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US 10,903,030 B2Granted
Variable field magnetic couplers and methods for engaging a ferromagnetic workpiece
AssigneeMagswitch Technology Worldwide Pty Ltd.
InventorsDavid H. Morton, Cengiz Kizilkan, Paul J. Karp
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Magnetic coupling devices are disclosed which may be configured in at least three states. The various states may be provided through one or more of altering a position of a permanent magnet relative to another permanent magnet and altering a current level in a coil surrounding a permanent magnet.
Claims29
A magnetic coupling device for magnetically coupling to a ferromagnetic workpiece positioned on a support, comprising:
- a housing;
- a plurality of workpiece contact interfaces supported by the housing and adapted to contact the ferromagnetic workpiece;
- a first permanent magnet supported by the housing and having an active N-S pole pair;
- a second permanent magnet supported by the housing and having an active N-S pole pair, the second permanent magnet being moveable relative to the first permanent magnet;
- an actuator operatively coupled to the second permanent magnet to move the second permanent magnet relative to the first permanent magnet;
- and
- an electronic controller operatively coupled to the actuator, the electronic controller including logic which actuates the actuator to position the second permanent magnet relative to the first permanent magnet in at least each of:
- (a) a first state wherein the second permanent magnet has a first position relative to the first permanent magnet to provide a first level of magnetic flux available to the ferromagnetic workpiece at the workpiece contact interfaces, the first level of magnetic flux available to the ferromagnetic workpiece at the workpiece contact interfaces being insufficient to lift the ferromagnetic workpiece relative to the support;
- (b) a second state wherein the second permanent magnet has a second position relative to the first permanent magnet to provide a second level of magnetic flux available to the ferromagnetic workpiece at the workpiece contact interfaces, the second level of magnetic flux available to the ferromagnetic workpiece at the workpiece contact interfaces being sufficient to lift the ferromagnetic workpiece relative to the support, the second level of magnetic flux being greater than the first level of magnetic flux;
- and
- (c) a third state wherein the second permanent magnet has a third position relative to the first permanent magnet to provide a third level of magnetic flux available to the ferromagnetic workpiece at the workpiece contact interfaces, the third level of magnetic flux being greater than each of the first level of magnetic flux and the second level of magnetic flux.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.