Pulsed power linear actuator and method of increasing actuator stroke

Abstract

A pulsed power linear actuator provides increased stroke force by converting rotational kinetic energy into linear kinetic energy through the use of electrical energy. The kinetic energy may be established by placing a tube having endless conductive loops therein between an armature and stator. Rotation of the tube by a motor generates rotational kinetic energy which is converted to linear kinetic energy and transferred to the stroke arm when current is applied to the armature to generate electromagnet fields. The armature may be implemented with permanent magnets which generate time invariant magnetic fields, or it may be implemented as a multi-segmented armature where each segment is essentially an individual armature. The relative motion of the armature and tube exposes the loops to the electromagnet fields and produces an electromotive force which induces current in the rotating endless loops. The induced current reacts with either the time invariant magnetic fields (in the permanent magnet configuration) or the electromagnet fields (in the multi-segment configuration) to cause a transfer of energy from the rotating tube to the stroke arm. A multi-stage actuator configuration may be implemented with the multi-segment armature and multiple sets of endless loops to provide increased stroke length to the actuator.