Bei Electronics LLC

Jack Kimble

Mikhail Godkin

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a double-ended moving coil linear actuator is provided comprising a cylindrical core and a hollow shell disposed around the core to define an annular space between the inner wall of the shell and the outer wall of the core. A non-magnetic spacer is mounted in the annular space to divide the annular space into first and second annular cavities, each of the cavities having a closed end adjacent the spacer and an open end. A first set of magnets is mounted within the first annular cavity to define a first magnetic circuit. A second set of magnets is mounted within the second annular cavity to define a second magnetic circuit. The magnets of these two magnetic circuits are sized and arranged to define a third 'interleaved' magnetic circuit which is created by the interaction of the first two circuits. Each of the first two magnetic circuits has a dual-winding coil assembly associated with it. The windings of the assembly are arranged to correspond to the arrangement of the magnets within the associated magnetic circuit.

Moving coil linear actuator with interleaved magnetic circuits

A linear electromechanical actuator having a variable drive force. The actuator includes a moving coil which moves along a stroke path in response to an input current. A magnetic circuit provides a magnetic flux through which the coil is driven. The flux density along the stroke path is non-uniform, with a higher flux density being present only in that region of the stroke path where a higher actuator drive force is required. Thus, less expensive magnetic material can be used. Since the overall flux density in the magnetic circuit is reduced, the dimensions of the soft iron elements of the magnetic circuit can be reduced without magnetic saturation so as to further reduce construction costs.

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Rancho Santa Fe, CA, United States of America

Jack Kimble