A Rotational Actuator Using a Thermomagnetic-Induced Magnetic Force Interaction

• Published in: IEEE transactions on magnetics Vol. 54; no. 1; pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Cheng, Chih-Cheng, Chung, Tien-Kan, Chen, Chin-Chung, Wang, Hsin-Min
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.01.2018; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Actuator; Actuators; Current measurement; Gadolinium; magnetic; Magnetic fields; magnetic force; Magnetic forces; Magnetism; Operating temperature; rotation; Steel structures; Temperature distribution; Temperature measurement; Temperature sensors; Thermoelectric generators; thermomagnetic; Torque
• ISSN: 0018-9464; 1941-0069
• DOI: 10.1109/TMAG.2017.2754370

In this paper, we demonstrate a rotational actuator using a thermomagnetic-induced magnetic force interaction. The actuator consists of a magnetic rotary beam, stainless-steel bearing, mechanical frame, thermomagnetic Gadolinium sheets, and thermoelectric generators (TEGs). Experimental results show that applying a sequence of currents to the TEGs successfully produces sequential magnetic forces. Consequently, these sequential magnetic forces rotate the beam for revolutions. When applying a sequence set of currents of -0.5 and 1.3 A, the maximum rotation speed and maximum stall torque of the actuator is 3.81 rpm and 136.2~\mu Nm, respectively. Most importantly, the operating temperatures of other thermomagnetic (and electrothermal) actuators are usually high, but the operating temperature of our actuator is approximately room temperature (13 °C-27 °C). Therefore, our actuators have more practical applications. According to the above-mentioned features, we believe our actuator is an important alternative approach to developing future rotational actuators and motors.