Electromagnetic re-draw sleeve actuator
AssigneeAura Systems, Inc.
InventorKeith O. Stuart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A linear electromagnetic actuator has it core mounted to a can body forming apparatus and its coil attached to re-draw sleeve of such apparatus. The actuator provides for the axial movement of the re-draw sleeve between its fully retracted position and its fully extended position. The re-draw sleeve and the coil are coaxially mounted to each other so that the force exerted on the re-draw sleeve is also coaxial. Once the re-draw sleeve is in its fully extended position, an electromagnet is turned on so that the re-draw sleeve exerts the requisite force on the can material preform. The electromagnet is mounted coaxially about the re-draw sleeve and exerts its force on a magnetic material ring mounted to the re-draw sleeve to hold the re-draw sleeve against the can material preform.
Claims9
In a can forming apparatus in which a cylindrical re-draw sleeve holds a can material preform against an ironing die while a ram pushes said preform through an opening in said die to form a can body, an improvement comprising:
- a linear electromagnetic actuator having an actuator core mounted to said apparatus, a coil element moveable between a first position and a second position along an axis of relative movement, a magnetic circuit for defining radially directed flux in both an inward and an outward direction relative to said axis of relative movement, wherein the entire length of said coil along the axis of relative movement is disposed within the flux path in both the first position and the second position, and means for applying current to said coil so that current can be applied in one direction through the portions of the coil disposed in the inwardly radially directed flux, and applied in the opposite direction through the portions of the coil disposed in the outwardly radially directed flux so that the flux/current products are additive, said redraw sleeve being mounted to said coil element and further being in a retracted position to allow placement of said can material preform against said ironing die when said coil element is in said first position and in an extended position to hold said can material preform against said ironing die when said coil element is in said position;
- and
- a timing and control circuit to activate said actuator to place said coil element in said second position when said ram is in a retracted position and to return said coil element to said first position when said ram is in an extended position.
In a can forming apparatus in which a cylindrical re-draw sleeve holds a can material preform against an ironing die while a ram pushes said preform through an opening in said die to form a can body, an improvement comprising:
- a linear electromagnetic actuator, said linear actuator comprising:
- an actuator core mounted to said apparatus;
- a coil element moveable between a first position and a second position along an axis of relative movement, wherein said redraw sleeve is coaxially mounted to said coil element and further wherein said coil element is in a retracted position to allow placement of said can material preform against said ironing die when said coil element is in said first position and in an extended position to hold said can material preform against said ironing die when said coil element is in said position;
- a magnetic circuit for defining radially directed flux in both an inward and an outward direction relative to said axis of relative movement, wherein the entire length of said coil element along the axis of relative movement is disposed within the flux path in both the first position and the second position;
- and
- means for applying current to said coil so that current can be applied in one direction through the portions of the coil disposed in the inwardly radially directed flux, and applied in the opposite direction through the portions of the coil disposed in the outwardly radially directed flux so that the flux/current products are additive;
- and
- a timing and control circuit to activate said actuator to place said coil element in said second position when said ram is in a retracted position and to return said coil element to said first position when said ram is in an extended position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.