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US 12,597,544 B2Granted
Magnetic coupling device
AssigneeMagswitch Automation Company
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.
Claims4
A magnetic coupling device for magnetically coupling to a ferromagnetic workpiece, comprising:
- a housing;
- a switchable magnetic flux source supported by the housing including at least one electro-permanent 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.