Linear magnetic motor/generator

A linear magnetic motor/generator, comprising:

• axially moveable actuator means having three portions;
• permanent magnet means including a plurality of pairs of transverse and symmetrical magnets substantially aligned radially and transversely with a common axis and equidistantly spaced around and separated from a first portion of said actuator means, thereby defining a first magnetic flux path passing through said first portion of said axially moveable actuator means;
• another permanent magnet means including another plurality of pairs of transverse and symmetrical magnets substantially aligned radially and transversely with said common axis and equidistantly spaced around and separated from a second portion of said actuator means thereby defining a second magnetic flux path passing through said second portion of said axially moveable actuator means;
• a plurality of magnetically soft end pieces arranged in a plurality of arrays defining a gap between said end pieces and said actuator whereby facing pairs of said end pieces in adjacent arrays are coupled across opposite ends of said pluralities of permanent magnets;
• and
• coil means defining a third magnetic path passing through a third portion of said axially moveable actuator means and selectively modulating magnetic flux flowing in said first and second magnetic flux paths for supplying an axial force to said axially moveable actuator means.