Patent ID: 6965177

Claim:
Apparatus for establishing and maintaining oscillations of a torsional hinged device comprising: a torsional hinged device adapted for pivoting about an axis and having at least one permanent magnet attached thereto; at least one electromagnetic coil for generating a magnetic field that interacts with said at least one permanent magnet to create a magnetic force that causes said device to pivot about said axis; an electrical power source having a selected output DC voltage; a source of switching signals; and switching circuitry for electrically connecting and disconnecting said power source and said electromagnet coil in response to said switching signals to provide a series of DC pulses to said at least one electromagnetic coil; a position detector for monitoring the pivot position of said torsional hinged device and for providing a signal representative thereof; and a control circuit for receiving said signal indicative of said pivot position and for generating a series of said switching signals.