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US 12,112,889 B2Granted
Magnetic coupling device
AssigneeMagswitch Technology, Inc.
InventorDavid H. Morton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Magnetic coupling devices are disclosed. The magnetic coupling devices may include sensors, retractable pins, stationary pins, probes, and/or additional tools. The magnetic coupling devices may include multiple sets of pole portions, a first set may be received in an opening in a first magnet of the magnetic coupling device and a second set may be outside of an envelope of the first magnet.
Claims50
A magnetic coupling device for magnetically coupling to a ferromagnetic workpiece, comprising:
- a housing;
- a switchable magnetic flux source supported by the housing, the switchable magnetic flux source being switchable between at least an OFF state and an ON state;
- and
- a plurality of pole portions, each having at least one workpiece engagement surface, the switchable magnetic flux source being positioned between the plurality of pole portions and the plurality of pole portions including
- a first north pole portion having a first workpiece engagement surface,
- a second north pole portion having a second workpiece engagement surface,
- a first south pole portion having a third workpiece engagement surface, and
- a second south pole portion having a fourth workpiece engagement surface,
- wherein the second north pole portion and the second south pole portion are each positioned between the first north pole portion and the first south pole portion and the switchable magnetic flux source in an ON state is magnetically coupled to each of the first workpiece engagement surface of the first north pole portion, the second workpiece engagement surface of the second north pole portion, the third workpiece engagement surface of the first south pole portion, and the fourth workpiece engagement surface of the second south pole portion.
6 more elements
A magnetic coupling device for magnetically coupling to a ferromagnetic workpiece, comprising:
- a housing;
- a switchable magnetic flux source supported by the housing including a plurality of permanent magnets, the plurality of permanent magnets including a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet movable relative to the first permanent magnet, the first permanent magnet having a first end surface and a second end surface;
- a plurality of workpiece engagement surfaces supported by the housing and magnetically coupled to the switchable magnetic flux source, the plurality of workpiece engagement surfaces adapted to contact the ferromagnetic workpiece, the plurality of workpiece engagement surfaces comprising:
- a first workpiece engagement surface positioned adjacent the first end surface of the first permanent magnet,
- a second workpiece engagement surface positioned adjacent the second end surface of the first permanent magnet, each of the first workpiece engagement surface and the second workpiece engagement surface corresponding to a north pole of the magnetic coupling device;
- a third workpiece engagement surface;
- and
- a fourth workpiece engagement surface spaced apart from the third workpiece engagement surface, each of the third workpiece engagement surface and the fourth workpiece engagement surface corresponding to a south pole of the magnetic coupling device.
5 more elements
A magnetic coupling device for magnetically coupling to a ferromagnetic workpiece, comprising:
- a housing;
- a switchable magnetic flux source supported by the housing including a plurality of magnets, the plurality of magnets including a first magnet and a second magnet, the switchable magnetic flux having a first configuration wherein a north pole of the second magnet is aligned relative to a north pole of the first magnet and a second configuration wherein a south pole of the second magnet is aligned relative to the north pole of the first magnet;
- and
- a plurality of workpiece engagement surfaces supported by the housing and magnetically coupled to the switchable magnetic flux source, the plurality of workpiece engagement surfaces adapted to contact the ferromagnetic workpiece,
- a first pole portion including a first workpiece engagement surface of the plurality of workpiece engagement surfaces,
- a second pole portion including a second workpiece engagement surface of the plurality of workpiece engagement surfaces, the first workpiece engagement surface and the second workpiece engagement surface corresponding to a north pole of the magnetic coupling device,
- a third pole portion including a third workpiece engagement surface of the plurality of workpiece engagement surfaces,
- a fourth pole portion including a fourth workpiece engagement surface of the plurality of workpiece engagement surfaces, the third workpiece engagement surface and the fourth workpiece engagement surface corresponding to a south pole of the magnetic coupling device, both the first pole portion and the third pole portion being received in an opening in the switchable magnetic flux source.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.