported for relative motion by a machine base. A second position monitoring device responds to the position of a carriage with respect to the machine base. An actuator is provided to move the carriage through interaction with the stator. A servo controller responds to the difference in the output of the first and second position monitoring devices to control the position of the carriage with respect to the machine base.

Abstract: An actuator includes a casing, a stationary member having a coil member and mounted in the casing and a movable member having a moving element and supported by the casing. The moving element has a shaft and is supported by the casing so as to be moved in an axial direction of the shaft and in a rotational direction having the axial direction of the shaft as its rotational axis and the moving element is moved in the axial direction and in the rotational direction by causing electric current to flow through the coil member. The stationary member includes a first stationary member for imparting to the movable member a force oriented in the axial direction and a second stationary member for imparting to the movable member a force oriented in the rotational direction, while the coil member includes a first coil member for exciting a first magnetic path passing through the first stationary member and a second coil member for exciting a second magnetic path passing through the second stationary member.

Abstract: A roller or a cylinder that is useable in a rotary printing press can accomplish both circumferential as well as axial movement. At least one component of an electric motor can accomplish both the axial and the circumferential movement of the roller. This motor can be integrated into the roller. The surface of the roller can be provided with a suitable covering.

Abstract: An oscillation apparatus includes an oscillation mechanism for reciprocating an oscillating roller which can be rotated in the circumferential direction and can be reciprocated along the axial direction; an oscillation-width adjustment mechanism for adjusting the oscillation width of the oscillating roller; an oscillation-mechanism drive motor for operating the oscillation mechanism; an oscillation-width adjustment motor for operating the oscillation-width adjustment mechanism; oscillation-width controller for controlling operation of the oscillation-width adjustment motor such that the oscillation width of the oscillating roller attains a designated value; and oscillation-number controller for controlling operation of the oscillation-mechanism drive motor, on the basis of the number of revolutions of the plate cylinder, such that the number of oscillations of the oscillating roller per unit number of revolutions of the plate cylinder attains a designated value.

Abstract: A rotary and linear motor having a rotor, a casing and a plurality of stator coils mounted to the interior of the casing spaced from the rotor and radially spaced apart around the rotor. A rotary and linear motor control circuit is operative to receive input data signals and to process these data signals so as to produce a plurality of pulse width modulated output control signals. A multi-phase inverter circuit is coupled to an output of the rotary and linear motor control circuit and is responsive to the plurality of output control signals to drive the stator coils and produce a desired z-axis displacement, z, and rotor angular displacement, &thgr;.

Abstract: The invention concerns a rotating electric motor system capable of vibrating and a method for operating a rotary electric motor capable of vibrating. The system comprises an electric motor having a rotor and a stator, the rotor and the stator forming a unit vibrating within an audio frequency range; a power amplifier powering the electric motor, the power amplifier having a passband including at least the audio frequency range; and a signal generator generating a signal controlling the power amplifier. The signal generator comprises at least the audio frequency range. The control signal has a continuous component for rotating the rotor with respect to the stator, and an alternating component for inducing mechanical vibration in the unit capable of vibrating.

Abstract: A current interrupter (4) includes a current interrupting device (4) having at least one movable contact (71); an actuator (8) coupled to the movable contact (71) of the current interrupter (4); a feedback sensor (14) for monitoring movement of the actuator (8); and a control system (12) coupled to the feedback sensor (14) so as to receive information from the feedback sensor (14) concerning the movement of the actuator (8) and for controlling movement of the actuator (8) based on the information. The interrupter (4) further includes a memory (202) for storing a desired motion profile of the actuator (8); and a microprocessor (202) for comparing the movement of the actuator (8) with the desired motion profile and controlling movement of the actuator (8) based also on a comparison of the movement of the actuator (8) with the desired motion profile.

Abstract: A drive system for transferring a work load suspended from a hoist from one work processing stage to another in a series of stages. Included in the system is an X-linear motor which causes the hoist to travel along a horizontal path running from stage to stage, and a Y-linear motor causing the hoist, when at a selected stage, to travel in a vertical path to lower the work load into the stage for processing and then raise the load so that it can travel to another stage. Power for the X-motor is supplied by an external source, but power for the Y-motor which is electromagnetically coupled to the X-motor is inductively derived from the X-motor, thereby obviating the need for a power cable for the Y-motor.

Abstract: An electric voice coil actuator includes two coils slidingly mounted on a ferromagnetic housing. The coils, which are connected to each other in most applications, are mounted co-axially for linear reciprocal movement in respective magnetic fields. The north poles of a first pair of magnets are affixed to the housing to create the magnetic fields in which the first coil moves. The south poles of a second pair of magnets are affixed to the housing to create the magnetic fields in which the second coil moves. Alternately, the coils can move in the same magnetic field. Opposing poles of the pairs of magnets are affixed to the housing to prevent magnetic saturation of the housing. The coils are electrically connected to an electric current source to produce magnetic fields that interact with the magnetic fields of the magnets to cause movement of the coils. The electric current source may be electrically connected in parallel to each coil, to cause substantially identical movement of the coils.

Abstract: A controller for a voice coil actuator includes sensors that are connected with the actuator probe to monitor both the linear and angular position of the probe, as well as the axial and rotational forces on the probe. Using predetermined instructions, the probe can be controlled in either an open loop mode or in a closed loop feedback mode, for either static or dynamic operations. For static operations, the axial and rotational forces on the probe can be controlled by referencing set values for the forces which are to be applied to/by the probe. For dynamic operations, in addition to the axial and rotational forces on the probe, the linear and angular movements of the probe can be controlled. In the closed loop mode, linear and angular positions, velocities, and accelerations can be used for control.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes an actuator rod having a plurality of magnetic assemblies disposed about a longitudinal axis of the actuator rod. Each plurality of magnetic assemblies develops alternating magnetic flux along the longitudinal axis. The electromagnetic actuator further includes a plurality of stator windings secured to a support structure and disposed about the longitudinal axis. Each stator winding has a pole facing a portion of one of the plurality of magnetic assemblies and the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A light-weight and small-size electric motor in which linear movement can be obtained without requiring any special movement conversion mechanism. The electric motor includes a rotor (4), a rotary shaft (5, 6, 5a) coupled to the rotor (4), and a screw mechanism (7) for Supporting the rotary shaft (5, 6, 5a), the screw mechanism (7) being configured such that the rotor (4) is moved in an axial direction of the rotary shaft (5, 6, 5a) by movement of the rotary shaft (5, 6, 5a) within the screw mechanism (7) upon rotation of the rotor (4).

Abstract: A linear pulse motor includes a stator core manufactured easily and windings for phases disposed in the circumferential direction of the stator core and the length thereof is not lengthened in the shaft direction even when a multi-phase linear pulse motor is configured. The linear pulse motor includes a stator 1 having teeth 17 formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof in the shaft direction and a plurality of salient poles 11, 12, 13, . . . disposed at an equal pitch angle and a mover disposed movably in the shaft direction. A stator core 10 is formed by laminating stator iron plates 30 with the stator iron plates being rotated sequentially by a predetermined angle. When k is an integer larger than or equal to 1 and m is the number of phase, the stator iron plate includes k.multidot.m salient poles P1, P2, P3, . . . .

Abstract: A rocking motor comprises a coil wound around a hollow coil bobbin. A rotor is rotatably mounted at a position close to an end portion of the coil bobbin. The rotor has a center shaft and a permanent magnet and is magnetized with two poles such that the positions of the poles are located close to the coil and the magnetization angle is greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees. The positions of the poles of the rotor and the coil are adjacent to one another so that a rotary torque can be efficiently obtained by a magnetic force generated by the coil. The rocking motor can generate a high power output with a relatively low power supply and its operational performance is not adversely affected by an external magnetic field.

Abstract: A combined linear-rotary stepping motor shares stator iron plates and mover iron cores for a linear motor portion and a rotary motor portion without lengthening the length in the shaft direction.The combined linear-rotary stepping motor includes a stator 1 having a stator iron core 10 provided with a plurality of salient poles 11, 12, 13, . . . composed of the salient poles having a plurality of first stator teeth 24 formed in inner peripheral surfaces thereof in the direction of a shaft 21 and the salient poles having a plurality of second stator teeth 25 formed in inner peripheral surfaces thereof in the circumferential direction and a mover 2 having mover iron cores 22a and 22b supported within the stator 1 movably in the shaft direction and rotatably and provided with a plurality of mover teeth 26 formed in outer peripheral surfaces thereof at an equal pitch in the shaft direction and the circumferential direction in opposing relation to the first and second stator teeth 24, 25.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator (1) comprises two actuator sections which are translatable relative to one another along an actuator axis (1a) and which are rotatable about the actuator axis, a first actuator section (1) comprising a coil system and a second actuator section (3) comprising a permanent magnet system for cooperation with the coil system via an air gap. The coil system is arranged on a magnetically conductive yoke (5) and comprises a cylindrical translation coil (9) and a toroidal rotation coil (7), which are coaxial with the actuator axis. The permanent magnet system comprises an annular magnet (11), which is coaxial with the actuator axis, for cooperation with both the translation coil and the rotation coil. The magnet has a radial magnetisation (B) which is interrupted by an annular segment (13). The magnetically conductive yoke has a central core (5b) around which the translation coil is arranged and a shell (5a) on which the rotation coil is disposed.

Abstract: An apparatus for precisely moving and positioning a manufacturing component includes a housing on which a magnet is mounted. An electrical coil is wound around a coil piston which is slidingly mounted on the housing for movement within the magnetic field generated by the magnet. A rod, having a member for gripping the component, is attached for translational movement with the coil piston, and a source of electrical current is connected to the coil which is wrapped around the coil piston. A pneumatic rotary actuator is mounted on the apparatus, and a coupling connects the rotary actuator to the grip for rotation of the grip as desired. A vacuum source can be connected to the grip to allow picking up a fragile workpiece. In the operation of the apparatus, a current is selectively passed through the coil. This current in the coil then moves the coil piston and the attached grip within the magnetic field to position the component as desired in translation.

Abstract: In a magnetic bearing carrying a rotary shaft in the air, the rotary shaft is required to rotate substantially at the same position. In controlling the position of the rotary shaft, a first exciting current I.sub.f is supplied to a plurality of first electric magnets formed in the proximity of one end of the rotary shaft, whereas a second exciting current I.sub.r is supplied to a plurality of second electric magnets formed in the proximity of the other end of the rotary shaft. The first exciting current I.sub.f is represented by the sum of a first biasing current I.sub.f, a first control current i.sub.Hf for translation, and a first control current i.sub.Kf for rotary motion. The second exciting current I.sub.r is represented by the sum of a second biasing current I.sub.r, a second control current i.sub.Hr for translation, and a second control current i.sub.Kr for rotary motion. Under such conditions, a ratio I.sub.f /I.sub.r between the first and second biasing currents, a ratio i.sub.Hf /i.sub.

Abstract: An actuator for precisely moving and positioning a manufacturing component includes a housing on which a magnet is mounted. An electrical coil is wound around a coil piston which is slidingly mounted on the housing for movement within the magnetic field generated by the magnet. A rod, having a member for gripping the component, is attached for translational movement with the coil piston, and a source of electrical current is connected to the coil which is wrapped around the coil piston. A drive motor is mounted on the device, and a linkage connects the drive motor to the grip for rotation of the grip as desired. In the operation of the actuator, a current is selectively passed through the coil. This current in the coil then moves the coil piston and the attached grip within the magnetic field to position the component as desired in translation. Also, the drive motor can be activated to move the grip in rotation as desired.

Abstract: In a servomechanism, the stator and the rotor each have disk-shaped iron parts between which a disk-ring-shaped axial air gap is formed. The stator and rotor windings are fashioned as spiral-shaped conductor paths/interconnects on insulating layers which are glued onto the end surfaces of the iron parts of the stator and the rotor resulting in a very short axial length servomechanism. In addition, the null voltage is reduced due to the elimination of winding heads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration wave motor of the type in which an electro-mechanical energy conversion element is disposed on a vibration member and a frequency voltage is applied to the element to form a travelling vibration wave on the vibration member and a moving member is driven by the vibration wave. In the present invention, when the motor has assumed a resonance or the vicinity thereof when speed adjustment is being effected with the frequency of the periodic voltage changed, the change of the frequency to any frequency exceeding the then frequency is inhibited so that the drive frequency is not changed to a value exceeding the resonance frequency.

Abstract: A combined linear-rotary direct drive step motor, having a rotary section and a linear section in a single housing, comprising a cylindrically shaped variable reluctance linear step motor; a modified hybrid permanent-magnet rotary step motor; and a common shaft shared by said linear step motor and said rotary step motor. The teeth of the rotary motor are circumferentially spaced around the stator pole faces and rotor; while in the linear portion of the motor, the teeth are longitudinally spaced along the face of the stator poles and rotor. Except for the teeth, the shape of the stator poles in the rotary and linear sections are identical. The laminated stators and rotors reduce eddy current losses at high stepping speeds. The stator coils of both motor sections are separate and can be energized independently allowing any combination of rotary or linear motion. According to alternate embodiments of the invention, the rotor is fabricated from stacked laminations, in a waffle board like configuration.