Magnetic spring actuator device

Abstract

A magnetic spring actuator comprising a ring, a piston movably disposed inside of the ring, and a-non-magnetic holding cylinder. At least one of the ring and the piston is magnetic. Due to a magnetic force caused by at least one of the ring and the piston, the piston is initially located in a first position with respect to the ring. Application of an outside force results in movement of the piston to a second position with respect to the ring. The magnetic force produces a return force for causing the piston to return to the first position with respect to the ring. Alternatively, the piston can be fixed and the ring can be adapted for moving with respect to the piston in a similar manner. A bi-metal coil spring may be wound around the piston.

1 . A magnetic spring actuator device comprising: 
 a) a piston and a ring arranged such that one of said piston and ring is a fixed part and the other is a moving part;    b) a non-magnetic holding cylinder having each of said fixed and moving parts disposed therein;    wherein at least one of said fixed and moving parts is magnetic and wherein due to a magnetic force caused by at least one of said fixed and moving parts, said moving part is initially located in a first position with respect to said fixed part, and wherein upon application of an outside force on said magnetic spring actuator, said moving part moves to a second position with respect to said fixed part, such that said magnetic force produces a return force causing said moving part to return to said first position with respect to said fixed part.    
   
   
       2 . The actuator device of  claim 1 , wherein said piston is movably disposed inside of said ring.  
   
   
       3 . The actuator device of  claim 1 , wherein said ring is moveably engaged around said piston.  
   
   
       4 . The actuator device of  claim 1 , wherein the outside force is an electromagnetic force.  
   
   
       5 . The actuator device of  claim 1 , wherein the outside force is a pneumatic force.  
   
   
       6 . The actuator device of  claim 1 , wherein the piston is magnetic and the ring is magnetizable.  
   
   
       7 . The actuator device of  claim 1 , wherein the ring is magnetic and wherein one end of the piston is positioned inside of the ring.  
   
   
       8 . The actuator device of  claim 1 , wherein the ring is magnetic and wherein the piston has the same width as the ring, said piston being positioned inside of said ring.  
   
   
       9 . The actuator device of  claim 3 , further comprising a second ring engaged around said piston.  
   
   
       10 . The actuator device of  claim 9 , wherein said second ring is magnetizable and wherein each of said rings contains an opposite end of said piston disposed therein.  
   
   
       11 . The actuator device of  claim 1 , wherein the ring is a magnet and the piston is magnetizable.  
   
   
       12 . The actuator device of  claim 1 , wherein both of said ring and said piston are magnetic.  
   
   
       13 . The actuator device of  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the first position and the second position is up to half of the width of the piston.  
   
   
       14 . The actuator device of  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the first position and the second position is up to half of the thickness of the ring.  
   
   
       15 . The actuator device of  claim 1 , further comprising a stopper.  
   
   
       16 . The actuator device of  claim 1 , further comprising a non-magnetizable shaft connecting between said piston and said cylinder.  
   
   
       17 . The actuator device of  claim 16 , further comprising connecting means for connecting between the piston and the shaft.  
   
   
       18 . The actuator device of  claim 1 , further comprising a bi-metal coil spring wound around the piston, wherein one free end of said bi-metal coil spring is connected to the non-magnetic holding cylinder, and a second free end of said bi-metal coil spring is connected to the piston; said bi-metal coil spring being inducible to contract or expand in response to a stimuli selected from: a change in temperature, or application of an electrical current to the bi-metal coil spring.  
   
   
       19 . The actuator device of  claim 18 , wherein the bi-metal coil spring is formed from an alloy of at least two metals selected from the group consisting of nickel, titanium, copper, chrome and iron.  
   
   
       20 . The actuator device of  claim 18 , wherein the bi-metal coil spring is connected to an operable electrical circuit containing a power source, for inducing contraction or expansion of said bi-metal coil spring upon closure of said electrical circuit and activation of said power source.  
   
   
       21 . The actuator device of  claim 18 , further comprising a heating element adjacent to or surrounding said actuator, for inducing contraction or expansion of said bi-metal coil spring upon activation of said heating element.  
   
   
       22 . The actuator device of  claim 18 , further comprising an external actuator for inducing contraction or expansion of the bi-metal coil spring.  
   
   
       23 . A method of activation of the actuator of  claim 18 , comprising the steps of: 
 a. applying a stimuli selected from: a change in temperature or electrical current, to said bi-metal coil spring to induce expansion or contraction of the bi-metal coil spring and cause movement of the piston from the initial starting position to a second position;    b. discontinuing said stimuli to allow the piston to return to the initial starting position.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the maximal movement of the piston equals half the length of the piston.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising a bi-metal coil spring, wherein one end of said bi-metal coil spring is connected to the piston; said bi-metal coil spring being capable of contracting or expanding in response to a stimuli selected from: a change in temperature, or application of an electrical current to the bi-metal coil spring.