Miniature magnetic robot swimmer geometries

Abstract

A miniature magnetic rotating swimmer includes a cylindrical body having a central axis and extending from an aft end to a forward end, a magnet positioned inside of the body, first helical fins extending aft from the forward end, and second helical fins extending forward from the aft end, where the first helical fins and the second helical fins have the same pitch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A miniature magnetic rotating swimmer (MMRS), comprising:
 a cylindrical body having a central axis and extending from an aft end to a forward end;   a magnet positioned inside of the body;   first helical fins extending aft from the forward end; and   second helical fins extending forward from the aft end, where the first helical fins and the second helical fins have the same pitch.   
     
     
         2 . The MMRS of  claim 1 , wherein the MMRS terminates at the forward end. 
     
     
         3 . The MMRS of  claim 1 , wherein the MMRS comprises a nose extending from the forward end coaxial with the central axis. 
     
     
         4 . The MMRS of  claim 1 , wherein the first helical fins terminate forward of the second helical fins. 
     
     
         5 . The MMRS of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a cone-shaped head portion proximate the forward end. 
     
     
         6 . The MMRS of  claim 1 , wherein the MMRS has an outside diameter of about 3 mm or less and a total length of about 9 mm or less. 
     
     
         7 . The MMRS of  claim 1 , wherein the number of the first helical fins and the second helical fins is equal. 
     
     
         8 . The MMRS of  claim 1 , wherein the first helical fins is less than or equal to six fins. 
     
     
         9 . The MMRS of  claim 1 , wherein the first helical fins comprise four or fewer fins and the number of the first helical fins and the second helical fins are equal. 
     
     
         10 . The MMRS of  claim 1 , wherein the pitch of the first helical fins and the second helical fins is in the range of about 16 mm to 29 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The MMRS of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first helical fins comprises three helical fins;   the second helical fins comprise three helical fins;   the pitch of the first helical fins and the second helical fins is less than about 29 mm;   the MMRS terminates at the forward end; and   the MMRS has an outside diameter of about 3 mm or less and a total length of about 7 mm or less.   
     
     
         12 . The MMRS of  claim 11 , wherein the body has a cone-shaped head portion proximate the forward end. 
     
     
         13 . The MMRS of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the body has a cone-shaped head portion proximate the forward end;   the first helical fins terminate forward of second helical fins; and   the pitch of the first helical fins and the second helical fins is about 20 mm or less.   
     
     
         14 . A miniature magnetic rotating swimmer (MMRS), comprising:
 a cylindrical body having a central axis and extending from an aft end to a forward end;   a magnet positioned inside of the body;   first helical fins extending aft from the forward end;   a corkscrew-shaped extension extending from the forward end coaxial with the central axis; and   second helical fins extending forward from the aft end, where the first helical fins and the second helical fins have the same pitch, and the pitch is less than about 29 mm:   wherein the MMRS has a total length of less than about 9 mm and an outside diameter of about 3 mm or less.   
     
     
         15 . The MMRS of  claim 14 , wherein the first helical fins comprise four or fewer fins and the number of the first helical fins and the second helical fins are equal. 
     
     
         16 . The MMRS of  claim 14 , wherein the body has a cone-shaped head portion proximate the forward end. 
     
     
         17 . The MMRS of  claim 14 , wherein the first helical fins terminate forward of the second helical fins. 
     
     
         18 . The MMRS of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the body has a cone-shaped head portion proximate the forward end; and   the first helical fins terminate forward of the second helical fins.   
     
     
         19 . The MMRS of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first helical fins is two fins; and   the second helical fins is two fins.   
     
     
         20 . The MMRS of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the body has a cone-shaped head portion proximate the forward end;   the first helical fins terminate forward of the second helical fins;   the first helical fins is two fins; and   the second helical fins is two fins.