US5003235A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single element magnetic suspension actuator
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1989-09-11
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Granted: 1991-03-26
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Expires: 2009-09-11
Abstract
Abstract The invention, a single element magnetic suspension actuator with bidirectional force capability along a single axis, includes an electromagnet 11 and a nonmagnetic suspended element 12. A permanent magnet 13 mounted on the suspended element 12 interacts with a magnetic field established by the electromagnet 11 to produce bidirectional forces in response to a variable force command voltage V FC applied to the electromagnet 11. A sensor 14 measures the position of the suspended element 12 on the single axis which is a function of force command voltage V FC .
Inventors
- 👤 Nelson J. Groom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:01
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C32/00; F16C32/04; F16C32/0406; F16C32/044; F16C32/0459; F16C32/0461; F16C32/0465; F16C32/0444; F16C32/0457
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A single element magnetic suspension actuator for producing bidirectional forces along a single axis comprising: an electromagnet having a longitudinal axis that represents said single axis; a detached single non-magnetic suspended element spaced from said electromagnet; a permanent magnet mounted on said single non-magnetic suspended element and positioned on said single axis; first circuit means for applying a variable force command voltage V FC to said electromagnet to produce opposing directional forces on said single non-magnetic suspended element; and means for sensing the resulting change in position of said single non-magnetic suspended element as a function of said force command voltage V FC .
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A single element magnetic suspension actuator for producing bidirectional forces along a single axis comprising: an electromagnet having a longitudinal axis that represents said single axis; a detached single non-magnetic suspended element spaced from said electromagnet; a permanent magnet mounted on said single non-magnetic suspended element and positioned on said single axis; first circuit means for applying a variable force command voltage V FC to said electromagnet to produce opposing directional forces on said single non-magnetic suspended element; and means for sensing the resulting change in position of said single non-magnetic suspended element as a function of said force command voltage V FC .
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said electromagnet includes an electrical coil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said first circuit means includes a first amplifier means and a sense resistor means series connected to said electrical coil of said electromagnet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said electromagnet further includes a magnetic core surrounded by said electrical coil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 including a current feedback loop connected around said amplifier means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said first amplifier means is a first operational amplifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 including flux feedback loop means for compensating for non-linearities in flux density introduced by said magnetic core.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 including a Hall Effect sensor means for sensing magnetic flux produced by said electromagnet and providing an output representative thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as defined in claim 8 including a second operational amplifier for summing said output of said Hall Effect sensor means and said force command voltage V FC .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said second operational amplifier is series connected with said first operational amplifier.
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) | 1994-03-25 | 1994-09-24 | 1995-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-03-25 | 1998-09-24 | 1999-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-03-25 | 2002-09-24 | 2003-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |