Magnetically actuated motion control device
AssigneeLord Corporation
InventorJ. David Carlson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A magnetically actuated motion control device includes a housing defining a cavity and including a slot therethrough. A movable member is located within the cavity and is movable relative to the housing. A magnetic field generator located on either the housing or the movable member causes the housing to press against the movable member to develop a friction force.
Claims67
A magnetically actuated motion control device, the motion control device comprising:
- A) a housing defining a cavity, the housing including at least one slot therethrough defining at least one moveable finger;
- B) a second member positionable within the cavity and being movable relative to the housing when positioned therein;
- and
- C) a magnetic field generator located on the second member, the magnetic field generator causing at least one of the at least one moveable fingers to press against the second member to produce frictional damping.
A magnetically actuated motion control device, comprising:
- a housing member including a cavity formed therein, and including at least one finger provided along the housing;
- a second member disposed in the cavity;
- and
- at least one magnetic field generator mounted to cause each of the at least one fingers to be displaced toward the second member and thereby squeeze the second member.
A method for controlling relative motion between a housing having at least one slot defining at least one finger and a movable member that is movable relative to the housing, the housing defining a cavity in which the movable member is located, the method comprising the steps of:
- generating a magnetic field;
- and
- displacing each of the at least one fingers and pressing the finger against the movable member in accordance with the generated magnetic field.
A housing for a magnetically actuated motion control device, the housing comprising:
- a first end and an open second end, the housing formed of a magnetically attractable material;
- a cavity in the housing extending between the first end and the second end;
- and
- a slot extending through the housing to define a finger in the housing, said finger adapted to press into contact with a member located in said cavity.
A magnetically actuated motion control device, comprising:
- a first member defining a cavity, the first member including at least one slot therethrough defining at least one moveable finger;
- a second member positionable within the cavity and being movable relative to the first member when positioned therein;
- and
- a magnetic field generator located on another of the first member and the second member, the magnetic field generator causing at least one of the moveable fingers to press against the second member to produce frictional damping.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.