Pendulum Electromagnetic Actuator Curved Arc Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic actuators face challenges in achieving high force/torque density with low power losses and efficient cooling, particularly in aerospace applications where clogging and reliability are concerns.
Innovation Solution
A pendulum-type electromagnetic actuator design featuring arc-shaped moving members with permanent magnets and a stationary core, connected by a pivot, which allows for high force/torque generation with minimal power losses and natural convection cooling, eliminating clogging risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If electromagnetic actuators use conventional linear or rotational designs, then they can provide mechanical energy, but they suffer from high power losses and insufficient cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by designing the moving member as an arc-shaped component that rotates about a pivot point, creating a pendulum-type motion. This curved geometry allows the actuator to achieve compact packaging while maintaining efficient magnetic flux paths, reducing power losses and improving thermal management through convection cooling of the arc-shaped structure.
2Force
If electromagnetic actuators are designed for high force/torque density, then they can provide greater mechanical output, but they increase device complexity and power losses
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is segmented into distinct functional components: a stationary member with stationary magnets, a moving member with moving magnets, and a pivot connector. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for force generation while simplifying the overall structure. The pendulum-type design with arc-shaped moving member further segments the magnetic interaction zones, enabling high force/torque density without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Reliability
If electromagnetic actuators use traditional designs with multiple moving parts and brush contact, then they can achieve mechanical motion, but they reduce reliability and increase maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates brushes and commutators from the actuator design by using a brushless electromagnetic configuration. The moving member contains permanent magnets that interact with the stationary member's magnetic field, producing motion without mechanical contact for electrical connection. This extraction of problematic components directly improves reliability and eliminates maintenance requirements associated with brush wear and electrical contact issues.
4Volume of moving object
If electromagnetic actuators are designed for compact size, then they can fit space-constrained applications, but they increase force/torque density requirements and power losses
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-shaped moving member is nested within the stationary member, with the moving member's magnets positioned to interact with the stationary member's magnetic field in a compact configuration. This nesting arrangement maximizes the magnetic interaction volume within a small physical footprint, achieving high force/torque density without proportionally increasing power losses. The pendulum-type rotation about a pivot enables compact packaging while maintaining efficient energy conversion.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The pendulum-type actuator achieves high force/torque density with low power losses, efficient cooling through convection, and enhanced reliability by minimizing moving parts and avoiding brush contact, suitable for diverse applications including aerospace and medical/clinical engineering.
Implementation Method 1
An electromagnetic actuator may include moving parts that include permanent magnets (PMs) and/or a ferromagnetic member
Implementation Method 2
a pivot connector connecting at least one of the first arc-shaped moving member and the second arc-shaped moving member to the pivot such that the curved moving member rotates about the pivot
Implementation Method 3
Short-stroke electromagnetic actuators may be used to provide and/or generate oscillatory motion
Data Source
AI summary
A pendulum-type electromagnetic actuator is provided. The actuator includes a curved stationary member (234, 334, 434, 534, 634, 734) comprising a stationary core (238, 338, 438, 538, 638, 738) and a winding (236, 336, 436, 536, 636, 736) wound about the stationary core (238, 338, 438, 538, 638, 738). A first moving member (224a, 324a, 424a, 524a, 624a, 724a) includes a first moving core (226a, 326a, 426a, 526a, 626a, 726a) and a first plurality of permanent magnets (228a, 328a, 428a, 528a, 628a, 728a) attached to the first moving core (226a, 326a, 426a, 526a, 626a, 726a), the first moving member (224a, 324a, 424a, 524a, 624a, 724a) is curved and positioned on a first side of the stationary member (234, 334, 434, 534, 634, 734). A second moving member (224b, 324b, 424b, 524b, 624b, 724b) includes a second moving core (216b, 326b, 426b, 526b, 626b, 726b) and a second plurality of permanent magnets (228b, 328b, 428b, 528b, 628b, 728b) attached to the second moving core (216b, 326b, 426b, 526b, 626b, 726b), the second moving member (224b, 324b, 424b, 524b, 624b, 724b) is curved and positioned on a second side of the stationary member (234, 334, 434, 534, 634, 734), the second side opposite the first side. The actuator further includes a pivot (222) and a pivot connector (230) connecting at least one of the first moving member (224a, 324a, 424a, 524a, 624a, 724a) and the second moving member (224b, 324b, 424b, 524b, 624b, 724b) to the pivot such that the curved moving member rotates about the pivot.