Patent US4994698A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4994698A
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Vibratory linear motor system
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1990-06-13
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Granted: 1991-02-19
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Expires: 2010-06-13
Abstract
Abstract A vibratory linear motor system employs a comb-shaped electromagnet to excite transverse mechanical oscillations of a relatively thin, spring-like beam. The electromagnet establishes an approximate standing wave on the beam for which brakes mounted on either side of the beam provide independently established boundary conditions and produce rectified linear motion thereof. The brakes may be electromagnetically, magnetostrictively, or piezoelectrically actuated. An electronic control provides modulated currents to the exciter electromagnet and the brakes in order to control the rectified linear motion of the beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald B. Kliman
- 👤 Donald W. Jones
- 👤 Russell E. Tompkins
- 👤 Roger W. Brockett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:21
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K7/00; H02K7/06; H02K7/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A vibratory linear motor system, comprising: a spring-like beam; electromagnetic excitation means for exciting and maintaining periodic transverse mechanical oscillations of said beam so as to produce approximately a standing wave therealong; clamping means for selectively restricting translational motion of either end of said beam; and electronic control means for controlling said electromagnetic excitation means and said clamping means by providing currents thereto so as to convert said transverse oscillations of said beam into rectilinear motion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A vibratory linear motor system, comprising: a spring-like beam; electromagnetic excitation means for exciting and maintaining periodic transverse mechanical oscillations of said beam so as to produce approximately a standing wave therealong; clamping means for selectively restricting translational motion of either end of said beam; and electronic control means for controlling said electromagnetic excitation means and said clamping means by providing currents thereto so as to convert said transverse oscillations of said beam into rectilinear motion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The linear motor system of claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic excitation means comprises a substantially comb-shaped electromagnet including a a plurality of teeth and a yoke.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The linear motor system of claim 2 wherein said yoke includes at least one slot for receiving a strap for mounting said electromagnet to a motor frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The linear motor system of claim 2 wherein said teeth each have a tapered end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The linear motor system of claim 2 wherein said comb-shaped electromagnet has a curved contour which substantially conforms to said beam when said beam is maximally deflected so as to minimize any airgap between said beam and said electromagnet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The linear motor system of claim 2 wherein: said electromagnet is disposed centrally with respect to said beam; and said clamping means comprises a right-hand electromagnetically operated brake and a left-hand electromagnetically operated brake.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The linear motor system of claim 2 wherein: said electromagnet is disposed centrally with respect to said beam; and said clamping means comprises a right-hand magnetostrictive brake and a left-hand magnetostrictive brake.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The linear motor system of claim 7 wherein said right-hand magnetostrictive brake and said left-hand magnetostrictive brake each comprise a Terfenol-D rod having a conductive coil wound thereon and mounted in a magnetic core.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The linear motor system of claim 2 wherein: said electromagnet is disposed centrally with respect to said beam; and said clamping means comprises a right-hand piezoelectric brake and a left-hand piezoelectric brake.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The linear motor system of claim 1 wherein said beam comprises spring steel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The linear motor system of claim 1 wherein said currents are regulated by pulse width modulation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The linear motor system of claim 11 wherein said currents comprise rectangular current pulses.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The linear motor system of claim 11 wherein the currents applied to said excitation means comprise a pulse width modulated sine wave signal and the currents applied to said clamping means comprise approximately rectangular pulses.
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) | 1994-02-18 | 1994-08-20 | 1995-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-18 | 1998-08-20 | 1999-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-18 | 2002-08-20 | 2003-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |