Abstract: An energy converter includes a magnetism generation mechanism unit that generates a magnetic field when connected to an AC electrical power source, and a rotating mechanism unit having a single turn coil array member in which a plurality of single turn coils is disposed at a predetermined interval and a soft magnetic metal plate disposed on a side of the single turn coil array member opposite to the magnetism generation mechanism unit. The rotating mechanism unit is structured such that the single turn coil array member faces the magnetism generation mechanism unit across a predetermined magnetic gap and rotary driven by the magnetic field. Here, a drive signal period of the electrical power source is a period that maximizes an eddy current generated in the soft magnetic metal plate.

Abstract: A high speed gas valve apparatus including a reservoir for holding a gas having a charge port for filling the reservoir with the gas and an outlet for releasing the gas from the reservoir, a rod slidingly housed in the valve apparatus, the rod including a sealing means operatively arranged to engage with the outlet of the valve chamber for sealing the reservoir when the valve is in a closed position, a pneumatic actuator, wherein a piston of the pneumatic actuator is coupled to the rod, an electro-magnetic actuator coupled to the rod, and wherein the gas is released from the reservoir via the outlet when the apparatus is in an open position, and the valve transitions from the closed position to the open position by activating the pneumatic and electro-magnetic actuators to move the rod away from the outlet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inductively driven electromagnetic linear actuator arrangement employing eddy currents induced in an armature by a drive coil to drive the armature. Eddy current focusing fields (Lorentz force) are employed to direct the induced eddy currents to maximize armature speed. The armature includes a shorted driven coil in a DC magnetic field that focuses eddy currents induced by the drive coil in the driven coil. The DC magnetic field can be supplied by one or more permanent magnets. When current is applied to the drive coil, a force is felt by the driven coil in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic field, causing armature movement. Such an actuator is well suited for electrical switching applications including transfer switching applications, circuit breaker applications, and ground fault interrupter applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inductively driven electromagnetic linear actuator arrangement employing eddy currents induced by a fixed drive coil to drive its armature. Eddy current focusing fields are employed to direct the eddy currents using Lorentz forces to maximize armature speed. The armature includes a shorted driven coil in a DC magnetic field. This can be supplied by a permanent magnet. When current is applied, a force is felt by the coil in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic field. Such an actuator is well suited for electrical switching applications including transfer switching applications, circuit breaker applications, and ground fault interrupter applications.

Abstract: A small balancer coil for cold-cathode florescent lamps having sufficient shunt/balance effects, comprises a discharge lamp, a conductor located close to the discharge lamp, and two coils whose magnetic fluxes face each other. The magnetic fluxes generated in the coils face and cancel each other. Lamp currents of the discharge lamps are balanced by making the sum of the reactances of the mutual inductance of the balancer coil larger than the negative resistance of the discharge lamp. Section winding is applied to each coil of the balancer coil so as to maintain shunt and balance effects even in a small/flat balancer coil by making self-resonance frequency of each of the coils higher.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inductively driven electromagnetic linear actuator arrangement employing eddy currents induced by a fixed drive coil to drive its armature. Eddy current focusing fields are employed to direct the eddy currents using Lorentz forces to maximize armature speed. The armature includes a shorted driven coil in a DC magnetic field. This can be supplied by a permanent magnet. When current is applied, a force is felt by the coil in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic field. Such an actuator is well suited for electrical switching applications including transfer switching applications, circuit breaker applications, and ground fault interrupter applications.

Abstract: An actuating magnet is disclosed comprising an actuating means (2) for exerting a tensile or pressure force on a target element that is to be moved, switched, or latched or unlatched, and comprising a latching means for latching the actuating means (2) in a desired position, the latching means having a locking magnet (11) for locking and unlocking the actuating means (2).

Abstract: The main body of the actuator structure is generally formed into a “pitchfork”shape. The middle bar of the pitchfork forms a Y-bend at its forward end. The Y-bend is disposed so that each tip of the bend is adjacent to the outer bar on each side of the pitchfork. At least a coil is fixed on each bar of the main body. The forward ends of the Y-bend abut against a movable member. In the structure above, applying a current to a coil generates minute movements in each tip of the Y-bend, thereby moving the movable member.

Abstract: A solenoid plunger for use in solenoid driven multi-line embossing systems is constructed of magnetic steel laminations that are attached to a center block which is machined to mount a solenoid shaft and anti-rotate pins. The laminations are attached to the center block with screws and vacuum epoxy glued for a very high cycle life. The laminated steel construction dramatically reduces eddy currents, which allows the magnetic field to rise and fall much more quickly than a conventional steel plunger. It also increases the magnetic force in the solenoid. This reduction in solenoid plunger eddy currents and increase of magnetic force in the solenoid structure itself operates to increase embosser throughput. The laminated steel construction further reduces embosser solenoid heating which also contributes to improved embossing control.

Abstract: A magnetic inertial force generator includes a magnetic shell internally defining an armature chamber. At least two circumferential electric coils are spaced longitudinally within the chamber and mounted on a cylindrical inner surface of the outer shell. An armature centered by springs is reciprocably supported in the chamber and includes at least two axially spaced radially magnetized permanent magnets mounted on a longitudinally extending magnetic steel tube. The magnets extend in general alignment with the coils. Controlled energizing of the coils reciprocates the armature axially relative to the shell to develop an opposite inertia force on the shell for application to a connected body. The use of multiple radially magnetized magnets provides for improved performance and/or reduced cost.

Abstract: The invention aims at suppressing an amount of deformation of a central portion of a movable part in a micro-miniature semiconductor actuator. A boundary portion is provided between a central portion and an edge of a movable part which is axially supported in a rotatable manner by torsion bars of an actuator, the boundary portion suppressing transmission of a warp due to an influence of air resistance at the edge of the movable part or moment of inertia, or heat generated by a driving force generating portion at the edge of the movable part, to a central portion of the movable part, to suppress deformation of the central portion of the movable part.

Abstract: A composite magnet has an iron core, a coil around the iron core, and a permanent magnet in the iron core. A first eddy current retarder includes a brake drum with a rotatable shaft, and a stationary magnet unit inside the inner peripheral surface of the brake drum and having an annular base portion, iron core portions, a support member having magnetic pole pieces at the ends of the iron core portions and opposed to the brake drum, electromagnets, and a permanent magnet in each of the iron core portions with its magnetic pole surface directed in the radial direction. A second eddy current retarder includes a stationary brake drum, an annular magnet support member coupled to a rotatable shaft and inside the inner peripheral surface of the brake drum, and magnets outside the magnet support member and opposed to the surface of the brake drum.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes an external movable plate formed integrally with a semiconductor substrate. A first torsion bar movably supports the movable plate with respect to the semiconductor substrate. An internal movable plate is disposed inside the external movable plate. A second torsion bar rotatably supports the internal movable plate relative to the external movable plate, and is positioned at a right angle relative to the first torsion bar; and further includes a single turn first driving coil extending around the external movable plate; a single turn second driving coil extending around the internal movable plate, and which is connected in series with the first driving coil; magnetic field generating means for applying a magnetic field to the first and second driving coils; and an optical element having an optical axis and located on the internal movable plate.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator for driving a movable plate equipped with an optical element such as a mirror on the basis of the operation principle of a galvanometer. The structure of the movable plate is simplified, and a driving coil and a wiring are formed by aluminium vapor deposition to improve durability. When an impact brings the movable plate outside the allowable rocking range of the movable plate, a stopper prevents excessive displacement of the movable plate to thereby prevent destruction of a torsion bar that supports the movable plate. Moreover, electrical connection in the torsion bar is eliminated to prolong the service life, and a production process is simplified to reduce a production cost.

Abstract: A moving coil linear actuator including an elongated permanent magnet having a cross-sectional width substantially greater than its edge height and having an elongated length of soft magnetic material disposed along one or both edges of the permanent magnet to enhance the magnetic field strength in the gap through which the moving coil translates.

Abstract: When the valve is closed, for example at normally-open type valve, the operating voltage applied to the electromagnet is initially set to the minimum operating voltage (6 V, for example), then raised to a voltage (12 V, for example) where sealing caused by contacting force between the valve body and the valve seat is ensured. The voltage is raised almost simultaneously with the contact of the valve body with the valve seat, or slightly earlier or later. Thus, when the valve is closed, the valve body speed when it reaches the valve seat is low, making the operational noise at valve closing smaller. Also, since the operating voltage of the electromagnet is raised later, sealing of the closed valve is ensured.

Abstract: A rotating disc electromagnetic relay has an operating element which applies a torque to the disc tending to close the main contacts and a restraint element generating a torque which together with a spring tends to open the relay contacts. The operating and restraint elements each have an E-shaped core defining two magnetic circuits with a common center leg. Two voltages to be compared are applied to two input coils on the center leg of each element in the same sense to generate a flux representative of the sum of the voltages in the operating element and in the opposite sense to produce a flux representative of the difference between the two voltages in the restraint element. The flux in the common leg of each element divides between the two magnetic circuits. The flux in one magnetic circuit of each element is shifted in phase by a first lag coil on an outer leg of the core to generate the opening and closing torque, respectively.

Abstract: An electrical switch mechanism which operates in response to deceleration or acceleration for use on board trains for brake assurance purposes. High sensitivity to deceleration or acceleration with low hysteresis is obtained by actuating a switch, when a pendulum swings a predetermined distance, through a force transfer system providing a mechanical advantage enabling a pendulum of reasonable size and mass to actuate commercially available switches which require appreciable actuating force.