RIX’s linear motors & alternators are the driving force behind all our products. These are linear reciprocating devices that combine the unique flexing axial suspension with plunger-mounted, high-energy magnets and robust coil-over-iron stators. Each model is designed to operate for well over 10 maintenance-free years with a calculated mean time between failures per MIL-STD 217F of 129,760 hours. This is supported by 100’s of installations worldwide. These motors/alternators offer efficiencies in the 80%-90% range, much higher than similar linear reciprocating devices.

Linear Reciprocating Motors, Alternators and Drivers

RIX’s acoustic drives are similar to a loudspeaker in your home stereo system. A voltage signal is supplied and the speaker moves back and forth in response, pushing and pulling air in time with the frequency of the electrical signal. The same principle applies here, though the device is a bit different. The magnets move, not the coil, and they are supported by unlimited-life metallic flexures instead of paper or plastic. Like a speaker, it needs no oil – an important advantage when using these devices in a cryocooler (cold oil is not useful!). Unlike a speaker, it pushes not air, but typically high-pressure helium (one of two gases that remains a gas below 77K). And because of that high pressure, the moving face area is smaller and stronger – a metal piston instead of a paper cone.

Parameter Name	Parameter Value
Other characteristics	maintenance-free robust