Electromagnetic actuator based in potential energy harnessing for highly dynamic applications

Conventional electromagnetic actuators’ energy consumption is largely determined by the need to accelerate and decelerate the driven payload, with stricter switching time requirements and heavier loads leading to higher power demands. These devices are ubiquitous across most industries, and thus increasing the efficiency of such actuators is therefore a key objective. Within this context, a novel rotary electromagnetic actuator for ultra-low-power positioning was developed and experimentally validated. The device operates by harnessing the magnetic potential energy stored between permanent magnets arranged with opposing magnetization directions. Combined with active electromagnetic control and a passive stabilization system, the actuator’s rotor switches between stable equilibrium positions rapidly (in the order of tens of miliseconds) and with significantly reduced power consumption compared to conventional electromagnetic actuators. Experimental tests were carried for the device for both dynamic and quasi-static operation, which confirmed the theoretical predictions. The results demonstrated a torque of 590 mNm with a peak power consumption of only 6.3 W. The total energy consumption was measured at 180 J. These results represent an 80% reduction in peak power consumption relative to a conventional electromagnetic actuator, validating the effectiveness of the proposed design under real operating conditions.