Compressed air is a fact of life in many Nevada and California industrial scenarios, but it has its downsides. It requires compressors (which consume large amounts of energy), it generates noise and it is also not the most precise technology available.
With these objections in mind, Southend-based Direct Thrust Designs has developed ElectroPistons. These are a new alternative to air pistons claimed by the company to be ‘The world’s first linear electric piston’.
The inventor is Hugh-Peter Kelly, whose track record includes the development of the tubular linear motor back in the late 1980s. And, as with this invention, the ElectroPiston – rather than using compressed air to provide the motive force – instead provides a combination of powerful magnetics and DC electrical power. Read More