US 12,531,464 B2 · Magnetic drive apparatus for translating rotational motion to nutational motion

Abstract

A magnetic driver generates a magnetic field that rotates about an axis and induces nutation in a disc with an array of magnets (wobble plate). The magnetic driver can be a drive disc with an array of magnets and rotated by a drive motor, or can be electromagnetic coils sequentially energized, to provide the rotating magnetic field. The wobble plate nutates about the axis of the rotating magnetic field but is constrained from rotating about the axis. The wobble plate can be enclosed in a pump housing where nutation of the wobble plate causes pumping of a fluid to occur, such as in an implanted Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) or a Total Artificial Heart (TAH). Driven in reverse, an input pumping fluid may induce nutation of the wobble plate which in turn induces rotary motion of a drive disc that drives a generator or a motor/generator.

Claims32

Dependent claims

A magnetic coupler apparatus, comprising:

(a) a magnetic driver configured to generate a rotating magnetic field about a central axis, wherein the rotating magnetic field comprises magnetic poles of alternating polarity;
(b) a wobble plate having a plurality of magnetic poles positioned to oppose the magnetic poles on the magnetic driver, the wobble plate configured to nutate about said axis without rotating;
(c) the wobble plate having a centrally positioned spherical bearing configured to support the wobble plate when positioned in a support structure;
and
(d) an anti-rotation device configured to prevent rotation of the wobble plate about said axis;
(e) wherein the rotating magnetic field from the magnetic driver causes the wobble plate to nutate through attraction and repulsion of the opposing magnetic poles.

3 more elements

A blood pump apparatus, comprising:

(a) a magnetic coupler apparatus, the magnetic coupler apparatus comprising:
(i) a magnetic driver configured to generate a rotating magnetic field about a central axis, wherein the rotating magnetic field comprises magnetic poles of alternating polarity;
(ii) a wobble plate having a plurality of magnetic poles positioned to oppose the magnetic poles on the magnetic driver, the wobble plate configured to nutate about said axis without rotating;
(iii) the wobble plate having a centrally positioned spherical bearing configured to support the wobble plate when positioned in a housing;
and
(iv) an anti-rotation device configured to prevent rotation of the wobble plate about said axis;
(v) wherein the rotating magnetic field from the magnetic driver causes the wobble plate to nutate through attraction and repulsion of the opposing magnetic poles;
(b) a housing assembly comprising:
(i) an upper housing section;
and
(ii) a lower housing section;
(iii) wherein the wobble plate is disposed between the upper housing section and the lower housing section;
(iv) an upper bearing cup in the upper housing section;
(v) a lower bearing cup in the lower housing section;
(vi) wherein the spherical bearing is retained by the upper and lower bearing cups;
and
(vii) one or more pairs of access ports that are in fluid communication with an interior of the housing assembly.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Magnetic drive apparatus for translating rotational motion to nutational motion

Life of this patent

Magnetic drive apparatus for translating rotational motion to nutational motion

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims32