Cableless Magnetic Actuator Capable of High-Speed Movement in Pipe by New Type Propulsion Module

Abstract

The present paper proposes a novel cableless magnetic actuator that exhibits a very high thrusting force and is capable of high speed locomotion in a thin pipe by using new type propulsion module. The magnetic actuator is moved according to the vibration amplitude and elastic energy of a mass-spring system due to mechanical resonance energy. The proposed actuator contains an electrical inverter that directly transforms DC from button batteries into AC. The electrical DC-AC inverter incorporates a mass-spring system, a reed switch and a curved permanent magnet that switches under an electromagnetic force. Experimental results indicate that the proposed actuator is able to move upward at a speed of 51 mm/s by the power provided by 8 button batteries when pulling a 10 g load mass. This cableless magnetic actuator has several possible applications, including small pipe inspection and maintenance.