Magnetic wiper

Abstract

A magnetic wiper for removing magnetorheological fluid from a carrier surface includes a horseshoe magnet having north and south polepieces elongated in a first direction orthogonal to a second direction of magnetic flux in the magnet. The polepieces are generally parallel at their free ends in the first direction and are preferably arcuate such that the inner polepiece forms a trough for receiving magnetorheological fluid removed from the carrier surface and conveying it to an exit tube. The free ends are shaped to conform closely to the shape of the carrier surface, forming a narrow gap therebetween containing a magnetic fringing field extending beyond the free ends. Magnetorheological fluid conveyed into the gap by the carrier surface is magnetically stiffened to a very stiff paste which is retained in the gap by the fringing field, forming a dynamic liquid seal such that additional magnetorheological fluid carried by the carrier surface is wiped away from the surface and into the trough formed by the inner polepiece. Thus, the magnet forms an effective remover of magnetorheological fluid from the carrier surface without any mechanical contact with the surface.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.