Patent ID: 8823221
Filing Date: 2014-09-02
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for optimizing a magnetostrictive actuator, the apparatus comprising: a Galfenol-type elongated magnetostrictive bar; an elongated ferrous frame having a rectangular section, the rectangular section comprising; a first electrical coil looping around the bottom plate region of the elongated ferrous frame, so that when the first electrical coil is actuated a high strength magnetic field extends axially across the gap along substantially the entire length of the Galfenol-type elongated magnetostrictive bar; a second electrical coil, orthogonal to the first coil, looping around the Galfenol-type elongated magnetostrictive bar within the gap, so that when the second electrical coil is actuated a high strength magnetic field extends longitudinally within the gap along substantially the entire length of the Galfenol-type elongated magnetostrictive bar; and a controller for actuating each of the first and the second electrical coils.