Patent ID: 7557473

Claim:
An electromagnetic engine, comprising: an electromagnet energizeable so as to have opposing magnetic poles at first and second ends along an axis thereof, the electromagnet having a first magnetic pole orientation in a first energized state, and a second magnetic pole orientation in a second energized state; a crankshaft; a sensor coupled to the crankshaft and adapted to output a signal as a function of crankshaft position; a non-magnetic rigid support coupled to the crankshaft and mounted for oscillatory stroke movement relative to and in the direction of the axis of the electromagnet; first and second permanent magnets affixed to the support and on either side of the electromagnet, each permanent magnet being oriented to present the same magnetic pole to each respective end of the electromagnet and being spaced from the other permanent magnet by a distance approximately equal to the distance between the first and second ends of the electromagnet plus the stroke movement of the support; a timing circuit operative to switch the electromagnet between the first and second energized states in response to the output signal.