Electromagnetic linear driving device

Claim 2

An electromagnetic linear driving device comprising: a first magnetic member having a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction which member forms at least a portion of a magnetic circuit path; a first winding wound around a central portion of said stationary magnetic member along said longitudinal direction for inducing, responsive to a first current flowing therein, a first magnetic flux in said magnetic circuit; a second winding, wound around a terminal portion of said stationary magnetic member apart from said central portion thereof, for inducing, responsive to a second current flowing therein, a second magnetic flux in said stationary magnetic member, which second flux opposes said first magnetic flux; and a first permanent magnet having north (N) and south (S) poles defining a N-S axis, movable along a path substantially parallel to said longitudinal direction and along said central portion of said stationary magnetic member, for generating a magnetic flux linking at least some turns of said first winding, the N-S axis being substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

Claim 3

A device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a second stationary magnetic member disposed substantially in parallel with said first stationary magnetic member and forming a portion of said magnetic circuit path, said permanent magnet being disposed between said two stationary magnetic members.

Claim 4

A device as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a third winding wound around said second stationary magnetic member along the longitudinal direction thereof, said third winding being connected to said first winding such that said first current flows in both said first and third windings.

Claim 5

A device as set forth in claim 3, further comprising a fourth winding wound around said second stationary magnetic member at at least one end portion thereof said forth winding inducing, responsive to a current flowing therein, a flux in said magnetic circuit opposing said first magnetic flux.

Claim 6

A device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a second permanent magnet, movable along said stationary magnetic member, for generating a magnetic flux linking some turns of said first winding, said second permanent magnet being mechanically coupled to said first permanent magnet.

Claim 7

A device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising additional magnetic members forming additional portions of said magnetic circuit.

Claim 8

An electromagnetic linear driving device comprising: a first stationary magnetic member having a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction; a second stationary magnetic member having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to that of said first stationary magnetic member; third and fourth stationary magnetic members joining said first and second stationary magnetic members to form a complete magnetic circuit including said first, second, third and fourth members; a first winding wound around a central portion of said first stationary magnetic member along said longitudinal direction for inducing, responsive to a first current flowing therein, a first magnetic flux in said magnetic circuit; a second winding, wound around either said third or four stationary magnetic members and apart from said first winding for inducing responsive to a second current flowing therein a second magnetic flux in said magnetic circuit which opposes said first magnetic flux; and a first permanent magnet having a north (N) and south (S) poles defining a N-S axis, movable along a path substantially parallel to said longitudinal direction and corresponding to said central portion of said stationary magnetic member, for generating a magnetic flux linking some turns of said first winding, the N-S axis being substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

Claim 9

An electromagnetic linear driving device comprising: a first stationary magnetic member having a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction; a second stationary magnetic member having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to that of said first stationary magnetic member; third and fourth stationary magnetic members joining said first and second stationary magnetic members to form a complete magnetic circuit including said first, second, third and fourth members; a first winding wound around a central portion of said first stationary magnetic member along said longitudinal direction for inducing, responsive to a first current flowing therein, a first magnetic flux in said magnetic circuit; a second winding, wound around either said third or four stationary magnetic members and apart from said first winding for inducing responsive to a second current flowing therein a second magnetic flux in said magnetic circuit which opposes said first magnetic flux; and a first permanent magnet having a north (N) and south (S) poles defining a N-S axis, movable along a path substantially parallel to said longitudinal direction and corresponding to said central portion of said stationary magnetic member, for generating a magnetic flux linking some turns of said first winding, the N-S axis being substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

Claim 10

A device according to claim 7 further comprising a third winding wound around the other of said third and fourth stationary magnetic members for inducing responsive to a current flowing therein a flux in said magnetic circuit opposing the first magnetic flux.