Feasibility of generating 90 Hz vibrations in remote implanted magnets

Limb amputation not only reduces the motor abilities of an individual, but also destroys afferent channels that convey essential sensory information to the brain. Significant efforts have been made in the area of upper limb prosthetics to restore sensory feedback, through the stimulation of residual sensory elements. Most of the past research focused on the replacement of tactile functions. On the other hand, the difficulties in eliciting proprioceptive sensations using either haptic or (neural) electrical stimulation, has limited researchers to rely on sensory substitution. Here we propose the myokinetic stimulation interface, that aims at restoring natural proprioceptive sensations by exploiting the so-called tendon illusion, elicited through the vibration of magnets implanted inside residual muscles. We present a prototype which exploits 12 electromagnetic coils to vibrate up to four magnets implanted in a forearm mockup. The results demonstrated that it is possible to generate highly directional and frequency-selective vibrations. The system proved capable of activating a single magnet, out of many. Hence, this interface constitutes a promising approach to restore naturally perceived proprioception after an amputation. Indeed, by implanting several magnets in independent muscles, it would be possible to restore proprioceptive sensations perceived as coming from single digits.

Magnetic Polymer Based Micropumps for Microfluidic Sample Delivery System

In this paper we present the development of electromagnetic (EM) microfluidic pumps incorporating the magnetic polymer composite for the transport of microfluidic bio-sample. The pump system includes the electromagnetic field generator, a flexible actuator membrane made of polymer material with embedded magnetic particles and valve-less microfluidic channel and chamber. The micropump is fabricated using a MEMS process with additional bonding process. Various types of the magnetic membrane as well as electromagnetic coils were fabricated and characterized to find optimum pump performance. As the results, it is found that the fabricated pump systems were able to deliver fluidic sample within a large flow-rate range from 6 ml/min down to several nl/min which can be adjusted by setting the input electrical current parameters, such as intensity, frequency and type of the current signal.

Numerical Optimization and Map Construction of a Quadrupole Electromagnetic Actuated System

Electromagnetic actuation is a new technique for non-invasive manipulation, which provides wireless and controllable power source for magnetic micro/nano particles. This technique shows great potential in the field of precise mechanics, environment protection and biomedical engineering. In this paper, a new quadrupole electromagnetic actuated system is constructed, this system is composed of four electromagnetic coils, each of the coil is actuated by an independent DC power supplier. The magnetic field distribution in the workspace is obtained through finite element modeling and numerical simulation via COMSOL, as well as the effect of the current flow through the coil in the field distribution. Moreover, parameters of the electromagnetic system are optimized through parametric modeling analysis. A magnetic field map is constructed for rapidly solving the desired driving current from the required magnetic flux density. The proposed work provides theoretical references and numerical fundamental for the control of magnetic particle in future.

Development of a Novel Miniaturized Electromagnetic Actuator for a Modular Serial Manipulator

This paper presents a novel miniaturized and modular dual-axis Electromagnetic Actuator (EMA). It mainly consists of two electromagnetic coils in an orthogonal orientation with a permanent magnet fixed on a free moving frame that rotates around two axes/joints. By actuating either of the coils, the free moving frame rotates around the corresponding axis. Simulations and experimental analyses are conducted in order to characterize the performance of our EMA. Thus, our actuator achieves a torque of 100 mNm at simulation and 80 mNm through experimentation for the same applied current. Additionally, it can achieve a rotation of 10∘ (≈0.2 rad), according to simulations and experimental work. Because of modularity, multiple units of our EMA can be connected together in different configuration to serve in several applications. As an example application, we used a pair of our EMA in order to generate a miniaturized 4-DOF robotic manipulator. This manipulator demonstrates the advantages of light weight, small size, and a high level of manipulability. Kinematic analyses and experimental work are performed in order to validate our manipulator and to prove the concept of our proposed EMA. Through this experiment, we applied an open-loop controller on our EMAs, so that the end-effector of our manipulator can track a predefined circular trajectory. The movement of the end-effector is detected while using image processing techniques. Although we used an open-loop controller, our manipulator is still able to track the trajectory with moderate errors.

Particle Filtering Based Remaining Useful Life Prediction for Electromagnetic Coil Insulation

Electromagnetic coils are one of the key components of many systems. Their insulation failure can have severe effects on the systems in which coils are used. This paper focuses on insulation degradation monitoring and remaining useful life (RUL) prediction of electromagnetic coils. First, insulation degradation characteristics are extracted from coil high-frequency electrical parameters. Second, health indicator is defined based on insulation degradation characteristics to indicate the health degree of coil insulation. Finally, an insulation degradation model is constructed, and coil insulation RUL prediction is performed by particle filtering. Thermal accelerated degradation experiments are performed to validate the RUL prediction performance. The proposed method presents opportunities for predictive maintenance of systems that incorporate coils.

Button Operated Electromagnetic Gear Shifting System in Two Wheeler

There are disclosed an electromagnetic Type Gear Change System control apparatus for an automobile and a method of controlling such apparatus. A rotational output of an internal combustion engine is connected to drive wheels of the automobile and a load device. When a gear shifting-up of a electromagnetic type transmission is to be effected, the load applied by the load device is increased, or the load is connected to an output rotation shaft of the engine via a selectively-connecting device, thereby reducing the rotational speed of the output rotation shaft of the engine to a required level. In our project, two electromagnetic coils are coupled to the gear rod of the two ends. The two Buttons are used to activate the electro-magnetic coil so that the gear will be shifted. In this project, we aim at developing easy gear shifting mechanism for transmission which will make motor bike rider’s gear shifting very easy. Everyone desires for the smooth running of the vehicle whatsoever may be the speed of pickup of the vehicle a person is operating, but one of the most important systems which every engineer is concerned about in vehicle is gear shifting system for ensuring smooth and desired ride on their two wheelers. Some simple mechanism is arranged solenoid plunger which will help us to change the gear as per the desired torque. In this gear shifting mechanism, gear shifting is done with the help of two solenoid plungers. The up shifting and downshifting of gears is done with the help two independent switches. These two switches are connected to solenoid plungers via battery.

A High-Power Ironless Ultra-Light Direct-Drive Wind Generator Based on Circular Flux

This paper introduces a novel type of direct-drive electric generator, suitable for producing high-power at low rpm in wind applications. The proposed patented design eliminates the magnetic core based on the concept of circular flux and characteristics of Halbach Array. By using circular flux crossing through patented Folded Electromagnetic Coils (FECs) on the stator, an optimal design with maximum use of space will be gained. Furthermore, through special configuration of diametric and axial magnets on the rotor, a pattern of circular flux can be produced, which is magnified only on the side of the stator (where needed), based on characteristics of the Halbach array. By using such design, the need for using magnets on both sides of armature windings (devised in certain designs such as the Yokeless and Segmented Armature (YASA) topology), will be eliminated, resulting in further reduction of the magnetic materials in the machine design. In the paper, we show how the proposed design results in better no-load voltage per kg by a factor of 1.52 when compared to a YASA design of the same physical size. Furthermore, we show how our calculations are based on experimental results verified through tests on a prototype of the proposed design.