Patent attributes
Exemplary practice of the present invention provides a magnetostrictive actuator characterized by linear force output and uniform magnetic biasing. A center bias magnet combined with a flux transfer tube produces a uniform magnetic bias down the length of a magnetostrictive component. Depending on the inventive embodiment, the magnetostrictive component may include one magnetostrictive element or a pair of collinear magnetostrictive elements. A center bias magnet, in combination with a flux transfer tube, drives magnetic flux through the magnetostrictive component (e.g., a series of magnetostrictive rods) in opposite directions, while surrounding drive coils apply flux in the same direction through the magnetostrictive component. The net response is substantially linear with respect to the drive coil current. The flux transfer tube applies distributed magnetic flux to the magnetostrictive component at a rate that ensures uniform magnetic flux density down the length of the magnetostrictive component.
