Abstract: Exemplary practice of the present invention provides a magnetostrictive actuator characterized by linear force output and uniform magnetic biasing. A center bias magnet drives flux through series magnetostrictive bars in opposite directions while surrounding drive coils apply flux in the same direction through the bars. The net response is substantially linear with respect to the drive coil current. A second parallel set of magnetostrictive bars completes the flux path and adds to the actuator output force. Flux leakage between the parallel bars is compensated by a ferromagnetic shunt or by a tapered magnet providing uniform flux density down the length of the magnetostrictive bars. The closed flux path allows magnetic shielding of the entire actuator, if desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for a magnetostrictive sensor for guided-wave-based inspection includes a flexible body with a conductor arranged to receive an alternating current for generating a magnetic field. During operation, the flexible body is arranged to be attached to an object to be inspected in such a way that a first part of the conductor arranged to generate a magnetic field parallel to a longitudinal direction of the object is arranged to surround the object and a second part of the conductor arranged to generate a magnetic field perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the object is disposed away from the object.

Abstract: A system includes a host computer, a processor, and a haptic peripheral. The haptic peripheral includes a manipulandum movable in at least one degree of freedom, an inertial haptic output device, and a haptic output device. The inertial haptic output device is coupled to the manipulandum, and is configured to receive a control signal from the processor and output a transient haptic effect to the manipulandum in response to the control signal from the processor. The haptic output device is configured to receive a control signal from the processor and modify the stiffness of the manipulandum in response to the control signal from the processor.

Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing equipment comprising trace elements and method of manufacture are disclosed. The semiconductor manufacturing equipment includes one or more components, wherein at least one component is made from an alloy comprising one or more materials and one or more rare earth elements (REEs). The alloy comprises predetermined quantities of the respective REEs. The method for manufacturing a component includes forming an alloy comprising at least one material and one or more selected rare earth elements (REEs) and building the component with the alloy.

Abstract: An HTS magnet having a stack of a plurality of double-pancake (DP) coils is disclosed, with each DP coil having a first superconducting coil and a second superconducting coil. The plurality of DP coils have varying widths, with DP coils with the widest widths at the top and bottom of the stack, and DP coils with the narrowest coils located substantially at a midpoint of the stack. The DP coils omit turn-to-turn insulation, or have minimal turn-to-turn insulation.

Abstract: A resonant energy conversion apparatus may utilize magnetostrictive properties of a toroidal magnet. Electrical current induces periodic, complementary magnetic fields around separate quadrants of a toroidal magnet. The periodic, complementary magnetic fields induce mechanical changes in the toroidal magnet due to magnetostriction, causing mechanical stress in the toroidal magnet. Energy is stored as mechanical stress, and later released as electrical current.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed actuator design for absorbing and reducing the effect of sound or vibration energy from a vibrating surface. The device comprises a body (1) containing a magnetostrictive core (2-6) a reaction mass (7) for energizing the actuator by compression, and a bearing or lever system to control the movement of the reaction mass. The actuator has a foot (11) for receiving the vibration from the structure into the device and a sensor (13) for monitoring vibration levels. The device can also function as an audio transmitter whereby it vibrates the surface onto which it is mounted and can be used for audio trans-10 mission through the structure or noise and vibration reduction by driving the surface out of phase with the vibration received from the structure.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator (1) with an armature (3) mounted so that the armature can be moved by virtue of a bearing arrangement (6A, 6B) and an electric coil (4) is provided for moving the armature (3). A magnetostrictive element (8) is provided, by which relative movement between the armature (3) and at least part of the bearing arrangement (6A, 6B) is produced.

Abstract: Conventional devices have a valve needle and a shape memory element which, by the application of a controllable magnetic field, executes a control stroke travel that operates the actuator, and having a coil that excites the magnetic field which is situated in a magnet housing which, at its end face, is bordered with respect to an actuating axis by a front wall in each case, the front walls having a through opening radially within the coil. It is a disadvantage that the magnetic field excited around the coil is conducted unfavorably, so that at most a slight magnetic field develops in the shape memory element. The shape memory element has a magnetic field flowing through it, in the direction of its longitudinal extension, if at all. Since the shape memory element has a high magnetic resistance and is developed to be very long in the axial direction, only a very weak magnetic field can be induced in the shape memory element.

Abstract: Regarding a switch used for various controls of a motor vehicle in particular and a switch device using the switch, it becomes possible to simplify the configuration and to perform reliable detection of trouble. A first detector is disposed on a surface opposing to a magnet fitted to an actuator, and a second detector is disposed thereunder. A controller detects magnetism of the magnet by using the first detector and the second detector. In case one of the detectors is out of order, it can also be detected from ON/OFF signal from the first detector and the second detector.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for enabling pressure or acoustic waves to induce magnetostrictive volume or shape change, providing greater control over magnetopropants. A coating material and the spacing between a magnetopropant and a magnetic particle are selected such that a certain pressure causes change in the relative distance of magnetopropant and magnetic particle, thereby changing the amount of magnetostriction. The coating material, magnetopropant, and magnetic particle are assembled to form a pressure sensitive magnetopropant. Given this structure, changes in pressure will cause a fluctuation of the amount of magnetostriction. In a pore space environment, this causes a change in pore space with resulting change in permeability and, hence, changes in fluid flow.

Abstract: A valve is described having an inlet, an outlet, a sealing element and a device to generate a magnetic field, whereby the sealing element can be moved at least partially by the device and whereby the sealing element connects the inlet to the outlet in a fluid-conducting manner in that the sealing element lifts off at least partially from a valve seat wherein the sealing element is made at least partially of a foam element that can be deformed by the magnetic field.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator (1) with an armature (3) mounted so that the armature can be moved by virtue of a bearing arrangement (6A, 6B) and an electric coil (4) is provided for moving the armature (3). A magnetostrictive element (8) is provided, by which relative movement between the armature (3) and at least part of the bearing arrangement (6A, 6B) is produced.

Abstract: Embodiments of a magnetostrictive device, a dental lighting system, a method of illuminating a lighting apparatus and a lighting apparatus are disclosed. The embodiments may include a lighting apparatus with a light source, an electrical power storage device and a switch. When the switch detects a magnetic field, the switch may complete an electrical connection between the electrical power storage device and the switch, thus illuminating the light source. The magnetic field may be magnetostrictively or non-magnetostrictively generated, and maybe be produced by a receptacle, a hand-piece or the lighting apparatus itself. A user may switch the light source on and off. In a magnetostrictive device, the light may be illuminated even when a tip is not activated, and the electrical power storage device may be inductively re-charged. The lighting apparatus may be included in an insert of a magnetostrictive device, such as a magnetostrictive ultrasonic hand-held dental device.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for enabling pressure or acoustic waves to induce magnetostrictive volume or shape change, providing greater control over magnetopropants. A coating material and the spacing between a magnetopropant and a magnetic particle are selected such that a certain pressure causes change in the relative distance of magnetopropant and magnetic particle, thereby changing the amount of magnetostriction. The coating material, magnetopropant, and magnetic particle are assembled to form a pressure sensitive magnetopropant. Given this structure, changes in pressure will cause a fluctuation of the amount of magnetostriction. In a pore space environment, this causes a change in pore space with resulting change in permeability and, hence, changes in fluid flow.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for enabling pressure or acoustic waves to induce magnetostrictive volume or shape change, providing greater control over magnetopropants. A coating material and the spacing between a magnetopropant and a magnetic particle are selected such that a certain pressure causes change in the relative distance of magnetopropant and magnetic particle, thereby changing the amount of magnetostriction. The coating material, magnetopropant, and magnetic particle are assembled to form a pressure sensitive magnetopropant. Given this structure, changes in pressure will cause a fluctuation of the amount of magnetostriction. In a pore space environment, this causes a change in pore space with resulting change in permeability and, hence, changes in fluid flow.

Abstract: A method for reducing a temperature rise of a magnetic material is provided. The method includes applying force to the magnetic material to reduce a dimensional change of the magnetic material during a first part of an operation cycle, such as due to magnetostriction. The force is removed from the magnetic material during a second part of an operation cycle, allowing magnetostrictive dimensional changes to occur.

Abstract: A magneto-resistance effect element, a magneto-resistance effect head, a magnetic storage and a magnetic memory, in which noise caused by a spin-transfer torque is reduced, are provided. In a fixed magnetization layer or a free magnetization layer of a magneto-resistance effect element including the fixed magnetization layer, a spacer layer and the free magnetization layer; a layer containing one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, La, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt and Au is disposed.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive transducer that generates a large shear horizontal (SH) wave useful for non-destructive testing of a plate member, and method and apparatus for structural health monitoring by using the magnetostrictive transducer. The magnetostrictive transducer includes: a magnetostrictive patch array comprising a plurality of magnetostrictive patches that have different radii of curvature, and have the same center of curvature when arranged on a plate member and form an overall fan-shape; a static magnetic field forming unit comprising two magnets that are respectively installed on both sides of the magnetostrictive patch so that a magnetic field is formed in parallel to an arc direction of the magnetostrictive patch; and a dynamic magnetic field forming unit comprising a wound coil comprising a plurality of curved portions.

Abstract: A segmented magnetostrictive patch array transducer capable of generating a high frequency shear wave in a structure such as a rod or a pipe, a structural fault diagnosing apparatus including the segmented magnetostrictive patch array transducer, and a method of operating the segmented magnetostrictive patch array transducer are shown. The segmented magnetostrictive patch array transducer includes a plurality of magnetostrictive patches attached along a circumference of a rod member; a plurality of insulators that are disposed on the magnetostrictive patches; a plurality of meander coils, each of the meander coils comprising a plurality of coil lines extending along the circumference direction of the rod member on each of the insulators, wherein a current flows through adjacent coil lines in opposite directions to one another; and a plurality of magnets that respectively form a magnetic field along the circumferential direction of the rod member on the magnetostrictive patches.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided with a magnetostriction apparatus and a main body. The magnetostriction apparatus includes a super magnetostrictor which extracts and contracts in accordance with a magnetic field, a coil and bias magnets which generate the magnetic field, and a housing which maintains the components at predetermined positions. The magnetostriction apparatus is fitted to the main body such that the super magnetostrictor is perpendicular to the face of the main body where the apparatus is fitted. The housing is connected to the main body so that a predetermined pressure is applied to the super magnetostrictor by the main body and the housing.

Abstract: We disclose a precision positioner based on an inertial actuator, an optical instrument for accurate positional readout and control, and an electrostatically clamped assembly for holding any instrument or device. All aspects of the present invention present a significant improvement over the prior art: a positioner is robust and compact; an optical instrument for positional control is a profoundly simple and compact module; a clamping assembly is self-aligning and suitable for robotic hot-swapping of objects being positioned.

Abstract: Linear actuators (also known as an inchworm actuator) including a magnetically actuatable shape memory alloy (SMA) are described. The linear actuators include a bar and an actuator assembly, configured to achieve a linear displacement of the actuator assembly relative to the bar. A hybrid magnetic trigger including an electromagnet and a permanent magnet is used to selectively attract the magnetically actuatable SMA toward the magnetic trigger. The motion of the magnetically actuatable SMA can be converted to a linear displacement. The magnetically actuatable SMA can be implemented using a SMA exhibiting both ferromagnetic and SMA properties, or by a ferromagnetic mass coupled with an SMA (i.e., a ferromagnetic SMA composite). Linear actuators including bars incorporating a ratchet mechanism, and featureless bars are described. A hydraulic system incorporating actuators including magnetically actuatable SMA membranes is also disclosed.

Abstract: A security device, according to various aspects of the present invention, detects removal of the device from a provided surface. The security device includes a body; at least one magnet coupled to the body; and a sensor coupled to the body proximate to at least one of the at least one magnet. The sensor does not move with respect to the at least one magnet. The at least one magnet magnetically couples the body to the surface. Each one magnet provides a magnetic flux. When the body couples to the surface, at least a portion of the magnetic flux conducts away from the sensor. When the body is not coupled to the surface, at least a portion of the magnetic flux from at least one magnet of the at least one magnet conducts through the sensor thereby indicating removal of the body from the surface.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a magnetic sensor provided with a magnetoresistive effect element capable of stably maintaining a direction of magnetization in a magnetic domain of a free layer. The magnetic sensor includes a magnetoresistive effect element provided with narrow zonal portions 11a . . . 11a including a pinned layer and a free layer. Disposed below both ends of the free layer are bias magnet films 11b . . . 11b composed of a permanent magnet that applies to the free layer a bias magnetic field in a predetermined direction and an initializing coil 31 that is disposed in the vicinity of the free layer and applies to the free layer a magnetic field having the direction same as that of the bias magnetic field by being energized under a predetermined condition.

Abstract: An apparatus, according to various aspects of the present invention, that couples a provided security device to a provided portal cover and communicating between a first side and a second side of the portal cover. The security device includes a first magnet and a second magnet. The apparatus includes a second device, a first metal fastener, and a second metal fastener. The first metal fastener has a first end portion and a second end portion. The second metal fastener has a third end portion and a fourth end portion. The first end portion and the third end portion are positioned on a first side of the cover. The second end portion and the fourth end portion are positioned on a second side of the cover. The first magnet and the second magnet magnetically and electrically couple to the first end portion and the third end portion respectively thereby coupling the security device to the cover. The second device electrically couples to the second end portion and the fourth end portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a resonator capable of varying its resonance frequency of good performance with a low dispersion at a high manufacturing yield and a low cost. The resonator comprises a fixed electrode 1; a movable electrode 3 arranged with a predetermined distance apart from and parallel to the fixed electrode; a plurality of conductive leaf springs 2 with conductive property, all of which are bent outward or inward beforehand, arranged parallel apart from each other wherein, one end of each leaf spring is integrated into the fixed electrode and the other end of each leaf spring is integrated into the movable electrode; and an actuator 6 attached to the movable electrode for deforming the leaf springs by pushing or pulling the movable electrode.

Abstract: An actuator for moving a load has a frame forming a race between two surfaces thereof, at least two elements joined together by at least one flexible member, the elements and the at least one flexible member being disposed between the two surfaces of the frame that forms a race, one of the elements further joined to the load by a portion of the at least one flexible member, wherein when an element comes into contact with a surface of the frame it will stick thereto absent a repelling force, and moving means disposed to selectively attract or repel a corresponding element towards or away from one or the other of the two surfaces of the frame that forms the race. The actuator effects movement of the load in a direction towards or away from the elements, by changing a position of at least one of the elements on a surface of the frame that forms the race.

Abstract: A magnetostriction device is made such that an impregnated composition material, such as phenol resin, a resin in which an inorganic material such as silica is dispersed into a phenol resin, an epoxy based resin, or an acrylic resin is impregnated and caked into holes of a magnetostrictive sintered material manufactured by a powder metallurgy method. This magnetostriction device has improved mechanical strength against external force.

Abstract: Conventional devices have a valve needle and a shape memory element which, by the application of a controllable magnetic field, executes a control stroke travel that operates the actuator, and having a coil that excites the magnetic field which is situated in a magnet housing which, at its end face, is bordered with respect to an actuating axis by a front wall in each case, the front walls having a through opening radially within the coil. It is a disadvantage that the magnetic field excited around the coil is conducted unfavorably, so that at most a slight magnetic field develops in the shape memory element. The shape memory element has a magnetic field flowing through it, in the direction of its longitudinal extension, if at all. Since the shape memory element has a high magnetic resistance and is developed to be very long in the axial direction, only a very weak magnetic field can be induced in the shape memory element.

Abstract: A smart switch has a magnetic operator, at least one magnetic sensor located to sense movement of the magnetic operator, and a processor that processes an output of the magnetic sensor so as to detect right and left over travel ranges and a normal operating range of the magnetic operator. The magnetic sensor may be a magnetoresistive sensor.

Abstract: A method for reducing a temperature rise of a magnetic material is provided. The method includes applying force to the magnetic material to reduce a dimensional change of the magnetic material during a first part of an operation cycle, such as due to magnetostriction. The force is removed from the magnetic material during a second part of an operation cycle, allowing magnetostrictive dimensional changes to occur.

Abstract: A method for reducing a temperature rise of a magnetic material is provided. The method includes applying force to the magnetic material to reduce a dimensional change of the magnetic material during a first part of an operation cycle, such as due to magnetostriction. The force is removed from the magnetic material during a second part of an operation cycle, allowing magnetostrictive dimensional changes to occur.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for enabling pressure or acoustic waves to induce magnetostrictive volume or shape change, providing greater control over magnetopropants. A coating material and the spacing between a magnetopropant and a magnetic particle are selected such that a certain pressure causes change in the relative distance of magnetopropant and magnetic particle, thereby changing the amount of magnetostriction. The coating material, magnetopropant, and magnetic particle are assembled to form a pressure sensitive magnetopropant. Given this structure, changes in pressure will cause a fluctuation of the amount of magnetostriction. In a pore space environment, this causes a change in pore space with resulting change in permeability and, hence, changes in fluid flow.

Abstract: A method for reducing a temperature rise of a magnetic material is provided. The method includes applying force to the magnetic material to reduce a dimensional change of the magnetic material during a first part of an operation cycle, such as due to magnetostriction. The force is removed from the magnetic material during a second part of an operation cycle, allowing magnetostrictive dimensional changes to occur.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of preparing a polymer composite using a giant magnetostrictive material, and more particularly, to polymers composite having various improved properties, in which the advantageous structure of the giant magnetostrictive material produced by unidirectional solidification can be maintained by removing the eutectic phase from the magnetostrictive material and filling resulting voids with a polymer resin.

Abstract: An actuator includes an electromagnetostrictive element that has one end located on a front side and the other end located on a rear side. An output shaft penetrates the electromagnetostrictive element and is pressurized toward the rear side of the electromagnetostrictive element. A housing houses therein the electromagnetostrictive element and the output shaft, and bearing portions respectively support the front side and the rear side of the output shaft. A bias spring is provided between the rear side of the output shaft and the housing, and a displacement sensor detects a position in an axial direction of the shaft.

Abstract: A shock sensor has a housing with a Terfenol-D type sensing element positioned inside a sensing coil. A permanent biasing magnet is positioned in engagement with the Terfenol-D sensing element, and a spacer engages the Terfenol-D sensing element and extends from the housing. The housing has a beam with one or two mounting holes through which fasteners extend to mount the shock sensor to a structural member. The housing places the spacer in compression against the structural member. In an alternative embodiment a DC current can be supplied to the sensing coil to provide the biasing magnetic field. A high frequency filter separates the shock sensing signal from the applied DC biasing current.

Abstract: A shock sensor has a housing with a Terfenol-D type sensing element positioned inside a sensing coil. A permanent biasing magnet is positioned in engagement with the Terfenol-D sensing element, and a spacer engages the Terfenol-D sensing element and extends from the housing. The housing has a beam with one or two mounting holes through which fasteners extend to mount the shock sensor to a structural member. The housing places the spacer in compression against the structural member. In an alternative embodiment a DC current can be supplied to the sensing coil to provide the biasing magnetic field. A high frequency filter separates the shock sensing signal from the applied DC biasing current.

Abstract: Magnetostrictive actuator. The actuator includes a flexible substrate and a magnetostrictive film on the substrate. The shape of the flexible substrate is altered in the presence of a magnetic field.

Abstract: A shock sensor has a housing with a Terfenol-D type sensing element positioned inside a sensing coil. A permanent biasing magnet is positioned in engagement with the Terfenol-D sensing element, and a spacer engages the Terfenol-D sensing element and extends from the housing. The housing has a beam with one or two mounting holes through which fasteners extend to mount the shock sensor to a structural member. The housing places the spacer in compression against the structural member. In an alternative embodiment a DC current can be supplied to the sensing coil to provide the biasing magnetic field. A high frequency filter separates the shock sensing signal from the applied DC biasing current.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic sensor provided with a magnetoresistive effect element capable of stably maintaining a direction of magnetization in a magnetic domain of a free layer. The magnetic sensor includes a magnetoresistive effect element provided with narrow zonal portions including a pinned and a free layer. Disposed below both ends of the free layer are bias magnet films that apply a bias magnetic field to the free layer and an initializing coil 31 disposed near the free layer. Further, magnetizing the bias magnet films and fixing a direction of magnetization of the pinned layer are performed by a magnetic field formed by a magnet array configured such that permanent magnets are arranged on a lattice point of a tetragonal lattice wherein magnet pole polarity is different from adjacent magnet pole polarity spaced by the shortest route.

Abstract: A smart switch has a magnetic operator, at least one magnetic sensor located to sense movement of the magnetic operator, and a processor that processes an output of the magnetic sensor so as to detect right and left over travel ranges and a normal operating range of the magnetic operator. The magnetic sensor may be a magnetoresistive sensor.

Abstract: An actuator comprising a magnetic, resilient, shape memory member formed by a substance having a twin structure, and a magnetic field generator, at least part of the magnetic, resilient, shape memory member being disposed in a gradient magnetic field generated from the magnetic field generator such that the twin structure is reoriented by the magnetic field, whereby the shape memory resilient member is driven.

Abstract: A magnetoelectric magnetic field sensor has one or more laminated magnetostrictive layers and piezoelectric layers. The magnetostrictive layers are magnetized by a bias magnetic field in a longitudinal, in-plane direction. The piezoelectric layers can be poled in the longitudinal direction or perpendicular direction. The longitudinal magnetization of the magnetostrictive layers provides greatly increased sensitivity at lower bias fields compared to other magnetoelectric sensors. Perpendicular poling of the piezoelectric layers tends to provide higher sensitivity at lower detection frequency (e.g. less than 1 Hz). Longitudinal poling tends to provide higher sensitivity at high detection frequency (e.g. above 10 Hz). Also included are embodiments having relative thicknesses for the magnetostrictive layers that are optimized for sensitivity. Equations are provided for calculating the best relative thickness for the magnetostrictive layer for maximum sensitivity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for actuating a valve using magnetostrictive transduction is provided. A ferro-magnetic rod having giant magnetostrictive properties is operatively coupled with a hydraulic chamber. Application of a magnetic field to the ferro-magnetic rod generates strain in the rod and corresponding movement in a first piston, causing the fluid in the hydraulic chamber to become pressurized. The pressurized fluid forces a second piston to move, thereby actuating the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for actuating a valve using magnetostrictive transduction is provided. A ferro-magnetic rod having giant magnetostrictive properties is operatively coupled with a hydraulic chamber. Application of a magnetic field to the ferro-magnetic rod generates strain in the rod and corresponding movement in a first piston, causing the fluid in the hydraulic chamber to become pressurized. The pressurized fluid forces a second piston to move, thereby actuating the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for actuating a valve using magnetostrictive transduction is provided. A ferro-magnetic rod having giant magnetostrictive properties is operatively coupled with a hydraulic chamber. Application of a magnetic field to the ferro-magnetic rod generates strain in the rod and corresponding movement in a first piston, causing the fluid in the hydraulic chamber to become pressurized. The pressurized fluid forces a second piston to move, thereby actuating the valve.

Abstract: The present invention eliminates vibration of an electromagnetic device, apparatus or machine caused by magnetostrictive and Joule effects. Specifically, the present invention discloses making an electromagnetic device, apparatus or machine with magnetostrictive contracting and magnetostrictive expanding materials. Once exposed to a magnetic field, the amount of contraction and expansion of the materials should be virtually the same to minimize generation of vibratory energy that can be transmitted from a core to a housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for actuating a valve using magnetostrictive transduction is provided. A ferro-magnetic rod having giant magnetostrictive properties is operatively coupled with a hydraulic chamber. Application of a magnetic field to the ferro-magnetic rod generates strain in the rod and corresponding movement in a first piston, causing the fluid in the hydraulic chamber to become pressurized. The pressurized fluid forces a second piston to move, thereby actuating the valve.