United States Patent: 7467517 United States Patent_ 7467517.html[2020-12-29 1:42:59 PM] In one aspect or embodiment, the invention uses a solenoid to apply a force to a fluid in communication with a near constant volume fluidic linkage. A voltage applied to the solenoid pressurizes the fluid causing the constant volume fluidic linkage to displace. In this way, a transducer is created that converts voltage into a displacement. To create a motor, the displacement is used to stop the application of the voltage to the solenoid allowing the constant volume fluidic linkage to return to an initial state. The return to the initial state then triggers the re-application of the voltage. In this way, the voltage source is used to create a reciprocating motion. Because the displacement is produced through a constant volume fluidic linkage, the solenoid travels only through a minimal, if any, stroke. Because very little, if any, change in volume is required, the fluidic piston may be replaced with another linkage, such as one with a diaphragm wall that does not require moving seals. Alternately, the size of any moving seals may be minimized. Among other advantages, the transducer or linkage may avoid one or more of the inefficiency, mechanical complexity and wear related problems associated with long-stroke solenoids or conventional stroking fluid pistons. Although a voltage source is used as the input energy source, analogous transducers or motors may use fluid pressure sources, such as compressed air or a liquid pressure, as the input energy either to replace the solenoid as the drive for the plunger or to pressurize the inside of the constant volume fluid linkage directly. Liquids, particularly minimally compressive liquids, are preferred for use in all fluid filled parts of the transducer or motor to reduce volume changes due to compression of the fluid. A volume compensating circuit or device may be used to reduce or eliminate the effects of any change in the volume contained in the transducer or motor or the effects of compression of the contained fluid. This summary is intended to introduce the reader to the invention but not to define or limit the invention. Other aspects of the invention may reside in other combinations or sub-combinations of elements or steps described above or in other parts of this patent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the following figure(s). FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a motor having a transducer with a constant volume fluidic linkage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 shows a motor 10 having a transducer 12 which converts electrical energy or pressure into a reciprocating energy. The transducer 12 has a solenoid 14 that applies a force to a plunger 16 when a voltage is applied to the solenoid 14. The plunger 16 may or may not move in response to the applied force. The plunger 16 bears on a fluid 18 in a container 20. For example, the plunger 16 may protrude into the container 20 through a seal 22 which may be an O-ring, U-cup or other type of seal. The seal 22 permits movement of the plunger 16 while maintaining a seal between the plunger 16 and container 20. Thus, if the contained volume in the motor 10 increases by a small amount or if the fluid compresses by a small amount when the fluid is pressurized, movement of the plunger 16 into the container 20 can compensate for these effects by decreasing the contained volume of the motor 10. Alternately, the plunger 16 may bear on the outside of a diaphragm wall of the container 20 or the plunger 16 and container 20 may be a conventional fluidic piston. The container 20 is connected through fitting 24 to the base 26 of a Bourdon tube 28. As discussed above, other sorts of (near) constant volume fluid linkages may be used in place of the Bourdon tube 28. The base 26 allows the Bourdon tube 28 to be mounted to a structure and also provides a path for fluid communication between the fitting 24 and first end 30 of the Bourdon tube 28. A second end 32 of the Bourdon tube 28 has a hook 34 for attaching the motor 10 to a driven device, for example a crankshaft. A vent valve 36 allows air to be bled from the Bourdon tube 28 so that it is filled entirely with the fluid 18. The fluid 18 is preferably a minimally compressive liquid such as water, mercury or glycerine. When the fluid 18 is at an initial pressure, the second end 32 of the Bourdon tube 28 rests in a first position 40. When a voltage, resulting in a current, is applied to the solenoid 14, a force is applied to the plunger 16 which pressurizes the fluid 18. This causes the second end 32 of the Bourdon tube 28 to move to a second position 42. When the voltage is removed, the second end 32 of the Bourdon tube 28 returns to the first position 40. An electrical circuit 50 connects a 12.226
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