Electromagnetic actuator having a compliant armature
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorJames K. Lee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electromagnetic actuator of the type having an armature positioned for movement in a magnetic gap is characterized by the armature being sufficiently compliant so as to allow the armature to contact the sides of the gap, and easily conform to the shape of the gap. The magnetic gap is substantially coextensive with the armature, for providing mechanical support to the armature. In one embodiment of the invention, the compliant armature is employed in a reciprocating actuator for a photographic shutter/aperture. In another embodiment, the invention is employed in a rotary DC motor of the pancake type. In a still further embodiment, the invention is employed in a rotary DC motor of the cup or basket type.
Claims24
An electromagnetic actuator of the type having means for forming a substantially planar magnetic gap and a flat armature positioned for movement in the magnetic gap, said actuator being characterized in that a portion of said armature is sufficiently compliant to contact and generally conform to the shape of said gap, and in that portions of said gap are substantially coextensive with said armature, for supporting said armature in a direction generally perpendicular to the path of said armature movement.
In combination with a photographic camera, an electromagnetic actuator comprising:
- a mild steel plate;
- a flat magnet having a first portion magnetized in a first direction generally perpendicular to the plane of said magnet, and a second portion magnetized in a generally opposite direction;
- means for mounting said magnet over said plate to form a magnetic gap;
- an armature mounted for movement in said gap, said armature comprising a planar conductor coil on a sheet of insulating material, and being sufficiently compliant to contact the sides of said gap, said magnet and said plate providing support for said armature in a direction generally perpendicular to its plane.
An electromagnetic actuator of the type having an armature positioned for movement between means defining a magnetic gap, characterized by said armature being sufficiently compliant so as to contact the gap defining means and easily conform to the shape of said gap, said gap defining means being substantially coextensive with said armature for providing mechanical support to said armature and substantially influencing the shape of said armature.
An electromagnetic actuator of the type having means for defining a magnetic gap, and conductor means positioned in said gap, said gap defining means and said conductor means being moveable relative to one another, characterized by said conductor means being sufficiently compliant so as to conform to the shape of said gap, whereby frictional forces between said gap defining means and said conductor means are limited.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.