Magnetic hysteresis driven recording element and method

In apparatus for producing cyclic motion of a recording element by magnetic action;

• means for generating a magnetic field in one direction in a path through said element and in a manner to effect saturation of said element, and to move said element toward said generating means and to polarize said element in said one direction, and
• means for reversing said magnetic field in the other direction in said path wherein the polarity in said element is time-delayed and initially opposes the magnetic field and causes said element to be moved away from said generating means, the magnitude of such reversed field then causing said element to be polarized in said other direction and to be aligned with the magnetic field to cause said element to be moved again toward said generating means.

A method of moving a recording element in cyclic motion comprising the steps of:

• placing said element in the gap of an electromagnet,
• generating a magnetic field in a path through the element of a magnitude to effect saturation thereof and to polarize said element in a first direction of the path of the magnetic field and to cause said element to move in one direction, and
• reversing the magnetic field in said path in a second direction to initially oppose the polarity in said element and cause said element to move in the opposite direction, the magnitude of the reversed magnetic field being sufficient to cause the polarity to be aligned with the magnetic field in the second direction and again move said element in said one direction.

In a printer having a platen, a hammer for impacting against said platen, and means for moving said hammer toward and away from said platen, comprising:

• magnetic means adjacent said hammer for generating a magnetic flux in a path in a first direction through said hammer in an amount to saturate said hammer and to polarize said hammer in said first direction and to cause said hammer to move in a direction toward said magnetic means, and
• means for reversing the magnetic flux in an amount in a second direction to initially oppose the polarity in said hammer in said first direction and delaying the change in polarity to the second direction and cause said hammer to be moved in a direction away from said magnetic means, the amount of such reversed magnetic flux then causing said hammer to be polarized in said second direction and to be aligned with the magnetic flux to cause said hammer to be moved again toward said magnetic means.