Tomohiro Izumikawa

Cableless Magnetic Actuator Capable of Locomotion in a Thin Pipe by Means of a New Motion Principle

This paper proposes a novel cableless magnetic actuator with a new propulsion module that exhibits a very high thrusting force and is capable of locomotion in a thin pipe by means of a new motion principle. 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 electromagnetic force. Experimental results reveal that the actuator is able to move upward at a speed of 52 mm/s when powered by 10-button batteries and pulling a load mass of 10 g.

Movement of a Cableless In-Piping Magnetic Actuator With a New Propulsion Module

It is important to inspect pipes used in nuclear power plants and reactors. A number of studies have investigated various locomotion mechanisms of robots controlled by electric cables in pipes. A cableless actuator capable of movement in narrow pipes of less than 15 mm has not yet been developed. The present paper proposes a novel cableless magnetic actuator with a propulsion module that exhibits a high thrusting force. The effect of the magnetic forces generated by two different propulsion modules on the movement of the cableless actuator was investigated theoretically and experimentally. The proposed actuator includes an electrical inverter that directly transforms DC from button batteries into AC. Experimental results indicate that the proposed actuator can move vertically at a speed of 225 mm/s, using the power provided by 10 button batteries when pulling no load mass. This cableless magnetic actuator has several possible applications, including inspection of small pipes.

Performance of Cableless Magnetic In-Piping Actuator Capable of High-Speed Movement by Means of Inertial Force

The present paper proposes a novel cableless magnetic actuator with a new propulsion module that exhibits a very high thrusting force. This 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. The actuator is moved by the inertial force of the mass-spring system due to mechanical resonance energy. The experimental results show that the actuator is able to move upward at a speed of 19.7 mm/s when using 10 button batteries when pulling a 20 g load mass. This cableless magnetic actuator has several possible applications, including narrow pipe inspection and maintenance.

Cableless In-piping Magnetic Actuator System Capable of Inspection Over Long Distances

The inspection of pipes used in nuclear power and chemical plants is very important. A cableless actuator capable of inspection in narrow pipes has not yet been developed. This paper proposes a novel cableless magnetic actuator system with a new type of electrical dc-ac inverter that provides a very high-thrust force. The motive properties of the cableless magnetic actuator were investigated experimentally for two different dc-ac inverters. The experimental results indicate that the proposed actuator is able to move upward at a speed of 455.2 mm/s by the power provided by ten button batteries under no-load conditions. Based on the experimental results, additional devices of a CCD camera, two LED lights, a transmitter with an antenna, and various types of batteries were placed on the cableless magnetic actuator and then carried out a driving test. The inspection of thin pipe can be accomplished using the proposed cableless magnetic actuator system, a 2.4 GHz receiver, and a PC with video-capture software as the only additional equipment.

Wireless In-Piping Actuator Capable of High-Speed Locomotion by a New Motion Principle

Finding damage inside pipes is important for the inspection of pipes used in nuclear power plants and chemical plants. A number of studies have investigated the mechanisms of an actuator with an electric cable to provide locomotion through various devices in pipes. A wireless actuator capable of movement in narrow pipes of several millimeters in diameter has not yet been developed. This paper proposes a novel wireless magnetic actuator with a new propulsion module that exhibits a very high thrusting force and is capable of locomotion in a thin pipe by a new motion principle. Including this principle, we completely established the motion principles of three types due to the change of a supporting force of the wireless magnetic actuator by a theory and an experiment. The application of a rubber leg having optimal flexural rigidity demonstrates that a reciprocating motion caused by vibration can be efficiently converted into movement in one direction. This actuator contains an electrical inverter that directly transforms dc from button batteries into ac. The actuator is moved by the synergy of the vibration amplitude and elastic energy of the mass-spring system due to mechanical resonance energy. Experimental results indicate that the proposed actuator is able to move upward at a speed of 68.5 mm/s by the power provided by ten button batteries when pulling a 10-g load mass. This wireless magnetic actuator has several possible applications, including small pipe inspection and maintenance.

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

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.

Considerations on Improvement of Moving Properties for Magnetic Actuator Capable of Movement in Pipe

The present paper proposes a novel cableless magnetic actuator with a new propulsion module that exhibits a very high thrusting force. This 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. The actuator is moved by the inertial force of the mass-spring system due to mechanical resonance energy. The experimental results show that the actuator is able to move upward at a speed of 33 ㎜/s when using 10 button batteries when pulling a 10 g load mass. This cableless magnetic actuator has several possible applications, including narrow-pipe inspection and maintenance.