Magnetic coupler with force balancing
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsRichard Decena Ornelaz, Michael Linley Fripp
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A magnetic coupling system and a method of balancing a magnetic coupler are provided. The magnetic coupling system includes a follower magnet magnetically coupled to a drive magnet, and a magnetic balancing component located to a side of the follower magnet. Movement of the drive magnet induces corresponding movement of the follower magnet. The magnetic balancing component and the drive magnet exert attractive magnetic forces on the follower magnet in opposite directions.
Claims21
A magnetic coupling system, comprising:
- a drive magnet;
- a follower magnet located outside of physical contact and magnetically coupled to the drive magnet, wherein rotational movement of the drive magnet induces a corresponding and similar rotational movement of the follower magnet;
- a follower device coupled to and driven by movement of the follower magnet via a shaft;
- and
- a magnetic balancing component located on an opposite side of the follower magnet relative to where the drive magnet is located, outside of physical contact with the follower magnet, between the follower device and the follower magnet, and through which the shaft runs, wherein the magnetic balancing component and the drive magnet exert attractive magnetic forces on the follower magnet in opposite directions.
A magnetically coupled actuation system, comprising:
- a drive actuator;
- a drive magnet coupled to and moveable by the actuator;
- a follower magnet located physically isolated from and magnetically coupled to the drive magnet, wherein rotational movement of the drive magnet induces a corresponding similar rotational movement of the follower magnet;
- a follower device coupled to and driven by movement of the follower magnet;
- and
- a magnetic balancing component comprising a permanent magnet that is physically isolated from and located to a side of the follower magnet opposite to the drive magnet, wherein the magnetic balancing component exerts a first attractive magnetic force on the follower magnet in a first direction, wherein the drive magnet exerts a second attractive magnetic force on the follower magnet in a second direction opposite to the first direction that is substantially equal in magnitude to the first attractive magnetic force.
A method of balancing a magnetic coupler, comprising:
- locating a follower magnet to place a body of the follower magnet between a magnetic balancing component and a drive magnet, wherein the follower magnet is located outside of physical contact with and magnetically coupled to the drive magnet so as to create a first attractive magnetic normal force exerted onto the follower magnet by the drive magnet;
- coupling the follower magnet with a follower device, located on an opposite side of the magnetic balancing component relative to the follower magnet, via a shaft extending through the magnetic balancing component;
- and
- exerting a second attractive magnetic normal force onto the follower magnet by the magnetic balancing component in a direction opposite the first attractive magnetic normal force with substantially equal magnitudes to one another on the follower magnet from the drive magnet to balance a total normal magnetic force exerted onto the follower magnet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.