1. A first linear actuator comprising
a magnetically permeable ferrous outer flux containment shell; and
a magnet core assembly disposed within the outer shell, the magnet core assembly comprising
a magnet stack comprising one or more permanent magnets, and
a first coil comprising at least one wire loop around at least a portion of the magnet stack, such that the outer shell provides magnetic flux containment and routing, and the magnet stack is self-levitating.
2. The linear actuator of claim 1 wherein
the one or more permanent magnets are are Neodymium-Iron-Boron magnets; and
the outer flux containment shell meets ASTM A848 material standards.
3. The linear actuator of claim 1 wherein the outer flux containment shell further comprises
two cylindrical canister portions each having a distal and a proximal end;
a first end cap attached to the distal end of each canister; and
a second end cap attached to the proximal end of each canister.
4. The linear actuator of claim 1 wherein the first coil is a bifilar coil.
5. The linear actuator of claim 1 further comprising
a plurality of coils, such that the coils are positioned asymmetrically with respect to the magnet stack.
6. The linear actuator of claim 1 further comprising
an energy recovery mechanism comprising
a switch having a first connection to the first coil and a second connection to a recovery element, the switch having an open position and a closed position; and
a pulse recovery controller, such that the pulse recovery controller directs the switch between the open position and the closed position.
7. The linear actuator of claim 1 wherein
the magnet stack further comprises at least one spacer positioned between adjacent permanent magnets.
8. A system comprising
a first linear actuator motor comprising
a magnetically permeable outer flux containment shell, and
a magnet core assembly disposed within the outer flux containment shell, the magnet core assembly comprising
a magnet stack comprising one or more permanent magnets, and
a plurality of coils, each coil comprising at least one wire loop around at least a portion of the magnet stack, such that the outer flux containment shell provides magnetic flux containment and routing, and the magnet stack is self-levitating; and
a first linear actuator generator comprising
a magnetically permeable outer flux containment shell; and
an magnet core assembly disposed within the outer flux containment shell, the magnet core assembly comprising
a magnet stack comprising one or more permanent magnets, and
a first coil comprising at least one wire loop around at least a portion of the magnet stack, such that the outer flux containment shell provides magnetic flux containment and routing, and the magnet stack is self-levitating.
9. The system of claim 8 further comprising
an energy recovery mechanism comprising
a switch having a first connection to the first coil and a second connection to a recovery element, the switch having an open position and a closed position; and
a pulse recovery controller, such that the pulse recovery controller directs the switch between the open position and the closed position.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the recovery element is a battery or capacitor.
11. The system of claim 9 further comprising
a renewable energy power source; and
a plurality of pairs of linear actuator motors and linear actuator generators arranged in a radial array, the plurality of pairs of linear actuator motors and linear actuator generators connected to a common crankshaft.
12. The system of claim 11 further comprising
a control system comprising
speed and position sensors attached to the crankshaft, and
a plurality of controllers, such that the controllers deliver power voltage to motor coils based on the speed and position of the crankshaft.
13. The system of claim 11 wherein
each of the plurality of generators comprises an opposed pole armature with a magnet stack having a first magnet and a second magnet arranged with like poles facing.
14. An electromagnetic motor energy recovery method comprising
providing a first linear actuator motor comprising
a magnetically permeable outer shell,
an magnet core assembly disposed within the outer shell, the magnet core assembly comprising
a magnet stack comprising one or more permanent magnets, and
a plurality of coils in proximity to the magnet stack, such that the outer shell provides magnetic flux containment and routing, and the magnet stack is self-levitating, and
a controller;
levitating the magnet stack within the outer shell of the first linear actuator;
applying, with the controller, a plurality of supply voltage pulses to one or more of the plurality of coils over a first time interval, thereby causing the magnet stack to move in a first direction;
recovering energy from the one or more of the plurality of coils by establishing, at a second time interval, an electrical connection between the one or more of the plurality of coils and a pulse recovery element.
15. The electromagnetic motor energy recovery method of claim 14 wherein
providing a first linear actuator further comprises
providing an ASTM A848 magnetically permeable outer shell.
16. The electromagnetic motor energy recovery method of claim 14 wherein
providing a first linear actuator further comprises
providing a magnet stack comprising one or more Neodymium-Iron-Boron magnets magnets.
17. The electromagnetic motor energy recovery method of claim 14 wherein
providing a first linear actuator further comprises
providing a plurality of bifilar coils.
18. The electromagnetic motor energy recovery method 14 further comprising
driving a first linear actuator generator with the first linear actuator motor.
19. The electromagnetic motor energy recovery method 14 further comprising
providing at least one battery or capacitor as the pulse recovery element.
20. The electromagnetic motor energy recovery method 14 further comprising
configuring the first linear actuator motor as a positive displacement device.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A radar sensor for motor vehicles, comprising:
a transmitter and receiver unit, a directional characteristic of the transmitter and receiver unit having multiple lobes, at least one of the lobes being directed parallel to a roadway surface, and at least one other one of the lobes being directed obliquely to the roadway surface, wherein the transmitter and receiver unit includes multiple radar sources which are situated offset with respect to one another approximately in a focal plane of the condenser element, one of radar sources configured to generate the lobe directed obliquely to the roadway surface.
2. The radar sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
a condenser element including one of a lens or a reflector, the condenser element configured to bundle emitted radar waves into the lobes.
3. The radar sensor as recited in claim 2, wherein the condenser element includes a beam splitter which deflects a portion of the emitted radar waves into the lobe which is directed obliquely to the roadway surface.
4. A radar sensor for motor vehicles, comprising:
a transmitter and receiver unit, a directional characteristic of the transmitter and receiver unit having multiple lobes, at least one of the lobes being directed parallel to a roadway surface, and at least one other one of the lobes being directed obliquely to the roadway surface; and
a condenser element including one of a lens or a reflector, the condenser element configured to bundle emitted radar waves into the lobes, wherein the condenser element has a different focal distance for the lobe which is directed obliquely to the roadway surface than for the other lobes.
5. A radar sensor for motor vehicles, comprising:
a transmitter and receiver unit, a directional characteristic of the transmitter and receiver unit having multiple lobes, at least one of the lobes being directed parallel to a roadway surface, and at least one other one of the lobes being directed obliquely to the roadway surface; and
a condenser element including one of a lens or a reflector, the condenser element configured to bundle emitted radar waves into the lobes, wherein the condenser element includes a lens which has a lens zone having refraction characteristics that differ from the rest of the lens.
6. A method for checking an alignment of a radar sensor; comprising:
providing a transmitter and receiver unit, a directional characteristic of the transmitter and receiver unit having multiple lobes, at least one of the lobes being directed parallel to a roadway surface, and at least one other one of the lobes being directed obliquely to the roadway surface;
determining a distance, on the roadway surface, between a radar sensor of the transmitter and receiver unit and a point of incidence of the lobe which is directed obliquely to the roadway surface; and
determining a misalignment of the radar sensor based on a deviation of the determined distance from a vehicle-specific nominal value.
7. A method for blindness recognition for a radar sensor, comprising:
providing a transmitter and receiver unit, a directional characteristic of the transmitter and receiver unit having multiple lobes, at least one of the lobes being directed parallel to a roadway surface, and at least one other one of the lobes being directed obliquely to the roadway surface; and
measuring an intensity of a radar echo reflected by the roadway surface for the lobe which is directed obliquely to the roadway surface, to recognize blindness.
8. A method of using a radar sensor, comprising:
providing a transmitter and receiver unit, a directional characteristic of the transmitter and receiver unit having multiple lobes, at least one of the lobes being directed parallel to a roadway surface, and at least one other one of the lobes being directed obliquely to the roadway surface; and
performing at least one of the following:
measuring a ground speed of a motor vehicle using the transmitter and receiver unit,
checking an alignment of a radar sensor by determining a distance, on the roadway surface, between the radar sensor of the transmitter and receiver unit and a point of incidence of the lobe which is directed obliquely to the roadway surface, and determining a misalignment by the radar sensor based on a deviation of the determined distance conform a vehicle-specific nominal value, and
measuring an intensity of a radar echo reflected by the roadway surface for the lobe which is directed obliquely to the roadway surface to recognize blindness.