Patent ID: 8786141

Claim:
A magnetic linear actuator, comprising: a driver portion, comprising: a rotating mount, wherein the rotating mount comprises a first magnet with poles aligned in a plane; a motor, coupled to and configured to rotate the rotating mount, thereby rotating the first magnet; and an actuator portion, comprising: a frame, wherein the frame is non-magnetic; a second magnet, affixed to the frame proximate to a first end of the frame, with a specified pole facing the frame's center; and a third magnet, affixed to the frame proximate to a second end of the frame, with the specified pole facing the frame's center; wherein the frame is configured to hold the second and third magnets substantially collinear with the first magnet, in the plane, and on opposite sides of the first magnet; wherein the frame is constrained to reciprocal movement along an axis substantially collinear with the first, second, and third magnets; wherein the motor of the driver portion is configured to rotate the rotating mount, thereby repeatedly rotating the first magnet through: a first orientation wherein the first magnet attracts the second magnet and repels the third magnet; then a second orientation wherein the first magnet repels the second magnet and attracts the third magnet; wherein the actuator portion is configured to move along the axis in a first direction in response to the first orientation; wherein the actuator portion is configured to move along the axis in a second direction, opposite the first direction, in response to the second orientation; and wherein the actuator portion is configured to move back and forth along the axis in a reciprocating manner in response to said repeatedly rotating the first magnet.