Abstract:
A system and method for controlling and stabilizing a satellite or other vehicle about any axis is disclosed. Embodiments achieve this three-axis control and stabilization with a spherical motor system or reaction sphere capable of storing momentum in a rotor. The spherical motor system comprises a spherical rotor having permanent magnets arranged in evenly-spaced antipodal pairs. Each of the permanent magnets are oriented with the same magnetic pole facing outward from a center of the rotor. The spherical motor system also comprises a stator which has magnetic sensors surrounding electromagnets. The spherical motor system further comprises a control system that controls timing and duration of energization of the electromagnets based on the detection of one of the permanent magnets by the magnetic sensors. Such a spherical motor system provides three-axis stabilization and control of a satellite (or other vehicle).
Abstract:
A positioning apparatus includes a moving member, an actuator, and a controller. The moving member can move in at least a first direction. The actuator is provided along the first direction. The controller controls a current applied to the actuator in order to support the weight of the moving member. The bending rigidity of the moving member in the first direction is greater than the bending rigidity of the moving member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
Abstract:
An actuation system for generating a physical effect, the system comprising at least one array of translating elements each constrained to travel alternately back and forth along a respective axis, toward first and second extreme positions respectively, in response to activation of first and second forces respectively; and a controller operative to use the first and second forces to selectably latch at least one subset of said translating elements into the first and second extreme positions respectively.
Abstract:
The present invention is related to a method for fabricating an electromagnetic actuator. It is further related to an electromagnetic actuator and a charged particle device comprising such an actuator. According to the present invention, the method for fabricating is characterized by determining an optimal allocation of permanent magnets to reduce the magnetic stray field caused by deviations between the nominal and actual magnetization values of the permanent magnets. The invention further provides a charged particle device comprising an electromagnetic actuator fabricated using the method according to the invention.
Abstract:
The aim of the invention is to provide a cost-effective, easily regulated rotary-linear drive. Therefore, the invention provides for the rotary-linear drive to connect a rotary drive (10) to a linear drive module (11). The linear drive module (11) comprises a rotatable drive-side receiving device for receiving a torque from the rotary drive (10). Additionally, the linear drive module has a linear motor, the armature (15) of which is rotatable, is rotated by a stator (14), and comprises an output element for the purpose of driving the shaft (12) in a rotary-linear fashion. To this end, the linear drive module (11) also comprises a coupling device (16) that couples the receiving device and the armature (15) in a rotationally secure but not linear fashion.
Abstract:
A magnetic actuator system which includes a case (10) and a spindle (22) which extends through the case comprising a magnetizable material such as iron. The actuator further includes a pair of permanent magnet assemblies (14, 16) positioned fixedly within the casing with a longitudinal space there between, wherein the permanent magnet assemblies comprise an alternating plurality of north pole/south magnet sections (18) which extend longitudinally or circumferentially of the actuator. The actuator further includes a coil winding (24) which surrounds the spindle, positioned between the two permanent magnet assemblies. Magnetic pole assemblies (28, 30) attached to the spindle are positioned within the volume encompassed by the permanent magnet assemblies, such that an alternating drive signal produces an oscillating action of the spindle of desired frequency and amplitude.
Abstract:
Actuator for exerting a force and a torque on an object, wherein the actuator includes a first part that is movable with respect to a second part of the actuator in at least a first degree of freedom, wherein the object is mounted to the first part, wherein one of the parts is provided with a first electrical coil that is arranged to cooperate with a magnetizable portion of the other part and wherein a controller of the actuator is arranged to generate a first electrical current through the first electrical coil for generating a force between the parts, wherein the one of the parts is provided with a second electrical coil which is arranged to cooperated with a magnetizable portion of the other part, wherein the controller is further arranged to generate a second current through the second coil and the first current through the first electrical coil for exerting the force and torque between the parts so that the actuator is arranged to exert the force and the torque on the object with respect to the second part.
Abstract:
A combination drive for rotary and lifting movements includes a rotary motor and a linear motor as well as an output shaft which is caused to rotate by the rotary motor and caused to move linearly by the linear motor. The output shaft includes an output end. The rotary motor is arranged closer to the output end of the output shaft than the linear motor. The output shaft can be designed shorter as a result. Further measures for increasing the dynamics are mass reductions on the rotor of the linear motor.
Abstract:
A VCM is disclosed, the VCM including a rotor including a bobbin arranged at an upper surface of a base formed with an opening, and a driving coil wound on the bobbin, a stator including a driving magnet opposite to the driving coil, and a yoke secured by the driving magnet at an inner surface of a lateral plate, and a tilting unit including a tilt magnet arranged at an outer surface of the lateral plate, a housing fixing the tilt magnet, and a tilt coil unit opposite to the tilt magnet.
Abstract:
A method for forming a secondary for a motor, for instance a linear drive motor, includes providing a sheet of highly magnetic permeable material with a plurality of slots extending through the sheet spaced along a length of the sheet. The slots define a plurality of teeth in the sheet and enable the sheet to be conformable to a mounting surface when forming the secondary of the motor. The top surface of the sheet has a plurality of pockets formed adjacent the plurality of slots. The pockets extend parallel to the width and are spaced along the length of the sheet. The pockets form a sensor operatively connected to a control of the motor. The sensor may be an encoder, and/or operatively connected to a control for controlling commutation of the motor, and/or setting positional limits, absolute positional information, and/or providing information about the sheet.