Large Scale Low Cost Manufacture of Linear Motors - Isis Project No 1055
Despite the range of existing linear motor designs there are none that are truly suitable for large-scale low cost manufacture; this Oxford invention seeks to plug the gap.
Background
This invention relates both to linear electric motors and linear electric generators particularly those used in linear compressors of refrigerators or coolers, e.g. those used to cool radio transmission antennae, and to generators, such as those driven by Stirling engines.
Problem
Currently linear motors are not standard components that can be simply integrated with other components; they are most often custom designed. Moving coil linear motors need flexible current leads and large amounts of very expensive magnet material. Moving magnet and moving iron motors often suffer from a lack of robustness or have a complicated construction that may not be compatible with other requirements of linear motor construction.
The Oxford Invention
The new design has several features that make it more attractive than current designs:
- Low moving mass
- More efficient use of magnetic material - cost reduction
- Simpler construction - lower cost manufacture
- Design is readily integrated with existing linear clearance seal technology
- Elimination of flexible current leads - simplifies the design and improves the reliability
Commercialisation Opportunity
This design may be used as a motor in valveless compressors particularly for driving Stirling cycle coolers or pulse tube coolers, valved compressors, for example domestic and industrial "Freon" type refrigerators, Gifford McMahon coolers and oil-free gas compressor pumps in clean circulation systems, such as for medical purposes.
Interested companies should contact Isis to discuss the further development and licensing of this invention, which is now the subject of a patent application.
Request Further Information: Project Number 1055 - Large Scale Low Cost Manufacture of Linear Motors