Piezoelectric motor for use in magnetic fields
OwnerWolfgang Daum, Thomas Günther +1inventors
InventorsWolfgang Daum, Thomas Günther, Axel Winkel
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Abstract
A motor for use in magnetic fields generated for medical imaging. The motor comprises a stator. The stator includes a piezoelectric material and is configured to generate vibrations when subjected to a voltage gradient. A rotor is arranged and configured so that vibrations generated in the stator will propel the rotor. A drive shaft is connected to the rotor. The rotor and drive shaft are formed from a material that has a magnetic susceptibility that is about the same as the magnetic susceptibility of water.
Claims8
A piezo-electric motor, comprising:
- a stator including a piezoelectric material and configured to generate vibrations when subjected to a voltage gradient;
- a rotor arranged and configured so that the vibrations generated in the stator propel the rotor;
- a drive shaft connected to the rotor;
- a sole plate, the drive shaft extending through the sole plate;
- a substructure connected to the sole plate;
- a spring-holding element engaging the rotor;
- and
- a housing connected to the sole plate and enclosing the stator, rotor, and spring-holding element;
- wherein the stator, rotor, drive shaft, sole plate, substructure, and spring-holding element are each formed from a material that generates low levels of magnetic artifacts.
A method of using a motor, comprising the steps of:
- generating a magnetic field for magnetic resonance imaging, the magnetic field having a magnetic field strength of at least about 0.05 Tesla;
- providing a motor, having a stator including a piezoelectric material and being configured to generate vibrations when subjected to a voltage gradient, a rotor arranged and configured so that the vibrations generated in the stator propel the rotor, a drive shaft connected to the rotor, a sole plate, the drive shaft extending through the sole plate, a substructure connected to the sole plate, a spring-holding element engaging the rotor;
- and a housing connected to the sole plate and enclosing the stator, rotor, and spring-holding element, the stator, rotor, drive shaft, sole plate, substructure, and spring-holding element each being formed from a material that generates low levels of magnetic artifacts;
- and
- placing the motor in the magnetic field;
- wherein the magnetic field remains substantially undeflected by the motor when the motor operates.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.