dreiemagneter

Dreiemagneter, or three electromagnets, refers to a configuration that uses three electromagnet coils arranged around a central region. Each coil is wound around a ferromagnetic core and supplied with an adjustable electric current, which determines the strength and polarity of its magnetic field. The arrangement is used to create a controllable magnetic field pattern that can interact with a nearby rotor or target.

The operating principle relies on sequencing the currents in the three coils. By energising the coils with phase-shifted currents—commonly around 120 degrees apart—the composite magnetic field can be made to rotate or switch orientation in a controlled manner. This rotating field can produce torque on a rotor with magnets or ferromagnetic material, or push and pull on a central element in a linear arrangement. The same principle is used in several three-coil actuators and is related to multi-pole, multi-phase motor concepts.

Configurations vary. The system may use three identical coils with a common central rotor, or three coils arranged to interact with a peripheral armature. Coils may be driven independently or in a predefined sequence, and control can be open-loop or augmented with feedback from sensors to adjust speed and torque. Designs may employ permanent magnets on the rotor or rely entirely on the magnetic field between the coils and a ferromagnetic target.

Applications include educational demonstrations of rotating magnetic fields, compact actuators and latches, and certain magnetic couplings or relays. Advantages are simplicity and smooth phase-controlled torque, while limitations include heating, complexity of control for precise motion, and magnetic saturation effects.