Impulse drive system

Abstract

Disclosed is an impulse drive device that includes at least one stator having magnetic means to define an array of parallel spaced apart regions of magnetic field with a major component perpendicular to the plane of the stator; a slidor incorporating series-connected conductive strips in an array of similar spacing and orientation to the array of magnetic regions on the stator; and means for generating sequences of current pulses and for delivering those pulses to the conductive strips on the slidor. With appropriate timing and polarity, current pulses in the conductive strips on the slidor can be employed to both accelerate and decelerate the slidor with respect to the stator, thereby permitting rapid controlled movement of the slidor between predetermined positions in its plane. The pulse sequence generating means include a pulse generator and a controller, the latter operative to determine the number of pulses needed to achieve any desired slidor movement and to respond to a slidor position sensing system for achieving proper timing of each pulse. Preferably, servo control means are employed for final slidor positioning after completion of the pulse sequence.