US2650312A - Linear motion device - Google Patents

Description

1953 E. ABRAHAMSON LINEAR MOTION DEVICE Filed May 14, 1952 FIG.2

FIG.

INVENTUR EDMUND ABRAHAM SON S I 7 & PATENT AGENT.

Patented Aug. 25, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

My invention consists in a new and useful improvement in linear motion devices and is designed to produce linear motion of a mass by vibration of a track supporting the mass, by means of a periodic electric current, in particular alternating current. This improvement is a further development of my invention disclosed and claimed in my United States Patent Number 2,438,958.

It is well-known that the armature of an electromagnet is vibrated when the coil of the electromagnet is energized by a periodic current, the armature being resiliently mounted. I have used this well-known means to initiate the necessary vibration for producing the linear movement of the mass. The novel and useful features of my improved device consist in the structural elements whereby the vibration of the armature is transmitted to the track to effect linear motion of the mass on the track.

I have found by experience that if the coil of the electromagnet is disposed about the longitudinal axis of the magnet which is vertically disposed, the armature being substantially horizontally disposed, an arm mounted on the armature being vertically disposed and the track mounted on the arm being substantially horizontally disposed, the vibration of the track will cause the mass supported on the track to move along the track. I have also found by experience that the direction of movement of the mass can be determined by the relation of the armature, the arm mounted on the armature and the track mounted on the arm. I have, therefore, produced a device in which the means for vibrating the track are duplicated, whereby the mass can be moved in either of two directions relative to the track. This result is effected by merely reversing the connection between the armature and the arm in the second vibrating unit. My device also has means for automatically reversing the direction of movement of the mass by merely shifting the energizing periodic electric current from one vibrating unit to the other.

While there is illustrated in the drawing and hereinafter fully described a specific embodiment of my invention, it is to be distinctly understood that I do not consider my invention to be limited to said specific embodiment, but refer for its scope to the claims appended hereto.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of my improved device, a, portion being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, in the direction of the arrows.

As illustrated in the drawing, the device has a base I of any suitable material. Two electromagnets A and B, having coils C and C-I, respectively, are suitably mounted on said base I so that their longitudinal axes are normal to the longitudinal axis of the base I. The magnets A and B have armatures 2 and 2-a, respectively, which have semi-circular springs 3 and 3-11 mounted on the base I by means of adjusting posts 4 and La threaded into the base I. It will be noted that the armatures 2 and 2-a, normal to the longitudinal axes of the magnets A and B, are depressed by attraction of the magnets A and B and elevated by action of the springs 3 and 3-11. The armatures 2 and 2-a have oblique extensions 5 and 5-a integral therewith from which extend arms 6 and 6-0; integral with the extensions 5 and 5a. It will be noted (Fig. 1) that the extensions 5 and 5-11 being at angles from the armatures 2 and Z-a, and the arms 6 and 6-0. being at 45 angles from the extensions 5 and 5-a, the arms 6 and G-d are normal to the armatures 2 and Z-a. It will also be noted that the extensions 5 and 5-a are reversely bent relative to the armatures 2 and Z-a.

Suitably mounted, as by screws 1, on the arms 6 and 6-a, there is a track 8 in the form of a cylindrical body of suitable non-resilient material, so mounted that its longitudinal axis is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the base I.

A mass 9, in the form of a parallelopiped, has a transverse bore I0 through which passes the body 8. It will be noted that the interior diameter of the bore I 0 is slightly greater than the exterior diameter of the body 8, and that the bore III is so situated in the mass 9 that the longitudinal axis of the bore I0 is above the center of gravity of the mass 9 when the mass 9 is mounted on the body 8, so that somewhat less than half of the circumference of the mass 9 about the bore I 0 is in contact with the outer surface of the body 8 (Fig. 2). It is to be understood that the'outer surface of the body 8 and the inner surface of the mass 9 about the bore III are suitably highly polished to provide anti-friction contact of the mass 9 and the body 8.

The arms 6 and 6-11 have on their upper ends spring contacts II and I l a, respectively, mounted on the arms 6 and 6-a by suitable electric insulating blocks I2 and I2-a.

Slidably mounted in the arms 6 and B-a, there is a rod I3 on which are adjustably mounted collars I 4 and I 4-a. The mass 9 has an upstanding lug l5 for co-action with the collars l4 and I l-a as presently explained.

I will now describe the electrical circuits for my improved device. It is to be understood that the armatures 2 and 2-a, the springs 3 and 3-a, the extensions 5 and 5-a, the arms 6 and 6-a, and the contacts H and I l-a, and the rod l 3 are suitable electrical conductors, and that the rod I3 is in suitable electrical contact with the arms 6 and 6-11. The springs 3 and 3-0 are suitably electrically insulated from the base I on which they are mounted by the adjusting posts 4 and 4a, and the body 8 is either of non-conducting material or is suitably electrically insulated. The device is provided with suitable leads L and L-l from any source of periodic electric current, in particular alternating current. The lead L is provided with a manual control switch S and is connected by a wire W with the springs 3 and 3-a. The contacts H and II-a are connected by wires W-l and W-2 with one end of each of the coils C and -1 of the magnets .A and B, respectively, and the lead L-l is connected by a wire W-3 with the other end of each of the coils C and C-l.

From the foregoing description of the details of construction of my device, its use and operation will be obvious. When the parts have been assembled and are positioned as shown in Fig. 1., the device is caused to operate by .clos- 3 ing switch .S thereby causing the periodic electric current to flow through a circuit comprising the Wire "W, spring ,3-a, armature .Z-a, extension 5-a, arm Ba., rod 13, contact I-a, the

wire W4, coil C-l of magnet B and the wire the armature .2-.a vibrates verticallyand the body 8 vibrates horizontally. :Such horizontal vibration of the .body 8 under impulse of the vibrating arm -6-a causes the mass 9 .to move along the body 8 away .from that end of the body 8 mounted on the arm 6-11. This action is due to the fact that the vibrating arm 6-5: is caused xon one stroke to push the body 8 so that the mass '9 because of its inertia is pro- ,iected in the direction away from the arm B-a, and on .its other stroke to pull the body 8 which because of the inertia .of the mass 9 moves through the immobile mass 9. Thus the successive vibrations of the body '8 cause the mass 9 to travel in the direction away from the arm ti-a.

It is obvious that when the mass 9 has travell-ed sufficiently to engage its lug [5 with the collar M, the rod [3 is shifted .so that it is moved from contact l'l-a breaking the above-described circuit, and the rod I3 is moved against contact H to close a circuit comprising the Wire W, spring 3, armature 2 extension 5, arm 6, rod 13, contact H, the wire W-l, coil C of magnet A, and the wire W-3, thereby causing the periodic electric current to energize the coil C of the magnet A causing the armature 2 to vibrate. 'Th-is vibration of the armature 2 is transmitted through extension 5 and arm 6 to the body 8 causing it, as above described, to vibrate horizontally. However, since the extensions 5 and 5-11 are reversely bent, the action of the arm '6 on the body '8 is precisely opposite to the action of the arm E-a as above described. Hence the mass 9 is caused to move along the body 8 in a direction away from the arm 6, opposite to its movement as above described.

Therefore, so long as switch S is closed the mass 9 is caused to move to and fro on the body 8.

The adjustment of the collars l4 and I l-a on the rod 13 determines the distance of travel in each direction oi the mass .9.

If desired, the automatic reversing mechanism consisting of rod is, collars I4 and I l-a, lug l5 and contacts II and ll-a, can be omitted and the coils C and C-l can be supplied with independent, manually-controlled circuits whereby the current can be supplied alternatively to coils .C and C-I.

I have found that my improved device can be actuated by periodic electric current of various frequencies. As is well-known, the armatures 2 and Z-a can be vibrated either by alternating current .or .by direct current by usin any suitable interrupter.

Having described my invention, what I claim l. Ina linear motion device, the combination of a base; an electro-magnet so mounted on said base that the longitudinal axis of its coil is normal to the longitudinal axis of said base; an armature for said magnet, resiliently mounted on said base, and so disposed that its longitudinal axis is parallel with said base; a track so mounted on said armature that its longitudinal axis is parallel with the said axes of :said armature and said base; a mass slidably supported on said track; and means adapted to energize said electro-magn'et.

2. In a linear motion device, the combination of a base; a pair of electro magnets so mounted on said base that the longitudinal axes of their coils are normal to the longitudinal axis of said base a pair of armatures for said electromagnets, respectively, resiliently mounted on said base, and so disposed that their longitu- 'dinal axes are parallel with said axis of said base; a track having its ends so mounted on said armatures, respectively, that its longitu- "dinal axis is parallel with the said axes of said armatures and said base; a mass slidably supported on said track; and means adapted to alternately energize said electro-magnets.

3. A device, according to claim '1, in which said energizing means comprises an electric circuit using said armature, its mounting on said base and the mounting of said track as a conductor for a current to said electro-magnet.

4. A device, according to claim 1, in which said armature has formed integral therewith a curved spring mounted on said base, and in which means is provided for adjusting the degree of resiliency of said spring.

5. A device, according to claim 1., having rectilinear element formed integral with :said armature and a second rectilinear element formed integral with said first element on which said track is mounted, said first element being disposed at angles of 45 to said armature and said second element. .6. .A device, according to claim 2, in which said energizing means comprises a pair of electric circuits using said armatures,,their mountings on said base, and the mountings of said track as conductors for currents fed to said electro-magnets.

'7. A device, according to claim 2, in which each of said armatures has formed integral therewith a curved spring mounted on said base, and in Which means are provided for adjusting the degree of resiliency of said springs.

8. A device, according to claim 2, having a pair of rectilinear elements formed integral with said armatures, respectively, and a second pair of rectilinear elements formed integral with said first pair of elements, respectively, and on which said track is mounted, said first elements being disposed at angles of 45 to said armatures and said second elements, and said first elements being reversely disposed relative to said armatures.

EDMUND ABRAHAMSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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