US5097355A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scanning device
Assignee: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd
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Filing: 1989-07-25
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Granted: 1992-03-17
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Expires: 2009-07-25
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a device for carrying out a repetitive scan of a sensor element according to predetermined parameters. The sensor element is attached to a permanent magnet with diametrically opposed poles resulting in an open magnetic circuit. A coil is provided around said magnet, through which a current is passed, of predetermined frequency and intensity, where means are provided for enabling the rotation of the magnet and the sensor attached thereto as a result of the interaction of the two magnetic fields. According to a preferred embodiment, the scan is controlled by signals originating from electrooptical sensing means arranged in closed loop with the current which is applied to the coil.
Inventors
- 👤 Benjamin Eden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:48
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10; H; H02; H02K; H02K33/00; H02K33/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A device for carrying out a repetitive bidirectional scan or vibration at a predetermined frequency and with a predetermined angle of sweep, said device comprising a subunit of a diametrically magnetized permanent ring-shaped magnet having a cross-section of small size with respect to the diameter of the magnet and two magnetic poles wherein the two magnetic poles are the exterior surface of the ring-shaped magnet and a sensing element attached thereto, and another subunit of a frame to which there is attached a wire coil concentric with said magnet, having a small gap between the magnet and wire coil, means being provided for passing a current through the coil so that the magnet-sensor ("rotor") will be able to rotate in a statically balanced manner about an axis of rotation when the open magnetic field of the permanent magnet and that due to the current in the coil, which are always perpendicular with each other, interact to produce a force vector and a moment about the axis of rotation, the magnetic field of the coil being reversible.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
176 words
A device for carrying out a repetitive bidirectional scan or vibration at a predetermined frequency and with a predetermined angle of sweep, said device comprising a subunit of a diametrically magnetized permanent ring-shaped magnet having a cross-section of small size with respect to the diameter of the magnet and two magnetic poles wherein the two magnetic poles are the exterior surface of the ring-shaped magnet and a sensing element attached thereto, and another subunit of a frame to which there is attached a wire coil concentric with said magnet, having a small gap between the magnet and wire coil, means being provided for passing a current through the coil so that the magnet-sensor ("rotor") will be able to rotate in a statically balanced manner about an axis of rotation when the open magnetic field of the permanent magnet and that due to the current in the coil, which are always perpendicular with each other, interact to produce a force vector and a moment about the axis of rotation, the magnetic field of the coil being reversible.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 1, provided with control means for controlling the frequency and angle of the sweep or vibration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 1, where the magnet is ring-shaped and the coil is a circular coaxial one inside or outside the magnet, with a small radial clearance between them.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 1, where the permanent magnet is of the samarium-cobalt type.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device according to claim 1, where the magnet is magnetized to define diametrically opposite poles, resulting in an open magnetic circuit, the magnetic force lines in the device being essentially perpendicular to the current vector i in the coil and perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 1, where the rotatable unit is connected to the frame via flex pivots or via bearings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 1, where the sensor attached to the rotatable magnet is a mirror, an antenna or other sensor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 7, where the mirror is an annular one of plane, spherical or aspheric configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 1, comprising electrooptical sensing means in a closed loop with the current applied to the coil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device according to claim 1, where there is used a rod-shaped or bar shaped permanent magnet with diametrically opposite magnet poles, with a coil of corresponding shape surrounding said magnet, with a gap enabling the required rotation within a given angle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device according to claim 1 with a ring-shaped magnet of a diameter of from 10 to 100 mm and of 2 to 10 mm thickness, or a rod-shaped magnet of a length of from 10 to 100 mm.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for imparting to a sensor element a sweep motion of predetermined parameters, which comprises the steps of attaching said sensor to a permanent magnet with diametrically opposite poles resulting in an open magnetic circuit, providing a coil around said magnet and passing through the coil a current of predetermined frequency and amperage wherein an magnetic field produced in the open-circuit permanent magnet is always perpendicular with that due to the current passing through the coil; rotating said magnet and sensor attached thereto in a statically balanced manner as a result of the interaction of said magnetic fields producing a force vector and moment about an axis of rotation.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for imparting to a sensor element a sweep motion of predetermined parameters, which comprises the steps of attaching said sensor to a permanent magnet with diametrically opposite poles resulting in an open magnetic circuit, providing a coil around said magnet and passing through the coil a current of predetermined frequency and amperage wherein an magnetic field produced in the open-circuit permanent magnet is always perpendicular with that due to the current passing through the coil; rotating said magnet and sensor attached thereto in a statically balanced manner as a result of the interaction of said magnetic fields producing a force vector and moment about an axis of rotation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 12 where the parameters of the scan or vibration are controlled by signals obtained from electro-optical sensing means which are in closed loop with the current applied to the coil.
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) | 1995-03-17 | 1995-09-16 | 1996-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-17 | 1999-09-16 | 2000-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-17 | 2003-09-16 | 2004-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |