Back to results
US 6,598,621 B1Granted
Magnetic drives
AssigneeCamcon Ltd.
InventorWladyslaw Wygnanski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeCamcon Ltd.
InventorWladyslaw Wygnanski
Estimating the term…
A magnetic device is formed from a permanent magnet (12, 14) generating magnetic flux, and an armature (10) which can occupy either a first air gap in which the flux is in one direction, or a second air gap in which the flux is in the opposite direction, with a region of flux cancellation between the two air gaps. At least one electromagnet winding (36, 38) may be provided to which current can be supplied which when energised produces a magnetic flux in one direction or the other, depending on the direction of the current, the flux from the winding increasing the flux density in one of the air gaps and reducing the flux density in the other air gap. This effectively shifts the flux cancellation region towards or into one of the two air gaps so as to produce a flux density gradient extending from one air gap to the other, which will cause the armature to move into (or remain in) the air gap having the higher flux density, and continue to remain in that air gap after the current flow ceases. The device can be incorporated into a fluid valve to act as a drive for opening and closing the valve. It may also serve as the drive for opening and closing electrical contacts. Monostable operation can be achieved by locating a magnetic flux shunt at one end of the armature travel. A holding solenoid may be incorporated. A plurality of such devices controlling the opening and closing of a plurality of orifices in a manifold containing fluid especially gas or air, under positive pressure, may be controlled by signals from a computer controlled signal generator to produce an air cushion for supporting and/or conveying articles, or a sound wave whose amplitude and frequency is controlled by the signal generator. Such a device may be incorporated into a pipeline to influence the flow of fluid therethrough or into the exhaust or inlet manifold of a turbine or engine, especially a jet engine, to interact with the gases flowing therethrough and introduce or reduce turbulence or otherwise alter the gas flow.
A magnetic drive device formed from a permanent magnet means generating magnetic flux, an armature mounted for movement enabling it to occupy either a first air gap in which the flux is in one direction, or a second air gap in which the flux is in the opposite direction, with a region of flux cancellation between the two air gaps, and at least one electromagnet winding having an axis generally perpendicular to the path of movement of the armature coil to which current can be supplied to adapt said at least one winding when energised to produce a magnetic flux in said one direction or the other, depending on the direction of the current, the flux from the winding increasing the flux density in the other air gap, thereby effectively shifting the flux cancellation region towards or into one of the two air gaps so as to produce a flux density gradient extending from one air gap to the other which will cause the armature to move into (or remain in) the air gap having the higher flux density, wherein the armature will continue to remain after the current flow ceases.
A magnetic device comprising magnet means producing first and second magnetic fields, the polarity of the first and second fields being opposite, and a magnetisable armature mounted for movement between the two said fields, the armature being magnetised South/North or North/South depending on which of the two fields it occupies and requiring considerable force acting perpendicular to the magnetic flux lines to shift the armature out of the influence of either field once it is aligned therewith, wherein a magnetic or magnetisable shunt is provided which is movable into a position in which the magnetic flux of one of the first and second fields becomes diverted therethrough, so as to cause the armature to either remain in the unaffected field or immediately to move, under the influence of the unaffected magnetic field flux, so as to occupy the unaffected field.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.