Meta Platforms, Inc.
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for Lorentz-force-based movement

Abstract:

The disclosed apparatus may include (1) a subassembly including (a) a first conductive coil, where at least a portion of the first coil defines a portion of a spherical surface and is oriented along a first direction along the portion of the spherical surface, (b) a second conductive coil proximate the first coil, where at least a portion of the second coil is oriented along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction along the portion of the spherical surface, and (c) a body that holds the coils, (2) a structure that generates a magnetic field through the portion of the first and second coils along a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, and (3) a coil driver circuit that supplies current to the coils to move the structure relative to the subassembly, or vice-versa, along the first and second directions. Various other embodiments are also disclosed.