US3763412A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Open loop, linear, incremental positioning device
Assignee: THRUST Inc
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Filing: 1972-07-27
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Granted: 1973-10-02
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Expires: 1992-07-27
Abstract
Abstract An open loop linear incremental positioning device wherein a cylindrical electric coil surrounds an articulated magnetic plunger which is constrained to work against an opposing force. The articulated plunger consists of a plurality of magnetic segments having incremental magnetic working gaps therebetween. Upon energizing the coil with a given potential a contracting force is created and a predetermined number of gaps close in opposition to the retarding force, thereby moving the plunger an amount equal to the gaps closed. The applied potential uniquely determines the position of the plunger since for a selected potential the contracting force balances the opposing force after the predetermined number of gaps have closed.
Inventors
- 👤 D Detrick
- 👤 Monte A Di
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:44
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01F; H01F7/00; H01F7/06; H01F7/08; H01F7/13; H01F7/16; H01F7/1607
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A linear incremental positioning device movable between end positions and capable of stopping at positions intermediate said end positions, said device comprising a core structure, said core structure comprising a plurality of axially aligned core segments having air gaps between adjacent ones of said segments, a plunger member connected to said core structure to be moved thereby between said end positions, a single electro-magnetic coil wound around said core structure and at least all of said core segments, said coil extending at least the length of said segments, said air gaps extending from one end of said coil to approximately the midpoint of the coil, and ampere turns control means for controlling the amount of ampere turns generated in said single coil for selectively closing a number of said air gaps in response to the voltage level applied to said coil to control the movement of said plunger to stop between said end positions and at a said intermediate position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A linear incremental positioning device movable between end positions and capable of stopping at positions intermediate said end positions, said device comprising a core structure, said core structure comprising a plurality of axially aligned core segments having air gaps between adjacent ones of said segments, a plunger member connected to said core structure to be moved thereby between said end positions, a single electro-magnetic coil wound around said core structure and at least all of said core segments, said coil extending at least the length of said segments, said air gaps extending from one end of said coil to approximately the midpoint of the coil, and ampere turns control means for controlling the amount of ampere turns generated in said single coil for selectively closing a number of said air gaps in response to the voltage level applied to said coil to control the movement of said plunger to stop between said end positions and at a said intermediate position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A linear incremental positioning device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said control means comprises electric circuit means for applying a current level to said coil and generating an electromagnetic force tending to close said air gaps and a balanced opposing force means for opposing said electromagnetic force for stopping the plunger at selected ones of said intermediate positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A linear incremental positioning device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said electric circuit means comprises means to adjust the voltage magnitude applied to said single coil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A linear incremental positioning device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said opposing force means comprises a spring member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A linear incremental positioning device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said spring member comprises a helical spring, said helical spring being axially aligned with and located around said plunger.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A linear incremental positioning device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means to limit the width of each of said air gaps.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A linear incremental positioning device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said helical spring is a compression spring which is compressed as successive ones of said air gaps are closed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A linear incremental positioning device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the force required to open a selected closed air gap is greater than the force to clOse said selected air gap.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A linear incremental positioning device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said control means comprises means for incrementally stopping said plunger between said end positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A linear incremental positioning device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said electrical circuit means comprises a multiple resistor voltage divider and a selector switch for operatively connecting said electromagnetic coil between selected taps of said voltage divider.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A linear incremental positioning device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said electrical circuit means comprises a variable transformer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A linear incremental positioning device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said electrical circuit means comprises an electrical switching means for energizing selected portions of said electromagnetic coil.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of operating a solenoid type structure, said structure comprising a core structure having a plurality of axially aligned core segments having air gaps between adjacent ones of said segments, a plunger member connected to said core structure to be moved thereby, a single electromagnetic coil wound around said core structure and at least all of said core segments, said coil extending at least the length of said segments to close successive ones of said air gaps when energized, and a force opposing the closing of said air gaps, said method comprising applying a voltage to said coil, balancing said force opposing the closing of said air gaps against the electromagnetic force generated by the energized electromagnetic coil at discrete positions in said core structure and selectively closing a number of said air gaps in response to the voltage level applied to said coil, said number of air gaps being fewer than the total number of air gaps.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of operating a solenoid type structure, said structure comprising a core structure having a plurality of axially aligned core segments having air gaps between adjacent ones of said segments, a plunger member connected to said core structure to be moved thereby, a single electromagnetic coil wound around said core structure and at least all of said core segments, said coil extending at least the length of said segments to close successive ones of said air gaps when energized, and a force opposing the closing of said air gaps, said method comprising applying a voltage to said coil, balancing said force opposing the closing of said air gaps against the electromagnetic force generated by the energized electromagnetic coil at discrete positions in said core structure and selectively closing a number of said air gaps in response to the voltage level applied to said coil, said number of air gaps being fewer than the total number of air gaps.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in claim 13, comprising the additional step of controlling the amount of magnetic flux passing through said core structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the electromagnetic coil is energized with a preselected value by applying a predetermined electrical potential across the coil.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the electromagnetic coil is energized with a preselected value by applying the electrical potential to a predetermined portion of the coil.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-01 | 1977-04-02 | 1977-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-01 | 1981-04-02 | 1981-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-01 | 1985-04-02 | 1985-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |