Jaime Rebecca Ruiz

US Patent:

20100133924, Jun 3, 2010

Filed:

Nov 19, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/622372

Inventors:

Edward August NEFF - Cardiff CA, US
Toan Minh Vu - San Diego CA, US
Karl Gene Stocks - Oceanside CA, US
David Dehe Huang - Carlsbad CA, US
Naoyuki Okada - San Diego CA, US
Tiep Trung Le - San Diego CA, US
Gary Joseph Ring - Lemon Grove CA, US
Mark Allen Cato - Escondido CA, US
Jaime Sandoval Ruiz - San Marcos CA, US

International Classification:

H02K 41/02
H02K 15/00

US Classification:

310 1202, 29596

Abstract:

Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for a guided single-phase or multi-phase linear motor actuator with a snap-together design. Some embodiments include the ability to monitor and/or adjust work being done, yet with a cost that is comparable to that of cams or pneumatic devices. In one embodiment, a coil is attached to a bobbin assembly that is secured behind a piston. To prevent rotation of the piston during operation, a spline bearing may be slidably fitted onto one or more grooves of a spline shaft disposed within the piston assembly. One or more cylindrical magnets surrounding the coil actuate the piston based upon the direction that current is traveling through the coil. Since the electromotive force generated is linear with respect to the spline shaft, unwanted lateral force acting upon the spline shaft can be reduced and/or eliminated.