Electromagnetic actuator with integrated passive damper

A suspension system configured for a wheeled vehicle including at least one electromagnetic actuator, the actuator comprising:

• an arrangement of a first plurality of magnets for generating a magnetic field in a region adjacent to the arrangement;
• and
• a structure of a ferromagnetic material at least partly accommodated within the magnetic field and itself accommodating a second plurality of control current conductors, the structure including a plurality of teeth and the second plurality of control current conductors comprising a winding on each of the plurality of teeth;
• wherein:
• the arrangement and the structure are configured for moving relative to one another under control of respective control currents in respective ones of the second plurality of control current conductors;
• the arrangement and the structure are spatially separated by a gap;
• the magnetic field in the gap is oriented substantially perpendicular to a direction of relative movement;
• and
• the structure accommodates one or more damping current conductors, each respective one thereof forming a respective closed loop of an electrically conductive material, different from the ferromagnetic material, for providing a respective damping force induced by the relative movement.

A wheeled vehicle having a suspension system with at least one electromagnetic actuator:

• and wherein the actuator comprises:
• an arrangement of a first plurality of magnets for generating a magnetic field in a region adjacent to the arrangement;
• and
• a structure of a ferromagnetic material at least partly accommodated within the magnetic field and itself accommodating a second plurality of control current conductors, the structure including a plurality of teeth and the second plurality of control current conductors comprising a winding on each of the plurality of teeth;
• wherein:
• the arrangement and the structure are configured for moving relative to one another under control of respective control currents in respective ones of the second plurality of control current conductors;
• the arrangement and the structure are spatially separated by a gap;
• the magnetic field in the gap is oriented substantially perpendicular to a direction of relative movement;
• and
• the structure accommodates one or more damping current conductors, each respective one thereof forming a respective closed loop of an electrically conductive material, different from the ferromagnetic material, for providing a respective damping force induced by the relative movement.