Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• H01F 7/16 - Armatures à mouvement rectiligne
• H01F 7/08 - Électro-aimantsActionneurs comportant des électro-aimants avec armatures
• H01F 7/121 - Guidage ou positionnement d'armatures, p. ex. maintien des armatures dans leur position extrême
• H01F 41/00 - Appareils ou procédés spécialement adaptés à la fabrication ou à l'assemblage des aimants, des inductances ou des transformateursAppareils ou procédés spécialement adaptés à la fabrication des matériaux caractérisés par leurs propriétés magnétiques

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• H02K 3/04 - Enroulements caractérisés par la configuration, la forme ou le genre de construction du conducteur, p. ex. avec des conducteurs en barre
• H02K 5/04 - Enveloppes ou enceintes caractérisées par leur configuration, leur forme ou leur construction
• H02K 7/00 - Dispositions pour la mise en œuvre d'énergie mécanique associées structurellement aux machines dynamo-électriques, p. ex. association structurelle avec des moteurs mécaniques d'entraînement ou des machines dynamo-électriques auxiliaires
• H02K 15/04 - Procédés ou appareils spécialement adaptés à la fabrication, l'assemblage, l'entretien ou la réparation des machines dynamo-électriques d'enroulements avant leur montage dans les machines
• H02P 25/03 - Moteurs synchrones avec excitation sans balai

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• H01F 7/16 - Armatures à mouvement rectiligne
• H01F 7/08 - Électro-aimantsActionneurs comportant des électro-aimants avec armatures
• H01F 7/121 - Guidage ou positionnement d'armatures, p. ex. maintien des armatures dans leur position extrême
• H01F 41/00 - Appareils ou procédés spécialement adaptés à la fabrication ou à l'assemblage des aimants, des inductances ou des transformateursAppareils ou procédés spécialement adaptés à la fabrication des matériaux caractérisés par leurs propriétés magnétiques

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• H02K 41/03 - Moteurs synchronesMoteurs pas à pasMoteurs à réluctance
• H02K 29/08 - Moteurs ou génératrices à dispositifs de commutation non mécaniques, p. ex. tubes à décharge ou dispositifs à semi-conducteurs avec des dispositifs détecteurs de la position utilisant des dispositifs à effet magnétique, p. ex. dispositifs à effet Hall ou magnéto-résistances
• H02P 6/00 - Dispositions pour commander les moteurs synchrones ou les autres moteurs dynamo-électriques utilisant des commutateurs électroniques en fonction de la position du rotorCommutateurs électroniques à cet effet

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• H02K 11/042 - Redresseurs associés à des parties tournantes, p. ex. à des noyaux rotoriques ou à des arbres tournants
• H02K 16/04 - Machines avec un rotor et deux stators
• H02K 21/26 - Moteurs synchrones à aimants permanentsGénératrices synchrones à aimants permanents avec des induits tournants et des aimants fixes
• H02K 29/06 - Moteurs ou génératrices à dispositifs de commutation non mécaniques, p. ex. tubes à décharge ou dispositifs à semi-conducteurs avec des dispositifs détecteurs de la position
• H01F 38/18 - Transformateurs rotatifs

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• H02K 3/04 - Enroulements caractérisés par la configuration, la forme ou le genre de construction du conducteur, p. ex. avec des conducteurs en barre
• H02K 7/00 - Dispositions pour la mise en œuvre d'énergie mécanique associées structurellement aux machines dynamo-électriques, p. ex. association structurelle avec des moteurs mécaniques d'entraînement ou des machines dynamo-électriques auxiliaires
• H02P 25/03 - Moteurs synchrones avec excitation sans balai
• H02K 15/04 - Procédés ou appareils spécialement adaptés à la fabrication, l'assemblage, l'entretien ou la réparation des machines dynamo-électriques d'enroulements avant leur montage dans les machines
• H02K 5/04 - Enveloppes ou enceintes caractérisées par leur configuration, leur forme ou leur construction

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• H01F 5/02 - Bobines d'induction enroulées sur des supports non magnétiques, p. ex. mandrins
• H01F 5/04 - Dispositions des connexions électriques aux bobines, p. ex. fils de connexion
• H01F 5/06 - Isolement des enroulements
• H01F 27/28 - BobinesEnroulementsConnexions conductrices
• H01F 27/30 - Fixation ou serrage de bobines, d'enroulements ou de parties de ceux-ci entre euxFixation ou montage des bobines ou enroulements sur le noyau, dans l'enveloppe ou sur un autre support

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• B67B 3/20 - Fermeture des bouteilles, des bocaux ou des récipients analogues par application de capsules par application et rotation de capsules préalablement filetées

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• B23P 19/06 - Machines pour mettre ou retirer les vis ou les écrous

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• G11B 19/20 - EntraînementDémarrageArrêtCommande correspondante

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• H02K 21/12 - Moteurs synchrones à aimants permanentsGénératrices synchrones à aimants permanents avec des induits fixes et des aimants tournants
• H02K 1/18 - Moyens de montage ou de fixation des parties magnétiques fixes sur ou aux structures constituant le stator
• H02K 1/27 - Noyaux rotoriques à aimants permanents
• H02K 5/173 - Moyens de support des paliers, p. ex. supports isolants ou moyens pour ajuster les paliers dans leurs flasques utilisant des roulements à rouleaux, p. ex. des roulements à billes
• H02K 7/08 - Association structurelle avec des paliers
• H02K 15/03 - Procédés ou appareils spécialement adaptés à la fabrication, l'assemblage, l'entretien ou la réparation des machines dynamo-électriques des corps statoriques ou rotoriques comportant des aimants permanents
• H02K 21/14 - Moteurs synchrones à aimants permanentsGénératrices synchrones à aimants permanents avec des induits fixes et des aimants tournants avec des aimants tournant à l'intérieur des induits
• H02K 21/22 - Moteurs synchrones à aimants permanentsGénératrices synchrones à aimants permanents avec des induits fixes et des aimants tournants avec des aimants tournant autour des induits, p. ex. volants magnétiques
• H02P 1/00 - Dispositions de démarrage de moteurs électriques ou de convertisseurs dynamo-électriques
• H02K 11/225 - Bobines de détection

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• B25J 15/00 - Têtes de préhension
• B25J 3/04 - Manipulateurs de type à commande asservie, c.-à-d. manipulateurs dans lesquels l'unité de commande et l'unité commandée exécutent des mouvements correspondants dans l'espace comportant des servomécanismes
• H02K 11/21 - Dispositifs pour détecter la vitesse ou la position, ou actionnés par des valeurs de ces variables
• H02K 21/04 - Bobinages disposés sur les aimants pour une excitation additionnelle
• H02K 41/035 - Moteurs à courant continuMoteurs unipolaires
• B25J 9/12 - Manipulateurs à commande programmée caractérisés par des moyens pour régler la position des éléments manipulateurs électriques
• H02K 21/22 - Moteurs synchrones à aimants permanentsGénératrices synchrones à aimants permanents avec des induits fixes et des aimants tournants avec des aimants tournant autour des induits, p. ex. volants magnétiques
• H02K 26/00 - Machines adaptées pour le fonctionnement en moteur-couple, c.-à-d. pour exercer un couple quand elles sont arrêtées
• B25J 19/06 - Dispositifs de sécurité
• H02K 1/17 - Noyaux statoriques à aimants permanents

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• G01R 31/28 - Test de circuits électroniques, p. ex. à l'aide d'un traceur de signaux

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• G01R 1/06 - Conducteurs de mesureSondes de mesure
• G01R 1/067 - Sondes de mesure
• G01R 31/26 - Test de dispositifs individuels à semi-conducteurs

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• H02K 41/03 - Moteurs synchronesMoteurs pas à pasMoteurs à réluctance
• B25J 13/08 - Commandes pour manipulateurs au moyens de dispositifs sensibles, p. ex. à la vue ou au toucher
• H02K 33/18 - Moteurs avec un aimant, un induit ou un système de bobines à mouvement alternatif, oscillant ou vibrant avec des systèmes de bobines se déplaçant, du fait de mises sous tension intermittentes ou inversées, par interaction avec un système de champ magnétique fixe, p. ex. des aimants permanents
• H02K 41/02 - Moteurs linéairesMoteurs sectionnels
• H02K 41/035 - Moteurs à courant continuMoteurs unipolaires

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• H02P 7/02 - Dispositions pour réguler ou commander la vitesse ou le couple de moteurs électriques à courant continu les moteurs à courant continu étant du type linéaire
• G01D 5/347 - Moyens mécaniques pour le transfert de la grandeur de sortie d'un organe sensibleMoyens pour convertir la grandeur de sortie d'un organe sensible en une autre variable, lorsque la forme ou la nature de l'organe sensible n'imposent pas un moyen de conversion déterminéTransducteurs non spécialement adaptés à une variable particulière utilisant des moyens optiques, c.-à-d. utilisant de la lumière infrarouge, visible ou ultraviolette avec atténuation ou obturation complète ou partielle des rayons lumineux les rayons lumineux étant détectés par des cellules photo-électriques en utilisant le déplacement d'échelles de codage
• H02K 41/03 - Moteurs synchronesMoteurs pas à pasMoteurs à réluctance
• H02K 11/22 - Dispositifs optiques
• H02K 11/33 - Circuits d’entraînement, p. ex. circuits électroniques de puissance

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• H02P 25/06 - Moteurs linéaires
• G01B 21/16 - Dispositions pour la mesure ou leurs détails, où la technique de mesure n'est pas couverte par les autres groupes de la présente sous-classe, est non spécifiée ou est non significative pour mesurer la distance ou le jeu entre des objets espacés

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• G05B 19/19 - Commande numérique [CN], c.-à-d. machines fonctionnant automatiquement, en particulier machines-outils, p. ex. dans un milieu de fabrication industriel, afin d'effectuer un positionnement, un mouvement ou des actions coordonnées au moyen de données d'un programme sous forme numérique caractérisée par systèmes de commande de positionnement ou de commande de contournage, p. ex. pour commander la position à partir d'un point programmé vers un autre point ou pour commander un mouvement le long d'un parcours continu programmé

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• H02K 1/17 - Noyaux statoriques à aimants permanents
• B25J 15/00 - Têtes de préhension
• H02K 41/035 - Moteurs à courant continuMoteurs unipolaires
• H02K 21/04 - Bobinages disposés sur les aimants pour une excitation additionnelle
• H02K 21/22 - Moteurs synchrones à aimants permanentsGénératrices synchrones à aimants permanents avec des induits fixes et des aimants tournants avec des aimants tournant autour des induits, p. ex. volants magnétiques
• H02K 26/00 - Machines adaptées pour le fonctionnement en moteur-couple, c.-à-d. pour exercer un couple quand elles sont arrêtées
• H02K 11/21 - Dispositifs pour détecter la vitesse ou la position, ou actionnés par des valeurs de ces variables

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• F16H 25/22 - Mécanismes à vis avec billes, rouleaux ou organes similaires entre pièces travaillant en conjugaisonÉléments essentiels pour l'utilisation de ces organes

Abrégé

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.

Classes IPC  ?

• H02K 1/27 - Noyaux rotoriques à aimants permanents

Produits et 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.

Produits et 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