A linear actuator includes a magnet housing having first and second planar sides, a front plate and a rear plate, and a base plate covering a channel defined by the magnet housing. A first plurality of magnets is secured to the first planar side and a second plurality of magnets is secured to the second planar side. A linear guide is slidably secured to an inner surface of the base plate. A piston assembly has a piston element attached to the linear guide. The piston assembly includes a shaft and a printed circuit board attached to the piston element. The printed circuit board defines a controller and a printed coil assembly. A flex cable is electrically connected to the printed circuit board. The piston assembly is disposed to move linearly during operation of the linear actuator.
H01F 7/08 - ElectromagnetsActuators including electromagnets with armatures
H01F 7/121 - Guiding or setting position of armatures, e.g. retaining armatures in their end position
H01F 41/00 - Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or assembling magnets, inductances or transformersApparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing materials characterised by their magnetic properties
2.
Multi-layer printed coil arrangement having variable-pitch printed coils
A printed coil assembly including a flexible dielectric material, a patterned top conductive layer formed on a top surface of the flexible dielectric material, and a patterned bottom conductive layer formed on a bottom surface of the flexible dielectric material. The patterned top conductive layer and the patterned bottom conductive layer form a plurality of printed coils arranged in a plurality of printed coil rollers concentrically arranged in a cylindrical shape. Each of the plurality of printed coils includes a top layer printed coil disposed within the patterned top conductive layer and a bottom layer printed coil disposed within the patterned bottom conductive layer. Coil pitches of the coils within each roller are chosen such that corresponding ones of the plurality of printed coils in adjacent rollers are axially aligned relative to a center of the cylindrical shape.
H02K 3/04 - Windings characterised by the conductor shape, form or construction, e.g. with bar conductors
H02K 5/04 - Casings or enclosures characterised by the shape, form or construction thereof
H02K 7/00 - Arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with dynamo-electric machines, e.g. structural association with mechanical driving motors or auxiliary dynamo-electric machines
H02K 15/04 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining or repairing of dynamo-electric machines of windings prior to their mounting into the machines
H02P 25/03 - Synchronous motors with brushless excitation
3.
Low-cost linear actuator having a moving printed coil assembly defined on a printed circuit board
A linear actuator includes a magnet housing having first and second planar sides, a front plate and a rear plate, and a base plate covering a channel defined by the magnet housing. A first plurality of magnets is secured to the first planar side and a second plurality of magnets is secured to the second planar side. A linear guide slidably secured to an inner surface of the base plate. A piston assembly has a piston element attached to the linear guide. The piston assembly includes a shaft and a printed circuit board attached to the piston element. The printed circuit board defines a controller and a printed coil assembly. A flex cable is electrically connected to the printed circuit board. The piston assembly is disposed to move linearly during operation of the linear actuator.
H01F 7/08 - ElectromagnetsActuators including electromagnets with armatures
H01F 7/121 - Guiding or setting position of armatures, e.g. retaining armatures in their end position
H01F 41/00 - Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or assembling magnets, inductances or transformersApparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing materials characterised by their magnetic properties
A moving coil brushless motor including an actuator having a stator and a rotor. The stator includes a cylindrical array of permanent magnets. The rotor includes a coil assembly having a plurality of coils interposed between a stator back plate and the permanent magnet array. The coil assembly rotates relative to the array of permanent magnets. A center shaft is disposed to rotate about a longitudinal axis. A cylindrical transformer is disposed within an interior space circumscribed by the stator back plate and includes a primary side and a secondary side. The primary side includes a primary coil and the secondary side includes a secondary coil magnetically coupled to the primary coil. Primary electronics are in communication with secondary electronics attached to the center shaft. The secondary electronics are configured to receive power from the secondary coil and to provide current to the actuator.
H02K 41/03 - Synchronous motorsMotors moving step by stepReluctance motors
H02K 29/08 - Motors or generators having non-mechanical commutating devices, e.g. discharge tubes or semiconductor devices with position sensing devices using magnetic effect devices, e.g. Hall-plates or magneto-resistors
H02P 6/00 - Arrangements for controlling synchronous motors or other dynamo-electric motors using electronic commutation dependent on the rotor positionElectronic commutators therefor
A moving coil brushless motor including an actuator having a stator and a rotor. The stator includes a cylindrical array of permanent magnets. The rotor includes a coil assembly having a plurality of coils interposed between a stator back plate and the permanent magnet array. The coil assembly rotates relative to the array of permanent magnets. A center shaft is disposed to rotate about a longitudinal axis. A cylindrical transformer is disposed within an interior space circumscribed by the stator back plate and includes a primary side and a secondary side. The primary side includes a primary coil and the secondary side includes a secondary coil magnetically coupled to the primary coil. Primary electronics are in communication with secondary electronics attached to the center shaft. The secondary electronics are configured to receive power from the secondary coil and to provide current to the actuator.
H02K 11/042 - Rectifiers associated with rotating parts, e.g. rotor cores or rotary shafts
H02K 16/04 - Machines with one rotor and two stators
H02K 21/26 - Synchronous motors having permanent magnetsSynchronous generators having permanent magnets with rotating armatures and stationary magnets
H02K 29/06 - Motors or generators having non-mechanical commutating devices, e.g. discharge tubes or semiconductor devices with position sensing devices
A printed coil assembly including a flexible dielectric material, a patterned top conductive layer formed on a top surface of the flexible dielectric material, and a patterned bottom conductive layer formed on a bottom surface of the flexible dielectric material. The patterned top conductive layer and the patterned bottom conductive layer form a plurality of printed coils arranged in a plurality of printed coil rollers concentrically arranged in a cylindrical shape. Each of the plurality of printed coils includes a top layer printed coil disposed within the patterned top conductive layer and a bottom layer printed coil disposed within the patterned bottom conductive layer. Coil pitches of the coils within each roller are chosen such that corresponding ones of the plurality of printed coils in adjacent rollers are axially aligned relative to a center of the cylindrical shape.
H02K 3/04 - Windings characterised by the conductor shape, form or construction, e.g. with bar conductors
H02K 7/00 - Arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with dynamo-electric machines, e.g. structural association with mechanical driving motors or auxiliary dynamo-electric machines
H02P 25/03 - Synchronous motors with brushless excitation
H02K 15/04 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining or repairing of dynamo-electric machines of windings prior to their mounting into the machines
H02K 5/04 - Casings or enclosures characterised by the shape, form or construction thereof
7.
MULTI-LAYER PRINTED COIL ARRANGEMENT HAVING VARIABLE-PITCH PRINTED COILS
A printed coil assembly including a flexible dielectric material, a patterned top conductive layer formed on a top surface of the flexible dielectric material, and a patterned bottom conductive layer formed on a bottom surface of the flexible dielectric material. The patterned top conductive layer and the patterned bottom conductive layer form a plurality of printed coils arranged in a plurality of printed coil rollers concentrically arranged in a cylindrical shape. Each of the plurality of printed coils includes a top layer printed coil disposed within the patterned top conductive layer and a bottom layer printed coil disposed within the patterned bottom conductive layer. Coil pitches of the coils within each roller are chosen such that corresponding ones of the plurality of printed coils in adjacent rollers are axially aligned relative to a center of the cylindrical shape.
A system and method for precisely applying threaded caps using a linear rotary actuator is provided. The method includes aligning the threaded cap with the threaded top of a container, soft landing the threaded cap in contact with the threaded top, aligning the ends of the threads, soft landing the threaded cap in contact with the threaded top, and snugging the threaded cap. The system includes a linear rotary actuator and a tool for driving and coupling to the threaded cap.
A system and method for precisely inserting threaded fasteners using a linear rotary actuator. The method includes aligning the threaded fastener with the threaded hole, soft landing the threaded fastener in contact with the threaded hole, aligning the ends of the threads, soft landing the threaded fastener in contact with the threaded hole, and snugging the threaded fastener. Additional threaded fasteners may be inserted and snugged before a final torque specification is applied to each of the fasteners. The system includes a linear rotary actuator and a tool for driving and coupling to the threaded fastener.
An electric motor including a coil assembly having a plurality of coils which may be arranged in the shape of a cylinder. The motor further includes a rotor including a plurality of outer magnets configured as a first Halbach cylinder surrounding the coil assembly. An outer magnet housing of the rotor is coupled to and surrounds the plurality of outer magnets. A plurality of inner magnets are arranged as a second Halbach cylinder with the coil assembly being interposed between the plurality of inner magnets and the plurality of outer magnets. An inner magnet housing is coupled to the plurality of inner magnets and surrounds an output shaft.
An electric motor including a coil assembly having a plurality of coils which may be arranged in the shape of a cylinder. The motor further includes a rotor including a plurality of outer magnets configured as a first Halbach cylinder surrounding the coil assembly. An outer magnet housing of the rotor is coupled to and surrounds the plurality of outer magnets. A plurality of inner magnets are arranged as a second Halbach cylinder with the coil assembly being interposed between the plurality of inner magnets and the plurality of outer magnets. An inner magnet housing is coupled to the plurality of inner magnets and surrounds an output shaft.
H02K 5/173 - Means for supporting bearings, e.g. insulating supports or means for fitting bearings in the bearing-shields using bearings with rolling contact, e.g. ball bearings
H02K 15/03 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining or repairing of dynamo-electric machines of stator or rotor bodies having permanent magnets
H02K 21/14 - Synchronous motors having permanent magnetsSynchronous generators having permanent magnets with stationary armatures and rotating magnets with magnets rotating within the armatures
H02K 21/22 - Synchronous motors having permanent magnetsSynchronous generators having permanent magnets with stationary armatures and rotating magnets with magnets rotating around the armatures, e.g. flywheel magnetos
H02P 1/00 - Arrangements for starting electric motors or dynamo-electric converters
A direct drive brushless motor including a plurality of rotational components and a plurality of non-rotational components. Ones of the pluralities of rotational and non-rotational components form a dual magnetic circuit. The plurality of rotational components includes a center rotation shaft circumscribed by a plurality of coils and a coil termination plate configured to support the plurality of coils. The plurality of non-rotational components includes a plurality of outer magnets arranged around the plurality of coils in a Halbach configuration and a plurality of inner magnets arranged in a Halbach configuration between the coils and the shaft. A flex cable having one or more leads provides electrical current to the plurality of coils without the use of brushes.
B25J 3/04 - Manipulators of leader-follower type, i.e. both controlling unit and controlled unit perform corresponding spatial movements involving servo mechanisms
H02K 11/21 - Devices for sensing speed or position, or actuated thereby
H02K 21/04 - Windings on magnets for additional excitation
B25J 9/12 - Programme-controlled manipulators characterised by positioning means for manipulator elements electric
H02K 21/22 - Synchronous motors having permanent magnetsSynchronous generators having permanent magnets with stationary armatures and rotating magnets with magnets rotating around the armatures, e.g. flywheel magnetos
H02K 26/00 - Machines adapted to function as torque motors, i.e. to exert a torque when stalled
A system, apparatus, and method for using a magnetic latch to maintain a desired force between a test-probe assembly and a surface of a component. The method includes moving the test-probe assembly into an approach position, the approach position being a predetermined distance from the surface of a component. The test-probe assembly is then moved from the approach position to the surface of a component pursuant to a soft landing procedure. The method further includes magnetically latching the test-probe assembly in contact with the surface of a component at a constant force. The moving coil of the actuator can be de-energized while the test-probe assembly performs measurements on the component. After the testing is completed, the moving coil is energized and the test-probe assembly is retracted away from the component. The applied force may be monitored based upon an output of a load cell responsive to a force exerted by the test-probe assembly.
A system, apparatus, and method for using a magnetic latch to maintain a desired force between a test-probe assembly and a surface of a component. The method includes moving the test-probe assembly into an approach position, the approach position being a predetermined distance from the surface of a component. The test-probe assembly is then moved from the approach position to the surface of a component pursuant to a soft landing procedure. The method further includes magnetically latching the test-probe assembly in contact with the surface of a component at a constant force. The moving coil of the actuator can be de-energized while the test-probe assembly performs measurements on the component. After the testing is completed, the moving coil is energized and the test-probe assembly is retracted away from the component. The applied force may be monitored based upon an output of a load cell responsive to a force exerted by the test-probe assembly.
Disclosed herein are apparatus and methods for linear actuators that can deliver strokes and forces at different values. The linear actuators include both multi-coil and single-coil actuator designs. The linear actuators include a controller that is removably or permanently coupled to a piston assembly having any number of coils. An encoder may also be removably or permanently coupled to the piston assembly. The piston assembly, controller and encoder move as one unit during actuation of the linear actuator.
H02K 41/03 - Synchronous motorsMotors moving step by stepReluctance motors
B25J 13/08 - Controls for manipulators by means of sensing devices, e.g. viewing or touching devices
H02K 33/18 - Motors with reciprocating, oscillating or vibrating magnet, armature or coil system with coil systems moving upon intermittent or reversed energisation thereof by interaction with a fixed field system, e.g. permanent magnets
Disclosed herein are apparatus and methods for linear actuators that can deliver strokes and forces at different values. The linear actuators include both multi-coil and single-coil actuator designs. The linear actuators include a controller that is removably or permanently coupled to a piston assembly having any number of coils. An encoder may also be removably or permanently coupled to the piston assembly. The piston assembly, controller and encoder move as one unit during actuation of the linear actuator.
H02P 7/02 - Arrangements for regulating or controlling the speed or torque of electric DC motors the DC motors being of the linear type
G01D 5/347 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells using displacement encoding scales
H02K 41/03 - Synchronous motorsMotors moving step by stepReluctance motors
A system and method for measuring a distance to a target work surface to precisely position a tool assembly coupled to an actuator. The method includes measuring a distance to a work surface using a distance sensor, moving the tool assembly into an approach position, the approach position being adjacent to a location on the work surface. The tool assembly is then moved from the approach position to the location on the work surface pursuant to a soft landing procedure. The soft landing procedure may include determining that the tool assembly has moved into soft contact with the target work surface. Methods also include topologically mapping a work surface, comparing map data to predefined data, and adjusting a positioning routine. Additionally, methods include optimizing actuator movements to timely measure distances from a distance sensor to a location on a work surface with minimal actuator movement.
G01B 21/16 - Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects
18.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CLOSED LOOP FORCE CONTROL IN A LINEAR ACTUATOR
A system and method for using a probe assembly to apply a desired force to a target surface. The method includes moving the probe assembly into an approach position, the approach position being a predetermined distance from the target surface. The probe assembly is then moved from the approach position to the target surface pursuant to a soft landing procedure. The soft landing procedure includes determining that the probe assembly has moved into soft contact with the target surface. The method further includes applying, subsequent to establishment of the soft contact between the probe assembly and the target surface, force to the probe assembly until an applied force on the target surface reaches the desired force. The applied force may then be monitored based upon an output of a load cell responsive to a force exerted by the probe assembly.
G05B 19/19 - Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form characterised by positioning or contouring control systems, e.g. to control position from one programmed point to another or to control movement along a programmed continuous path
A direct drive motor for a robotic finger. The direct drive motor includes a plurality of outer magnets and a coil assembly including a plurality of coils surrounded by the plurality of outer magnets. The plurality of coils are configured to generate a magnetic field when current is conducted through them such that the coil assembly rotates relative to the plurality of outer magnets. The direct drive motor further includes a plurality of inner magnets surrounded by the plurality of coils and a core element surrounded by the plurality of inner magnets. A center rotation shaft is positioned within an interior space circumscribed by the core element.
H02K 21/04 - Windings on magnets for additional excitation
H02K 21/22 - Synchronous motors having permanent magnetsSynchronous generators having permanent magnets with stationary armatures and rotating magnets with magnets rotating around the armatures, e.g. flywheel magnetos
H02K 26/00 - Machines adapted to function as torque motors, i.e. to exert a torque when stalled
H02K 11/21 - Devices for sensing speed or position, or actuated thereby
20.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR COMPACT SERIES LINEAR ACTUATORS
Serial linear actuators that are compact in size and can operate at high speeds with reduced failure rates. The disclosed linear actuators may be used in sub micron positioning applications such as, for example, in semiconductor or biotechnology scanning applications. An actuator apparatus may include a magnet housing which defines an interior volume in which a permanent magnet and a moving coil assembly are disposed. The moving coil assembly includes electrically conductive coils wound around a set of substantially flat moving coil scaffolds. The moving coil assembly is centrally located within the actuator between a set of outer cross roller guides to reduce or eliminate the internal moment effect of the coil on the guiding system of the actuator and to allow the actuator to have a small height and compact form factor.
A direct drive motor for a robotic finger. The direct drive motor includes a plurality of outer magnets and a coil assembly including a plurality of coils surrounded by the plurality of outer magnets. The plurality of coils are configured to generate a magnetic field when current is conducted through them such that the coil assembly rotates relative to the plurality of outer magnets. The direct drive motor further includes a plurality of inner magnets surrounded by the plurality of coils and a core element surrounded by the plurality of inner magnets. A center rotation shaft is positioned within an interior space circumscribed by the core element.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
(1) Actuators, namely, linear and linear/rotary, moving coil actuators useful for inspection, assembling, and positioning component parts in automated product assembly procedures.
(2) Actuators, namely, linear, electric, moving coil actuators useful for inspection, assembling, and positioning component parts in automated product assembly procedures.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Actuators, namely, linear, hydraulic multi-axis valve actuators, pneumatic multi-axis valve actuators, and hydraulic rotary valve actuators, useful for inspection, assembling and positioning component parts in automated product assembly procedures Actuators, namely, electric multi-axis valve actuators and electric rotary valve actuators, useful for inspection, assembling and positioning components parts in automated product assembly procedures
