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US 8,497,767 B2Granted
Magnetic levitation haptic interface system
AssigneeButterfly Haptics, LLC
InventorRalph LeRoy Hollis, Jr.
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Abstract
This invention discloses a haptic interface system that uses Lorentz forces to provide magnetic levitation for a handle which can be manipulated by a person, typically a computer user.
Claims14
A magnetic levitation haptic interface system comprising:
- (a) a movable levitated part having a substantially hemispherical shape and having at least one wire coil and a stationary part having at least one permanent magnet, wherein said at least one coil is immersed in the field of said at least one permanent magnet;
- (b) said levitated part having composite structure providing low mass and high mechanical stiffness, incorporating viscoelastic adhesive providing high mechanical damping, and a conductive layer providing electrodynamic damping;
- (c) at least one optical beacon affixed to said levitated part in active juxtaposition with at least one stationary optical position sensor, thereby providing the position and orientation of said levitated part;
- (d) a handle attached to said levitated moving part;
- (e) control means for reading the position and orientation of said levitated part, thereby providing position and orientation of said attached handle manipulated by a person to a computer;
- and for applying electric current to at least one said coil, thereby providing force as well as torque feedback output from a computer to said attached handle and thence to the person's hand;
- whereby a person can interact with a computer while feeling forces and torques in his or her hand.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.