Magnetically actuated exciter device with impact function

A force response testing system comprising:

• an exciter device including:
• a piston, wherein a first end of the piston is couplable to a surface of a device-under-test;
• a permanent ring magnet fixedly coupled to the piston;
• a moveable housing positioned around the piston, wherein the moveable housing is linearly moveable relative to the piston;
• an electromagnet coupled to the moveable housing and configured to receive an electrical signal input to generate a magnetic field impinging the permanent ring magnet,
• wherein the exciter device is configured to apply a vibrational force to the device-under-test when the electrical signal input causes the electromagnet to generate an alternating magnetic field, wherein the alternating magnetic field applied to the permanent ring magnet causes a linear reciprocating movement of the moveable housing relative to the piston, and
• wherein the exciter device is configured to apply an impact force to the device-under-test when the electrical signal input causes the electromagnet to generate a magnetic field that, when applied to the permanent ring magnet, causes a linear movement of the moveable housing sufficient to cause contact between a first location that is fixed relative to the piston and a second location that is fixed relative to the moveable housing;
• and
• an electronic controller configured to
• transmit a first control signal to the exciter device, wherein the first control signal is configured to cause the electromagnet of the exciter device to generate a first magnetic field that causes the moveable housing to move in a direction away from the second end of the piston, and
• transmit a second control signal to the exciter device after transmitting the first control signal to the exciter device, wherein the second control signal is configured to cause the electromagnet of the exciter device to generate a second magnetic field that drives the first location that is fixed relative to the piston to contact the second location that is fixed relative to the moveable housing.

A method for imparting a force on a device under test, the method comprising:

• applying a vibrational force to the device-under-test by transmitting, by an electronic controller, a first electrical signal input to an exciter device, wherein the exciter device includes
• a piston, wherein a first end of the piston is coupled to a surface of the device-under-test,
• a permanent ring magnet fixedly coupled to the piston,
• an impact tip coupled to a moveable housing and positioned to align with a second end of the piston, wherein the second end is opposite the first end, and
• the moveable housing positioned around the piston, wherein the moveable housing is linearly moveable relative to the piston,
• wherein the first electrical signal input is configured to cause an electromagnet to generate an alternating magnetic field applied to the permanent ring magnet that causes a linear reciprocating movement of the moveable housing relative to the piston;
• and
• applying an impact force to the device-under-test by transmitting, by the electronic controller, a second electrical signal input to the exciter device, wherein the second electrical signal input is configured to cause the electromagnet to generate a magnetic field applied to the permanent ring magnet that causes a linear movement of the moveable housing sufficient to drive the impact tip of the moveable housing to contact the second end of the piston.