A semiconductor device comprising a passive magnetoelectric transducer structure adapted for generating a charge via mechanical stress caused by a magnetic field. The first transducer structure has a first terminal electrically connectable to the control terminal of an electrical switch, and having a second terminal electrically connectable to the first terminal of the electrical switch for providing a control signal for opening/closing the switch. The switch may be a FET. A passive magnetic switch using a magnetoelectric transducer structure. Use of a passive magnetoelectric transducer structure for opening or closing a switch without the need for an external power supply.

A compact magnetic-based battery device that offers energy, a large number of cycles, a long storage time, and a short charging time is provided. The rechargeable battery device can include a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a dielectric layer disposed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, and a plurality of high anisotropic magnetic nanoparticles embedded into the dielectric layer.

This invention concerns torque sensor systems and methods that computationally compensate in real-time for hysteresis in signals output from sense elements that are indicative of a torque, including a time-varying torque. In preferred embodiments, temperature effects can also be compensated for by such methods and systems.

This invention concerns devices, systems, and methods to induce motion in cantilevers for actuation and sensing applications. Motion is induced by applying current to a ferromagnetic, magnetostrictive cantilever subject to bending stress, and hence strain (deflection), having both elastic and magnetoelastic components. The applied current creates a magnetic field that reorients the magnetoelastic strain component, changing the total strain and thus the total deflection. Changing deflection can be harnessed for actuation or work. Moreover, considering both static and dynamic deflection, measureable parameters that are associated with beam deflection, vibration frequency, and/or amplitude can be measured.

A magnetostrictive sensor, including a tubular or columnar substrate extending along an axis, and a magnetostrictive portion disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the substrate and including a plurality of magnetostrictive lines. The plurality of magnetostrictive lines include adjacent first and second magnetostrictive lines that extend along an extension direction, and that are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the substrate via respectively first and second contact areas. In a cross sectional view of the magnetostrictive portion taken orthogonally to the extension direction, a first length, which is a width of a widest portion of the first magnetostrictive line in a width direction parallel to the outer peripheral surface of the substrate, is larger than a width of the first contact area in the width direction, and than a shortest distance between the first and second contact areas in the width direction.

A magnetostrictive sensor including a magnetic structure. The magnetic structure has a columnar substrate extending along an axis, and a magnetostrictive portion disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the substrate. The magnetostrictive portion includes a plurality of portions that have different concentrations of at least one of a plurality of elements, the portions being so arranged as to satisfy at least one of a first requirement that in a first cross sectional view of the magnetostrictive portion orthogonal to the axis, the portions are arranged clockwise about the axis, a second requirement that in the first cross sectional view, the portions are arranged in a thickness direction of the magnetostrictive portion, and a third requirement that, in a second cross sectional view of the magnetostrictive portion that is orthogonal to the first cross sectional view and passes through the axis, the portions are arranged along the axis.

A power supply includes a rotor having an undulated surface (658, 858, 958, 10, 58) and a magnetostrictive material disposed adjacent to the undulated surface. The undulated surface alternatingly compresses the magnetostrictive material as the rotor rotates, inducing an electric current in a conductor coupled to the magnetostrictive material.

A device for generating electrical energy from mechanical motion includes a buoy housing and at least one force modifier disposed at least partially within the interior of the buoy housing. The force modifier receives an input force and applies a modified force to another component. The force modifier includes a hydraulic system and the hydraulic system includes a first hydraulic piston having a first area and a second hydraulic piston having a second area, where the first area and the second area are not equal.

A power generator including a converter with an electromechnical transducer and a magnetostrictive layer to convert a variation of a magnetic field into a mechanical deformation exerted on the transducer. There is a magnetic field source including a group of several permanent magnets. One of the group or the converter is movable, between first and second positions. The group has several first permanent magnets, one having an aspect ratio of between 1/10 and ten and most of the field lines that loop back do not pass through another first permanent magnet. The first permanent magnets are arranged such that the magnetic field induced inside the magnetostrictive material in the first position by one of the first permanent magnets is parallel to and in the direction opposite to the magnetic field induced at the same instant in the magnetostrictive material by the next first permanent.

A sensor for sensing stress in a ferromagnetic material includes a non-magnetic substrate. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A first coil is attached to or formed on the first surface of the substrate. The first coil is configured to induce a magnetic flux in the ferromagnetic material being driven by an alternating current (AC) signal. At least one second coil is attached to or formed on the first surface of the substrate. The at least one second coil is spaced from the first coil. In addition, the second coil is configured to detect changes in the magnetic flux induced in the ferromagnetic material.