US3778697A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solenoid actuators and generators and method of using same
Assignee: ARKON SCIENT LABOR
•
Filing: 1971-04-26
•
Granted: 1973-12-11
•
Expires: 1991-04-26
Abstract
Abstract Solenoid actuators capable of high speed operation and high efficiencies are disclosed. The solenoids, in the most efficient embodiment, are coupled to the driven member (i.e., load) through a spring (i.e., decoupled) which spring is selected (i.e., matching) to allow high initial acceleration of the armature, followed by deceleration of the armature near the end of the stroke as a result of the spring force, thereby minimizing i2R losses and minimizing loss in kinetic energy by armature impact at the end of the stroke. To effectively accomplish the decoupling and matching, various methods of latching the solenoid at the end of the stroke, while the energy stored in the spring is delivered to the load, are disclosed, as are methods for decreasing the solenoid current from a high initial value so as to minimize resistive power lost in the winding. Solenoid generators using the principles of the present invention are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 W Link
- 👤 P Portner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:43
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K35/00; H01; H01F; H01F7/00; H01F7/06; H01F7/08; H01F7/13; H02K33/00; H02K33/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of generating electrical energy with a solenoid having a solenoid coil and a plunger, comprising the steps of: a. causing a current flow in said solenoid coil to cause a substantial magnetic field in said solenoid; b. causing said plunger to move from the withdrawn position to thE extended position against the force of said magnetic field while allowing said current in said solenoid coil to increase in response thereto; c. terminating said current in said solenoid coil and coupling said solenoid coil to an electrical energy utilization means to receive electrical energy as said magnetic field collapses.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of generating electrical energy with a solenoid having a solenoid coil and a plunger, comprising the steps of: a. causing a current flow in said solenoid coil to cause a substantial magnetic field in said solenoid; b. causing said plunger to move from the withdrawn position to thE extended position against the force of said magnetic field while allowing said current in said solenoid coil to increase in response thereto; c. terminating said current in said solenoid coil and coupling said solenoid coil to an electrical energy utilization means to receive electrical energy as said magnetic field collapses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
A solenoid generator system comprising a solenoid having a plunger and a stationary member with a solenoid winding having two leads, a driving member, a coupling means and a circuit means coupled to said solenoid winding leads, said driving member being coupled to said plunger through said coupling means, said circuit means having a first switching means coupled between said leads for electrically coupling said leads and for controllably, substantially terminating current through said first switching means, and further having a second switching means in series with an electrical energy utilization means coupled between said leads.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
96 words
A solenoid generator system comprising a solenoid having a plunger and a stationary member with a solenoid winding having two leads, a driving member, a coupling means and a circuit means coupled to said solenoid winding leads, said driving member being coupled to said plunger through said coupling means, said circuit means having a first switching means coupled between said leads for electrically coupling said leads and for controllably, substantially terminating current through said first switching means, and further having a second switching means in series with an electrical energy utilization means coupled between said leads.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The solenoid generator system of claim 2 wherein said electrical energy utilization means comprises a capacitor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The solenoid generator system of claim 2 wherein said coupling means comprises a spring means so that said driving member may move relative to said load and store mechanical energy in said spring means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The solenoid generator system of claim 4 wherein said spring has a spring constant matching the force developed by said solenoid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The solenoid generator of claim 2 wherein said first switching means is coupled in series with a diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The solenoid generator of claim 6 wherein said first switching means is a transistor and said second switching means is a silicon controlled rectifier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The solenoid generator of claim 2 wherein said electrical energy utilization system is a capacitor, said coupling means is a spring means having a spring constant matching the force developed by said solenoid, said first switching means is a transistor coupled in series with a diode, and said second switching means is a silicon controlled rectifier.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
180 words
The method of generating electrical energy comprising the steps of: a. providing a solenoid type device having a magnetic stationary member and a magnetic moving member movable between first and second orientations with respect to said stationary member, with said magnetic members defining at least a portion of a magnetic circuit which will result in the magnetic encouragement of said moving member to said first orientation upon the establishment of a magnetic field in said magnetic circuit; b. providing at least one solenoid coil disposed so that a magnetic field in said magnetic circuit links said coil; c. establishing a substantial magnetic field in said magnetic circuit when said moving member is in said first orientation; d. forcing said moving member to said second orientation against the magnetic encouragement of said magnetic field while allowing current in one of said solenoid coils to increase in response thereto; e. terminating said current and coupling one of said solenoid coils to an electrical energy utilization means to receive electrical energy resulting from the collapse of the magnetic field in said magnetic circuit.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
180 words
The method of generating electrical energy comprising the steps of: a. providing a solenoid type device having a magnetic stationary member and a magnetic moving member movable between first and second orientations with respect to said stationary member, with said magnetic members defining at least a portion of a magnetic circuit which will result in the magnetic encouragement of said moving member to said first orientation upon the establishment of a magnetic field in said magnetic circuit; b. providing at least one solenoid coil disposed so that a magnetic field in said magnetic circuit links said coil; c. establishing a substantial magnetic field in said magnetic circuit when said moving member is in said first orientation; d. forcing said moving member to said second orientation against the magnetic encouragement of said magnetic field while allowing current in one of said solenoid coils to increase in response thereto; e. terminating said current and coupling one of said solenoid coils to an electrical energy utilization means to receive electrical energy resulting from the collapse of the magnetic field in said magnetic circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 9 wherein a mechanical energy storage means is provided to couple said moving member to a source of mechanical energy, and said moving member is rapidly forced to second orientation as a result of mechanical energy stored in said coupling means from the prior motion of said source of mechanical energy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 9 wherein current in one of said solenoid coils is allowed to increase in response to the forcing of the moving member to said second orientation by the substantially direct connection of the two leads of said one of said solenoid coils.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
197 words
A method of generating electrical energy comprising the steps of: a. providing a solenoid type device having a magnetic stationary member and a magnetic moving member movabLe between first and second orientations with respect to said stationary member, with said magnetic members defining at least a portion of a magnetic circuit which will result in the magnetic encouragement of said moving member to said first orientation upon the establishment of a magnetic field in said magnetic circuit; b. providing a solenoid coil disposed so that a magnetic field in said magnetic circuit links said coil; c. coupling said moving member to a source of mechanical energy through a spring means; d. establishing a substantial magnetic field in said magnetic circuit when said moving member is in said first orientation and storing a substantial mechanical energy in said spring means from said source of mechanical energy; e. coupling the two leads of said solenoid coil together; f. causing said moving member to rapidly move to said second orientation as a result of mechanical energy previously stored in said spring means; g. uncoupling said two leads from each other and coupling said leads to an electrical energy utilization means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
197 words
A method of generating electrical energy comprising the steps of: a. providing a solenoid type device having a magnetic stationary member and a magnetic moving member movabLe between first and second orientations with respect to said stationary member, with said magnetic members defining at least a portion of a magnetic circuit which will result in the magnetic encouragement of said moving member to said first orientation upon the establishment of a magnetic field in said magnetic circuit; b. providing a solenoid coil disposed so that a magnetic field in said magnetic circuit links said coil; c. coupling said moving member to a source of mechanical energy through a spring means; d. establishing a substantial magnetic field in said magnetic circuit when said moving member is in said first orientation and storing a substantial mechanical energy in said spring means from said source of mechanical energy; e. coupling the two leads of said solenoid coil together; f. causing said moving member to rapidly move to said second orientation as a result of mechanical energy previously stored in said spring means; g. uncoupling said two leads from each other and coupling said leads to an electrical energy utilization means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said spring means is selected in accordance with the mechanical energy required to move said moving member from said first orientation to said second orientation so as to result in the arrival of said moving member at said second orientation with a predetermined minimal kinetic energy.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
100 words
A solenoid generator system comprising a solenoid having a moving member and a stationary member in part defining a magnetic circuit, a solenoid winding having two leads and coupling said magnetic circuit, and a circuit means coupled to said solenoid winding leads, said moving member being couplable to a source of mechanical energy, said circuit means having a first switching means coupled between said leads for electrically coupling said leads and for controllably, substantially terminating current through said first switching means, and further having a second switching means in series with an electrical energy utilization means coupled between said leads.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
100 words
A solenoid generator system comprising a solenoid having a moving member and a stationary member in part defining a magnetic circuit, a solenoid winding having two leads and coupling said magnetic circuit, and a circuit means coupled to said solenoid winding leads, said moving member being couplable to a source of mechanical energy, said circuit means having a first switching means coupled between said leads for electrically coupling said leads and for controllably, substantially terminating current through said first switching means, and further having a second switching means in series with an electrical energy utilization means coupled between said leads.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
140 words
A solenoid generator system comprising: first and second magnetic members adapted for relative motion between first and second relative positions, said first and second members forming at least a portion of a magnetic circuit, said first and second magnetic members being urged into said first relative positions when a magnetic field is established in said magnetic circuit; a solenoid coil having first and second leads and coupling said magnetic circuit; means for establishing a substantial magnetic field in said circuit when said first and second members are in said first relative position; means for coupling said first and second leads together when said first and second members are forced from said first relative position to said second relative position; and means for decoupling said first and second leads from each other and coupling said leads to an energy utilization means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
140 words
A solenoid generator system comprising: first and second magnetic members adapted for relative motion between first and second relative positions, said first and second members forming at least a portion of a magnetic circuit, said first and second magnetic members being urged into said first relative positions when a magnetic field is established in said magnetic circuit; a solenoid coil having first and second leads and coupling said magnetic circuit; means for establishing a substantial magnetic field in said circuit when said first and second members are in said first relative position; means for coupling said first and second leads together when said first and second members are forced from said first relative position to said second relative position; and means for decoupling said first and second leads from each other and coupling said leads to an energy utilization means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The solenoid generator system of claim 15 wherein said means for establishing a substantial magnetic field is a means for applying a magnetizing current to said solenoid coil.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
The solenoid generator system of claim 15 further composed of a spring means, said first and second members being coupled to a source of mechanical energy, one of said first and second members being coupled to said source of said mechanical energy through said spring means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
113 words
Electrical generator apparatus comprising: first and second solenoid members forming at least in part a magnetic circuit linking said members, and movable with respect to each other; means for establishing a substantial magnetic field in said magnetic circuit; means for maintaining a substantial field in said magnetic circuit as said first and second members are moved relative to each other in opposition to the magnetic attraction between said first and second members, said means including at least one conductive path linking said magneTic field and a means for allowing the current in said conductive path to increase; and means for recovering electrical energy upon collapse of a magnetic field in said magnetic circuit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
113 words
Electrical generator apparatus comprising: first and second solenoid members forming at least in part a magnetic circuit linking said members, and movable with respect to each other; means for establishing a substantial magnetic field in said magnetic circuit; means for maintaining a substantial field in said magnetic circuit as said first and second members are moved relative to each other in opposition to the magnetic attraction between said first and second members, said means including at least one conductive path linking said magneTic field and a means for allowing the current in said conductive path to increase; and means for recovering electrical energy upon collapse of a magnetic field in said magnetic circuit.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of generating electrical energy comprising the steps of: providing first and second solenoid members forming, at least in part, a magnetic circuit linking said members and movable with respect to each other, and a solenoid coil linking said magnetic circuit; establishing a substantial magnetic field in said magnetic circuit; maintaining a substantial field in said magnetic circuit as said first and second members are moved relative to each other in opposition to the magnetic attraction between said first and second members by allowing current in a conductive path linking said magnetic field to increase; and coupling said solenoid coil to an electrical energy utilization means to recover electrical energy upon collapse of a magnetic field in said magnetic circuit.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of generating electrical energy comprising the steps of: providing first and second solenoid members forming, at least in part, a magnetic circuit linking said members and movable with respect to each other, and a solenoid coil linking said magnetic circuit; establishing a substantial magnetic field in said magnetic circuit; maintaining a substantial field in said magnetic circuit as said first and second members are moved relative to each other in opposition to the magnetic attraction between said first and second members by allowing current in a conductive path linking said magnetic field to increase; and coupling said solenoid coil to an electrical energy utilization means to recover electrical energy upon collapse of a magnetic field in said magnetic circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |