U.S. patent application number 13/892246 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-31 for multi-level magnetic system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Correlated Magnetics Research, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is CORRELATED MAGNETICS RESEARCH, LLC. Invention is credited to Larry W. Fullerton, Mark D. Roberts.
Application Number | 20130285775 13/892246 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45438192 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130285775 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fullerton; Larry W. ; et
al. |
October 31, 2013 |
MULTI-LEVEL MAGNETIC SYSTEM
Abstract
A multilevel magnetic system described herein includes first and
second magnetic structures that produce a net force that
transitions from an attract force to a repel force as a separation
distance between the first and second magnetic structures
increases. The multi-level magnetic system is configured to
maintain a minimum separation distance between a transition
distance where the net force is zero and a separation distance at
which a peak repel force is produced.
Inventors: |
Fullerton; Larry W.; (New
Hope, AL) ; Roberts; Mark D.; (Huntsville,
AL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CORRELATED MAGNETICS RESEARCH, LLC |
New Hope |
AL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Correlated Magnetics Research,
LLC
New Hope
AL
|
Family ID: |
45438192 |
Appl. No.: |
13/892246 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13465001 |
May 6, 2012 |
8471658 |
|
|
13892246 |
|
|
|
|
13179759 |
Jul 11, 2011 |
8174347 |
|
|
13465001 |
|
|
|
|
12885450 |
Sep 18, 2010 |
7982568 |
|
|
13179759 |
|
|
|
|
61399448 |
Jul 12, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
335/295 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01F 7/02 20130101; H01F
7/0231 20130101; G06F 1/1616 20130101; H01F 7/0252 20130101; H01F
7/021 20130101; H01F 7/0242 20130101; H01F 7/0263 20130101; H01F
7/20 20130101; G06F 1/1679 20130101; G06F 1/1677 20130101; E05B
65/006 20130101; E05C 19/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
335/295 |
International
Class: |
H01F 7/02 20060101
H01F007/02 |
Claims
1. A multi-level magnetic system, comprising: a first magnetic
structure; a second magnetic structure, said first and second
magnetic structures producing a net force that transitions from an
attractive force to a repel force when a separation distance
between said first and second magnetic structures equals a first
separation distance, said net force being an attractive force when
said separation distance is less than said first separation
distance, said net force being a repel force when said separation
distance is greater than said first separation distance; and at
least one movement constraining structure to maintain at least a
second separation distance between said first and second magnetic
structures, said second separation distance being greater than or
equal to said first separation distance and less than a third
separation distance between said first and second magnetic
structures at which said first and second magnetic structures
produce a peak repel force.
2. The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein at least one
of said first magnetic structure or said second magnetic structure
comprises a plurality of magnetic sources.
3. The multi-level magnetic system of claim 2, wherein said
plurality of magnetic sources includes a first magnetic source
having a first polarity and a second magnetic source having a
second polarity opposite said first polarity.
4. The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein one of said
first magnetic structure or said second magnetic structure is a
conventional magnet.
5. The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein said first
and second magnetic structures each include a first portion where
the first portions produce an attractive force curve and wherein
said first and second magnetic structures each include a second
portion where the second portions produce a repel force curve, said
attractive force curve and said repel force curve producing a
composite force curve.
6. The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein: the at
least one movement constraining structure comprises a spacer.
7. The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein: the at
least one movement constraining structure constrains movement of at
least one of said first magnetic structure or said second magnetic
structure.
8. The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein said at
least one movement constraining structure is configured to
constrain rotational movement.
9. The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein said at
least one movement constraining structure is configured to
constrain translational movement.
10. The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein said
multi-level magnetic system is configured to allow movement of at
least one of said first magnetic structure or said second magnetic
structure that varies a composite force curve associated with the
first and second magnetic structures.
11. The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein said second
magnetic structure is configured to move from a first position to a
second position when an external force is applied to said second
magnetic structure.
12. The multi-level magnetic system of claim 11, further
comprising: a circuit; a first contact attached to said circuit;
and a second contact attached to said second magnetic structure and
attached to said circuit, said second contact being movable
relative to said first contact to open and close said circuit, said
first position corresponding to an open state of said circuit where
said first and second contacts are open, said second position
corresponding to a closed state of said circuit where said first
and second contacts are closed.
13. The multi-level magnetic system of claim 12, wherein said
circuit is an electrical circuit.
14. The multi-level magnetic system of claim 11, wherein said
second separation distance equals said first separation
distance.
15. The multi-level magnetic system of claim 11, wherein said
second magnetic structure moves from said second position to said
first position as said external force is reduced.
16. The multi-level magnetic system of claim 15, wherein as said
external force is reduced the second magnetic structure remains at
said second position until the external force becomes less than
said net force at which the second magnetic structure begins to
accelerate to said first position.
17. The multi-level magnetic system of claim 11, wherein said
external force required to move said second magnetic structure from
said first position to said second position increases until said
separation distance becomes less than said third separation
distance at which said second magnetic structure begins to
accelerate to said second position.
18. The multi-level magnetic system of claim 1, wherein said
multi-level magnetic system is a cushioning device.
19. The multi-level magnetic system of claim 18, wherein said
cushioning device is integrated with at least one of a bed, a chair
seat, a chair back, a shock absorber, a vehicle bumper, a
protective shielding, a knee pad, an elbow pad, or a protective
gear.
20. A multi-level magnetic system, comprising: a first magnetic
structure; a second magnetic structure, said first and second
magnetic structures producing a net force that transitions from an
attractive force to a repel force as a separation distance between
said first and second magnetic structures increases, said net force
transitioning from an attractive force to said repel force when
said separation distance equals a first separation distance; and at
least one movement constraining structure to maintain at least a
second separation distance between said first and second magnetic
structures, said second separation distance being greater than or
equal to said first separation distance and less than a third
separation distance between said first and second magnetic
structures at which said first and second magnetic structures
produce a peak repel force.
Description
CLAIMING BENEFIT OF PRIOR FILED U.S. APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a continuation application of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/465,001, filed May 6, 2012, now
pending, which was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 13/179,759, filed Jul. 11, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,174,347,
which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
61/399,448 (filed Jul. 12, 2010) and was a continuation-in-part of
U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12/885,450 (filed
Sep. 18, 2010), now U.S. Pat. No. 7,982,568. The contents of these
documents are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a multilevel
correlated magnetic system and method for using the multilevel
correlated magnetic system. A wide-range of devices including a
retractable magnet assembly, a disengagement/engagement tool, and a
click on-click off device are described herein that may incorporate
or interact with one or more of the multilevel correlated magnetic
systems.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one aspect, the present invention provides a multilevel
correlated magnetic system, comprising: (a) a first correlated
magnetic structure including a first portion which has a plurality
of coded magnetic sources and a second portion which has one or
more magnetic sources; (b) a second correlated magnetic structure
including a first portion which has a plurality of complementary
coded magnetic sources and a second portion which has one or more
magnetic sources; (c) the first correlated magnetic structure is
aligned with the second correlated magnetic structure such that the
first portions and the second portions are respectively located
across from one another; and (d) a tool that applies a bias magnet
field to cause a transition of the first and second magnetic
structures from a closed state in which the first and second
magnetic structures are attached to an open state in which the
first and second magnetic structures are separated.
[0004] In another aspect, the present invention provides a magnet
assembly comprising: (a) a containment vessel; and (b) a first
magnet located within the containment vessel, wherein the first
magnet moves from a retracted position to an engagement position
and vice versa, and wherein when the first magnet is in the
retracted position there is a limited magnetic field present at a
measurement location located at an opposite end of the containment
vessel.
[0005] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a
stacked multi-level structure configured to produce a click
on-click off behavior. The stacked multi-level structure
comprising: (a) a first repel-snap multilevel structure comprising:
(i) a first correlated magnetic structure including a first portion
which has a plurality of coded magnetic sources and a second
portion which has one or more magnetic sources; (ii) a second
correlated magnetic structure including a first portion which has a
plurality of complementary coded magnetic sources and a second
portion which has one or more magnetic sources; and (iii) the first
correlated magnetic structure is aligned with the second correlated
magnetic structure such that the first portions and the second
portions are respectively located across from one another; (b) a
second repel-snap multilevel structure comprising: (i) the second
correlated magnetic structure; and (ii) a third correlated magnetic
structure including a first portion which has a plurality of
complementary coded magnetic sources and a second portion which has
one or more magnetic sources; (iii) the second correlated magnetic
structure is aligned with the third correlated magnetic structure
such that the first portions and the second portions are
respectively located across from one another.
[0006] In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides
a stacked multi-level structure configured to produce a click
on-click off behavior. The stacked multi-level structure
comprising: (a) a first repel-snap multilevel structure comprising:
(i) a first correlated magnetic structure including a first portion
which has a plurality of coded magnetic sources and a second
portion which has one or more magnetic sources; (ii) a second
correlated magnetic structure including a first portion which has a
plurality of complementary coded magnetic sources and a second
portion which has one or more magnetic sources; and (iii) the first
correlated magnetic structure is aligned with the second correlated
magnetic structure such that the first portions and the second
portions are respectively located across from one another; (b) a
second repel-snap multilevel structure comprising: (i) a third
correlated magnetic structure including a first portion which has a
plurality of coded magnetic sources and a second portion which has
one or more magnetic sources; (ii) a fourth correlated magnetic
structure including a first portion which has a plurality of
complementary coded magnetic sources and a second portion which has
one or more magnetic sources; and (iii) the third correlated
magnetic structure is aligned with the fourth correlated magnetic
structure such that the first portions and the second portions are
respectively located across from one another; and (c) an
intermediate layer located between the second correlated magnetic
structure and the third correlated magnetic structure.
[0007] Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth, in
part, in the detailed description, figures and any claims which
follow, and in part will be derived from the detailed description,
or can be learned by practice of the invention. It is to be
understood that both the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only
and are not restrictive of the invention as disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A more complete understanding of the present invention may
be obtained by reference to the following detailed description when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0009] FIGS. 1-9 are various diagrams used to help explain
different concepts about correlated magnetic technology which can
be utilized in different embodiments of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 10 depicts a multilevel correlated magnetic system in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 11 depicts a multilevel transition distance
determination plot;
[0012] FIG. 12 depicts a multilevel correlated magnetic system in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 13A depicts a multilevel correlated magnetic system in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIGS. 13B and 13C depict alternative correlated magnetic
structures in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIGS. 14A and 14B depict use of multiple multilevel
structures to achieve contactless attachment of two objects in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 15A depicts a momentary snap switch in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 15B depicts the transition distance determination plot
for the snap switch of FIG. 15A;
[0018] FIG. 15C depicts the force law curve of the snap switch of
FIG. 15A;
[0019] FIG. 15D depicts the hysteresis of the magnetic forces of
the momentary snap switch of FIG. 15A in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 16 is a diagram that depicts the force vs. position
relationship between the spring and the two magnets making up the
snap correlated magnetic structure of the momentary snap switch of
FIG. 15A;
[0021] FIG. 17A depicts the external force position versus the
magnet position of the snap switch as an external force is applied
to the snap switch of FIG. 15A and then released;
[0022] FIG. 17B depicts the magnet force as an external force is
applied to the snap switch of FIG. 15A and then released;
[0023] FIG. 17C depicts the magnet position versus external force
position as an external force is applied to the snap switch of FIG.
15A and then released;
[0024] FIGS. 18A-18F depict alternative arrangements for
multi-level systems in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 19A depicts an alternative momentary switch where the
spring of FIG. 15A is replaced by a magnet configured to produce a
repel force in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 19B depict an alternative momentary switch where the
spring of FIG. 15A is replaced by a magnet configured to be half of
a contactless attachment multi-level system in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 19C depicts two magnets and an optional spacer that
could be used in place of the middle magnet shown in FIGS. 19A and
19B in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 20A depicts the force vs. position relationship between
the outer magnet and the two magnets of the snap multi-level system
in the momentary snap switch of FIG. 19A;
[0029] FIG. 20B depicts the force vs. position relationship between
the outer magnet and the two magnets of the snap multi-level system
in the momentary snap switch of FIG. 19B;
[0030] FIG. 21A depicts a push button and a first magnet of an
exemplary momentary switch in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0031] FIG. 21B depicts a second magnet having an associated
electrical contact of an exemplary momentary switch in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 21C depicts a third magnet and a base of an exemplary
momentary switch in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0033] FIG. 21D depicts an exemplary cylinder having an upper lip,
a top hole, and a bottom hole configured to receive the push button
and first magnet of FIG. 12A, the second magnet and contact of FIG.
21B, and the third magnet and base of FIG. 21C in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 21E depicts an assembled exemplary momentary switch in
its normal open state with a spacer and contact positioned in the
slot and on top of the third magnet in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 21F depicts the assembled exemplary momentary switch of
FIG. 21E in its closed state in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 22A depicts the female component of a first exemplary
magnetic cushioning device in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0037] FIG. 22B depicts the male component of the first exemplary
magnetic cushioning device in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0038] FIG. 22C depicts the assembled first exemplary magnetic
cushioning device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0039] FIG. 23A depicts the female component of a second exemplary
magnetic cushioning device in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0040] FIG. 23B depicts the male component of the second exemplary
magnetic cushioning device in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0041] FIG. 23C depicts the assembled second exemplary magnetic
cushioning device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0042] FIG. 24 depicts a first exemplary array of a plurality of
the first exemplary magnetic cushioning devices in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 25 depicts a second exemplary array of a plurality of
the first exemplary magnetic cushioning devices in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 26 depicts an exemplary cushion employing another
exemplary array of the first exemplary magnetic cushioning devices
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 27 depicts a shock absorber that produces electricity
while absorbing shock using multi-level magnetism in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 28 depicts multiple levels of multi-level magnetic
mechanisms in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0047] FIGS. 29A-29D depict two magnetic structures that are coded
to produce three levels of magnetism in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 29E depicts an exemplary force curve for the two
magnetic structures of FIGS. 29A-29D;
[0049] FIGS. 30A-30C depict a laptop using two magnetic structures
like those described in relation to FIGS. 29A-29D in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0050] FIG. 30D depicts an exemplary mechanism used to turn one
magnet to cause it to decorrelate from a second magnet in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0051] FIGS. 31A-31K depict a child-proof/animal-proof device in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 32 depicts a force curve of two conventional magnets in
a repel orientation;
[0053] FIG. 33 depicts force curves for five different code
densities in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0054] FIG. 34 depicts a force curve corresponding to multi-level
repel and snap behavior in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0055] FIG. 35 depicts a comparison of a conventional repel
behavior versus two different multi-level repel and snap force
curves in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0056] FIGS. 36A-36D depict demonstration devices and their
associated force curves in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0057] FIGS. 37A-37C depict use of multi-level contactless
attachment devices to produce cabinets that close but do not touch
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0058] FIGS. 38A-38B depicts a device that can be used to produce
exploding toys and the like and to store energy in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0059] FIG. 39 depicts a complex machine employing a magnetic force
component in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0060] FIGS. 40A-40B depict a retractable magnet assembly intended
to limit magnetic field effects at an engagement location when a
magnet is in its retracted state;
[0061] FIG. 40C depicts an exemplary method for designing the
retractable magnet assembly of FIGS. 40A-40B;.
[0062] FIG. 41A depicts magnets having multi-level repel-snap or
hover-snap behavior being used to attach two objects;
[0063] FIG. 41B depicts an exemplary disengagement/engagement
tool;
[0064] FIG. 41C depicts an exemplary electromagnet located in
proximity to an attachment apparatus such as depicted in FIG. 41A,
where the electromagnet can be used to change the state of a
repel-snap magnet pair or a hover-snap magnet pair;
[0065] FIG. 41D depicts an exemplary enclosure whereby a given
magnet of a repel-snap magnet pair or a hover-snap magnet pair can
move from one side of the enclosure when `snapped` to the other
magnet and can move to the other side of the enclosure when
`repelled` away from the other magnet;
[0066] FIGS. 42A-42B depict alternative stacked multi-level
structures intended to produce a click on-click off behavior;
and
[0067] FIG. 42C depicts the click on-click off behavior of the
stacked multi-level structure of FIG. 42A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0068] The present invention includes a multilevel correlated
magnetic system and method for using the multilevel correlated
magnetic system. The multilevel correlated magnetic system of the
present invention is made possible, in part, by the use of an
emerging, revolutionary technology that is called correlated
magnetics. This revolutionary technology referred to herein as
correlated magnetics was first fully described and enabled in the
co-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/123,718 filed on
May 20, 2008 and entitled "A Field Emission System and Method". The
contents of this document are hereby incorporated herein by
reference. A second generation of a correlated magnetic technology
is described and enabled in the co-assigned U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/358,423 filed on Jan. 23, 2009 and entitled "A Field
Emission System and Method". The contents of this document are
hereby incorporated herein by reference. A third generation of a
correlated magnetic technology is described and enabled in the
co-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/476,952 filed on
Jun. 2, 2009 and entitled "A Field Emission System and Method". The
contents of this document are hereby incorporated herein by
reference. Another technology known as correlated inductance, which
is related to correlated magnetics, has been described and enabled
in the co-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/322,561
filed on Feb. 4, 2009 and entitled "A System and Method for
Producing an Electric Pulse". The contents of this document are
hereby incorporated by reference. A brief discussion about
correlated magnetics is provided first before a detailed discussion
is provided about the multilevel correlated magnetic system and
method of the present invention.
Correlated Magnetics Technology
[0069] This section is provided to introduce the reader to basic
magnets and the new and revolutionary correlated magnetic
technology. This section includes subsections relating to basic
magnets, correlated magnets, and correlated electromagnetics. It
should be understood that this section is provided to assist the
reader with understanding the present invention, and should not be
used to limit the scope of the present invention.
A. Magnets
[0070] A magnet is a material or object that produces a magnetic
field which is a vector field that has a direction and a magnitude
(also called strength). Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated
an exemplary magnet 100 which has a South pole 102 and a North pole
104 and magnetic field vectors 106 that represent the direction and
magnitude of the magnet's moment. The magnet's moment is a vector
that characterizes the overall magnetic properties of the magnet
100. For a bar magnet, the direction of the magnetic moment points
from the South pole 102 to the North pole 104. The North and South
poles 104 and 102 are also referred to herein as positive (+) and
negative (-) poles, respectively.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 2A, there is a diagram that depicts two
magnets 100a and 100b aligned such that their polarities are
opposite in direction resulting in a repelling spatial force 200
which causes the two magnets 100a and 100b to repel each other. In
contrast, FIG. 2B is a diagram that depicts two magnets 100a and
100b aligned such that their polarities are in the same direction
resulting in an attracting spatial force 202 which causes the two
magnets 100a and 100b to attract each other. In FIG. 2B, the
magnets 100a and 100b are shown as being aligned with one another
but they can also be partially aligned with one another where they
could still "stick" to each other and maintain their positions
relative to each other. FIG. 2C is a diagram that illustrates how
magnets 100a, 100b and 100c will naturally stack on one another
such that their poles alternate.
B. Correlated Magnets
[0072] Correlated magnets can be created in a wide variety of ways
depending on the particular application as described in the
aforementioned U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/123,718,
12/358,432, and 12/476,952 by using a unique combination of magnet
arrays (referred to herein as magnetic field emission sources),
correlation theory (commonly associated with probability theory and
statistics) and coding theory (commonly associated with
communication systems and radar systems). A brief discussion is
provided next to explain how these widely diverse technologies are
used in a unique and novel way to create correlated magnets.
[0073] Basically, correlated magnets are made from a combination of
magnetic (or electric) field emission sources which have been
configured in accordance with a pre-selected code having desirable
correlation properties. Thus, when a magnetic field emission
structure is brought into alignment with a complementary, or mirror
image, magnetic field emission structure the various magnetic field
emission sources will all align causing a peak spatial attraction
force to be produced, while the misalignment of the magnetic field
emission structures cause the various magnetic field emission
sources to substantially cancel each other out in a manner that is
a function of the particular code used to design the two magnetic
field emission structures. In contrast, when a magnetic field
emission structure is brought into alignment with a duplicate
magnetic field emission structure then the various magnetic field
emission sources all align causing a peak spatial repelling force
to be produced, while the misalignment of the magnetic field
emission structures causes the various magnetic field emission
sources to substantially cancel each other out in a manner that is
a function of the particular code used to design the two magnetic
field emission structures.
[0074] The aforementioned spatial forces (attraction, repelling)
have a magnitude that is a function of the relative alignment of
two magnetic field emission structures and their corresponding
spatial force (or correlation) function, the spacing (or distance)
between the two magnetic field emission structures, and the
magnetic field strengths and polarities of the various sources
making up the two magnetic field emission structures. The spatial
force functions can be used to achieve precision alignment and
precision positioning not possible with basic magnets. Moreover,
the spatial force functions can enable the precise control of
magnetic fields and associated spatial forces thereby enabling new
forms of attachment devices for attaching objects with precise
alignment and new systems and methods for controlling precision
movement of objects. An additional unique characteristic associated
with correlated magnets relates to the situation where the various
magnetic field sources making-up two magnetic field emission
structures can effectively cancel out each other when they are
brought out of alignment which is described herein as a release
force. This release force is a direct result of the particular
correlation coding used to configure the magnetic field emission
structures.
[0075] A person skilled in the art of coding theory will recognize
that there are many different types of codes that have different
correlation properties which have been used in communications for
channelization purposes, energy spreading, modulation, and other
purposes. Many of the basic characteristics of such codes make them
applicable for use in producing the magnetic field emission
structures described herein. For example, Barker codes are known
for their autocorrelation properties and can be used to help
configure correlated magnets. Although, a Barker code is used in an
example below with respect to FIGS. 3A-3B, other forms of codes
which may or may not be well known in the art are also applicable
to correlated magnets because of their autocorrelation,
cross-correlation, or other properties including, for example, Gold
codes, Kasami sequences, hyperbolic congruential codes, quadratic
congruential codes, linear congruential codes, Welch-Costas array
codes, Golomb-Costas array codes, pseudorandom codes, chaotic
codes, Optimal Golomb Ruler codes, deterministic codes, designed
codes, one dimensional codes, two dimensional codes, three
dimensional codes, or four dimensional codes, combinations thereof,
and so forth.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 3A, there are diagrams used to explain how
a Barker length 7 code 300 can be used to determine polarities and
positions of magnets 302a, 302b . . . 302g making up a first
magnetic field emission structure 304. Each magnet 302a, 302b . . .
302g has the same or substantially the same magnetic field strength
(or amplitude), which for the sake of this example is provided as a
unit of 1 (where A=Attract, R=Repel, A=-R, A=1, R=-1). A second
magnetic field emission structure 306 (including magnets 308a, 308b
. . . 308g) that is identical to the first magnetic field emission
structure 304 is shown in 13 different alignments 310-1 through
310-13 relative to the first magnetic field emission structure 304.
For each relative alignment, the number of magnets that repel plus
the number of magnets that attract is calculated, where each
alignment has a spatial force in accordance with a spatial force
function based upon the correlation function and magnetic field
strengths of the magnets 302a, 302b . . . 302g and 308a, 308b . . .
308g. With the specific Barker code used, the spatial force varies
from -1 to 7, where the peak occurs when the two magnetic field
emission structures 304 and 306 are aligned which occurs when their
respective codes are aligned. The off peak spatial force, referred
to as a side lobe force, varies from 0 to -1. As such, the spatial
force function causes the magnetic field emission structures 304
and 306 to generally repel each other unless they are aligned such
that each of their magnets are correlated with a complementary
magnet (i.e., a magnet's South pole aligns with another magnet's
North pole, or vice versa). In other words, the two magnetic field
emission structures 304 and 306 substantially correlate with one
another when they are aligned to substantially mirror each
other.
[0077] In FIG. 3B, there is a plot that depicts the spatial force
function of the two magnetic field emission structures 304 and 306
which results from the binary autocorrelation function of the
Barker length 7 code 300, where the values at each alignment
position 1 through 13 correspond to the spatial force values that
were calculated for the thirteen alignment positions 310-1 through
310-13 between the two magnetic field emission structures 304 and
306 depicted in FIG. 3A. As the true autocorrelation function for
correlated magnet field structures is repulsive, and most of the
uses envisioned will have attractive correlation peaks, the usage
of the term `autocorrelation` herein will refer to complementary
correlation unless otherwise stated. That is, the interacting faces
of two such correlated magnetic field emission structures 304 and
306 will be complementary to (i.e., mirror images of) each other.
This complementary autocorrelation relationship can be seen in FIG.
3A where the bottom face of the first magnetic field emission
structure 304 having the pattern `S S S N N S N` is shown
interacting with the top face of the second magnetic field emission
structure 306 having the pattern `N N N S S N S`, which is the
mirror image (pattern) of the bottom face of the first magnetic
field emission structure 304.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 4A, there is a diagram of an array of 19
magnets 400 positioned in accordance with an exemplary code to
produce an exemplary magnetic field emission structure 402 and
another array of 19 magnets 404 which is used to produce a mirror
image magnetic field emission structure 406. In this example, the
exemplary code was intended to produce the first magnetic field
emission structure 402 to have a first stronger lock when aligned
with its mirror image magnetic field emission structure 406 and a
second weaker lock when it is rotated 90.degree. relative to its
mirror image magnetic field emission structure 406. FIG. 4B depicts
a spatial force function 408 of the magnetic field emission
structure 402 interacting with its mirror image magnetic field
emission structure 406 to produce the first stronger lock. As can
be seen, the spatial force function 408 has a peak which occurs
when the two magnetic field emission structures 402 and 406 are
substantially aligned. FIG. 4C depicts a spatial force function 410
of the magnetic field emission structure 402 interacting with its
mirror magnetic field emission structure 406 after being rotated
90.degree.. As can be seen, the spatial force function 410 has a
smaller peak which occurs when the two magnetic field emission
structures 402 and 406 are substantially aligned but one structure
is rotated 90.degree.. If the two magnetic field emission
structures 402 and 406 are in other positions then they could be
easily separated.
[0079] Referring to FIG. 5, there is a diagram depicting a
correlating magnet surface 502 being wrapped back on itself on a
cylinder 504 (or disc 504, wheel 504) and a conveyor belt/tracked
structure 506 having located thereon a mirror image correlating
magnet surface 508. In this case, the cylinder 504 can be turned
clockwise or counter-clockwise by some force so as to roll along
the conveyor belt/tracked structure 506. The fixed magnetic field
emission structures 502 and 508 provide a traction and gripping
(i.e., holding) force as the cylinder 504 is turned by some other
mechanism (e.g., a motor). The gripping force would remain
substantially constant as the cylinder 504 moved down the conveyor
belt/tracked structure 506 independent of friction or gravity and
could therefore be used to move an object about a track that moved
up a wall, across a ceiling, or in any other desired direction
within the limits of the gravitational force (as a function of the
weight of the object) overcoming the spatial force of the aligning
magnetic field emission structures 502 and 508. If desired, this
cylinder 504 (or other rotary devices) can also be operated against
other rotary correlating surfaces to provide a gear-like operation.
Since the hold-down force equals the traction force, these gears
can be loosely connected and still give positive, non-slipping
rotational accuracy. Plus, the magnetic field emission structures
502 and 508 can have surfaces which are perfectly smooth and still
provide positive, non-slip traction. In contrast to legacy
friction-based wheels, the traction force provided by the magnetic
field emission structures 502 and 508 is largely independent of the
friction forces between the traction wheel and the traction surface
and can be employed with low friction surfaces. Devices moving
about based on magnetic traction can be operated independently of
gravity for example in weightless conditions including space,
underwater, vertical surfaces and even upside down.
[0080] Referring to FIG. 6, there is a diagram depicting an
exemplary cylinder 602 having wrapped thereon a first magnetic
field emission structure 604 with a code pattern 606 that is
repeated six times around the outside of the cylinder 602. Beneath
the cylinder 602 is an object 608 having a curved surface with a
slightly larger curvature than the cylinder 602 and having a second
magnetic field emission structure 610 that is also coded using the
code pattern 606. Assume, the cylinder 602 is turned at a
rotational rate of 1 rotation per second by shaft 612. Thus, as the
cylinder 602 turns, six times a second the first magnetic field
emission structure 604 on the cylinder 602 aligns with the second
magnetic field emission structure 610 on the object 608 causing the
object 608 to be repelled (i.e., moved downward) by the peak
spatial force function of the two magnetic field emission
structures 604 and 610. Similarly, had the second magnetic field
emission structure 610 been coded using a code pattern that
mirrored code pattern 606, then 6 times a second the first magnetic
field emission structure 604 of the cylinder 602 would align with
the second magnetic field emission structure 610 of the object 608
causing the object 608 to be attracted (i.e., moved upward) by the
peak spatial force function of the two magnetic field emission
structures 604 and 610. Thus, the movement of the cylinder 602 and
the corresponding first magnetic field emission structure 604 can
be used to control the movement of the object 608 having its
corresponding second magnetic field emission structure 610. One
skilled in the art will recognize that the cylinder 602 may be
connected to a shaft 612 which may be turned as a result of wind
turning a windmill, a water wheel or turbine, ocean wave movement,
and other methods whereby movement of the object 608 can result
from some source of energy scavenging. As such, correlated magnets
enables the spatial forces between objects to be precisely
controlled in accordance with their movement and also enables the
movement of objects to be precisely controlled in accordance with
such spatial forces.
[0081] In the above examples, the correlated magnets 304, 306, 402,
406, 502, 508, 604 and 610 overcome the normal `magnet orientation`
behavior with the aid of a holding mechanism such as an adhesive, a
screw, a bolt & nut, etc. . . . In other cases, magnets of the
same magnetic field emission structure could be sparsely separated
from other magnets (e.g., in a sparse array) such that the magnetic
forces of the individual magnets do not substantially interact, in
which case the polarity of individual magnets can be varied in
accordance with a code without requiring a holding mechanism to
prevent magnetic forces from `flipping` a magnet. However, magnets
are typically close enough to one another such that their magnetic
forces would substantially interact to cause at least one of them
to `flip` so that their moment vectors align but these magnets can
be made to remain in a desired orientation by use of a holding
mechanism such as an adhesive, a screw, a bolt & nut, etc. . .
. As such, correlated magnets often utilize some sort of holding
mechanism to form different magnetic field emission structures
which can be used in a wide-variety of applications like, for
example, a drill head assembly, a hole cutting tool assembly, a
machine press tool, a gripping apparatus, a slip ring mechanism,
and a structural assembly. Moreover, magnetic field emission
structures may include a turning mechanism, a tool insertion slot,
alignment marks, a latch mechanism, a pivot mechanism, a swivel
mechanism, or a lever.
C. Correlated Electromagnetics
[0082] Correlated magnets can entail the use of electromagnets
which is a type of magnet in which the magnetic field is produced
by the flow of an electric current. The polarity of the magnetic
field is determined by the direction of the electric current and
the magnetic field disappears when the current ceases. Following
are a couple of examples in which arrays of electromagnets are used
to produce a first magnetic field emission structure that is moved
over time relative to a second magnetic field emission structure
which is associated with an object thereby causing the object to
move.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 7, there are several diagrams used to
explain a 2-D correlated electromagnetics example in which there is
a table 700 having a two-dimensional electromagnetic array 702
(first magnetic field emission structure 702) beneath its surface
and a movement platform 704 having at least one table contact
member 706. In this example, the movement platform 704 is shown
having four table contact members 706 each having a magnetic field
emission structure 708 (second magnetic field emission structures
708) that would be attracted by the electromagnetic array 702.
Computerized control of the states of individual electromagnets of
the electromagnet array 702 determines whether they are on or off
and determines their polarity. A first example 710 depicts states
of the electromagnetic array 702 configured to cause one of the
table contact members 706 to attract to a subset 712a of the
electromagnets within the magnetic field emission structure 702. A
second example 712 depicts different states of the electromagnetic
array 702 configured to cause the one table contact member 706 to
be attracted (i.e., move) to a different subset 712b of the
electromagnets within the field emission structure 702. Per the two
examples, one skilled in the art can recognize that the table
contact member(s) 706 can be moved about table 700 by varying the
states of the electromagnets of the electromagnetic array 702.
[0084] Referring to FIG. 8, there are several diagrams used to
explain a 3-D correlated electromagnetics example where there is a
first cylinder 802 which is slightly larger than a second cylinder
804 that is contained inside the first cylinder 802. A magnetic
field emission structure 806 is placed around the first cylinder
802 (or optionally around the second cylinder 804). An array of
electromagnets (not shown) is associated with the second cylinder
804 (or optionally the first cylinder 802) and their states are
controlled to create a moving mirror image magnetic field emission
structure to which the magnetic field emission structure 806 is
attracted so as to cause the first cylinder 802 (or optionally the
second cylinder 804) to rotate relative to the second cylinder 804
(or optionally the first cylinder 802). The magnetic field emission
structures 808, 810, and 812 produced by the electromagnetic array
on the second cylinder 804 at time t=n, t=n+1, and t=n+2, show a
pattern mirroring that of the magnetic field emission structure 806
around the first cylinder 802. The pattern is shown moving downward
in time so as to cause the first cylinder 802 to rotate
counterclockwise. As such, the speed and direction of movement of
the first cylinder 802 (or the second cylinder 804) can be
controlled via state changes of the electromagnets making up the
electromagnetic array. Also depicted in FIG. 8 there is an
electromagnetic array 814 that corresponds to a track that can be
placed on a surface such that a moving mirror image magnetic field
emission structure can be used to move the first cylinder 802
backward or forward on the track using the same code shift approach
shown with magnetic field emission structures 808, 810, and 812
(compare to FIG. 5).
[0085] Referring to FIG. 9, there is illustrated an exemplary valve
mechanism 900 based upon a sphere 902 (having a magnetic field
emission structure 904 wrapped thereon) which is located in a
cylinder 906 (having an electromagnetic field emission structure
908 located thereon). In this example, the electromagnetic field
emission structure 908 can be varied to move the sphere 902 upward
or downward in the cylinder 906 which has a first opening 910 with
a circumference less than or equal to that of the sphere 902 and a
second opening 912 having a circumference greater than the sphere
902. This configuration is desirable since one can control the
movement of the sphere 902 within the cylinder 906 to control the
flow rate of a gas or liquid through the valve mechanism 900.
Similarly, the valve mechanism 900 can be used as a pressure
control valve. Furthermore, the ability to move an object within
another object having a decreasing size enables various types of
sealing mechanisms that can be used for the sealing of windows,
refrigerators, freezers, food storage containers, boat hatches,
submarine hatches, etc., where the amount of sealing force can be
precisely controlled. One skilled in the art will recognize that
many different types of seal mechanisms that include gaskets,
o-rings, and the like can be employed with the use of the
correlated magnets. Plus, one skilled in the art will recognize
that the magnetic field emission structures can have an array of
sources including, for example, a permanent magnet, an
electromagnet, an electret, a magnetized ferromagnetic material, a
portion of a magnetized ferromagnetic material, a soft magnetic
material, or a superconductive magnetic material, some combination
thereof, and so forth.
Multilevel Correlated Magnetic System
[0086] The present invention provides a multilevel correlated
magnetic system and method for using the multilevel correlated
magnetic system. It involves multilevel magnetic techniques related
to those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/476,952,
filed Jun. 2, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application
61/277,214, titled "A System and Method for Contactless Attachment
of Two Objects", filed Sep. 22, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application 61/278,900, titled "A System and Method for Contactless
Attachment of Two Objects", filed Sep. 30, 2009, and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application 61/278,767 titled "A System and
Method for Contactless Attachment of Two Objects", filed Oct. 9,
2009, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/280,094, titled "A
System and Method for Producing Multi-level Magnetic Fields", filed
Oct. 16, 2009, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/281,160,
titled "A System and Method for Producing Multi-level Magnetic
Fields", filed Nov. 13, 2009, U.S. Provisional Patent Application
61/283,780, titled "A System and Method for Producing Multi-level
Magnetic Fields", filed Dec. 9, 2009, U.S. Provisional Patent
Application 61/284,385, titled "A System and Method for Producing
Multi-level Magnetic Fields", filed Dec. 17, 2009, and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application 61/342,988, titled "A System and
Method for Producing Multi-level Magnetic Fields", filed Apr. 22,
2010, which are all incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety. Such systems and methods described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/322,561, filed Feb. 4, 2009, U.S. patent
application Ser. Nos. 12/479,074, 12/478,889, 12/478,939,
12/478,911, 12/478,950, 12/478,969, 12/479,013, 12/479,073,
12/479,106, filed Jun. 5, 2009, U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.
12/479,818, 12/479,820, 12/479,832, and 12/479,832, file Jun. 7,
2009, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/494,064, filed Jun. 29,
2009, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/495,462, filed Jun. 30,
2009, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/496,463, filed Jul. 1,
2009, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/499,039, filed Jul. 7,
2009, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/501,425, filed Jul. 11,
2009, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/507,015, filed Jul.
21, 2009 are all incorporated by reference herein in their
entirety.
[0087] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
the multilevel correlated magnetic system includes a first
correlated magnetic structure and a second correlated magnetic
structure each having a first portion comprising a plurality of
complementary coded magnetic sources and each having a second
portion comprising one or more magnetic sources intended to only
repel or to only attract. The magnetic sources employed in the
invention may be permanent magnetic sources, electromagnets,
electro-permanent magnets, or combinations thereof. In accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention, both portions of
the two correlated magnetic structures may comprise a plurality of
complementary coded magnetic sources. For both embodiments, when
the first correlated magnetic structure is a certain separation
distance apart from the second correlated magnetic structure (i.e.,
at a transition distance), the multilevel correlated magnetic
system transitions from either a repel mode to an attract mode or
from an attract mode to a repel mode. Thus, the multilevel
correlated magnetic system has a repel level and an attract
level.
[0088] The first portion of each of the two correlated magnetic
structures, which has a plurality of coded magnetic sources, can be
described as being a short range portion, and the second portion of
each of the two correlated magnetic structures can be described as
being a long range portion, where the short range portion and the
long range portion produce opposing forces that effectively work
against each other. The short range portion produces a magnetic
field having a higher near field density and a lesser far field
density than the magnetic field produced by the long range portion.
Because of these near field and far field density differences, the
short range portion produces a higher peak force than the long
range portion yet has a faster field extinction rate such that the
short range portion is stronger than the long range portion at
separation distances less than the transition distance and weaker
than the long range portion at separation distance greater than the
transition distance, where the forces produced by two portions
cancel each other when the two correlated magnetic structures are
separated by a distance equal to the transition distance. Thus, the
first and second portions of the two correlated magnetic structures
produce two opposite polarity force curves corresponding to the
attractive force versus the separation distance between the two
correlated magnetic structures and the repulsive force versus the
separation distance between the two correlated magnetic
structures.
[0089] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, the first (short range) portions of the two correlated
magnetic structures produce an attractive force and the second
(long range) portions of the two correlated magnetic structures
produce a repulsive force. With this arrangement, as the two
complementary structures are brought near each other they initially
repel each other until they are at a transition distance, where
they neither attract nor repel, and then when they are brought
together closer than the transition distance they begin to attract
strongly, behaving as a "snap." With this embodiment, the
attraction curve is shorter range but its peak force is stronger
than the longer range repulsive force curve.
[0090] In accordance with still another embodiment of the present
invention, the polarities of the force curves are reversed with the
shorter range, but stronger peak force curve being repulsive and
the longer range but weaker peak force curve being attractive. With
this arrangement, the two structures attract each other beyond the
transition distance and repel each other when within the transition
distance, which results in the two correlated magnetic structures
achieving a contactless attachment where they are locked in
relative position and in relative alignment yet they are separated
by the transition distance.
[0091] In one embodiment of the present invention, the short range
portion and the long range portion of the multi-level correlated
magnetic system could both produce attractive forces to produce
correlated magnetic structures having both a strong near field
attractive force and a strong far field attractive force, where the
transition point corresponds to a point at which the two attractive
force curves cross. Similarly, the short range portion and the long
range portion could both produce repulsive forces to produce
correlated magnetic structures having both a strong near field
repulsive force and a strong far field repulsive force, where the
transition point corresponds to a point at which the two repulsive
force curves cross.
[0092] In accordance with a further embodiment of the present
invention, the two correlated magnetic field structures are
attached to one or more movement constraining structures. A
movement constraining structure may only allow motion of the two
correlated magnetic structures to or away from each other where the
two correlated magnetic structures are always parallel to each
other. The movement constraining structure may not allow twisting
(or rotation) of either correlated magnetic field structure.
Similarly, the movement constraining structure may not allow
sideways motion. Alternatively, one or more such movement
constraining structures may have variable states whereby movement
of the two correlated magnetic structures is constrained in some
manner while in a first state but not constrained or constrained
differently during another state. For example, the movement
constraining structure may not allow rotation of either correlated
magnetic structure while in a first state but allow rotation of one
or both of the correlated magnetic structures while in another
state.
[0093] One embodiment of the invention comprises a circular
correlated magnetic structure having an annular ring of single
polarity that surrounds a circular area within which reside an
ensemble of coded magnetic sources. Under one arrangement
corresponding to the snap behavior, the ensemble of coded magnetic
sources would generate the shorter range, more powerful peak
attractive force curve and the annular ring would generate the
longer range, weaker peak repulsive force curve. Under a second
arrangement corresponding to the contactless attachment behavior,
these roles would be reversed.
[0094] In another embodiment of the present invention, the
configuration of the circular correlated magnetic structure would
be reversed, with the coded ensemble of coded magnetic sources
occupying the outer annular ring and the inner circle being of a
single polarity. Under one arrangement corresponding to the snap
behavior, the ensemble of coded magnetic sources present in the
outer annular ring would generate the shorter range, more powerful
peak attractive force curve and the inner circle would generate the
longer range, weaker peak repulsive force curve. Under a second
arrangement corresponding to the contactless attachment behavior,
these roles would be reversed.
[0095] In a further embodiment of the present invention, an
additional modulating element that produces an additional magnetic
field can be used to increase or decrease the transition distance
of a multilevel magnetic field system 1000.
[0096] If one or more of the first portion and the second portion
is implemented with electromagnets or electro-permanent magnets
then a control system could be used to vary either the short range
force curve or the long range force curve.
[0097] The spatial force functions used in accordance with the
present invention can be designed to allow movement (e.g.,
rotation) of at least one of the correlated magnetic structures of
the multilevel correlated magnetic system to vary either the short
range force curve or the long range force curve.
[0098] Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown an exemplary multilevel
correlated magnetic system 1000 that comprises a first correlated
magnetic structure 1002a and a second magnetic structure 1002b. The
first correlated magnetic structure 1002a is divided into an outer
portion 1004a and an inner portion 1006a. Similarly, the second
correlated magnetic structure 1002b is divided into an outer
portion 1004b and an inner portion 1006b. The outer portion 1004a
of the first correlated magnetic structure 1002a and the outer
portion 1004b of the second correlated magnetic structure 1002b
each have one or more magnetic sources having positions and
polarities that are coded in accordance with a first code
corresponding to a first spatial force function. The inner portion
1006a of the first correlated magnetic structure 1002a and the
inner portion 1006b of the second correlated magnetic structure
1002b each have one or more magnetic sources having positions and
polarities that are coded in accordance with a second code
corresponding to a second spatial force function.
[0099] Under one arrangement, the outer portions 1004a, 1004b each
comprise a plurality of magnetic sources that are complementary
coded so that they will produce an attractive force when their
complementary (i.e., opposite polarity) source pairs are
substantially aligned and which have a sharp attractive force
versus separation distance (or throw) curve, and the inner portions
1006a, 1006b also comprise a plurality of magnetic sources that are
anti-complementary coded such that they produce a repulsive force
when their anti-complementary (i.e., same polarity) source pairs
are substantially aligned but have a broader, less sharp, repulsive
force versus separation distance (or throw) curve. As such, when
brought into proximity with each other and substantially aligned
the first and second correlated magnetic field structures 1002a,
1002b will have a snap behavior whereby their spatial forces
transition from a repulsive force to an attractive force.
Alternatively, the inner portions 1006a, 1006b could each comprise
multiple magnetic sources having the same polarity orientation or
could each be implemented using just one magnetic source in which
case a similar snap behavior would be produced.
[0100] Under another arrangement, the outer portions 1004a, 1004b
each comprise a plurality of magnetic sources that are
anti-complementary coded so that they will produce a repulsive
force when their anti-complementary (i.e., same polarity) source
pairs are substantially aligned and which have a sharp repulsive
force versus separation distance (or throw) curve, and the inner
portions 1006a, 1006b also comprise a plurality of magnetic sources
that are complementary coded such that they produce an attractive
force when their complementary (i.e., opposite polarity) source
pairs are substantially aligned but have a broader, less sharp,
attractive force versus separation distance (or throw) curve. As
such, when brought into proximity with each other and substantially
aligned the first and second correlated magnetic field structures
1002a, 1002b will have a contactless attachment behavior where they
achieve equilibrium at a transition distance where their spatial
forces transition from an attractive force to a repulsive force.
Alternatively, the outer portions 1004a, 1004b could each comprise
multiple magnetic sources having the same polarity orientation or
could each be implemented using just one magnetic source in which
case a similar contactless attachment behavior would be
produced.
[0101] For arrangements where both the outer portions 1004a, 1004b
and the inner portions 1006a, 1006b comprise a plurality of coded
magnetic sources, there can be greater control over their response
to movement due to the additional correlation. For example, when
twisting one correlated magnetic structure relative to the other,
the long range portion can be made to de-correlate at the same or
similar rate as the short rate portion thereby maintaining a higher
accuracy on the lock position. Alternatively, the multilevel
correlated magnetic system 1000 may use a special configuration of
non-coded magnetic sources as discussed in detail below with
respect to FIGS. 18A-18F.
[0102] FIG. 11 depicts a multilevel transition distance
determination plot 1100, which plots the absolute value of a first
force versus separation distance curve 1102 corresponding to the
short range portions of the two correlated magnetic structures
1002a, 1002b making up the multilevel magnetic field structure
1000, and the absolute value of a second force versus separation
distance curve 1104 corresponding to the long range portions of the
two correlated magnetic structures 1002a, 1002b. The two curves
cross at an transition point 1106, which while the two correlated
magnetic structures 1002a, 1002b approach each other corresponds to
a transition distance 1108 at which the two correlated magnetic
structures 1002a, 1002b will transition from a repel mode to an
attract mode or from an attract mode to a repel mode depending on
whether the short range portions are configured to attract and the
long range portions are configured to repel or vice versa.
[0103] FIG. 12 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a multilevel
magnetic field structure 1000 having first and second correlated
magnetic structures 1002a, 1002b that each have outer portions
1004a, 1004b having magnetic sources in an alternating
positive-negative pattern and each have inner portions 1006a, 1006b
having one positive magnetic source. As such, the first and second
magnetic field structures 1002a, 1002b are substantially identical.
Alternatively, the coding of the two correlated magnetic structures
1002a, 1002b could be complementary yet not in an alternating
positive-negative pattern in which case the two structures 1002a,
1002b would not be identical.
[0104] FIG. 13A depicts yet another embodiment of a multilevel
magnetic field structure 1000 having first and second correlated
magnetic structures 1002a, 1002b that each have inner portions
1006a, 1006b having magnetic sources in an alternating
positive-negative pattern and each have outer portions 1004a, 1004b
having one negative magnetic source. As such, the first and second
magnetic field structures 1002a, 1002b are identical but can be
combined to produce a short range attractive force and a long range
repulsive force.
[0105] FIG. 13B depicts and alternative to the correlated magnetic
structure 1002b of FIG. 13A which is almost the same except the
outer portion 1004b has a positive polarity. The two correlated
magnetic structures 1002a, 1002b can be combined to produce a short
range repulsive force and a long range attractive force.
[0106] FIG. 13C depicts yet another alternative to the correlated
magnetic structure 1002a of FIG. 13A, where the correlated magnetic
structure 1002a is circular and the coding of the inner portion
1006a does not correspond to an alternating positive-negative
pattern. To complete the multilevel magnetic field system 1000, a
second circular correlated magnetic structure 1002b would be used
which has an inner portion 1006b having complementary coding and
which has a outer portion 1006b having the same polarity as the
outer portion 1006a of the first circular correlated magnetic field
structure 1002a.
[0107] FIGS. 14A and 14B provide different views of a first object
1400 and a second object 1402 being attached without contact due to
the contactless attachment achieved by three different multilevel
devices 1000 each comprising first and second correlated magnetic
structures 1002a, 1002b. One skilled in the art will recognize that
one multilevel structure 100 or two or more multilevel structures
100 can be employed to provide contactless attachment between two
objects 1400,1402. In fact, one aspect of the present invention is
that it can be used to control position of an object 1400 relative
to another object 1402 without contact between the two objects
1400, 1402.
[0108] As discussed above, multiple multi-level correlated magnetic
systems 1000 can be used together to provide contactless attachment
of two objects 1400, 1402. For example, three or more such
structures can be employed to act like magnetic "invisible legs" to
hold an object in place above a surface. Similarly, two or more
"snap" implementations can be used to hold an object to another
object. For example, four snap multi-level structures placed in
four corners of a tarp might be used to cover a square opening.
Generally, different combinations of contactless attachment
structures and snap structures can be combined. For example, a snap
structure might secure an object to the end of a rotating shaft and
contactless attachment structures could be used to maintain
separation between an object being rotated over another surface.
Specifically, a first circular band-like multi-level correlated
magnetic structure on a bottom surface or a top surface could
interact with another circular band-like multi-level correlated
magnetic structure on the opposing surface or even a smaller arch
(i.e., subset of one of the bands) could be used on one of the
surfaces.
[0109] Under another arrangement, the "contactless" multi-level
correlated magnetic system 1000 can be used as a magnetic spring or
shock absorber. Such magnetic springs could be used in countless
applications where they would absorb vibrations, prevent damage,
etc. In particular the dissipative element of a shock absorber may
be created by positioning a conductor in the magnetic field and
allowing the creation of shorted eddy currents due to its motion to
damp the oscillation.
[0110] Under yet another arrangement, the "contactless" multi-level
correlated magnetic system 1000 can be used to make doors and
drawers that are quiet since they can be designed such that doors,
cabinet doors, and drawers will close and magnetically attach yet
not make contact.
[0111] Under another arrangement, the "contactless" multi-level
correlated magnetic system 1000 can be used for child safety and
animal proof devices which require a child or animal to overcome,
for example by pushing or pulling an object, a repel force before
something engages. If desired, the new devices can have forms of
electrical switches, mechanical latches, and the like where the
repel force can be prescribed such that a child or animal would
find it difficult to overcome the force while an adult would not.
Such devices might optionally employ a spacer to control the amount
of attractive force (if any) that the devices could achieve.
[0112] Generally, correlated magnetic structures can be useful for
assisting blind people by enabling them to attach objects in known
locations and orientations making them easier to locate and
manipulate. Unique coding could also provide unique magnetic
identifications of objects such that placing an object in the wrong
location would be rejected (or disallowed).
[0113] Generator devices can be designed to incorporate the
"contactless" multi-level correlated magnetic system 1000 and work
with slow moving objects, for example, a wind mill, without
requiring the gears currently being used to achieve adequate power
generation.
[0114] One application that can incorporate the "contactless"
multi-level correlated magnetic system 1000 is an anti-kick blade
release mechanism for a saw whereby when a blade bites into an
object, e.g., wood, such that it would become locked and would
otherwise kick the blade up and/or the object out, the blade would
disengage. The saw would automatically turn off upon this
occurrence.
[0115] Another application of the "contactless" multi-level
correlated magnetic system 1000 is with flying model aircraft which
would allow portions such as wings to be easily attached to enable
flying but easily detached for storage and transport. Below are
some additional ideas for devices incorporating the "contactless"
multi-level correlated magnetic system 1000 technology: [0116]
Patient levitation beds based on magnetic repulsion to reduce
and/or eliminate bedsores during hospital stays. Magnets would be
built into a patient carrier which would then be supported and held
in place by corresponding magnets on the bed. [0117] Patient gurney
which uses correlated magnets to lock it into place inside the
ambulance. Replaces conventional locks which are subject to spring
wear, dirt, corrosion, etc. [0118] Patient restraining device using
correlated magnets. Could use keyed magnets on patient clothing and
corresponding magnets on a chair, etc. [0119] Engine or motor
mounts which use multi-level contactless attachment devices to
reduce or eliminate vibration. [0120] Easily removable seat pads.
[0121] Boot/shoe fasteners to eliminate strings or Velcro. [0122]
Self-aligning hitch for trailers. [0123] Elevator door lock to
replace conventional mechanical locks. [0124] Keyed magnet spare
tire mount. [0125] Interchangeable shoe soles (sports shoes,
personal wear, etc.) [0126] Light bulb bases to replace screw
mounts. [0127] Oven rotisserie using slow-motor technology. [0128]
Kitchen microwave rotating platform using slow-motor technology.
[0129] No-contact clutch plate, eliminating wearable, friction
plates. [0130] Longer-lasting exercise bike using variable opposing
magnets (eliminating friction-based components). [0131] Purse
clasp. [0132] Keyed gate latch. [0133] Using linear magnets to stop
runaway elevators or other mechanical devices.
[0134] Referring to FIGS. 15A-15B, there is illustrated yet another
arrangement where the "snap" multi-level correlated magnetic system
1000 can be used to produce a momentary snap switch 1500 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted
in FIG. 15A, the exemplary momentary snap switch 1500 comprises a
spring 1502, two contacts 1504a and 1504b, a spacer 1506 and a snap
multi-level correlated magnetic system 1000. The purpose of the
spacer 1506 is to prevent the components 1002a and 1002b of the
snap multi-level correlated magnetic system 1000 from contacting,
thereby keeping the net force repulsive. FIGS. 15B and 15C
illustrate the purpose of the spacer 1506, where FIG. 15B depicts
the absolute value of the attractive and repulsive force curves of
the snap multi-level correlated magnetic system 1000 with respect
to the separation of the correlated magnetic structures 1002a,
1002b, and FIG. 15C depicts the sum of the attractive and repulsive
force curves of the snap multi-level correlated magnetic system
1000 plotted as the input external force on the X axis vs. the snap
multi-level correlated magnetic system 1000 response force on the Y
axis. Referring to FIG. 15B, the spacer 1506 keeps the two
correlated magnetic structures 1002a, 1002b from contacting and
prevents the snap multi-level correlated magnetic system 1000 from
transitioning into the attractive regime, which prevents the
correlated magnetic structures 1002a, 1002b from sticking when the
external force is removed. Referring to FIG. 15C, the spacer
contact distance is some location between the peak repel force and
the transition point which is between the attractive and repulsive
regimes. One skilled in the art will recognize that multiple
configurations and various approaches are possible for preventing
the snap multi-level correlated magnetic system 1000 from
transitioning into the attractive regime.
[0135] The hysteresis of the momentary snap switch 1500 can be
described relative to FIG. 15D. As the spring 1502 is compressed by
an external force 1508 it brings the correlated magnetic structures
1002a, 1002b closer together. This is illustrated by travelling up
the 45 degree line in FIG. 15D. The external force 1508 needed to
compress the snap multi-level correlated magnetic system 1000
increases until at a certain distance the force begins to decrease
with further compression. This creates an instability that causes
the snap multi-level correlated magnetic system 1000 to accelerate
closure until the contacts 1504a, 1504b are closed. At that point,
the snap multi-level correlated magnetic system 1000 requires only
a small holding force to keep the contacts 1504a, 1504b closed and
the compressed spring 1502 easily supplies that force. When the
external force 1508 on the spring 1502 is relaxed the contacts
1504a, 1504b remain closed until another critical point at which
the spring 1502 force is equal to the snap multi-level correlated
magnetic system 1000 repel force. At that point, the snap
multi-level correlated magnetic system 1000 begins to accelerate
open until they reach the maximum force point and then begins to
decrease, compressing the spring 1502 against the external force
1508. The contacts 1504a, 1504b then are apart by an amount that
causes the repel force and the external force (spring force) to be
equal. The cycle can be repeated by then re-compressing the spring
1502. This latter transient behavior is shown in FIG. 15D by the
top two arrows as they approach the stable position on the 45
degree line.
[0136] FIG. 16 is a diagram that depicts the force vs. position
relationship between the spring 1502 and the two magnets 1002a,
1002b making up the snap correlated magnetic structure 1000 of the
momentary snap switch 1500 of FIG. 15A.
[0137] FIG. 17A depicts the position of the external force 1508
versus the position of the correlated magnetic structure 1002a of
the momentary snap switch 1500 as the external force 1508 is
applied over a period of time to the momentary snap switch 1500 of
FIG. 15A and then released. Referring to FIG. 17A, the position of
an external force 1508 (e.g., a finger) applied to the momentary
snap switch 1500 is shown by a first curve 1702, where the external
force 1508 moves from a first position corresponding to when the
momentary snap switch 1500 is in the open position to a second
position corresponding to when the momentary snap switch 1500 is in
a closed position and then returns to the first position as the
external force 1508 is removed from the momentary snap switch 1500.
One skilled in the art will recognize that the external force 1508
could be applied by any object, for example, a piece of automated
equipment. The position of the correlated magnetic structure 1002a
shown with a second curve 1704 can be described in relation to the
first curve 1702. Referring to the two curves 1702, 1704, the
correlated magnetic structure 1002a begins at its open position and
moves closer to the second correlated magnetic structure 1002b as
the external force 1508 depresses the spring 1502 and presses down
on the momentary snap switch 1500. Initially, the correlated
magnetic structure 1002a moves linearly relative to the movement of
the external force 1508 since the spring 1502 and correlated
magnetic structure 1002a are essentially pushing against each other
because the snap multi-level correlated magnetic system 1000 is in
a repel state (or mode). When approaching a transition distance the
snap multi-level correlated magnetic system 1000 begins to
transition from a repel state to an attractive state. As its force
law goes from a peak repulsive force and begins to go towards a
zero force the external force 1508 applied to the spring 1502 is
encountering less and less repulsive force causing the correlated
magnetic structure 1002a to move rapidly downward until the spacer
1506 stops the correlated magnetic structure 1002a from moving
closer to the other correlated magnetic structure 1002b. Its
position remains the same until the external force 1508 position
has moved sufficiently away from the switch's closed position and
towards the switch's open position such that the correlated
magnetic structure 1002a is repelled away from the spacer 1506,
which corresponds to the abrupt rise in the second curve 1704. The
correlated magnetic structure 1002a then moves linearly as the
external force 1508 is removed from the momentary snap switch 1500
until the snap multi-level correlated magnetic system 1000 is again
at its open position.
[0138] FIG. 17B depicts the magnet force as the external force 1508
is applied to the momentary snap switch 1500 of FIG. 15A and then
released. Referring to FIG. 17B, the magnet force as shown by a
curve 1706 that begins at a minimum repulsive force that occurs
when the snap multi-level correlated magnetic system 1000 is in its
open position. As the external force 1508 is applied the magnet
force increases until the correlated magnetic structure 1002a
begins to approach the transition distance when it begins to
transition from a repel state to an attractive state. As its force
law goes from a peak repulsive force and begins to go towards a
zero force, the external force 1508 applied to the spring 1502 is
encountering less and less repulsive force causing the correlated
magnetic structure 1002a to move rapidly downward until the spacer
1506 stops it from moving closer to the other correlated magnetic
structure 1002b. The magnet force is maintained until the position
of the external force 1508 has moved sufficiently away from the
switch's closed position and towards the switch's open position
such that the correlated magnetic structure 1002a is repelled away
from the spacer 1506, which corresponds to the abrupt rise in the
second curve 1706. The correlated magnetic structure 1002a repels
and the force increases until it is pushed downward by the spring
1502 and thereafter they achieve equilibrium. The magnet force then
reduces as the external force 1508 is removed until the magnet
force is again at the minimum repulsive force corresponding to its
open position.
[0139] FIG. 17C depicts the position of the correlated magnetic
structure 1002a versus the position of the external force 1508 as
the external force 1508 is applied to the momentary snap switch
1500 of FIG. 15A and then released. Referring to FIG. 17C and a
curve 1708, the correlated magnetic structure 1002a and external
force 1508 begin at a first position corresponding to the switch's
open position, which is in the upper right of the plot. The curve
1708 moves linearly as the external force 1508 is applied since the
correlated magnetic structure 1002a and spring 1502 are in
equilibrium (i.e., pushing against each other). As the correlated
magnetic structure 1002a begins to approach the transition distance
when it begins to transition from a repel state to an attractive
state its force law goes from a peak repulsive force and begins to
go towards a zero force. At this time, the external force 1508
applied to the spring 1502 is encountering less and less repulsive
force causing the correlated magnetic structure 1002a to move
rapidly downward while the external force 1508 position is at the
same location until the spacer 1506 stops the correlated magnetic
structure 1002a from moving closer to the other correlated magnetic
structure 1002b. The correlated magnetic structure 1002a remains in
the same position while the external force 1508 is applied until
the snap multi-level correlated magnetic system 1000 reaches its
closed position and the correlated magnetic structure 1002a
continues to remain in the same position until the external force
1508 position has moved sufficiently away from the switch's closed
position and towards the switch's open position such that the
correlated magnetic structure 1002a is repelled away from the
spacer 1506, which corresponds to the abrupt right turn in the
curve 1708. The correlated magnetic structure 1002a and the spring
1502 again achieve equilibrium and then move linearly until they
have reached the upper right location in the plot that corresponds
to the switch's open position.
[0140] FIGS. 18A-18F depict alternative arrangements for snap
multi-level correlated magnetic systems 1000 that can be used in
accordance with the momentary snap switch 1500 of FIG. 15A. Very
importantly, the relative sizes and the field strengths of the
correlated magnetic structures 1002a and 1002b of the snap
multi-level correlated magnetic systems 1000 of FIGS. 18A-18F are
configured to produce hysteresis properties corresponding to
desired operational characteristics of the momentary snap switch
1500 of FIG. 15A. Additionally, although they are described in
relation to the snap-repel magnetic structures used in the
momentary snap switch 1500 of FIG. 15A, one skilled in the art will
recognize that, as described above, the multi-level correlated
magnetic systems 1000 can be alternatively configured to have
contactless attachment behavior.
[0141] Referring to FIG. 18A, the multi-level magnetic systems 1000
includes a first magnetic structure 1002a and a second magnetic
structure 1002b. The first magnetic structure comprises a first
outer portion 1004a and a first inner portion 1006a and the second
magnetic structure 1002b comprises a second outer portion 1004b and
a second inner portion 1006b. The first and second outer portions
1004a and 1004b have magnetic sources having the opposite polarity
so they will produce an attractive force. The first and second
inner portions 1006a and 1006b have magnetic sources having the
same polarity so they will produce a repulsive force. Under one
arrangement, a positive magnetic source is magnetized in the first
inner portion 1006a of the positive side of a conventional magnet
1002a and a positive magnetic source is magnetized in the second
inner portion 1006b of a negative side of a conventional magnet
1002b. Under an alternative arrangement, a negative magnetic source
is magnetized in the first inner portion 1006a of the positive side
of a conventional magnet 1002a and a negative magnetic source is
magnetized in the second inner portion 1006b of a negative side of
a conventional magnet 1002b. Under another arrangement, a positive
magnetic source is magnetized in the first inner portion 1006a and
a negative source is magnetized in the first outer portion 1004a of
the first magnetic structure 1002a, and a positive magnetic source
is magnetized in the second inner portion 1006b and a positive
source is magnetized in the second outer portion 1004a of the
second magnetic structure 1002b. Under yet another arrangement, a
negative magnetic source is magnetized in the first inner portion
1006a and a positive source is magnetized in the first outer
portion 1004a of the first magnetic structure 1002a, and a negative
magnetic source is magnetized in the second inner portion 1006b and
a negative source is magnetized in the second outer portion 1004a
of the second magnetic structure 1002b.
[0142] Referring to FIG. 18B, a multi-level magnetic system 1000
includes a magnetic structure 1002 and a conventional magnet 1800
having a first polarity on one side and a second polarity on its
other side that is opposite the first polarity. The magnetic
structure 1002 comprises an outer portion 1004 and an inner portion
1006. Under one arrangement, the first polarity of the conventional
magnet 1800 is a positive polarity and the inner portion 1006 of
the magnetic structure 1002 is magnetized to have a positive
polarity while the outer portion 1004 of the magnetic structure
1002 is magnetized to have a negative polarity. Under another
arrangement, the magnetic structure 1002 is initially a second
conventional magnet having the opposite polarity as the first
conventional magnet 1800 but the inner portion 1006 of the magnetic
structure 1002 is then magnetized to have the same polarity as the
first conventional magnet 1800. As such, when the depicted sides of
the magnetic structure 1002 and the conventional magnet 1800 are
brought together they will produce the multi-level repel and snap
behavior.
[0143] FIGS. 18C-18F are intended to illustrate that different
shapes can be used for the magnetic structures 1002, 1002a, 1002b,
1004a, 1004b, 1800 as well as the inner portions 1006, 1006a, 1006b
and outer portions 1004, 1004a, 1004b of the magnetic structures
1002, 1002a, 1002b, 1004a, 1004b, 1800 that make up a multi-level
magnetic system 1000. In FIG. 18C, the magnetic structures 1002a
1002b are rectangular and the inner portions 1006a 1006b are
circular. In FIG. 18D, the inner portion 1006 of the magnetic
structure 1002 is rectangular. In FIGS. 18E and 18F, the inner
portions 1006, 1006a have a hexagonal shape. Generally, one skilled
in the art will recognize that many different variations of first
portions and second portions of two magnetic structures can be
employed to include portions that are next to each other and not
nested so that there is an inner and outer portion. For example,
side-by-side stripes having different strengths could be
employed.
[0144] FIG. 19A depicts an alternative exemplary momentary snap
switch 1900 where the spring 1502 of FIG. 15A is replaced by a
magnet 1902 configured to produce a repel force 1904 with the
correlated magnetic structure 1002a. Referring to FIG. 19A, the
momentary snap switch 1900 employs two magnets 1002 and 1004 (e.g.,
correlated magnetic structures 1002a, 1002b) configured to function
as a snap multi-level system 1000 and an upper magnet 1902
configured to produce a repel force with magnet 1002. The three
magnets 1002, 1004, 1902 are constrained within a movement
constraint system 1906 that only allows up and down movement of the
upper magnet 1902 and the middle magnet 1002. In addition, the
momentary snap switch 1900 employs two contacts 1910a and 1910b
where contact 1910a is associated with magnet 1002 and contact
1910b is associated with magnet 1004. Furthermore, the momentary
snap switch 1900 employs a spacer 1912 attached to magnet 1004
where the purposed of the spacer 1912 is to prevent the components
of the snap multi-level magnetic system 1000 from contacting,
thereby keeping the net force repulsive. The spacer 1912 could
instead be attached to magnet 1002. Alternatively, a first spacer
1912 could be attached to magnet 1004 and a second spacer 1912
could be attached to magnet 1002.
[0145] In operation, when an external force 1908 is applied to the
upper magnet 1902, the repel force between the upper magnet 1902
and the middle magnet 1002 acts similar to the spring 1502 of FIG.
15A, where because the repel force 1904 is greater than the repel
force produced between the magnets 1002, 1004 means that the snap
multi-level system 1000 will produce substantially the same
hysteresis behavior as the spring 1502. However, because only
magnetism is employed, the hysteresis behavior should remain
unchanged, essentially forever assuming the use of permanent
magnets 1002, 1004, 1902.
[0146] FIG. 19B depicts an alternative momentary switch 1900' where
the spring 1502 of FIG. 15A is replaced by a magnet 1902 configured
to be half of a contactless attachment multi-level system 1000
where the other half is magnet 1002. One skilled in the art will
recognize that the momentary switches 1900 and 1900' in FIGS. 19A
and 19B will function the same regardless of the orientation of the
device 1900 and 1900' (e.g., it could be turned upside down). As
such, the terminology "upper magnet" and "up and down movement" are
not intended to be limiting but merely descriptive given the
orientation depicted in FIGS. 19A and 19B. Furthermore, one skilled
in the art will recognize that the characteristics of the code(s)
used to produce the magnetic structures 1002, 1004, 1902 determine
the type of translational and rotational constraints required.
[0147] FIG. 19C depicts two magnets 1914, 1916 and an optional
spacer 1918 that could be used in place of the middle magnet 1002
shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B.
[0148] FIG. 20A depicts the force vs. position relationship between
the outer magnet 1902 and the two magnets 1002, 1004 of the snap
multi-level system 1000 in the momentary snap switch 1900 of FIG.
19A.
[0149] FIG. 20B depicts the force vs. position relationship between
the outer magnet 1902 and the two magnets 1002, 1004 of the snap
multi-level system 1000 in the momentary snap switch 1900' of FIG.
19B.
[0150] FIGS. 21A-21F illustrate an exemplary cylinder 2100
utilizing the momentary snap switch 1900 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0151] FIG. 21A depicts a push button 2102 attached to a first
magnet 1902 of the exemplary momentary switch 1900. FIG. 21B
depicts a second magnet 1002 having an associated electrical
contact 1910a of the exemplary momentary switch 1900. FIG. 21C
depicts a third magnet 1004 (supported on a base 2104) of the
exemplary momentary switch 1900. FIG. 21D depicts the exemplary
cylinder 2100 having an upper lip 2106, a slot 2108, a top hole
2110, and a bottom hole 2112 configured to receive the push button
2102 and first magnet 1902 of FIG. 21A, the second magnet 1002 and
contact 1910a of FIG. 21B, and the third magnet 1004 and base 2104
of FIG. 21C. FIG. 21E depicts an assembled cylinder 2100 with the
exemplary momentary switch 1900 in its normal open state with the
spacer 1912 and contact 1910b positioned in the slot 2108 and on
top of the third magnet 1004. FIG. 21F depicts the assembled
cylinder 2100 with the exemplary momentary switch 1900 in its
closed state.
[0152] One skilled in the art will recognize that many different
variations of the exemplary momentary switch 1900 used in the
exemplary cylinder 2100 of FIGS. 21A-21F are possible for producing
different momentary switches, other switches, and other types of
devices where repeatable hysteresis behavior is desirable.
Variations include different shapes of magnets 1002, 1004, 1902 and
different shapes of movement constraining systems 1906 as well as
different methods of constraining the magnets 1002, 1004, 1902
included in such devices. For example, ring magnets could be
employed that surround a central cylinder as opposed to an outer
constraint. Both inner and outer constraint methods could be
employed. Any of various types of mechanical devices such as hinges
or the like could be used to constrain the magnets. Generally, one
skilled in the art could devise numerous configurations to produce
such repeatable hysteresis behavior in accordance with the
invention.
[0153] FIGS. 22A-22C illustrate an exemplary magnetic cushioning
device 2200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 22A depicts a female component 2202 of the
exemplary magnetic cushioning device 2200. FIG. 22B depicts a male
component 2204 (e.g., piston 2204) of the exemplary magnetic
cushioning device 2202. FIG. 22C depicts the assembled exemplary
magnetic cushioning device 2200 wherein the female component 2202
(including magnet 1002 and spacer 1912) is movably positioned over
the male component 2204 (including magnet 1004). The magnetic
cushioning device 2200 is similar to the bottom portion of the
exemplary momentary switch 1900 of FIGS. 21A-22F in that its two
magnets 1002 and 1004 and the spacer 1912 produce a multi-level
repel snap behavior that has a repeatable hysteresis behavior.
However, instead of being a switch, the magnetic cushioning device
2200 of FIGS. 22A-22C does not require circuitry for a switch and
instead acts much like a shock absorber that utilizes magnetism
instead of a spring. The magnetic cushioning device 2200 can be
used for all sorts of applications that use a spring for cushioning
including beds such as home beds or hospital beds; seats or backs
of chairs in a home, an airplane, a vehicle, a race car, a bus, a
train, etc.; shock absorbers for vehicles; bumpers for vehicles;
protective shielding for vehicles; and the like. Unlike a spring,
however, where the force of the spring continues to increase as an
external force is applied, the magnetic cushioning device 2200
exhibits a peak repel force and then a reduction in the repel force
as the magnets 1002 and 1004 move together until held apart by the
spacer 1912. The spacer 1912 can be attached to either one of the
magnets 1002 and 1004.
[0154] FIGS. 23A-23C illustrate another exemplary magnetic
cushioning device 2300 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 23A depicts a female component 2302 of the
exemplary magnetic cushioning device 2300. FIG. 23B depicts a male
component 2304 (e.g., piston 2304) of the exemplary magnetic
cushioning device 2302. FIG. 23C depicts the assembled exemplary
magnetic cushioning device 2300 wherein the female component 2302
(including magnet 1002 and spacer 1912) is movably positioned over
the male component 2304 (including magnet 1004). The magnetic
cushioning device 2300 is similar to the bottom portion of the
exemplary momentary switch 1900 of FIGS. 21A-22F in that its two
magnets 1002 and 1004 and the spacer 1912 produce a multi-level
repel snap behavior that has a repeatable hysteresis behavior.
However, instead of being a switch, the magnetic cushioning device
2300 of FIGS. 23A-23C does not require circuitry for a switch and
instead acts much like a shock absorber that utilizes magnetism
instead of a spring. The magnetic cushioning device 2300 can be
used for all sorts of applications that use a spring for cushioning
including beds such as home beds or hospital beds; seats or backs
of chairs in a home, an airplane, a vehicle, a race car, a bus, a
train, etc.; shock absorbers for vehicles; bumpers for vehicles;
protective shielding for vehicles; and the like. Unlike a spring,
however, where the force of the spring continues to increase as an
external force is applied, the magnetic cushioning device 2300
exhibits a peak repel force and then a reduction in the repel force
as the magnets 1002 and 1004 move together until held apart by the
spacer 1912. The exemplary magnetic cushioning device 2300 when
compared to magnetic cushioning device 2200 is intended to
demonstrate that different shapes of magnets 1002 and 1004 and
enclosures 2302 and 2304 could be used by one skilled in the art to
produce any type desired cushioning device in accordance with the
invention.
[0155] FIG. 24 depicts a first exemplary array 2400 of a plurality
of the exemplary magnetic cushioning devices 2200. As depicted,
each row of cushioning devices 2200 is shifted by approximately
half of a width of a circular cushioning device 2200 thereby
enabling them to be compacted together with less air gaps between
them.
[0156] FIG. 25 depicts a second exemplary array 2500 of a plurality
of the exemplary magnetic cushioning devices 2200 that are aligned
in rows and columns. Generally, one skilled in the art will
recognize that depending on the shape of the magnets employed and
the enclosures used to produce the cushioning devices 2200, 2300
and alternatives that various arrangements could be used such that
function well together, for example, as part of a seat cushion or
bed mattress.
[0157] FIG. 26 depicts an exemplary cushion 2600 employing another
exemplary array of the exemplary magnetic cushioning devices 2200.
Such a cushion 2600 might be used in a mattress, as a seat, or as
otherwise described. One skilled in the art will understand that
conventional methods such as use of springs, foam, or other types
of materials could be employed in conjunction with the magnetic
cushioning devices 2200. For instance, cushioning devices 2200 and
2300 in accordance with the present invention could be used to
produce heels for shoes or boots and can be used for soles or pads
that are placed into shoes or boots. Similar cushioning devices
2200 and 2300 could be used for knee pads, elbow pads, or any sort
of protective gear used by athletes, workers, military personnel or
the like where an impact needs to be absorbed to prevent harm to a
person.
[0158] FIG. 27 depicts an exemplary shock absorber 2700 that has
power generation capabilities in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. The exemplary shock absorber 2700 utilizes a
cushioning device 2200 (including two magnets and a spacer)
previously described in FIGS. 22A-22C and one or more other magnets
2702 and corresponding coils 2704 to generate electricity 2706.
FIG. 27 depicts the shock absorber 2700 having one shaft 2708
attached to one end of the cushioning device 2200 and at another
end there is attached shaft 2710 which has the magnet 2702
surrounding it and the coil 2704 surrounding the magnet 2702.
[0159] Under yet another arrangement, a device can be produced
including multiple layers of multi-level magnetic systems 1000
including those that have repeatable hysteresis behavior. FIG. 28
depicts an exemplary device 2800 that has three multi-level
magnetic systems 1000, 1000' and 1000'. The first and second
multi-level magnetic systems 1000 and 1000' are "repel-snap" and
the third multi-level magnetic system 1000'' is "contactless
attachment". As shown, the exemplary device 2800 includes four
magnets including two with spacers used to produce the three
multi-level magnetic systems 1000, 1000' and 1000' each exhibiting
multi-level magnetism behaviors. As depicted, magnets 1 and 2 each
have spacers. Magnets 1 and 2 and 2 and 3 produce repel-snap
behavior that combine and the magnets 3 and 4 produce contactless
attachment. The combined combination of the four magnets 1, 2, 3,
and 4 corresponds to programmable repeatable hysteresis. One
skilled in the art will recognize that all sorts of behaviors can
be producing by combining multiple layers of the aforementioned
multi-level magnetic systems 1000.
[0160] Under another arrangement it is possible to design two
magnetic structures to produce multiple layers of multi-level
magnetism. Using only two magnetic structures, many different
combinations of magnetized regions can be produced. FIGS. 29A-29D
depict two magnetic structures 2902 and 2904 that are coded to
produce three levels of magnetism. Specifically, as the two
magnetic structures 2902 and 2904 are brought towards each other
there is an outer attractive layer (or level), a repel layer, and
then an attractive layer when they are attached. FIG. 29A depicts
two magnetic structures 2902 and 2904 each made up of three coded
regions 2902a, 2902b, 2902c, 2904a, 2904b, and 2904c, where the
first and second coded regions 2902a, 2902b, 2904a, and 2904b are
coded to produce a contactless attachment behavior and their third
coded regions 2902c and 2904c are coded to produce a strong
attachment layer having a very short throw that is much less than
the equilibrium distance produced by the second and third coded
regions 2902b, 2902c, 2904b, and 2904c. FIG. 29B depicts the two
magnetic structures 2902 and 2904 being separated by a distance
greater than the engagement distance of the outer attract layer.
FIG. 29C depicts the two magnetic structures 2902 and 2904
positioned relative to each other such that they are at an
equilibrium distance between their outer attractive layer and their
repel layer. FIG. 29D depicts the two magnetic structures 2902 and
2904 in contact where they are in a very thin but strong attractive
layer, where the attractive force is greater than the repel force
with the thickness of the inner attractive layer. One skilled in
the art will recognize that the various regions of the two magnetic
structures 2902 and 2904 are not required to be contiguous (i.e.,
alongside or otherwise in contact). Instead, magnetic structures
can be produced where the magnetized regions are on separate pieces
of material that are configured apart from each other yet are
configured to work together to produce multi-level magnetism. This
approach is similar to using discrete (i.e., separate) magnets as
magnetic sources versus maxels printed onto a single piece of
material. Generally, all sorts of combinations are possible where
the two interacting magnetic structures 2902 and 2904 are each
either a single piece of material or multiple pieces of material,
contiguous pieces of material or non-contiguous pieces of material,
discrete magnets, or printed maxels, etc.
[0161] FIGS. 29B through 29D also depict optional sensors 2906 that
could be used as part of a control system (not shown). Generally,
one or more sensors 2906 can be used to measure a characteristic of
the magnetism between the two magnetic structures 2902 and 2904,
where measurements can correspond to different control states
(e.g., non-engaged state, equilibrium state, and closed state).
[0162] FIG. 29E depicts an exemplary force curve 2908 for the two
magnetic structures 2902 and 2904 of FIGS. 29A-29D. As shown, the
two magnetic structures 2902 and 2904 have an outer attractive
force layer where the force reaches a peak attractive force before
transitioning to a repel force layer where a first zero crossing
corresponds to an equilibrium position (or separation distance).
The two magnetic structures 2902 and 2904 can then be forced
through the repel layer thereby overcoming a peak repel force
before the force decays to zero at a second zero crossing and then
the two structures will attract and attach within an inner
attractive layer. As previously described, a spacer can be used to
prevent the two structures 2902 and 2904 from getting any closer
than a desired separation distance (e.g., the distance
corresponding to the second zero crossing). Similarly, the third
coding regions of two magnetic structures 2902 and 2904 could be
used in place of a spacer to produce repeatable hysteresis
corresponding to a repel snap behavior where there is also an
innermost repel layer having the same strength and throw as the
attractive forces that would otherwise enable a snap behavior.
Thus, the repel force would achieve a peak and then degrade to zero
at some separation distance and remain zero within that
distance.
[0163] It should be noted that multilevel structures 2902 and 2904
do not have to be symmetrical and do not need to be circular (e.g.,
involving concentric circular regions). Multi-level magnetism can
be achieved using coding that resembles stripes, coding
corresponding to irregular patterns, coding correspond to stripes
within circles, and using countless other coding arrangements.
[0164] FIGS. 30A-30D depict an exemplary laptop computer 3002
having ergonomics that control its state based on the position of
its top portion 3004 (i.e., the portion having the display screen)
relative to a bottom portion 3006 (i.e., the portion having the
keyboard). As depicted in FIG. 30A sensor data indicates that two
magnetic structures 2902 and 2904 embedded in the laptop portions
3004 and 3006 are separated at a distance greater than their
engagement distance, which corresponds to an "ON" state. In FIG.
30B, a user of the laptop 3002 has pushed the top portion 3004 down
until it became attracted by the attractive portion of the
contactless attachment multi-level coded regions of the two
magnetic structures 2902 and 2904. The top portion 3004 will reach
the equilibrium (or hover) distance and remain at that distance,
which the sensor data indicates causing the laptop 3002 to enter a
"SLEEP" state. The user can then either open the laptop 3002 up
again or can push through the repel force to cause the laptop
portions 3004 and 3006 to attach as seen in FIG. 30C, whereby the
sensor data would indicate that the two portions 3004 and 3006 are
attached and cause the laptop 3002 to go to its "OFF" state. One
skilled in the art will also recognize that use of a sensor and a
control system is not a requirement for achieving the ergonomic
aspects corresponding to the three state positions ("ON", SLEEP",
and "OFF"). As shown in FIG. 30D, the laptop 3002 may also include
a device 3008 (sliding mechanism 3008) used to turn one of the
magnetic structures 2902 or 2904 to decorrelate them then in which
case the magnetic structures 2902 and 2904 may be much stronger
when in an attached state.
[0165] Generally, a laptop 3002 configured in accordance with the
multi-level aspects of the present invention could have the
following: [0166] At least three states: not engaged, hover and
fully engaged (closed). [0167] Hall sensor near at least one of the
magnetic structures 2902 and 2904 to read out the state by the
level of magnetism measured at that point. [0168] The detected
value is translated into the discrete states which is interfaced to
a computer/processor in digital format. [0169] The operating system
or an application running will interpret these states and respond
appropriately, e.g., open.fwdarw.run normally, hover.fwdarw.screen
saver or stand-by, fully shut.fwdarw.hibernate or stand-by. [0170]
Any or all of the computer responses may be delayed from the
detection according to desired ergonomics. [0171] The magnetic
fields may be created by either single magnetic substrates that
contain the fields necessary to produce the behavior, or by
individual magnets that give the combined field needed to produce
the behavior. [0172] Either or both the hover and attachment
magnets may be located at different radii from the lid's axis of
rotation to provide mechanical advantage and modify the range of
field, strength of field, etc as needed to create the desired
behavior.
[0173] Laptops, phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and
other similar devices could also employ the aforementioned
correlated magnetics technology in other ways including: [0174]
Shock/water proof enclosure with correlated magnetic seal for
phones, media players, etc. . . . [0175] Power cord with 360 degree
consistent removal force. [0176] Correlated magnets inside the
products to reduce excess magnetic fields. [0177] Rubber mat with
correlated magnets to hold laptop down. [0178] Docking station.
[0179] Wireless charging with concentrated flux at interface.
[0180] Precision alignment. [0181] Notion of using correlated
magnets throughout lifecycle from manufacturing to in-store demo to
end use. [0182] Manufacturing processes. [0183] Security cord
attachment--removal of correlated magnet coded cord sounds alarm.
[0184] Correlated magnetic-based switches including integrated
feedback loop.
[0185] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, the repel-snap multi-level correlated magnetic system
1000 (for example) can be used to produce child safety and animal
proof devices that require a child or animal to be able to overcome
the repel force in order to engage or disengage a locking
mechanism, or other such mechanism. The force may be applied via
pulling or pushing or in some other manner. Such a device could
make it difficult for a child or an animal to turn on a device, for
example, a garbage disposal.
[0186] FIGS. 31A-31K depicts various views of an exemplary child
proof device 3100 that might be used as an electrical switch or a
mechanical latch or for some other purpose. Generally, the device
3100 is designed to exhibit multi-level repel snap behavior when
two magnetic structures 1002a and 1002b are in a certain
alignment(s) and to exhibit repel only behavior when the structures
1002a and 1002b are in an alignment other than the certain
alignment(s). As such, a child or animal would have to overcome a
repel force to cause the device 3100 to engage the switch or latch
or otherwise perform a function upon the contact (or near contact)
of the two magnetic structures 1002a and 1002b. Once the two
magnetic structures 1002a and 1002b are brought into contact they
would snap together and remain together until one of the magnetic
structures 1002a and 1002b was turned by a knob 3102 so as to cause
them to de-correlate thereby causing the attractive forces of the
attractive layer to be overcome by the repel forces present in the
device 3100. As shown, the device 3100 is configured such that the
knob 3102 will turn within a guide 3104 (e.g., guide rod 3104) to
cause it to achieve its normal aligned position. The device 3100
can transition from repel snap to repel-only depending on whether
the complementary codes are aligned or not aligned. As shown in
FIG. 31K, the device 3100 if desired can incorporate a spacer 3106
which is attached to one of the magnetic structures 1002a (for
example). Thus, when the other magnetic structure 1002b encounters
the spacer 3106 it can close for instance an electrical connection
(e.g., activate a doorbell) and/or affect a mechanical latch or
other device. This requires the force to be maintained to enable
operation of a device (e.g., garbage disposal).
[0187] As can be appreciated, the repel-snap multi-level correlated
magnetic system 1000 (for example) can be used in many different
child safety and animal proof devices. By requiring a child or
animal to overcome, for example by pushing or pulling an object, a
repel force before something engages, for example electrically or
mechanically, new forms of electrical switches, latches, and the
like can be employed where the repel force can be prescribed such
that a child or animal would find it difficult to overcome the
force while an adult would not. Such devices might optionally
employ a spacer to control the amount of attractive force (if any)
that the devices could achieve thereby enabling them to be removed
with a force (e.g., pull force) opposite the force used to achieve
contact (e.g., push force). If desired, the repel-snap multi-level
correlated magnetic system 1000 (for example) may be coded whereby
they do not de-correlate when one of the corresponding magnetic
structures 1002a and 1002b is rotated relative to the other or it
may be coded where de-correlation will occur when alignment is
changed due to rotation (and/or translational movement). Thus, the
force between two multi-level magnetic structures 1002a and 1002b
can vary as a function of separation distance and also relative
alignment of the two structures 1002a and 1002b.
[0188] The following discussion is intended to compare the
limitations of conventional magnet force curves to those of coded
magnetic structures. Conventional magnet pairs will either attract
each other or repel each other depending on the spatial orientation
of their dipoles. Conventional magnets can have strong magnetic
fields that can adversely affect credit cards, cell phones,
pacemakers, etc. because of the linear reach of the magnetic
fields. For the same reason, these magnets can also be very
dangerous to handle. Moreover, magnet designs have been limited by
the assumption of an indirect relationship, which describes the
force as inversely proportional to the linear distance between the
magnets. Because of this limitation, design engineers have long
relied on materials science and advanced manufacturing techniques
to produce magnets with appropriate attract and/or repel force
performance characteristics required for particular
applications.
[0189] The force curve shown in FIG. 32 describes the repel force
profile for two standard neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) N42-grade
disk magnets 11/2'' diameter by 1/8'' thick. Two magnets 3200a and
3200b are shown with north poles facing each other thereby
producing a repel force that varies indirectly with separation
distance. Correlated magnetics technology removes this limiting
assumption by enabling the programming of magnetic devices to
precisely prescribe magnetic fields and therefore magnet behaviors.
Specifically, magnet designers can now use patterns of grouped
and/or alternating magnetic elements--or maxels--that behave
individually like dipole magnets, but can exhibit many different
behaviors as a whole. The shape of a force profile is controlled by
a number of design parameters, including the total number of
magnetic elements, polarity, amplitude, and the size, shape and
location of the maxels (field emission sources). The amount of
maxel polarity variation per unit area (code density) on a magnet
surface affects the level of the peak force at contact. The code
density also affects the residual level of force at the far-field
and the rate of decay, or slope, of the force curve. As the code
density increases, so does the peak attraction force. However, the
attraction force decays more rapidly, and the far-field force is
significantly reduced. Thus, in stark contrast to the conventional
magnets, the custom designed magnetic fields employing correlated
magnetics technology can exhibit a stronger peak force with a very
short `throw,` rendering a much safer magnetic device.
[0190] FIG. 33 depicts multiple force curves produced by varying
the code density of the maxels programmed into the magnet pair
using instances of a simple alternating polarity code. In this
case, the material is NdFeB N42-grade 3/4'' square magnets at a
thickness of 1/8'' and code density is varied from conventional
magnet (code density=1) to 256 maxels on the coded magnet surface.
While code density affects the severity of the slope of the force
curve, as well as peak and far-field force levels, the maxel size,
shape and amplitude affect the engagement distance of the forces
programmed into the magnet pair. Moreover, as previously described,
opposing forces can be employed simultaneously (attract and repel),
providing the designer the ability to impart inflections into the
force curve. The amplitude of each maxel is adjusted by varying the
input power on the induction coil as the magnets are being
`printed/manufactured` which in turn affects the shape of the force
curve. The attract and repel forces can be increased or decreased
and the inflection point can be prescribed to meet specific
application requirements.
[0191] FIG. 34 depicts the force profile for two magnets 3400a and
3400b programmed with repel and snap behavior, whereby
complementary maxel patterns have been printed onto conventional
magnets to achieve two force curves. This profile demonstrates a
multi-level magnetism where the repel force increases, peaks and
then transitions to an attract force as the pair of coded magnets
3400a and 3400b approach each other. This programmable force
behavior empowers design engineers to prescribe precise damping and
resistance behavior for products, components and subsystems, and it
enables the creation of cushioning devices with deterministic
weight support characteristics. The correlated magnetics
multi-force devices represent an enabling technology for
improvement to vibration damping fixtures, shock absorbers,
hospital beds, child- and animal-proof switches and latches,
micro-switches and more.
[0192] FIG. 35 illustrates the effect of varying input power on the
shape of the force profiles. The amount of input power used to
produce the attractive force is 175V (line 3502) and 200V (line
3504) with the repel force unaltered. For comparison, the force
curve for conventional magnets is also shown (line 3506).
[0193] FIGS. 36A-36D shows several multi-level repel and snap
demonstrators 3602, 3604, 3606 and 3608 that highlight the
functional differences between conventional magnets and coded
magnets, where disk magnets adhered to the bottom surface of four
solid cylinders interact in a manner similar to springs with
magnets fitted at the bottom of four cylindrical tubes. The force
curves for each cylinder 3602, 3604, 3606 and 3608 describe the
nature of the repel force experienced as the magnets travel
vertically down the shaft.
[0194] The far-left cylinder 3602 features two conventional magnets
that exhibit a progressively-stiffer resistance as the magnets
approach contact. The other three cylinders 3604 (repel and snap
175V), 3606 (repel and snap 200V) and 3608 (repel and snap
w/spacer) each feature multi-level repel and snap programmed magnet
pairs that provide a progressively stiffer resistance up to an
inflection point at approximately 6/10 of an inch from surface
contact. At this point, the resistive force declines and actually
transitions to an attract force at approximately two-tenths of an
inch from surface contact, where the magnet pair then snap together
and bond. The difference in resistance offered by the higher and
lower power attract-force codes can be noticeably felt. The
far-right cylinder 3608 illustrates a `breakaway cushion` behavior.
The cylinder travel is limited by a spacer such that the magnet
pair cannot enter the attract force region. The net effect is that
the repel force declines to near zero, yet the cylinder will return
to its starting position when released. Thus, new cushioning
devices can be designed to give way after a prescribed force is
reached.
[0195] Because force curves are now programmable, designers can
tailor the magnetic behavior to match application requirements and
to support new magnet applications. Magnets may now include
combinations of attract and repel forces that enable entirely new
application areas. Programming magnets and their force curves
provides a powerful new capability for product innovation and
increased efficiencies across industry. Generally, a plurality of
regions having different force curves can be configured to work
together to produce a tailored composite force curve. The composite
force curve could, for example, have a flat portion that
represented a constant force over some range of separation distance
such that the devices acted similar to a very long spring.
Moreover, as previously described, maxels can be printed onto
conventional magnets thereby putting surface fields onto them. By
putting a thin correlated magnetic layer on top of an already
magnetized substrate the bulk field is projected into the far field
and the correlated magnetic surface effects modify the force curve
in the near field.
[0196] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the multi-level contactless attachment devices can be used to make
doors and drawers that are quiet since they can be designed such
that doors, cabinet doors, and drawers will close and magnetically
attach yet not make contact. FIGS. 37A-37C depict an exemplary
cabinet 3702, cabinet door 3704, hinges 3706 and 3708 and magnetic
structures 3710 and 3712 having multi-level contactless attachment
coding that would cause them to close but not completely thus
making them quiet closing. In this example, the magnetic structures
3710 and 3712 are coded for multi-level contactless attachment. If
desired, the magnetic structures 3710 and 3712 can be located in
overlap regions 3714 where the cabinet door 3704 overlaps the
cabinet 3702. The magnetic structures 3710 and 3712 can be attached
to the cabinet 3702 and cabinet door 3704 by adhesive, nails,
screws etc. . . . Plus, a spacer 3716 could be used to prevent
magnet contact if too much force is used to close the cabinet door
3704 (e.g., slamming). If desired, an installation guide 3718 can
be used when installing the magnetic structures 3710 and 3712 to
the cabinet 3702 and cabinet door 3704.
[0197] FIGS. 38A-38B depicts two magnets 3802 and 3804 coded to
have multi-level repel and snap behavior and having a spacer 3806
in between them with an attract layer 3810 and a repel layer 3812.
A force 3814 can be applied on one side to overcome the repel force
so the two magnets 3802 and 3804 snap together with the spacer 3806
in between them. Then, if a force 3816 is applied to a side of one
of the magnets 3802 (for example) that causes that magnet 3802 to
pivot on the spacer 3806 then this will cause the magnets 3802 and
3804 to repel each other (e.g., explode apart). Thus, this
arrangement provides a relatively unstable device that will remain
together until it receives an impact of some sort causing the two
magnets 3802 and 3804 to fly apart (e.g., much like an explosion).
As such, various types of toys (exploding toys), triggers, and the
like can be produced that employ such a device. The size,
thickness, shape, and other aspects of the spacer 3806 can be
varied to determine the degree of instability of the device. Such a
device can also serve as a form of energy storage device whereby a
lot of force can be released with very little applied force.
[0198] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
an external force applied to at least one magnetic structure making
up a multi-level device may change as a result of heat, pressure,
or some other external factor other than physical force. For
example, a bimetallic strip connected to a multi-level device may
be used to produce the desired hysteresis of a thermostat or of a
first suppression system trigger device. Similarly, pressure might
cause a multi-level device to go from a close position to an open
position enabling gas to escape a vessel.
[0199] In accordance with a further aspect of the present
invention, the ability to vary the forces between two magnetic
structures in a non-linear manner by varying their relative
alignment and via multi-level magnetism that varies as a function
of separation distance enables entirely new types of simple
machines that include the six classical simple machines (i.e.,
lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, and
screw).
[0200] Generally new non-linear design dimensions enable force
characteristics to be varied for given distances and alignments.
Furthermore, new types of complex machines are now possible based
on combinations of new simple machines. FIG. 39 depicts an
exemplary complex machine 3900 involving a bar 3902 having one end
pivoting on a surface 3904 and a pulley 3906 on an opposite end
from which a weight 3908 is suspended via a rope 3910 or the like.
At a point along the bar 3902 a force 3912 is applied by a magnetic
force component 3914 which is two or more magnetic structures coded
to produce a desired force versus distance curve. By using
different magnetic structures having different force versus
distances curves (e.g., force curves) different functionalities of
the complex machine 3900 can be produced. For example, if a force
curve is programmed that exhibits a sinusoidal function with
extension then the force on the weight 3908 will be linear over the
range in which that curve is accurate, simulating the effect of a
very long spring.
[0201] From the foregoing, one skilled in the art will appreciate
that the present invention includes a multilevel correlated
magnetic system comprising: (a) a first correlated magnetic
structure including a first portion which has a plurality of coded
magnetic sources and a second portion which has one or more
magnetic sources; (b) a second correlated magnetic structure
including a first portion which has a plurality of complementary
coded magnetic sources and a second portion which has one or more
magnetic sources; (c) wherein the first correlated magnetic
structure is aligned with the second correlated magnetic structure
such that the first portions and the second portions are
respectively located across from one another; and (d) wherein the
first portions each produce a higher peak force than the second
portions while the first portions each have a faster field
extinction rate than the second portions such that (1) the first
portions produce a magnetic force that is cancelled by a magnetic
force produced by the second portions when the first and second
correlated magnetic structures are separated by a distance equal to
a transition distance, (2) the first portions produce a stronger
magnetic force than the magnetic force produced by the second
portions when the first and second correlated magnetic structures
have a separation distance from one another that is less than the
transition distance, and (3) the first portions have a weaker
magnetic force than the magnetic force produced by second portions
when the separation distance between the first and second
correlated magnetic structures is greater than the transition
distance.
[0202] In one example, the first correlated magnetic structure's
plurality of coded magnetic sources include first field emission
sources and the second correlated magnetic structure's plurality of
complementary coded magnetic sources include second field emission
sources, each field emission sources having positions and
polarities relating to a desired spatial force function that
corresponds to a relative alignment of the first and second
correlated magnetic structures within a field domain, wherein the
spatial force function being in accordance with a code, where the
code corresponding to a code modulo of the first field emission
sources and a complementary code modulo of the second field
emission sources. The code defining a peak spatial force
corresponding to a substantial alignment of the code modulo of the
first field emission sources with the complementary code modulo of
the second field emission sources, wherein the code also defining a
plurality of off peak spatial forces corresponding to a plurality
of different misalignments of the code modulo of the first field
emission sources and the complementary code modulo of the second
field emission sources, wherein the plurality of off peak spatial
forces having a largest off peak spatial force, where the largest
off peak spatial force being less than half of the peak spatial
force.
[0203] FIG. 40A depicts a retractable magnet assembly 400
configured to limit a magnetic field present at a measurement
location 402 when a first magnet 404 is in a retracted state (see
top figure). The retractable magnet assembly 400 includes a
containment vessel 406 in which the first magnet 404 can move from
a retracted position (see top figure) to an engagement position
(see bottom figure) and vice versa. When in the retracted position,
the first magnet 404 may be attracted to an optional piece of metal
408 or another magnet 410 or to shielding 412. Moreover, if the
piece of metal 408 and shielding 412 are used, an appropriate
balance must be achieved since both the shielding 412 and the metal
408 would attract the first magnet 404. Depending on the
orientation of the retractable magnet assembly 400, the first
magnet 404 may move to the retracted position based on gravity when
not in proximity with another magnet 410 or metal 408. Optionally,
a bias magnetic field could be applied to cause the first magnet
404 to move to the retracted position. The bias magnetic field can
be provided an electromagnet located either inside or outside the
containment vessel 406 (see e.g., FIG. 41D). Alternatively, a
permanent magnet 414 located outside the containment vessel 406 can
be used to apply a biased magnetic field. When a second magnet 414
(or metal) is brought close to the front of the containment vessel
406 the first magnet 404 inside moves to the engagement position,
which may be in contact with the second magnet 414 (or metal) or
may be in contact with an intermediate layer 416 or a shielding
layer 412 that may or may not be a saturable shielding layer (e.g.,
permalloy)(see FIG. 40B). As shown in FIG. 40B, the containment
vessel 406 may include within it the intermediate layer 416 (i.e.,
a layer between the containment vessel 406 and the first magnet
404) on one or more (including all) sides to limit the magnetic
field in a given direction and may include shielding 412 one or
more (including all) sides. One skilled in the art will recognize
that a non-saturable shielding layer 412 will have a more gradual
transition from shielding to field transparency when brought into
proximity of a coded magnet, whereas a saturable shielding layer
412 will have a more abrupt transition from shielding to field
transparency. In a preferred embodiment the magnet 404 will engage
a thin saturable shielding layer 412 allowing additional magnetism
(i.e., beyond that required to saturate the saturable shielding
layer) to engage the second magnet 414 (or metal) while the
shielding 412 would otherwise substantially shield the environment
outside the containment vessel 406 from the magnetic field of the
magnet 404 it contains. The magnet 404 within the containment
vessel 406 can be a conventional magnet or a coded magnet including
one having a repel-snap behavior or a hover-snap behavior.
[0204] FIG. 40C depicts an exemplary method 420 for designing the
retractable magnet assembly 400 of FIGS. 40A-40B. The retractable
magnet 404 in accordance with the invention may be a conventional
magnet or a coded magnet. If the retractable magnet 404 is a coded
magnet it will have a spatial function relative to another magnet
414 and also the magnet 404 (by itself) will have a resultant (or
composite) field strength vs. separation distance curve relative to
a measurement location 402 near the magnet 404. Generally, the
resultant field strength vs. separation distance depends on the
coding of the magnet 404 and the location of the measurement
location 402 as well as other characteristics of the magnet 404
such as the grade of material, maxel size, maxel shape, maxel
strength, etc (step 422). But, once a coded magnet's resultant
field strength vs. separation distance curve is determined relative
to a measurement location 402, it can be used to identify a
required separation distance that will result in limiting the
magnetic field to meet a field criteria (e.g., maximum allowed
external field strength) at that measurement location 402 (step
424). Once that required separation distance is determined, a
retractable magnet assembly 400 can be designed such that the
magnet 404 can retract at least the determined required separation
distance (step 426).
[0205] FIG. 41A depicts magnets 4100 and 4102 having multi-level
repel-snap or hover-snap behavior being used to attach two objects
4104 and 4106. The two objects 4104 and 4106 having coded magnets
4100 and 4102 integrated beneath their surfaces (as indicated by
the dashed lines) are shown in a non-attached orientation (top
figure) and an attached orientation (bottom figure). One skilled in
the art will recognize that the magnet pairs 4100 and 4102 do not
have to be integrated into objects 4104 and 4106 and that they can
be otherwise attached to the objects 4104 and 4106. Moreover, the
magnetic structures 4100 and 4102 could comprise different shapes,
involve multiple smaller magnets arranged to produce the proper
behavior, and all sorts of other variations are possible to
practice the invention.
[0206] FIG. 41B depicts an exemplary disengagement/engagement tool
4108 that can be used to cause the repel-snap or the hover-snap
magnets 4100 and 4102 of FIG. 41A to separate thereby allowing
separation of the two objects 4104 and 4106 or to cause them to
snap together to attach to objects 4104 and 4106. Generally, the
repel-snap and hover-snap magnets 4100 and 4102 will transition
from a given state to another given application of a force or
application of a bias magnetic field. As such, a
disengagement/engagement tool 4108 can be designed relative to the
design of a given magnet pair 4100 and 4102 so as to apply an
appropriate bias magnet field to change the state of the magnet
pair 4100 and 4102. The tool 4108 could involve a permanent
magnet(s) 4110a and could involve an electromagnet(s) 4110b that
could be switchable on-and-off and otherwise allow control
(variable control) of polarity and field strength. Although a
handle 4112 is shown configured on the backside of the tool 4108,
one skilled in the art would recognize that a handle 4112 isn't
required and that one or more handles could be configured to allow
either end of a permanent magnet 4110a to be applied so as to
transition magnet pairs 4100 and 4102 from either a closed state to
an open state or vice versa. Additionally, the bias field of the
tool 4108 may itself be coded such that it will function properly
only when in a desired orientation with the magnet pair 4100 and
4102. As such, the coding of the magnet pair 4100 and 4102 and the
coding of the tool 4108 must match much like a lock and key.
[0207] FIG. 41C depicts an exemplary electromagnet 4114 located at
a fixed location in proximity to an attachment apparatus such as
depicted in FIG. 41A, where the electromagnet 4114 can be used to
change the state of a repel-snap magnet pair 4100 and 4102 or a
hover-snap magnet pair 4100 and 4102. As shown, a control button
4116 would activate the electromagnet 4114 by supplying electricity
from a power source (e.g., a battery)(not shown) that would cause
the electromagnet 4114 to produce the necessary bias field to cause
the magnet pair 4100 and 4102 to disengage thereby detaching the
objects 4104 and 4106 (note: the disengagement/engagement tool 4108
in FIG. 41B may also have a control button 4116 to activate the
electromagnet 4100b). Such an arrangement would allow for quick
installation of panels having no visible means for opening and then
quick detachment using the tool 4108. Similarly, attaching two
objects 4104 and 4106 may require the tool 4108 to cause the magnet
pair 4100 and 4102 to snap after the two objects 4104 and 4106 are
brought together, for example, if one of the magnets 4100 of the
magnet pair 4100 and 4102 was configured in a retractable magnet
assembly. The electromagnet 4114 shown in FIG. 41C is located
behind the magnet 4100 but one skilled in the art will recognize
that all sorts of configurations are possible to control one or
more electromagnets 4114 to produce one or more bias fields used to
vary the state of one or more magnet pairs 4100 and 4102 having
repel-snap or hover-snap behaviors.
[0208] FIG. 41D depicts an exemplary enclosure 4130 whereby a given
magnet 4132 of a repel-snap magnet pair 4132 and 4134 or a
hover-snap magnet pair 4132 and 4134 can move to one side 4136 of
the enclosure 4130 when `snapped` to the other magnet 4134 and can
move to the other side 4138 of the enclosure 4130 when `repelled`
away from the other magnet 4134. The enclosure 4130 is much like
the retractable magnet assembly 4000 of FIGS. 40A-40C except an
electromagnet 4140 is shown at the back of the containment vessel
4130 in place of a magnetic strip, which is not required given the
repel forces and/or the hover location can be sufficient to keep
the magnet in its refracted position. The electromagnet 4140 can be
controlled to apply a bias field to cause the magnet 4132 to
retract and to move forward to an engagement (snapped)
position.
[0209] FIGS. 42A and 42B depict alternative stacked multi-level
structures 4200a and 4200b intended to produce a click on-click off
behavior much like certain ball-point pens. The behavior is similar
to the repeatable hysteresis behavior described previously except
it is desirable that the bottom pair of magnets and remain attached
(snapped together) until purposely disengaged by the application of
force. In FIG. 42A a middle magnet (magnet 2) can be a conventional
magnet whereby magnets 1 and 3 are coded to produce repel snap
behavior when interacting with magnet 2. Magnet 1 also has a spacer
4202a Many other alternative coding methods can also be employed
that result in magnet 2 having repel snap behavior with both
magnets 1 and 3. In FIG. 42B, magnets 2 and 3 are attached using an
intermediate layer 4202b such that they move together as one object
yet otherwise independently interact with magnets 1 and 4
respectively such that both magnets 1 and 2 and magnets 3 and 4
exhibit repel snap behavior.
[0210] FIG. 42C depicts the click on-click off behavior of the
stacked multi-level structure 4200a of FIG. 42A (the same behavior
would apply to the stacked multi-level structure 4200b of FIG.
42B). First, a force 4200 is applied to magnet 1 which causes the
middle magnet 2 to move downward until the bottom pair of magnets 2
and 3 snap together (step 1). The force 4200 is removed and the top
magnet 1 is repelled upward to a location lower than its initial
location (step 2). When a force 4202 is re-applied to magnet 1 to
an extent that the top magnet 1 begin to engage, the attraction
between the top two magnets 1 and 2 causes the bottom two magnets 2
and 3 to disengage. As the bottom two magnets 2 and 3 disengage the
repel force between the bottom two magnets 2 and 3 acts as a bias
field causing the top two magnets 1 and 2 to also disengage thereby
returning the magnet structure 4200a to its initial state (step 3).
As such, the behavior can be described as a click on-click off
behavior. One skilled in the art will recognize that various
techniques can be applied to include additional bias fields, use of
a spring, using of travel limiting devices, use of different sized
magnets where overlapping regions and tabs are used to disrupt
magnets such that they disengage, etc.
[0211] The pulsed magnetic field generation systems described in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/476,952, filed Jun. 2, 2009,
titled "A field emission system and method", which is incorporated
herein by reference, produces magnetic sources called maxels. The
magnetization of the maxels depends on many factors including the
grade of magnetizable material, the sintering of the material, the
size and other characteristics of the magnetizing inductor (or
print head), the thickness of the material, the current used to
magnetize the maxel, and so on. To achieve a maxel having a desired
diameter, one may have to lower the current used since once the
material being magnetized becomes saturated at the maxel location,
additional magnetization will cause the maxel to expand or bleed
outward causing it to have a larger diameter. In accordance with
the invention, additional magnetizable material can be placed in
contact with the material being magnetized to enable a high current
to be applied so that any excess magnetization will transition into
the additional magnetizable material. Additionally, various
alternative approaches exist for affecting the magnetization of a
maxel including having a template beneath the material having
predefined magnetization characteristics, having external magnetic
field sources intended to bias (or steer) the magnetization of a
maxel, having various combinations of abruptly saturable shielding
materials (e,g., Permalloy) and/or slowly saturating shielding
materials like iron or steel.
[0212] It is desirable to have cylindrically shaped magnetizable
material that could be magnetized where the domain alignment would
be radially symmetric from the center of the cylinder much like
spokes on a wagon wheel. Such material could then be fully
magnetized using the pulsed magnetic field generation system (i.e.,
the magnetizer) of the invention to produce a pattern of maxels
around the outside of the cylinder without requiring variation of
the current used to produce each maxel. However, if cylindrically
shaped magnetizable material is fabricated to have diametric domain
alignment then one can take into account the angle of the domain
alignment of the material to the direction of magnetization by the
magnetizer print head and vary the current of the maxels to
normalize maxel field strengths, for example, half the current
might be applied along the direction (or axis) of domain alignment
than is applied ninety degrees off the axis of domain
alignment.
[0213] One application of correlated magnets is an anti-kick blade
release mechanism for a saw whereby when a blade bites into an
object, e.g., wood, such that it would become locked and would
otherwise kick the blade up and/or the object out, the blade would
disengage. The saw could also be made to automatically turn off
upon this occurrence.
[0214] Another application of correlated magnets is with flying
model aircraft which would allow portions such as wings to be
easily attached to enable flying but easily detached for storage
and transport.
[0215] Below are some additional ideas for devices incorporating
correlated magnetics technology. [0216] Stackable forks, spoons,
knives, plates, and bowls: [0217] Allows utensils to stack better
in drawers [0218] Less wear and tear when stacked [0219] Less noise
when putting utensils away or getting them out [0220] Provides
spacing so that cleaning is more easily performed by dishwashers
[0221] Showers and shower storage devices--keeps storage in place
and can be removed for easy cleanup of shower. The problem with
traditional shower storage is that it's kept in place via suction
and/or friction, both of which are unreliable methods of keeping a
shower implement in place. Additionally, once you get the implement
to "stick", the last thing you want to do is remove that item for
cleaning If shower liner/insert manufacturers and tile
manufacturers can embed coded magnets into their products, then all
sorts of accessories can be made to mount to the side of shower or
any bathroom or kitchen wall surface that's constructed of such
material. Examples of accessories include soap dishes, shampoo
bottle shelves, towel racks, waterproof radios, mirrors, etc.
[0222] Construction/farm equipment and accessories--same as above
but for heavy equipment and farm implements--in farm implements and
heavy machinery, the need exists for cup holders, tool holders, and
various other accessories that could be held if the various pieces
of metal on this machinery were programmed to accept CM based
accessories. [0223] Embedded into little league baseball home
plates throughout the country to support the installation of tees
for t-ball. In today's t-ball world, coaches must supply their own
tee because putting a hole in the middle of the traditional home
plate is unsightly and potentially unsafe. By fitting the
traditional home plate with a CM technology and a simple drawn
circle, the t-ball tee can be attached to the same home plate that
coach- and player-pitch little league can use. The magnetic force
will be strong enough to support the ball, but will break away (by
design) so that they kids can get used to a "real" home plate
(rather than dodging the tee when they approach home from third
base. Additionally, the tee can easily (and more cheaply) be
replaced since it is the piece that receives the most damage from
the swings of inexperienced players. [0224] Sealing coffins,
vaults, and crypts [0225] Farm equipment power take off (PTO) quick
connect. Includes native operation as well as adapters for existing
equipment. [0226] Screws with correlated magnetic heads that are
matched to screwdriver bits so that the bit can be "dipped" into a
box of these screws for hands free placement and alignment of screw
to screwdriver. Same as above with nails/hammers and other
fasteners/tools. [0227] Car roof racks (and other external
automotive accessories). [0228] License plates--probably on for
vanity plates initially [0229] Expandable dumbbell set [0230]
Built-in coded magnets in standard kitchen appliances to allow a
whole host of accessories to be developed--similar to the car rack
concept, towel racks and other accessories could be mounted. [0231]
Adapter hardware for standard fastener sizes--enables coded magnet
products to be mounted where traditional objects would normally be
screwed or bolted. [0232] Street and road signs that "break
away"--For safety purposes, the majority of highway road signs are
designed to break off or shear when hit with extreme force (such as
a motor vehicle accident. These are typically installed by
connecting a piece of the pole that's been buried in concrete with
the top section of a pole (with sign) using 4 to 8 small bolts.
These bolts (and the associated labor to install them) can be
replaced by CM technology. [0233] Patient levitation beds based on
magnetic repulsion to reduce/eliminate bedsores during hospital
stays. Magnits would be built into a patient carrier which would
then be supported and held in place by corresponding magnets on the
bed. [0234] Patient gurney which uses correlated magnets to lock it
into place inside the ambulance. Replaces conventional locks which
are subject to spring wear, dirt, corrosion, etc. [0235] Patient
restraining device using correlated magnets. Could use keyed
magnets on patient clothing and corresponding magnets on a chair,
etc. [0236] Engine or motor mounts which use multi-level
contactless attachment devices to reduce or eliminate vibration.
[0237] Easily removable seat pads. [0238] Boot/shoe fasteners to
eliminate strings or Velcro. [0239] Self-aligning hitch for
trailers. [0240] Elevator door lock to replace conventional
mechanical locks. [0241] Keyed magnet spare tire mount. [0242]
Interchangeable shoe soles (sports shoes, personal wear, etc.)
[0243] Light bulb bases to replace screw mounts. [0244] Oven
rotisserie using slow-motor technology. [0245] Kitchen microwave
rotating platform using slow-motor technology. [0246] No-contact
clutch plate, eliminating wearable, friction plates. [0247]
Longer-lasting exercise bike using variable opposing magnets
(eliminating friction-based components). [0248] Purse clasp. [0249]
Keyed gate latch. [0250] Using linear magnets to stop runaway
elevators or other mechanical devices. [0251] After-market coaxial
cable, with end caps that screw on to the tv and wall plate and
stay, and a cable that magnetically attaches to those end caps.
[0252] Industrial gas cylinder caps that are magnetic instead of
the current threaded caps that are exceedingly difficult to use.
Magnetic caps would be coded such that all O.sub.2 bottle caps work
on all O.sub.2 bottles, all CO.sub.2 caps work on CO.sub.2 bottles,
etc.
Biomedical Applications:
[0252] [0253] Use of contactless attachment capability for the
interface between mechanical and a biological elements and for the
interface between two biological elements. The reason is that if
there is too much pressure placed on biological tissue like skin it
impedes the capillaries feeding the tissue and will cause it to die
within an hour. This phenomenon, ischemic pressure necrosis, makes
interfacing mechanical and biological elements--and often two
biological elements that you don't want to permanently join via
stitches or other methods, very difficult. The contactless
attachment might be a powerful tool to address this problem.
Potential applications identified for mechanical to biological
attachment included attaching prosthetics where one of the magnets
is implanted under the skin, attaching external miniature pumps,
and as ways to hold dental implants, something to avoid grinding in
TMJ, and as a way to hold dentures in place and aligned. For
biological to biological attachment, the ideas included magnets
implanted in the soft palate and the bone above for sleep apnea,
and use to address urinary incontinence. CM might be the basis of a
valve at the top of the stomach that is able to be overcome with
swallowing to address acid reflux. [0254] Magnetically controlled
transmoral necrosis for creating gastrojejunostomy for people with
morbid obesity. The idea is that you could swallow one magnet and
wait until it gets to the right part of the intestine and then you
would swallow another. Once the second got into the stomach, it
would align and connect to the first causing necrosis of all the
tissue in between and creating a bypass between the stomach and the
intestine. It would be similar to the surgery people get today but
wouldn't require surgery. [0255] Implanting a CM with a contactless
attachment in someone's sinuses who have chronic sinus issues. You
could then hold another CM up to your cheek to get the sinus to
distend and help fluid inside to flow. [0256] Use CMs as
transducers for hearing aids. [0257] CM-based rehab equipment.
[0258] CMs that could start out magnetic but lose that ability over
time and the opposite, where they start out nonmagnetic but become
magnetic over time. One could swallow magnets to do a job and at
some point they would release and exit the body. Or, they could be
in the body until they got to a certain place, at which they would
attach. Could add a battery and small electromagnet bias magnet to
a CM to be able to control it. Could put a dissolving material
around the magnets that might degrade over time so that it let the
magnet do something different once the material was gone. [0259]
prosthetic attachment--snap on, turn to remove [0260] joint
replacement (knee, spinal discs, etc)--with contactless attachment
so no wear [0261] joint positioning (spinal discs, etc)--use
alignment to make sure stay in place [0262] breakaway pad--use
breakaway spring capability to eliminate hotspots and thus bedsores
[0263] gene sorting--more advanced gene sorting than possible with
conventional magnets [0264] Rehab equipment--magnet controlled
forces for rehab equipment [0265] placement of feeding tube--guide
a nasal feeding tube from outside body through stomach and into
intestine [0266] drug targeting--tag drugs (or stem cells, etc)
with magnetic materials and direct them to a specific place in the
body [0267] Flow control devices--precision dispensing using
controlled valve [0268] Control contamination--gears, separators,
etc. that don't touch to avoid cross contamination [0269] Seal-less
valves [0270] Pumps (heart, etc)--potential to design novel pumps
with new attributes
[0271] Although multiple embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the
foregoing Detailed Description, it should be understood that the
present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but
is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and
substitutions without departing from the invention as set forth and
defined by the following claims. It should also be noted that the
reference to the "present invention" or "invention" used herein
relates to exemplary embodiments and not necessarily to every
embodiment that is encompassed by the appended claims.
* * * * *