Magnetic preloading of joints
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsChristopher S. Graham, Stephen E. Yao, Eric S. Jol, Makiko K. Brzezinski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A first component is coupled to a second component by one or more joints. Magnetic force between at least a first magnetic and second magnetic unit preloads the joint by placing the joint in compression. The first and second magnetic units may be respectively coupled to the first and second components. The magnetic force acts as a retentive force between coupled components and/or the joint and operates to resist one or more tensile and/or other opposing forces. In some cases, the first magnetic unit may be a shield, such as a direct current shield, that protects one or more components from a magnetic field of the second magnetic unit.
Claims20
A system for magnetic preloading of joints, comprising:
- a first component;
- a second component;
- at least one joint that couples the first component and the second component;
- and
- at least a first magnetic unit and a second magnetic unit;
- wherein magnetic force between the first magnetic unit and the second magnetic unit preloads the at least one joint by placing the at least one joint in compression.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a first component;
- a second component;
- at least one joint that couples the first component and the second component;
- and
- at least a first magnetic unit coupled to the first component and a second magnetic unit coupled to the second component;
- wherein magnetic force between the first magnetic unit and the second magnetic unit preloads the at least one joint by placing the at least one joint in compression.
A method for magnetic preloading of joints, the method comprising:
- coupling a first component and a second component to form at least one joint therebetween;
- positioning at least a first magnetic unit and a second magnetic unit, at least one of the first magnetic unit or the second magnetic unit operationally affixed to one of the first component or the second component;
- and
- preloading the at least one joint by placing the at least one joint in compression as a result of magnetic force between the first magnetic unit and the second magnetic unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.