Moving coil linear actuator with interleaved magnetic circuits

摘要

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a double-ended moving coil linear actuator is provided comprising a cylindrical core and a hollow shell disposed around the core to define an annular space between the inner wall of the shell and the outer wall of the core. A non-magnetic spacer is mounted in the annular space to divide the annular space into first and second annular cavities, each of the cavities having a closed end adjacent the spacer and an open end. A first set of magnets is mounted within the first annular cavity to define a first magnetic circuit. A second set of magnets is mounted within the second annular cavity to define a second magnetic circuit. The magnets of these two magnetic circuits are sized and arranged to define a third "interleaved" magnetic circuit which is created by the interaction of the first two circuits. Each of the first two magnetic circuits has a dual-winding coil assembly associated with it. The windings of the assembly are arranged to correspond to the arrangement of the magnets within the associated magnetic circuit.