A NOVEL THERMOMAGNETIC ROTATIONAL-ACTUATOR

Abstract

In this article, we demonstrate a novel thermomagnetic rotational-actuator. The actuator consists of thermomagnetic material Gadolinium sheets, thermoelectric generators, a rotary aluminum cantilever beam with NdFeB hard magnets fixed on the free-end of the beam, a stainless steel bearing, and a mechanical frame. As conventional magnetic rotational actuators are controlled by using electromagnetic-induction based magnetic-force interaction produced by electromagnets or coils, our actuator is controlled by using a heating-induced magnetic force interaction produced by the thermomagnetic generators. Experimental results show that our actuator is successfully rotated by a controlled sequence of temperature difference generated by the TEGs.