Magnetic flux bending devices

An apparatus for bending magnetic flux from a first to a second path, comprising:

• first and second means for substantially confining magnetic flux along the first and second paths respectively, said first means having a first end and said second means having a second end, wherein said first and second means for substantially confining magnetic flux comprise first and second conducting coils respectively, said first and second conducting coils comprising first and second pluralities of turns respectively, at least some of said plural turns having a linear portion;
• and
• means for conducting a substantially planar electric current, said means for conducting a substantially planar electric current disposed at least partially between said first and second ends and oriented so that the magnetic field within said first means nearest said first end has a non-zero component normal to the plane of the substantially planar electric current and wherein said means for conducting a substantially planar electric current comprises a plurality of substantially parallel linear conductors and further,
• wherein the linear portions of said at least some plural turns comprise said plurality of substantially parallel linear conductors;
• and
• wherein said first and second conducting coils and said plurality of substantially parallel linear conductors comprise one series electric circuit.

An apparatus for dividing and directing magnetic flux from one path into two or more paths, comprising:

• first, second and third means for substantially confining magnetic flux along first, second and third paths respectively, said first means having a first end, said second means having a second end and said third means having a third end;
• and
• first and second means for conducting first and second substantially planar electric currents respectively;
• said first means for conducting said first substantially planar electric current disposed at least partially between said first and second ends and oriented so that at least part of the magnetic field within said first confining means nearest said first end has a non-zero component normal to the plane of said first substantially planar electric current;
• and
• said second means for conducting said second substantially planar electric current disposed at least partially between said first and third ends and oriented so that at least part of the magnetic field within said first confining means nearest said first end has a non-zero component normal to the plane of said second substantially planar electric current.