U.S. patent application number 14/513031 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-19 for field emission 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 | 20150048913 14/513031 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41131896 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150048913 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fullerton; Larry W. ; et
al. |
February 19, 2015 |
Field Emission System
Abstract
A magnetic system is provided that involves field emission
structures having magnetic field sources, magnetically active
intermediate layers, and magnetically inactive intermediate layers.
The magnitudes, polarities, and positions of the magnetic field
sources may be configured to have desirable correlation properties,
which may be in accordance with a code. The correlation properties
correspond to a desired spatial force function where spatial forces
between field emission structures correspond to their relative
alignment and separation distance.
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: |
41131896 |
Appl. No.: |
14/513031 |
Filed: |
October 13, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14313083 |
Jun 24, 2014 |
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14513031 |
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13530893 |
Jun 22, 2012 |
8760252 |
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14313083 |
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12206271 |
Sep 8, 2008 |
8356400 |
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13530893 |
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12123718 |
May 20, 2008 |
7800471 |
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12206271 |
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61123019 |
Apr 4, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
335/306 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/32 20150115;
Y10T 29/53091 20150115; Y10T 29/49904 20150115; H01F 7/0278
20130101; Y10T 29/49075 20150115; Y10T 29/49826 20150115; Y10T
29/53265 20150115; H01F 41/02 20130101; Y10T 29/49016 20150115;
Y10T 29/49073 20150115; H01F 7/0284 20130101; Y10T 29/4902
20150115; H01P 11/00 20130101; Y10T 29/5313 20150115; H01L 27/0266
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
335/306 |
International
Class: |
H01F 7/02 20060101
H01F007/02 |
Claims
1. An emission system, comprising: a first magnetic field emission
structure comprising a first plurality of magnetic field sources
having a first polarity pattern including a first polarity and a
second polarity, said second polarity being opposite said first
polarity; and a first intermediate layer configured next to a first
side of said first magnetic field emission structure corresponding
to an interface boundary for interfacing said first magnetic field
emission structure to a second magnetic field emission structure
comprising a second plurality of magnetic field sources having a
second polarity pattern, said second polarity pattern being
complementary to said first polarity pattern, said first
intermediate layer being one of a magnetically active intermediate
layer or a magnetically inactive intermediate layer; and a second
intermediate layer configured next to a second side of said first
magnetic field emission structure that is opposite to said first
side of said first magnetic field emission structure, said second
intermediate layer being a magnetically active intermediate
layer.
2. The emission system of claim 1, wherein said first intermediate
layer is a magnetically active intermediate layer.
3. The emission system of claim 1, wherein said first intermediate
layer comprises a magnetically saturable material.
4. The magnetic system of claim 1, wherein said first intermediate
layer comprises iron.
5. The emission system of claim 1, wherein said first intermediate
layer is a magnetically inactive intermediate layer.
6. The emission system of claim 1, wherein said first intermediate
layer is air.
7. The emission system of claim 1, wherein said first intermediate
layer comprises plastic.
8. The emission system of claim 1, wherein said second intermediate
layer comprises a magnetically saturable material.
9. The emission system of claim 1, wherein said second intermediate
layer comprises iron.
10. The emission system of claim 1, further comprising: said second
magnetic field emission structure, said second magnetic field
structure having a first side corresponding to said interface
boundary for interfacing with said first magnetic field emission
structure, said second magnetic field structure having a second
side that is opposite to said first side of said second magnetic
field emission structure.
11. The emission system of claim 10, further comprising: a third
intermediate layer configured next to said second side of said
second magnetic field emission structure, said third intermediate
layer being a magnetically active intermediate layer.
12. The emission system of claim 11, wherein said third
intermediate layer comprises a magnetically saturable material.
13. The emission system of claim 11, wherein said third
intermediate layer comprises iron.
14. The emission system of claim 11, further comprising: a fourth
intermediate layer configured next to said first side of said
second magnetic field emission structure, said fourth intermediate
layer being one of a magnetically active intermediate layer or a
magnetically inactive layer.
15. The emission system of claim 11, wherein said fourth
intermediate layer is a magnetically active intermediate layer.
16. The emission system of claim 11, wherein said fourth
intermediate layer comprises a magnetically saturable material.
17. The emission system of claim 11, wherein said fourth
intermediate layer comprises iron.
18. The emission system of claim 11, wherein said fourth
intermediate layer is a magnetically inactive intermediate
layer.
19. The emission system of claim 11, wherein said fourth
intermediate layer is air.
20. The emission system of claim 11, wherein said fourth
intermediate layer comprises plastic.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Non-provisional application is a continuation of U.S.
Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/313,083, filed Jun. 24,
2014, titled "A Field Emission System and Method", which is a
continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 8,760,252, issued Jun. 24, 2014,
titled "A Field Emission System and Method", which is a
continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 8,356,400, issued Jan. 22, 2013,
titled "Method for Manufacturing a Field Emission Structure", which
is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 7,800,471, issued Sep. 21, 2010,
titled "Field Emission System and Method", which claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/123,019, filed Apr. 4,
2008, titled "A Field Emission System and Method", which is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a field emission
system and method. More particularly, the present invention relates
to a system and method where correlated magnetic and/or electric
field structures create spatial forces in accordance with the
relative alignment of the field emission structures and a spatial
force function.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Alignment characteristics of magnetic fields have been used
to achieve precision movement and positioning of objects. A key
principle of operation of an alternating-current (AC) motor is that
a permanent magnet will rotate so as to maintain its alignment
within an external rotating magnetic field. This effect is the
basis for the early AC motors including the "Electro Magnetic
Motor" for which Nikola Tesla received U.S. Pat. No. 381,968 on May
1, 1888. On Jan. 19, 1938, Marius Lavet received French Patent
823,395 for the stepper motor which he first used in quartz
watches. Stepper motors divide a motor's full rotation into a
discrete number of steps. By controlling the times during which
electromagnets around the motor are activated and deactivated, a
motor's position can be controlled precisely. Computer-controlled
stepper motors are one of the most versatile forms of positioning
systems. They are typically digitally controlled as part of an open
loop system, and are simpler and more rugged than closed loop servo
systems. They are used in industrial high speed pick and place
equipment and multi-axis computer numerical control (CNC) machines.
In the field of lasers and optics they are frequently used in
precision positioning equipment such as linear actuators, linear
stages, rotation stages, goniometers, and mirror mounts. They are
used in packaging machinery, and positioning of valve pilot stages
for fluid control systems. They are also used in many commercial
products including floppy disk drives, flatbed scanners, printers,
plotters and the like.
[0004] Although alignment characteristics of magnetic fields are
used in certain specialized industrial environments and in a
relatively limited number of commercial products, their use for
precision alignment purposes is generally limited in scope. For the
majority of processes where alignment of objects is important,
e.g., residential construction, comparatively primitive alignment
techniques and tools such as a carpenter's square and a level are
more commonly employed. Moreover, long trusted tools and mechanisms
for attaching objects together such as hammers and nails; screw
drivers and screws; wrenches and nuts and bolts; and the like, when
used with primitive alignment techniques result in far less than
precise residential construction, which commonly leads to death and
injury when homes collapse, roofs are blown off in storms, etc.
Generally, there is considerable amount of waste of time and energy
in most of the processes to which the average person has grown
accustomed that are a direct result of imprecision of alignment of
assembled objects. Machined parts wear out sooner, engines are less
efficient resulting in higher pollution, buildings and bridges
collapse due to improper construction, and so on.
[0005] It has been discovered that various field emission
properties can be put in use in a wide range of applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Briefly, the present invention is an improved field emission
system and method. The invention pertains to field emission
structures comprising electric or magnetic field sources having
magnitudes, polarities, and positions corresponding to a desired
spatial force function where a spatial force is created based upon
the relative alignment of the field emission structures and the
spatial force function. The invention herein is sometimes referred
to as correlated magnetism, correlated field emissions, correlated
magnets, coded magnetism, or coded field emissions. Structures of
magnets arranged conventionally (or `naturally`) where their
interacting poles alternate are referred to herein as
non-correlated magnetism, non-correlated magnets, non-coded
magnetism, or non-coded field emissions.
[0007] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a field
emission system comprises a first field emission structure and a
second field emission structure. The first and second field
emission structures each comprise an array of field emission
sources each having positions and polarities relating to a desired
spatial force function that corresponds to the relative alignment
of the first and second field emission structures within a field
domain. The positions and polarities of each field emission source
of each array of field emission sources can be determined in
accordance with at least one correlation function. The at least one
correlation function can be in accordance with at least one code.
The at least one code can be at least one of a pseudorandom code, a
deterministic code, or a designed code. The at least one code can
be a one dimensional code, a two dimensional code, a three
dimensional code, or a four dimensional code.
[0008] Each field emission source of each array of field emission
sources has a corresponding field emission amplitude and vector
direction determined in accordance with the desired spatial force
function, where a separation distance between the first and second
field emission structures and the relative alignment of the first
and second field emission structures creates a spatial force in
accordance with the desired spatial force function. The spatial
force comprises at least one of an attractive spatial force or a
repellant spatial force. The spatial force corresponds to a peak
spatial force of said desired spatial force function when said
first and second field emission structures are substantially
aligned such that each field emission source of said first field
emission structure substantially aligns with a corresponding field
emission source of said second field emission structure. The
spatial force can be used to produce energy, transfer energy, move
an object, affix an object, automate a function, control a tool,
make a sound, heat an environment, cool an environment, affect
pressure of an environment, control flow of a fluid, control flow
of a gas, and control centrifugal forces.
[0009] Under one arrangement, the spatial force is typically about
an order of magnitude less than the peak spatial force when the
first and second field emission structures are not substantially
aligned such that field emission source of the first field emission
structure substantially aligns with a corresponding field emission
source of said second field emission structure.
[0010] A field domain corresponds to field emissions from the array
of first field emission sources of the first field emission
structure interacting with field emissions from the array of second
field emission sources of the second field emission structure.
[0011] The relative alignment of the first and second field
emission structures can result from a respective movement path
function of at least one of the first and second field emission
structures where the respective movement path function is one of a
one-dimensional movement path function, a two-dimensional movement
path function or a three-dimensional movement path function. A
respective movement path function can be at least one of a linear
movement path function, a non-linear movement path function, a
rotational movement path function, a cylindrical movement path
function, or a spherical movement path function. A respective
movement path function defines movement versus time for at least
one of the first and second field emission structures, where the
movement can be at least one of forward movement, backward
movement, upward movement, downward movement, left movement, right
movement, yaw, pitch, and or roll. Under one arrangement, a
movement path function would define a movement vector having a
direction and amplitude that varies over time.
[0012] Each array of field emission sources can be one of a
one-dimensional array, a two-dimensional array, or a
three-dimensional array. The polarities of the field emission
sources can be at least one of North-South polarities or
positive-negative polarities. At least one of the field emission
sources comprises a magnetic field emission source or an electric
field emission source. At least one of the field emission sources
can be 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. At least one of the first and
second field emission structures can be at least one of a back
keeper layer, a front saturable layer, an active intermediate
element, a passive intermediate element, a lever, a latch, a
swivel, a heat source, a heat sink, an inductive loop, a plating
nichrome wire, an embedded wire, or a kill mechanism. At least one
of the first and second field emission structures can be a planer
structure, a conical structure, a cylindrical structure, a curve
surface, or a stepped surface.
[0013] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a
method of controlling field emissions comprises defining a desired
spatial force function corresponding to the relative alignment of a
first field emission structure and a second field emission
structure within a field domain and establishing, in accordance
with the desired spatial force function, a position and polarity of
each field emission source of a first array of field emission
sources corresponding to the first field emission structure and of
each field emission source of a second array of field emission
sources corresponding to the second field emission structure.
[0014] In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, a
field emission system comprises a first field emission structure
comprising a plurality of first field emission sources having
positions and polarities in accordance with a first correlation
function and a second field emission structure comprising a
plurality of second field emission source having positions and
polarities in accordance with a second correlation function, the
first and second correlation functions corresponding to a desired
spatial force function, the first correlation function
complementing the second correlation function such that each field
emission source of said plurality of first field emission sources
has a corresponding counterpart field emission source of the
plurality of second field emission sources and the first and second
field emission structures will substantially correlate when each of
the field emission source counterparts are substantially
aligned.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The present invention is described with reference to the
accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers
indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally,
the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing
in which the reference number first appears.
[0016] FIG. 1 depicts South and North poles and magnetic field
vectors of an exemplary magnet;
[0017] FIG. 2 depicts iron filings oriented in the magnetic field
produced by a bar magnet;
[0018] FIG. 3a depicts two magnets aligned such that their
polarities are opposite in direction resulting in a repelling
spatial force;
[0019] FIG. 3b depicts two magnets aligned such that their
polarities are the same in direction resulting in an attracting
spatial force;
[0020] FIG. 4a depicts two magnets having substantial
alignment;
[0021] FIG. 4b depicts two magnets having partial alignment;
[0022] FIG. 4c depicts different sized magnets having partial
alignment;
[0023] FIG. 5 depicts a Barker length 7 code used to determine
polarities and positions of magnets making up a magnetic field
emission structure where all of the magnets have the same field
strength;
[0024] FIG. 6 depicts the binary autocorrelation function of a
Barker-7 code;
[0025] FIG. 7 depicts a Barker length 7 code used to determine
polarities and positions of magnets making up a first magnetic
field emission structure where two of the magnets have different
field strengths;
[0026] FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary spatial force function of the
two magnetic field emission structures of FIG. 7;
[0027] FIG. 9 depicts exemplary code wrapping of a Barker length 7
code that is used to determine polarities and positions of magnets
making up a first magnetic field emission structure;
[0028] FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary spatial force function of the
two magnetic field emission structures of FIG. 9 where the second
magnetic field emission structure repeats;
[0029] FIGS. 11a through 11d depict 27 different alignments of two
magnetic field emission structures where a Barker length 7 code is
used to determine polarities and positions of magnets making up a
first magnetic field emission structure, which corresponds to two
modulos of the Barker length 7 code end-to-end;
[0030] FIG. 12 depicts an exemplary spatial force function of the
two magnetic field emission structures of FIGS. 11a through
11d;
[0031] FIG. 13a depicts an exemplary spatial force function of
magnetic field emission structures produced by repeating a
one-dimensional code across a second dimension N times where
movement is across the code;
[0032] FIG. 13b depicts an exemplary spatial force function of
magnetic field emission structures produced by repeating a
one-dimensional code across a second dimension N times where
movement maintains alignment with up to all N coded rows of the
structure and down to one;
[0033] FIG. 14a depicts a two dimensional Barker-like code and a
corresponding two-dimensional magnetic field emission
structure;
[0034] FIG. 14b depicts exemplary spatial force functions resulting
from mirror image magnetic field emission structure and -90.degree.
rotated mirror image magnetic field emission structure moving
across a magnetic field emission structure;
[0035] FIG. 14c depicts variations of a magnetic field emission
structure where rows are reordered randomly in an attempt to affect
its directionality characteristics;
[0036] FIGS. 14d and 14e depict exemplary spatial force functions
of selected magnetic field emission structures having randomly
reordered rows moving across mirror image magnetic field emission
structures both without rotation and as rotated -90,
respectively;
[0037] FIG. 15 depicts an exemplary one-way slide lock codes and
two-way slide lock codes;
[0038] FIG. 16a depicts an exemplary hover code and corresponding
magnetic field emission structures that never achieve substantial
alignment;
[0039] FIG. 16b depicts another exemplary hover code and
corresponding magnetic field emission structures that never achieve
substantial alignment;
[0040] FIG. 16c depicts an exemplary magnetic field emission
structure where a mirror image magnetic field emission structure
corresponding to a 7.times.7 barker-like code will hover anywhere
above the structure provided it does not rotate;
[0041] FIG. 17a depicts an exemplary magnetic field emission
structure comprising nine magnets positioned such that they half
overlap in one direction;
[0042] FIG. 17b depicts the spatial force function of the magnetic
field emission structure of FIG. 17a interacting with its mirror
image magnetic field emission structure;
[0043] FIG. 18a depicts an exemplary code intended to produce a
magnetic field emission structure having a first stronger lock when
aligned with its mirror image magnetic field emission structure and
a second weaker lock when rotated 90.degree. relative to its mirror
image magnetic field emission structure;
[0044] FIG. 18b depicts an exemplary spatial force function of the
exemplary magnetic field emission structure of FIG. 18a interacting
with its mirror magnetic field emission structure;
[0045] FIG. 18c depicts an exemplary spatial force function of the
exemplary magnetic field emission structure of FIG. 18a interacting
with its mirror magnetic field emission structure after being
rotated 90.degree.;
[0046] FIGS. 19a-19i depict the exemplary magnetic field emission
structure of FIG. 18a and its mirror image magnetic field emission
structure and the resulting spatial forces produced in accordance
with their various alignments as they are twisted relative to each
other;
[0047] FIG. 20a depicts exemplary magnetic field emission
structures, an exemplary turning mechanism, an exemplary tool
insertion slot, exemplary alignment marks, an exemplary latch
mechanism, and an exemplary axis for an exemplary pivot
mechanism;
[0048] FIG. 20b depicts exemplary magnetic field emission
structures having exemplary housings configured such that one
housing can be inserted inside the other housing, exemplary
alternative turning mechanism, exemplary swivel mechanism, an
exemplary lever;
[0049] FIG. 20c depicts an exemplary tool assembly including an
exemplary drill head assembly;
[0050] FIG. 20d depicts an exemplary hole cutting tool assembly
having an outer cutting portion including a magnetic field emission
structure and inner cutting portion including a magnetic field
emission structure;
[0051] FIG. 20e depicts an exemplary machine press tool employing
multiple levels of magnetic field emission structures;
[0052] FIG. 20f depicts a cross section of an exemplary gripping
apparatus employing a magnetic field emission structure involving
multiple levels of magnets;
[0053] FIG. 20g depicts an exemplary clasp mechanism including a
magnetic field emission structure slip ring mechanism;
[0054] FIG. 21 depicts exemplary magnetic field emission structures
used to assemble structural members and a cover panel to produce an
exemplary structural assembly;
[0055] FIG. 22 depicts a table having beneath its surface a
two-dimensional electromagnetic array where an exemplary movement
platform having contact members with magnetic field emission
structures can be moved by varying the states of the individual
electromagnets of the electromagnetic array;
[0056] FIG. 23 depicts a cylinder inside another cylinder where
either cylinder can be moved relative to the other cylinder by
varying the state of individual electromagnets of an
electromagnetic array associated with one cylinder relative to a
magnetic field emission structure associated with the other
cylinder;
[0057] FIG. 24 depicts a sphere inside another sphere where either
sphere can be moved relative to the other sphere by varying the
state of individual electromagnets of an electromagnetic array
associated with one sphere relative to a magnetic field emission
structure associated with the other sphere;
[0058] FIG. 25 depicts an exemplary cylinder having a magnetic
field emission structure and a correlated surface where the
magnetic field emission structure and the correlated surface
provide traction and a gripping force as the cylinder is
turned;
[0059] FIG. 26 depicts an exemplary sphere having a magnetic field
emission structure and a correlated surface where the magnetic
field emission structure and the correlated surface provide
traction and a gripping force as the sphere is turned;
[0060] FIGS. 27a and 27b depict an arrangement where a magnetic
field emission structure wraps around two cylinders such that a
much larger portion of the magnetic field emission structure is in
contact with a correlated surface to provide additional traction
and gripping force;
[0061] FIGS. 28a through 28d depict an exemplary method of
manufacturing magnetic field emission structures using a
ferromagnetic material;
[0062] FIG. 29 depicts exemplary intermediate layers associated
with a magnetic field emission structure;
[0063] FIGS. 30a through 30c provide a side view, an oblique
projection, and a top view of a magnetic field emission structure
having surrounding heat sink material and an exemplary embedded
kill mechanism;
[0064] FIG. 31a depicts exemplary distribution of magnetic forces
over a wider area to control the distance apart at which two
magnetic field emission structures will engage when substantially
aligned;
[0065] FIG. 31b depicts a magnetic field emission structure made up
of a sparse array of large magnetic sources combined with a large
number of smaller magnetic sources whereby alignment with a mirror
magnetic field emission structure is provided by the large sources
and a repel force is provided by the smaller sources;
[0066] FIG. 32 depicts an exemplary magnetic field emission
structure assembly apparatus;
[0067] FIG. 33 depicts a turning cylinder having a repeating
magnetic field emission structure used to affect movement of a
curved surface having the same magnetic field emission structure
coding;
[0068] FIG. 34 depicts an exemplary valve mechanism;
[0069] FIG. 35 depicts and exemplary cylinder apparatus;
[0070] FIG. 36a depicts an exemplary magnetic field emission
structure made up of rings about a circle;
[0071] FIG. 36b depicts and exemplary hinge produced using
alternating magnetic field emission structures made up of rings
about a circle such as depicted in FIG. 36a;
[0072] FIG. 36c depicts an exemplary magnetic field emission
structure having sources resembling spokes of a wheel;
[0073] FIG. 36d depicts an exemplary magnetic field emission
structure resembling a rotary encoder;
[0074] FIG. 36e depicts an exemplary magnetic field emission
structure having sources arranged as curved spokes;
[0075] FIG. 36f depicts an exemplary magnetic field emission
structure made up of hexagon-shaped sources;
[0076] FIG. 36g depicts an exemplary magnetic field emission
structure made up of triangular sources; and
[0077] FIG. 36h depicts an exemplary magnetic field emission
structure made up of partially overlapped diamond-shaped
sources.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0078] The present invention will now be described more fully in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the
preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention
should not, however, be construed as limited to the embodiments set
forth herein; rather, they are provided so that this disclosure
will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of
the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to
like elements throughout.
[0079] FIG. 1 depicts South and North poles and magnetic field
vectors of an exemplary magnet. Referring to FIG. 1, a magnet 100
has a South pole 102 and a North pole 104. Also depicted are
magnetic field vectors 106 that represent the direction and
magnitude of the magnet's moment. North and South poles are also
referred to herein as positive (+) and negative (-) poles,
respectively. In accordance with the invention, magnets can be
permanent magnets, impermanent magnets, electromagnets, involve
hard or soft material, and can be superconductive. In some
applications, magnets can be replaced by electrets. Magnets can be
most any size from very large to very small to include nanometer
scale. In the case of non-superconducting materials there is a
smallest size limit of one domain. When a material is made
superconductive, however, the magnetic field that is within it can
be as complex as desired and there is no practical lower size limit
until you get to atomic scale. Magnets may also be created at
atomic scale as electric and magnetic fields produced by molecular
size structures may be tailored to have correlated properties, e.g.
nanomaterials and macromolecules.
[0080] At the nanometer scale, one or more single domains can be
used for coding where each single domain has a code and the
quantization of the magnetic field would be the domain.
[0081] FIG. 2 depicts iron filings oriented in the magnetic field
200 (i.e., field domain) produced by a single bar magnet.
[0082] FIG. 3a depicts two magnets aligned such that their
polarities are opposite in direction resulting in a repelling
spatial force. Referring to FIG. 3a, two magnets 100a and 100b are
aligned such that their polarities are opposite in direction.
Specifically, a first magnet 100a has a South pole 102 on the left
and a North pole 104 on the right, whereas a second magnet 100b has
a North pole 104 on the left and a South pole 102 on the right such
that when aligned the magnetic field vectors 106a of the first
magnet 100a are directed against the magnetic field vectors 106b of
the second magnet 100b resulting in a repelling spatial force 300
that causes the two magnets to repel each other.
[0083] FIG. 3b depicts two magnets aligned such that their
polarities are the same in direction resulting in an attracting
spatial force. Referring to FIG. 3b, two magnets 100a and 100b are
aligned such that their polarities are in the same direction.
Specifically, a first magnet 100a has a South pole 102 on the left
and a North pole 104 on the right, and a second magnet 100b also
has South pole 102 on the left and a North pole 104 on the right
such that when aligned the magnetic field vectors 106a of the first
magnet 100a are directed the same as the magnetic field vectors
106a of the second magnet 100b resulting in an attracting spatial
force 302 that causes the two magnets to attract each other.
[0084] FIG. 4a depicts two magnets 100a 100b having substantial
alignment 400 such that the North pole 104 of the first magnet 100a
has substantially full contact across its surface with the surface
of the South pole 102 of the second magnet 100b.
[0085] FIG. 4b depicts two magnets 100a, 100b having partial
alignment 402 such that the North pole 104 of the first magnet 100a
is in contact across its surface with approximately two-thirds of
the surface of the South pole 102 of the second magnet 100b.
[0086] FIG. 4c depicts a first sized magnet 100a and smaller
different sized magnets 100b 100c having partial alignment 404. As
seen in FIG. 4c, the two smaller magnets 100b and 100c are aligned
differently with the larger magnet 100a.
[0087] Generally, one skilled in the art will recognize in relation
to FIGS. 4a through 4b that the direction of the vectors 106a of
the attracting magnets will cause them to align in the same
direction as the vectors 106a. However, the magnets can be moved
relative to each other such that they have partial alignment yet
they will still `stick` to each other and maintain their positions
relative to each other.
[0088] In accordance with the present invention, combinations of
magnet (or electric) field emission sources, referred to herein as
magnetic field emission structures, can be created in accordance
with codes having desirable correlation properties. 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 all align causing a
peak spatial attraction force to be produced whereby misalignment
of the magnetic field emission structures causes the various
magnetic field emission sources to substantially cancel each other
out as function of the code used to design the structures.
Similarly, when a magnetic field emission structure is brought into
alignment with a duplicate magnetic field emission structure the
various magnetic field emission sources all align causing a peak
spatial repelling force to be produced whereby misalignment of the
magnetic field emission structures causes the various magnetic
field emission sources to substantially cancel each other out. As
such, spatial forces are produced in accordance with the relative
alignment of the field emission structures and a spatial force
function. As described herein, these spatial force functions can be
used to achieve precision alignment and precision positioning.
Moreover, these spatial force functions 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. Generally, a spatial force has 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 sources making up the two magnetic
field emission structures.
[0089] The characteristic of the present invention whereby 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 can be described as a release force
(or a release mechanism). This release force or release mechanism
is a direct result of the correlation coding used to produce the
magnetic field emission structures and, depending on the code
employed, can be present regardless of whether the alignment of the
magnetic field emission structures corresponds to a repelling force
or an attraction force.
[0090] One skilled in the art of coding theory will recognize that
there are many different types of codes having different
correlation properties that 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. Although, Barker codes are
used herein for exemplary purposes, other forms of codes well known
in the art because of their autocorrelation, cross-correlation, or
other properties are also applicable to the present invention
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, and Optimal Golomb Ruler
codes. Generally, any code can be employed.
[0091] The correlation principles of the present invention may or
may not require overcoming normal `magnet orientation` behavior
using a holding mechanism. For example, magnets of the same
magnetic field emission structure can 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 substantial holding
force to prevent magnetic forces from `flipping` a magnet. Magnets
that are close enough such that their magnetic forces substantially
interact such that their magnetic forces would normally cause one
of them to `flip` so that their moment vectors align 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.
[0092] FIG. 5 depicts a Barker length 7 code used to determine
polarities and positions of magnets making up a magnetic field
emission structure. Referring to FIG. 5, a Barker length 7 code 500
is used to determine the polarities and the positions of magnets
making up a first magnetic field emission structure 502. Each
magnet has the same or substantially the same magnetic field
strength (or amplitude), which for the sake of this example is
provided a unit of 1 (where A=Attract, R=Repel, A=-R, A=1, R=-1). A
second magnetic field emission structure that is identical to the
first is shown in 13 different alignments 502-1 through 502-13
relative to the first magnetic field emission structure 502. 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. 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 are aligned such that 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 to generally
repel each other unless they are aligned such that each of their
magnets is 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
substantially correlate when they are aligned such that they
substantially mirror each other.
[0093] FIG. 6 depicts the binary autocorrelation function 600 of
the Barker-7 code, where the values at each alignment position 1
through 13 correspond to the spatial force values calculated for
the thirteen alignment positions shown in FIG. 5. As such, since
the magnets making up the magnetic field emission structures of
FIG. 5 have the same magnetic field strengths, FIG. 6 also depicts
the spatial force function of the two magnetic field emission
structures of FIG. 5. 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 will be
complementary to (i.e., mirror images of) each other. This
complementary autocorrelation relationship can be seen in FIG. 5
where the bottom face of the first magnetic field emission
structure 502 having the pattern `S S S N N S N` is shown
interacting with the top face of the second magnetic field emission
structures 502-1 through 502-13 each 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 502.
[0094] FIG. 7 depicts a Barker length 7 code 500 used to determine
polarities and positions of magnets making up a first magnetic
field emission structure 502. Each magnet has the same or
substantially the same magnetic field strength (or amplitude),
which for the sake of this example is provided a unit of 1 (A=-R,
A=1, R=-1), with the exception of two magnets indicated with bolded
N and S that have twice the magnetic strength as the other magnets.
As such, a bolded magnet and non-bolded magnet represent 1.5 times
the strength as two non-bolded magnets and two bolded magnets
represent twice the strength of two non-bolded magnets. A second
magnetic field emission structure that is identical to the first is
shown in 13 different alignments 502-1 through 502-13 relative to
the first magnetic field emission structure. 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 the magnetic field strengths of
the magnets. With the specific Barker code used, the spatial force
varies from -2.5 to 9, where the peak occurs when the two magnetic
field emission structures are aligned such that their respective
codes are aligned. The off peak spatial force, referred to as the
side lobe force, varies from 0.5 to -2.5. As such, the spatial
force function causes the structures to have minor repel and
attract forces until about two-thirds aligned when there is a
fairly strong repel force that weakens just before they are
aligned. When the structures are substantially aligned their codes
align and they strongly attract as if the magnets in the structures
were not coded.
[0095] FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary spatial force function 800 of
the two magnetic field emission structures of FIG. 7.
[0096] FIG. 9 depicts a code wrapping example of a Barker length 7
code 500 used to determine the polarities and the positions of
magnets making up a first magnetic field emission structure 502.
Each magnet has the same or substantially the same magnetic field
strength (or amplitude), which for the sake of this example will be
provided a unit of 1 (A=-R, A=1, R=-1). A second magnetic field
emission structure 902 that corresponds to repeating code modulos
of the first magnetic field emission structure is shown in 13
different alignments 902-1 through 902-13 relative to the first
magnetic field emission structure 502 such that the first magnetic
structure is in contact with the repeating second magnetic field
emission structure. 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 the magnetic field strengths of the magnets. 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 are
aligned such that their respective codes are aligned. The off peak
spatial force, referred to as side lobe force, is -1. As such, the
spatial force function causes the structures to generally repel
each other unless they are substantially aligned when they will
attract as if the magnets in the structures were not coded.
[0097] FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary spatial force function 1000 of
the two magnetic field emission structures of FIG. 9 where the
second magnetic field emission structure repeats. As such, there is
a peak spatial force that repeats every seven alignment shifts.
[0098] FIGS. 11a through 11d depict 27 different alignments 902-1
through 902-27 of two magnetic field emission structures 902 where
a Barker code of length 7 is used to determine the polarities and
the positions of magnets making up a first magnetic field emission
structure 902, which corresponds to two modulos of the Barker
length 7 code end-to-end. Each magnet has the same or substantially
the same magnetic field strength (or amplitude), which for the sake
of this example is provided a unit of 1 (A=-R, A=1, R=-1). A second
magnetic field emission structure that is identical to the first is
shown in 27 different alignments 902-1 through 902-27 relative to
the first magnetic field emission structure. 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. With the specific Barker code used, the spatial force
varies from -2 to 14, where the peak occurs when the two magnetic
field emission structures are aligned such that their respective
codes are aligned. Two secondary peaks occur when the structures
are half aligned such that one of the successive codes of one
structure aligns with one of the codes of the second structure. The
off peak spatial force, referred to as the side lobe force, varies
from -1 to -2 between the peak and secondary peaks and between 0
and -1 outside the secondary peaks.
[0099] FIG. 12 depicts an exemplary spatial force function of the
two magnetic field emission structures of FIGS. 11a through 11d.
Based on FIG. 5 and FIG. 10, FIG. 12 corresponds to the spatial
functions in FIG. 5 and FIG. 10 added together.
[0100] FIG. 13a and FIG. 13b illustrate the spatial force functions
of magnetic field emission structures produced by repeating a
one-dimensional code across a second dimension N times (i.e., in
rows each having same coding) where in FIG. 13a the movement is
across the code (i.e., as in FIG. 5) or in FIG. 13b the movement
maintains alignment with up to all N coded rows of the structure
and down to one.
[0101] FIG. 14a depicts a two dimensional Barker-like code 1400 and
a corresponding two-dimensional magnetic field emission structure
1402a. Referring to FIG. 14a, two dimensional Barker-like code 1400
is created by copying each row to a new row below, shifting the
code in the new row to the left by one, and then wrapping the
remainder to the right side. When applied to a two-dimensional
field emission structure 1402a interesting rotation-dependent
correlation characteristics are produced. Shown in FIG. 14a is a
two-dimensional mirror image field emission structure 1402b, which
is also shown rotated -90.degree., -180.degree., and -270.degree.
as 1402c-1402e, respectively. Autocorrelation cross-sections were
calculated for the four rotations of the mirror image field
emission structure 1402b-1402e moving across the magnetic field
emission structure 1402a in the same direction 1404. Four
corresponding numeric autocorrelation cross-sections 1406, 1408,
1410, and 1412, respectively, are shown. As indicated, when the
mirror image is passed across the magnetic field emission structure
1402a each column has a net 1R (or -1) spatial force and as
additional columns overlap, the net spatial forces add up until the
entire structure aligns (+49) and then the repel force decreases as
less and less columns overlap. With -90.degree. and -270.degree.
degree rotations, there is symmetry but erratic correlation
behavior. With -180.degree. degrees rotation, symmetry is lost and
correlation fluctuations are dramatic. The fluctuations can be
attributed to directionality characteristics of the shift left and
wrap approach used to generate the structure 1402a, which caused
upper right to lower left diagonals to be produced which when the
mirror image was rotated -180.degree., these diagonals lined up
with the rotated mirror image diagonals.
[0102] FIG. 14b depicts exemplary spatial force functions resulting
from a mirror image magnetic field emission structure and a mirror
image magnetic field emission structure rotated -90.degree. moving
across the magnetic field emission structure. Referring to FIG.
14b, spatial force function 1414 results from the mirror image
magnetic field emission structure 1402b moving across the magnetic
field emission structure 1402a in a direction 1404 and spatial
force function 1416 results from the mirror image magnetic field
emission structure rotated -90.degree. 1402c moving across magnetic
field emission structure 1402a in the same direction 1404.
Characteristics of the spatial force function depicted in FIG. 12
may be consistent with a diagonal cross-section from 0,0 to 40,40
of spatial force function 1414 and at offsets parallel to that
diagonal. Additionally, characteristics of the spatial force
function depicted in FIG. 13b may be consistent with a diagonal
from 40,0 to 0,40 of spatial force function 1414.
[0103] FIG. 14c depicts variations of magnetic field emission
structure 1402a where rows are reordered randomly in an attempt to
affect its directionality characteristics. As shown, the rows of
1402a are numbered from top to bottom 1421 through 1427. A second
magnetic field emission structure 1430 is produced by reordering
the rows to 1427, 1421, 1424, 1423, 1422, 1426, and 1425. When
viewing the seven columns produced, each follows the Barker 7 code
pattern wrapping downward. A third magnetic field emission
structure 1432 is produced by reordering the rows to 1426, 1424,
1421, 1425, 1423, 1427, and 1422. When viewing the seven columns
produced, the first, second, and sixth columns do not follow the
Barker 7 code pattern while the third column follows the Barker 7
code pattern wrapping downward while the fourth, fifth and seven
columns follow the Barker 7 code pattern wrapping upward. A fourth
magnetic field emission structure 1434 is produced by reordering
the rows 1425, 1421, 1427, 1424, 1422, 1426, and 1423. When viewing
the seven columns produced, each follows the Barker 7 code pattern
wrapping upward.
[0104] FIG. 14d depicts a spatial force function 1436 resulting
from the second magnetic field emission structure 1430 moving
across its mirror image structure in one direction 1404 and a
spatial force function 1438 resulting from the second magnetic
field emission structure 1430 after being rotated -90.degree.
moving in the same direction 1404 across the mirror image of the
second magnetic field emission structure 1430.
[0105] FIG. 14e depicts a spatial force function 1440 resulting
from fourth magnetic field emission structure 1434 moving across
its mirror image magnetic field emission structure in a direction
1404 and a spatial force function 1442 resulting from the fourth
magnetic field emission structure 1434 being rotated -90.degree.
and moving in the same direction 1404 across its mirror image
magnetic field emission structure.
[0106] FIG. 15 depicts exemplary one-way slide lock codes and
two-way slide lock codes. Referring to FIG. 15, a 19.times.7
two-way slide lock code 1500 is produced by starting with a copy of
the 7.times.7 code 1402 and then by adding the leftmost 6 columns
of the 7.times.7 code 1402a to the right of the code 1500 and the
rightmost 6 columns of the 7.times.7 code to the left of the code
1550. As such, as the mirror image 1402b slides from side-to-side,
all 49 magnets are in contact with the structure producing the
autocorrelation curve of FIG. 10 from positions 1 to 13. Similarly,
a 7.times.19 two-way slide lock code 1504 is produced by adding the
bottommost 6 rows of the 7.times.7 code 1402a to the top of the
code 1504 and the topmost 6 rows of the 7.times.7 code 140a to the
bottom of the code 1504. The two structures 1500 and 1504 behave
the same where as a magnetic field emission structure 1402a is slid
from side to side it will lock in the center with +49 while at any
other point off center it will be repelled with a force of -7.
Similarly, one-way slide lock codes 1506, 1508, 1510, and 1512 are
produced by adding six of seven rows or columns such that the code
only partially repeats. Generally, various configurations (i.e.,
plus shapes, L shapes, Z shapes, donuts, crazy eight, etc.) can be
created by continuing to add partial code modulos onto the
structures provided in FIG. 15. As such, various types of locking
mechanisms can be designed.
[0107] FIG. 16a depicts a hover code 1600 produced by placing two
code modulos 1402a side-by-side and then removing the first and
last columns of the resulting structure. As such, a mirror image
1402b can be moved across a resulting magnetic field emission
structure from one side 1602a to the other side 1602f and at all
times achieve a spatial force function of -7. Hover channel (or
box) 1604 is shown where mirror image 1402b is hovering over a
magnetic field emission structure produced in accordance with hover
code 1600. With this approach, a mirror image 1402b can be raised
or lowered by increasing or decreasing the magnetic field strength
of the magnetic field emission structure below. Similarly, a hover
channel 1606 is shown where a mirror image 1402 is hovering between
two magnetic field emission structures produced in accordance with
the hover code 1600. With this approach, the mirror image 1402b can
be raised or lowered by increasing and decreasing the magnetic
field strengths of the magnetic field emission structure below and
the magnetic field emission structure above. As with the slide lock
codes, various configurations can be created where partial code
modulos are added to the structure shown to produce various
movement areas above which the movement of a hovering object
employing magnetic field emission structure 1402b can be controlled
via control of the strength of the magnetic in the structure and/or
using other forces.
[0108] FIG. 16b depicts a hover code 1608 produced by placing two
code modulos 1402a one on top of the other and then removing the
first and last rows. As such, mirror image 1402b can be moved
across a resulting magnetic field emission structure from upper
side 1610a to the bottom side 1610f and at all time achieve a
spatial force function of -7.
[0109] FIG. 16c depicts an exemplary magnetic field emission
structure 1612 where a mirror image magnetic field emission
structure 1402b of a 7.times.7 barker-like code will hover with a
-7 (repel) force anywhere above the structure 1612 provided it is
properly oriented (i.e., no rotation). Various sorts of such
structures can be created using partial code modulos. Should one or
more rows or columns of magnets have its magnetic strength
increased (or decreased) then the magnetic field emission structure
1402b can be caused to move in a desired direction and at a desired
velocity. For example, should the bolded column of magnets 1614
have magnetic strengths that are increased over the strengths of
the rest of the magnets of the structure 1612, the magnetic field
emission structure 1402b will be propelled to the left. As the
magnetic field emission structure moves to the left, successive
columns to the right might be provided the same magnetic strengths
as column 1614 such that the magnetic field emission structure is
repeatedly moved leftward. When the structure 1402b reaches the
left side of the structure 1612 the magnets along the portion of
the row beneath the top of structure 1402b could then have their
magnetic strengths increased causing structure 1402b to be moved
downward. As such, various modifications to the strength of magnets
in the structure can be varied to effect movement of structure
1402b. Referring again to FIGS. 16a and 16b, one skilled in the art
would recognize that the slide-lock codes could be similarly
implemented so that when structure 1402b is slid further and
further away from the alignment location (shown by the dark
square), the magnetic strength of each row (or column) would become
more and more increased. As such, structure 1402b could be slowly
or quickly repelled back into its lock location. For example, a
drawer using the slide-lock code with varied magnetic field
strengths for rows (or columns) outside the alignment location
could cause the drawer to slowly close until it locked in place.
Variations of magnetic field strengths can also be implemented per
magnet and do not require all magnets in a row (or column) to have
the same strength.
[0110] FIG. 17a depicts a magnetic field emission structure 1702
comprising nine magnets positioned such that they half overlap in
one direction. The structure is designed to have a peak spatial
force when (substantially) aligned and have relatively minor side
lobe strength at any rotation off alignment.
[0111] FIG. 17b depicts the spatial force function 1704 of a
magnetic field emission structure 1702 interacting with its mirror
image magnetic field emission structure. The peak occurs when
substantially aligned.
[0112] FIG. 18a depicts an exemplary code 1802 intended to produce
a magnetic field emission structure having a first stronger lock
when aligned with its mirror image magnetic field emission
structure and a second weaker lock when rotated 90.degree. relative
to its mirror image magnetic field emission structure.
[0113] FIG. 18b depicts spatial force function 1804 of a magnetic
field emission structure 1802 interacting with its mirror image
magnetic field emission structure. The peak occurs when
substantially aligned.
[0114] FIG. 18c depicts the spatial force function 1804 of magnetic
field emission structure 1802 interacting with its mirror magnetic
field emission structure after being rotated 90.degree.. The peak
occurs when substantially aligned but one structure rotated
90.degree..
[0115] FIGS. 19a-19i depict the exemplary magnetic field emission
structure 1802a and its mirror image magnetic field emission
structure 1802b and the resulting spatial forces produced in
accordance with their various alignments as they are twisted
relative to each other. In FIG. 19a, the magnetic field emission
structure 1802a and the mirror image magnetic field emission
structure 1802b are aligned producing a peak spatial force. In FIG.
19b, the mirror image magnetic field emission structure 1802b is
rotated clockwise slightly relative to the magnetic field emission
structure 1802a and the attractive force reduces significantly. In
FIG. 19c, the mirror image magnetic field emission structure 1802b
is further rotated and the attractive force continues to decrease.
In FIG. 19d, the mirror image magnetic field emission structure
1802b is still further rotated until the attractive force becomes
very small, such that the two magnetic field emission structures
are easily separated as shown in FIG. 19e. Given the two magnetic
field emission structures held somewhat apart as in FIG. 19e, the
structures can be moved closer and rotated towards alignment
producing a small spatial force as in FIG. 19f. The spatial force
increases as the two structures become more and more aligned in
FIGS. 19g and 19h and a peak spatial force is achieved when aligned
as in FIG. 19i. It should be noted that the direction of rotation
was arbitrarily chosen and may be varied depending on the code
employed. Additionally, the mirror image magnetic field emission
structure 1802b is the mirror of magnetic field emission structure
1802a resulting in an attractive peak spatial force. The mirror
image magnetic field emission structure 1802b could alternatively
be coded such that when aligned with the magnetic field emission
structure 1802a the peak spatial force would be a repelling force
in which case the directions of the arrows used to indicate
amplitude of the spatial force corresponding to the different
alignments would be reversed such that the arrows faced away from
each other.
[0116] FIG. 20a depicts two magnetic field emission structures
1802a and 1802b. One of the magnetic field emission structures
1802b includes a turning mechanism 2000 that includes a tool
insertion slot 2002. Both magnetic field emission structures
include alignment marks 2004 along an axis 2003. A latch mechanism
such as the hinged latch clip 2005a and latch knob 2005b may also
be included preventing movement (particularly turning) of the
magnetic field emission structures once aligned. Under one
arrangement, a pivot mechanism (not shown) could be used to connect
the two structures 1802a, 1802b at a pivot point such as at pivot
location marks 2004 thereby allowing the two structures to be moved
into or out of alignment via a circular motion about the pivot
point (e.g., about the axis 2003).
[0117] FIG. 20b depicts a first circular magnetic field emission
structure housing 2006 and a second circular magnetic field
emission structure housing 2008 configured such that the first
housing 2006 can be inserted into the second housing 2008. The
second housing 2008 is attached to an alternative turning mechanism
2010 that is connected to a swivel mechanism 2012 that would
normally be attached to some other object. Also shown is a lever
2013 that can be used to provide turning leverage.
[0118] FIG. 20c depicts an exemplary tool assembly 2014 including a
drill head assembly 2016. The drill head assembly 2016 comprises a
first housing 2006 and a drill bit 2018. The tool assembly 2014
also includes a drill head turning assembly 2020 comprising a
second housing 2008. The first housing 2006 includes raised guides
2022 that are configured to slide into guide slots 2024 of the
second housing 2008. The second housing 2008 includes a first
rotating shaft 2026 used to turn the drill head assembly 2016. The
second housing 2008 also includes a second rotating shaft 2028 used
to align the first housing 2006 and the second housing 2008.
[0119] FIG. 20d depicts an exemplary hole cutting tool assembly
2030 having an outer cutting portion 3032 including a first
magnetic field emission structure 1802a and an inner cutting
portion 2034 including a second magnetic field emission structure
1802b. The outer cutting portion 2032 comprises a first housing
2036 having a cutting edge 2038. The first housing 2036 is
connected to a sliding shaft 2040 having a first bump pad 2042 and
a second bump pad 2044. It is configured to slide back and forth
inside a guide 2046, where movement is controlled by the spatial
force function of the first and second magnetic field emission
structures 1802a and 1802b. The inner cutting portion 2034
comprises a second housing 2048 having a cutting edge 2050. The
second housing 2048 is maintained in a fixed position by a first
shaft 2052. The second magnetic field emission structure 1802b is
turned using a shaft 2054 so as to cause the first and second
magnetic field emission structures 1802a and 1802b to align
momentarily at which point the outer cutting portion 2032 is
propelled towards the inner cutting portion 2034 such that cutting
edges 2038 and 2050 overlap. The circumference of the first housing
2036 is slightly larger than the second housing 2048 so as to cause
the two cutting edges 2038 and 2050 to precisely cut a hole in
something passing between them (e.g., cloth). As the shaft 2054
continues to turn, the first and second magnetic field emission
structures 1802a and 1802b quickly become misaligned whereby the
outer cutting portion 2032 is propelled away from the inner cutting
portion 2034. Furthermore, if the shaft 2054 continues to turn at
some revolution rate (e.g., 1 revolution/second) then that rate
defines the rate at which holes are cut (e.g., in the cloth). As
such, the spatial force function can be controlled as a function of
the movement of the two objects to which the first and second
magnetic field emission structures are associated. In this
instance, the outer cutting portion 3032 can move from left to
right and the inner cutting portion 2032 turns at some revolution
rate.
[0120] FIG. 20e depicts an exemplary machine press tool comprising
a bottom portion 2058 and a top portion 2060. The bottom portion
2058 comprises a first tier 2062 including a first magnetic field
emission structure 1802a, a second tier 2064 including a second
magnetic field emission structure 2066a, and a flat surface 2068
having below it a third magnetic field emission structure 2070a.
The top portion 2060 comprises a first tier 2072 including a fourth
magnetic field emission structure 1802b having mirror coding as the
first magnetic field emission structure 1802a, a second tier 2074
including a fifth magnetic field emission structure 2066b having
mirror coding as the second magnetic field emission structure
2066a, and a third tier 2076 including a sixth magnetic field
emission structure 2070b having mirror coding as the third magnetic
field emission structure 2070a. The second and third tiers of the
top portion 2060 are configured to receive the two tiers of the
bottom portion 2058. As the bottom and top portions 2058, 2060 are
brought close to each other and the top portion 2060 becomes
aligned with the bottom portion 2058 the spatial force functions of
the complementary pairs of magnetic field emission structures
causes a pressing of any material (e.g., aluminum) that is placed
between the two portions. By turning either the bottom portion 2058
or the top portion 2060, the magnetic field emission structures
become misaligned such that the two portions separate.
[0121] FIG. 20f depicts an exemplary gripping apparatus 2078
including a first part 2080 and a second part 2082. The first part
2080 comprises a saw tooth or stairs like structure where each
tooth (or stair) has corresponding magnets making up a first
magnetic field emission structure 2084a. The second part 2082 also
comprises a saw tooth or stairs like structure where each tooth (or
stair) has corresponding magnets making up a second magnetic field
emission structure 2084b that is a mirror image of the first
magnetic field emission structure 2084a. Under one arrangement each
of the two parts shown are cross-sections of parts that have the
same cross section as rotated up to 360.degree. about a center axis
2086. Generally, the present invention can be used to produce all
sorts of holding mechanism such as pliers, jigs, clamps, etc. As
such, the present invention can provide a precise gripping force
and inherently maintains precision alignment.
[0122] FIG. 20g depicts an exemplary clasp mechanism 2090 including
a first part 2092 and a second part 2094. The first part 2092
includes a first housing 2008 supporting a first magnetic field
emission structure. The second part 2094 includes a second housing
2006 used to support a second magnetic field emission structure.
The second housing 2006 includes raised guides 2022 that are
configured to slide into guide slots 2024 of the first housing
2008. The first housing 2008 is also associated with a magnetic
field emission structure slip ring mechanism 2096 that can be
turned to rotate the magnetic field emission structure of the first
part 2092 so as to align or misalign the two magnetic field
emission structures of the clasp mechanism 2090. Generally, all
sorts of clasp mechanisms can be constructed in accordance with the
present invention whereby a slip ring mechanism can be turned to
cause the clasp mechanism to release. Such clasp mechanisms can be
used as receptacle plugs, plumbing connectors, connectors involving
piping for air, water, steam, or any compressible or incompressible
fluid. The technology is also applicable to Bayonette
Neil-Concelman (BNC) electronic connectors, Universal Serial Bus
(USB) connectors, and most any other type of connector used for any
purpose.
[0123] The gripping force described above can also be described as
a mating force. As such, in certain electronics applications this
ability to provide a precision mating force between two electronic
parts or as part of a connection may correspond to a desired
characteristic, for example, a desired impedance. Furthermore, the
invention is applicable to inductive power coupling where a first
magnetic field emission structure that is driven with AC will
achieve inductive power coupling when aligned with a second
magnetic field emission structure made of a series of solenoids
whose coils are connected together with polarities according to the
same code used to produce the first magnetic field emission
structure. When not aligned, the fields will close on themselves
since they are so close to each other in the driven magnetic field
emission structure and thereby conserve power. Ordinary inductively
coupled systems' pole pieces are rather large and cannot conserve
their fields in this way since the air gap is so large.
[0124] FIG. 21 depicts a first elongated structural member 2102
having magnetic field emission structures 2104 on each of two ends
and also having an alignment marking 2106 ("AA"). FIG. 21 also
depicts a second elongated structural member 2108 having magnetic
field emission structures 2110 on both ends of one side. The
magnetic field emission structures 2104 and 2110 are configured
such that they can be aligned to attach the first and second
structural members 2102 and 2108. FIG. 21 further depicts a
structural assembly 2112 including two of the first elongated
structural members 2102 attached to two of the second elongated
structural members 2108 whereby four magnetic field emission
structure pairs 2104/2110 are aligned. FIG. 21 includes a cover
panel 2114 having four magnetic field emission structures 1802a
that are configured to align with four magnetic field emission
structures 1802b to attach the cover panel 2114 to the structural
assembly 2112 to produce a covered structural assembly 2116.
[0125] Generally, the ability to easily turn correlated magnetic
structures such that they disengage is a function of the torque
easily created by a person's hand by the moment arm of the
structure. The larger it is, the larger the moment arm, which acts
as a lever. When two separate structures are physically connected
via a structural member, as with the cover panel 2114, the ability
to use torque is defeated because the moment arms are reversed.
This reversal is magnified with each additional separate structure
connected via structural members in an array. The force is
proportional to the distance between respective structures, where
torque is proportional to force times radius. As such, under one
arrangement, the magnetic field emission structures of the covered
structural assembly 2116 include a turning mechanism enabling them
to be aligned or misaligned in order to assemble or disassemble the
covered structural assembly. Under another arrangement, the
magnetic field emission structures do not include a turning
mechanism.
[0126] FIGS. 22-24 depict uses of arrays of electromagnets used to
produce a magnetic field emission structure that is moved in time
relative to a second magnetic field emission structure associated
with an object thereby causing the object to move.
[0127] FIG. 22 depicts a table 2202 having a two-dimensional
electromagnetic array 2204 beneath its surface as seen via a
cutout. On the table 2202 is a movement platform 2206 comprising at
least one table contact member 2208. The movement platform 2206 is
shown having four table contact members 2208 each having a magnetic
field emission structure 1802b that would be attracted by the
electromagnet array 2204. Computerized control of the states of
individual electromagnets of the electromagnet array 2204
determines whether they are on or off and determines their
polarity. A first example 2210 depicts states of the
electromagnetic array 2204 configured to cause one of the table
contact members 2208 to attract to a subset of the electromagnets
corresponding to the magnetic field emission structure 1802a. A
second example 2212 depicts different states of the electromagnetic
array 2204 configured to cause the table contact member 2208 to be
attracted (i.e., move) to a different subset of the electromagnetic
corresponding to the magnetic field emission structure 1802a. Per
the two examples, one skilled in the art can recognize that the
table contact member(s) can be moved about table 2202 by varying
the states of the electromagnets of the electromagnetic array
2204.
[0128] FIG. 23 depicts a first cylinder 2302 slightly larger than a
second cylinder 2304 contained inside the first cylinder 2302. A
magnetic field emission structure 2306 is placed around the first
cylinder 2302 (or optionally around the second cylinder 2304). An
array of electromagnets (not shown) is associated with the second
cylinder 2304 (or optionally the first cylinder 2302) and their
states are controlled to create a moving mirror image magnetic
field emission structure to which the magnetic field emission
structure 2306 is attracted so as to cause the first cylinder 2302
(or optionally the second cylinder 2304) to rotate relative to the
second cylinder 2304 (or optionally the first cylinder 2302). The
magnetic field emission structures 2308, 2310, and 2312 produced by
the electromagnetic array at time t=n, t=n+1, and t=n+2, show a
pattern mirroring that of the magnetic field emission structure
2306 around the first cylinder 2302. The pattern is shown moving
downward in time so as to cause the first cylinder 2302 to rotate
counterclockwise. As such, the speed and direction of movement of
the first cylinder 2302 (or the second cylinder 2304) can be
controlled via state changes of the electromagnets making up the
electromagnetic array. Also depicted in FIG. 23 is a
electromagnetic array 2314 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 2302
backward or forward on the track using the same code shift approach
shown with magnetic field emission structures 2308, 2310, and
2312.
[0129] FIG. 24 depicts a first sphere 2402 slightly larger than a
second sphere 2404 contained inside the first sphere 2402. A
magnetic field emission structure 2406 is placed around the first
sphere 2402 (or optionally around the second sphere 2404). An array
of electromagnets (not shown) is associated with the second sphere
2404 (or optionally the first sphere 2402) and their states are
controlled to create a moving mirror image magnetic field emission
structure to which the magnetic field emission structure 2406 is
attracted so as to cause the first sphere 2402 (or optionally the
second sphere 2404) to rotate relative to the second sphere 2404
(or optionally the first sphere 2402). The magnetic field emission
structures 2408, 2410, and 2412 produced by the electromagnetic
array at time t=n, t=n+1, and t=n+2, show a pattern mirroring that
of the magnetic field emission structure 2406 around the first
sphere 2402. The pattern is shown moving downward in time so as to
cause the first sphere 2402 to rotate counterclockwise and forward.
As such, the speed and direction of movement of the first sphere
2402 (or the second sphere 2404) can be controlled via state
changes of the electromagnets making up the electromagnetic array.
Also note that the electromagnets and/or magnetic field emission
structure could extend so as to completely cover the surface(s) of
the first and/or second spheres 2402, 2404 such that the movement
of the first sphere 2402 (or second sphere 2404) can be controlled
in multiple directions along multiple axes. Also depicted in FIG.
24 is an electromagnetic array 2414 that corresponds to a track
that can be placed on a surface such that moving magnetic field
emission structure can be used to move first sphere 2402 backward
or forward on the track using the same code shift approach shown
with magnetic field emission structures 2408, 2410, and 2412. A
cylinder 2416 is shown having a first electromagnetic array 2414a
and a second electromagnetic array 2414b which would control
magnetic field emission structures to cause sphere 2402 to move
backward or forward in the cylinder.
[0130] FIGS. 25-27 depict a correlating surface being wrapped back
on itself to form either a cylinder (disc, wheel), a sphere, and a
conveyor belt/tracked structure that when moved relative to a
mirror image correlating surface will achieve strong traction and a
holding (or gripping) force. Any of these rotary devices can also
be operated against other rotary correlating surfaces to provide
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. Correlated surfaces can
be perfectly smooth and still provide positive, non-slip traction.
As such, they can be made of any substance including hard plastic,
glass, stainless steel or tungsten carbide. In contrast to legacy
friction-based wheels the traction force provided by correlated
surfaces is 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.
[0131] If the surface in contact with the cylinder is in the form
of a belt, then the traction force can be made very strong and
still be non-slipping and independent of belt tension. It can
replace, for example, toothed, flexible belts that are used when
absolutely no slippage is permitted. In a more complex application
the moving belt can also be the correlating surface for self-mobile
devices that employ correlating wheels. If the conveyer belt is
mounted on a movable vehicle in the manner of tank treads then it
can provide formidable traction to a correlating surface or to any
of the other rotating surfaces described here.
[0132] FIG. 25 depicts an alternative approach to that shown in
FIG. 23. In FIG. 25 a cylinder 2302 having a first magnetic field
emission structure 2306 and being turned clockwise or
counter-clockwise by some force will roll along a second magnetic
field emission structure 2502 having mirror coding as the first
magnetic field emission structure 2306. Thus, whereas in FIG. 23,
an electromagnetic array was shifted in time to cause forward or
backward movement, the fixed magnetic field emission structure 2502
values provide traction and a gripping (i.e., holding) force as
cylinder 2302 is turned by another mechanism (e.g., a motor). The
gripping force would remain substantially constant as the cylinder
moved down the track 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. The approach of FIG. 25 can
also be combined with the approach of FIG. 23 whereby a first
cylinder having an electromagnetic array is used to turn a second
cylinder having a magnetic field emission structure that also
achieves traction and a holding force with a mirror image magnetic
field emission structure corresponding to a track.
[0133] FIG. 26 depicts an alternative approach to that shown in
FIG. 24. In FIG. 26 a sphere 2402 having a first magnetic field
emission structure 2406 and being turned clockwise or
counter-clockwise by some force will roll along a second magnetic
field emission structure 2602 having mirror coding as the first
magnetic field emission structure 2406. Thus, whereas in FIG. 24,
an electromagnetic array was shifted in time to cause forward or
backward movement, the fixed second magnetic field emission
structure 2602 values provide fraction and a gripping (i.e.,
holding) force as sphere 2402 is turned by another mechanism (e.g.,
a motor). The gripping force would remain substantially constant as
the sphere 2402 moved down the track 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. A cylinder 2416
is shown having a first magnetic field emission structure 2602a and
second magnetic field emission structure 2602b which have mirror
coding as magnetic field emission structure 2406. As such they work
together to provide a gripping force causing sphere 2402 to move
backward or forward in the cylinder 2416 with precision
alignment.
[0134] FIG. 27a and FIG. 27b depict an arrangement where a first
magnetic field emission structure 2702 wraps around two cylinders
2302 such that a much larger portion 2704 of the first magnetic
field emission structure is in contact with a second magnetic field
emission structure 2502 having mirror coding as the first magnetic
field emission structure 2702. As such, the larger portion 2704
directly corresponds to a larger gripping force.
[0135] An alternative approach for using a correlating surface is
to have a magnetic field emission structure on an object (e.g, an
athlete's or astronaut's shoe) that is intended to partially
correlate with the correlating surface regardless of how the
surface and the magnetic field emission structure are aligned.
Essentially, correlation areas would be randomly placed such the
object (shoe) would achieve partial correlation (gripping force) as
it comes randomly in contact with the surface. For example, a
runner on a track wearing shoes having a magnetic field emission
structure with partial correlation encoding could receive some
traction from the partial correlations that would occur as the
runner was running on a correlated track.
[0136] FIGS. 28a through 28d depict a manufacturing method for
producing magnetic field emission structures. In FIG. 28a, a first
magnetic field emission structure 1802a comprising an array of
individual magnets is shown below a ferromagnetic material 2800a
(e.g., iron) that is to become a second magnetic field emission
structure having the same coding as the first magnetic field
emission structure 1802a. In FIG. 28b, the ferromagnetic material
2800a has been heated to its Curie temperature (for
antiferromagnetic materials this would instead be the Neel
temperature). The ferromagnetic material 2800a is then brought in
contact with the first magnetic field emission structure 1802a and
allowed to cool. Thereafter, the ferromagnetic material 2800a takes
on the same magnetic field emission structure properties of the
first magnetic field emission structure 1802a and becomes a
magnetized ferromagnetic material 2800b, which is itself a magnetic
field emission structure, as shown in FIG. 28c. As depicted in FIG.
28d, should another ferromagnetic material 2800a be heated to its
Curie temperature and then brought in contact with the magnetized
ferromagnetic material 2800b, it too will take on the magnetic
field emission structure properties of the magnetized ferromagnetic
material 2800b as previously shown in FIG. 28c.
[0137] An alternative method of manufacturing a magnetic field
emission structure from a ferromagnetic material would be to use
one or more lasers to selectively heat up field emission source
locations on the ferromagnetic material to the Curie temperature
and then subject the locations to a magnetic field. With this
approach, the magnetic field to which a heated field emission
source location may be subjected may have a constant polarity or
have a polarity varied in time so as to code the respective source
locations as they are heated and cooled.
[0138] To produce superconductive magnet field structures, a
correlated magnetic field emission structure would be frozen into a
super conductive material without current present when it is cooled
below its critical temperature.
[0139] FIG. 29 depicts the addition of two intermediate layers 2902
to a magnetic field emission structure 2800b. Each intermediate
layer 2902 is intended to smooth out (or suppress) spatial forces
when any two magnetic field emission structures are brought
together such that sidelobe effects are substantially shielded. An
intermediate layer 2902 can be active (i.e., saturable such as
iron) or inactive (i.e., air or plastic).
[0140] FIGS. 30a through 30c provide a side view, an oblique
projection, and a top view, respectively, of a magnetic field
emission structure 2800b having a surrounding heat sink material
3000 and an embedded kill mechanism comprising an embedded wire
(e.g., nichrome) coil 3002 having connector leads 3004. As such, if
heat is applied from outside the magnetic field emission structure
2800b, the heat sink material 3000 prevents magnets of the magnetic
field emission structure from reaching their Curie temperature.
However, should it be desirable to kill the magnetic field emission
structure, a current can be applied to connector leads 3004 to
cause the wire coil 3002 to heat up to the Curie temperature.
Generally, various types of heat sink and/or kill mechanisms can be
employed to enable control over whether a given magnetic field
emission structure is subjected to heat at or above the Curie
temperature. For example, instead of embedding a wire coil, a
nichrome wire might be plated onto individual magnets.
[0141] FIG. 31a depicts an oblique projection of a first pair of
magnetic field emission structures 3102 and a second pair of
magnetic field emission structures 3104 each having magnets
indicated by dashed lines. Above the second pair of magnetic field
emission structures 3104 (shown with magnets) is another magnetic
field emission structure where the magnets are not shown, which is
intended to provide clarity to the interpretation of the depiction
of the two magnetic field emission structures 3104 below. Also
shown are top views of the circumferences of the first and second
pair of magnetic field emission structures 3102 and 3104. As shown,
the first pair of magnetic field emission structures 3102 have a
relatively small number of relatively large (and stronger) magnets
when compared to the second pair of magnetic field emission
structures 3104 that have a relatively large number of relatively
small (and weaker) magnets. For this figure, the peak spatial force
for each of the two pairs of magnetic field emission structures
3102 and 3104 are the same. However, the distances D1 and D2 at
which the magnetic fields of each of the pairs of magnetic field
emission structures 3102 and 3104 substantially interact (shown by
up and down arrows) depends on the strength of the magnets and the
area over which they are distributed. As such, the much larger
surface of the second magnetic field emission structure 3104 having
much smaller magnets will not substantially attract until much
closer than that of first magnetic field emission structure 3102.
This magnetic strength per unit area attribute as well as a
magnetic spatial frequency (i.e., # magnetic reversals per unit
area) can be used to design structures to meet safety requirements.
For example, two magnetic field emission structures 3104 can be
designed to not have significant attraction force if a finger is
between them (or in other words the structures wouldn't have
significant attraction force until they are substantially close
together thereby reducing (if not preventing) the
opportunity/likelihood for body parts or other things such as
clothing getting caught in between the structures).
[0142] FIG. 31b depicts a magnetic field emission structure 3106
made up of a sparse array of large magnetic sources 3108 combined
with a large number of smaller magnetic sources 3110 whereby
alignment with a mirror image magnetic field emission structure
would be provided by the large sources and a repel force would be
provided by the smaller sources. Generally, as was the case with
FIG. 31a, the larger (i.e., stronger) magnets achieve a significant
attraction force (or repelling force) at a greater separation
distance than smaller magnets. Because of this characteristic,
combinational structures having magnetic sources of different
strengths can be constructed that effectively have two (or more)
spatial force functions corresponding to the different levels of
magnetic strengths employed. As the magnetic field emission
structures are brought closer together, the spatial force function
of the strongest magnets is first to engage and the spatial force
functions of the weaker magnets will engage when the magnetic field
emission structures are moved close enough together at which the
spatial force functions of the different sized magnets will
combine. Referring back to FIG. 31b, the sparse array of stronger
magnets 3108 is coded such that it can correlate with a mirror
image sparse array of comparable magnets. However, the number and
polarity of the smaller (i.e., weaker) magnets 3110 can be tailored
such that when the two magnetic field emission structures are
substantially close together, the magnetic force of the smaller
magnets can overtake that of the larger magnets 3108 such that an
equilibrium will be achieved at some distance between the two
magnetic field emission structures. As such, alignment can be
provided by the stronger magnets 3108 but contact of the two
magnetic field emission structures can be prevented by the weaker
magnets 3110. Similarly, the smaller, weaker magnets can be used to
add extra attraction strength between the two magnetic field
emission structures.
[0143] One skilled in the art will recognize that the all sorts of
different combinations of magnets having different strengths can be
oriented in various ways to achieve desired spatial forces as a
function of orientation and separation distance between two
magnetic field emission structures. For example, a similar aligned
attract-repel equilibrium might be achieved by grouping the sparse
array of larger magnets 3108 tightly together in the center of
magnetic field emission structure 3106. Moreover, combinations of
correlated and non-correlated magnets can be used together, for
example, the weaker magnets 3110 of FIG. 31b may all be
uncorrelated magnets. Furthermore, one skilled in the art will
recognize that such an equilibrium enables frictionless traction
(or hold) forces to be maintained and that such techniques could be
employed for many of the exemplary drawings provided herein. For
example, the magnetic field emission structures of the two spheres
shown in FIG. 24 could be configured such that the spheres never
come into direct contact, which could be used, for example, to
produce frictionless ball joints.
[0144] FIG. 32 depicts an exemplary magnetic field emission
structure assembly apparatus comprising one or more vacuum tweezers
3202 that are capable of placing magnets 100a and 100b having first
and second polarities into machined holes 3204 in a support frame
3206. Magnets 100a and 100b are taken from at least one magnet
supplying device 3208 and inserted into holes 3204 of support frame
3206 in accordance with a desired code. Under one arrangement, two
magnetic tweezers are employed with each being integrated with its
own magnet supply device 3208 allowing the vacuum tweezers 3202 to
only move to the next hole 3204 whereby a magnet is fed into vacuum
tweezers 3202 from inside the device. Magnets 100a and 100b may be
held in place in a support frame 3206 using an adhesive (e.g., a
glue). Alternatively, holes 3204 and magnets 100a and 100b could
have threads whereby vacuum tweezers 3202 or an alternative
insertion tool would screw them into place. A completed magnetic
field assembly 3210 is also depicted in FIG. 32. Under an
alternative arrangement the vacuum tweezers would place more than
one magnet into a frame 3206 at a time to include placing all
magnets at one time. Under still another arrangement, an array of
coded electromagnets 3212 is used to pick up and place at one time
all the magnets 3214 to be placed into the frame 3206 where the
magnets are provided by a magnet supplying device 3216 that
resembles the completed magnetic field assembly 3210 such that
magnets are fed into each supplying hole from beneath (as shown in
3208) and where the coded electromagnets attract the entire array
of loose magnets. With this approach the array of electromagnets
3212 may be recessed such that there is a guide 3218 for each loose
magnet as is the case with the bottom portion of the vacuum
tweezers 3202. With this approach, an entire group of loose magnets
can be inserted into a frame 3206 and when a previously applied
sealant has dried sufficiently the array of electromagnets 3212 can
be turned so as to release the now placed magnets. Under an
alternative arrangement the magnetic field emission structure
assembly apparatus would be put under pressure. Vacuum can also be
used to hold magnets into a support frame 3206.
[0145] As described above, vacuum tweezers can be used to handle
the magnets during automatic placement manufacturing. However, the
force of vacuum, i.e. 14.7 psi, on such a small surface area may
not be enough to compete with the magnetic force. If necessary, the
whole manufacturing unit can be put under pressure. The force of a
vacuum is a function of the pressure of the medium. If the
workspace is pressurize to 300 psi (about 20 atmospheres) the force
on a tweezer tip 1/16'' across would be about 1 pound which
depending on the magnetic strength of a magnet might be sufficient
to compete with its magnetic force. Generally, the psi can be
increased to whatever is needed to produce the holding force
necessary to manipulate the magnets.
[0146] If the substrate that the magnets are placed in have tiny
holes in the back then vacuum can also be used to hold them in
place until the final process affixes them permanently with, for
example, ultraviolet curing glue. Alternatively, the final process
by involve heating the substrate to fuse them all together, or
coating the whole face with a sealant and then wiping it clean (or
leaving a thin film over the magnet faces) before curing. The
vacuum gives time to manipulate the assembly while waiting for
whatever adhesive or fixative is used.
[0147] FIG. 33 depicts a cylinder 2302 having a first magnetic
field emission structure 2306 on the outside of the cylinder where
the code pattern 1402a is repeated six times around the cylinder.
Beneath the cylinder 2302 is an object 3302 having a curved surface
with a slightly larger curvature as does the cylinder 2302 (such as
the curvature of cylinder 2304) and having a second magnetic field
emission structure 3304 that is also coded using the code pattern
1402a. The cylinder 2302 is turned at a rotational rate of 1
rotation per second by shaft 3306. Thus, as the cylinder 2302
turns, six times a second the code pattern 1402a of the first
magnetic field emission structure 2306 of the cylinder 2302 aligns
with the second magnetic field emission structure 3304 of the
object 3302 causing the object 3302 to be repelled (i.e., moved
downward) by the peak spatial force function of the two magnetic
field emission structures 2306, 3304. Similarly, had the second
magnetic field emission structure 3304 been coded using code
pattern 1402b, then 6 times a second the code pattern 1402a of the
first magnetic field emission structure 2306 of the cylinder 2302
aligns with the second magnetic field emission structure 3304 of
the object 3302 causing the object 3302 to be attracted (i.e.,
moved upward) by the peak spatial force function of the two
magnetic field emission structures. Thus, the movement of the
cylinder 2302 and corresponding first magnetic field emission
structure 2306 can be used to control the movement of the object
3302 having its corresponding second magnetic field emission
structure 3304. Additional magnetic field emission structures
and/or other devices capable of controlling movement (e.g.,
springs) can also be used to control movement of the object 3302
based upon the movement of the first magnetic field emission
structure 2306 of the cylinder 2302. One skilled in the art will
recognize that a shaft 3306 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 3302 can result
from some source of energy scavenging. Another example of energy
scavenging that could result in movement of object 3302 based on
magnetic field emission structures is a wheel of a vehicle that
would correspond to a cylinder 2302 where the shaft 3306 would
correspond to the wheel axle. Generally, the present invention can
be used in accordance with one or more movement path functions of
one or more objects each associated with one or more magnetic field
emission structures, where each movement path function defines the
location and orientation over time of at least one of the one or
more objects and thus the corresponding location and orientation
over time of the one or more magnetic field emission structures
associated with the one or more objects. Furthermore, the spatial
force functions of the magnetic field emission structures can be
controlled over time in accordance with such movement path
functions as part of a process which may be controlled in an
open-loop or closed-loop manner. For example, the location of a
magnetic field emission structure produced using an electromagnetic
array may be moved, the coding of such a magnetic field emission
structure can be changed, the strengths of magnetic sources can be
varied, etc. As such, the present invention enables the spatial
forces between objects to be precisely controlled in accordance
with their movement and also enables movement of objects to be
precisely controlled in accordance with such spatial forces.
[0148] FIG. 34 depicts a valve mechanism 3400 based upon the sphere
of FIG. 24 where a magnetic field emission structure 2414 is varied
to move the sphere 2402 upward or downward in a cylinder having a
first opening 3404 having a circumference less than or equal to
that of a sphere 2402 and a second opening 3406 having a
circumference greater than the sphere 2402. As such, a magnetic
field emission structure 2414 can be varied such as described in
relation to FIG. 24 to control the movement of the sphere 2402 so
as to control the flow rate of a gas or liquid through the valve
3402. Similarly, a valve mechanism 3400 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 recognized that
many different types of seal mechanisms to include gaskets,
o-rings, and the like can be employed with the present
invention.
[0149] FIG. 35 depicts a cylinder apparatus 3500 where a movable
object such as sphere 2042 or closed cylinder 3502 having a first
magnetic field emission structure 2406 is moved in a first
direction or in second opposite direction in a cylinder 2416 having
second magnetic field emission structure 2414a (and optionally
2414b). By sizing the movable object (e.g., a sphere or a closed
cylinder) such that an effective seal is maintained in cylinder
2416, the cylinder apparatus 3500 can be used as a hydraulic
cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, or gas cylinder. In a similar
arrangement cylinder apparatus 3500 can be used as a pumping
device.
[0150] As described herein, magnetic field emission structures can
be produced with any desired arrangement of magnetic (or electric)
field sources. Such sources may be placed against each other,
placed in a sparse array, placed on top of, below, or within
surfaces that may be flat or curved. Such sources may be in
multiple layers (or planes), may have desired directionality
characteristics, and so on. Generally, by varying polarities,
positions, and field strengths of individual field sources over
time, one skilled in the art can use the present invention to
achieve numerous desired attributes. Such attributes include, for
example: [0151] Precision alignment, position control, and movement
control [0152] Non-wearing attachment [0153] Repeatable and
consistent behavior [0154] Frictionless holding force/traction
[0155] Ease/speed/accuracy of assembly/disassembly [0156] Increased
architectural strength [0157] Reduced training requirements [0158]
Increased safety [0159] Increased reliability [0160] Ability to
control the range of force [0161] Quantifiable, sustainable spatial
forces (e.g., holding force, sealing force, etc.) [0162] Increased
maintainability/lifetime [0163] Efficiency
[0164] FIGS. 36a through 36g provide a few more examples of how
magnetic field sources can be arranged to achieve desirable spatial
force function characteristics. FIG. 36a depicts an exemplary
magnetic field emission structure 3600 made up of rings about a
circle. As shown, each ring comprises one magnet having an
identified polarity. Similar structures could be produced using
multiple magnets in each ring, where each of the magnets in a given
ring is the same polarity as the other magnets in the ring, or each
ring could comprise correlated magnets. Generally, circular rings,
whether single layer or multiple layer, and whether with or without
spaces between the rings, can be used for electrical, fluid, and
gas connectors, and other purposes where they could be configured
to have a basic property such that the larger the ring, the harder
it would be to twist the connector apart. As shown in FIG. 36b, one
skilled in the art would recognize that a hinge 3602 could be
constructed using alternating magnetic field emission structures
attached two objects where the magnetic field emission structures
would be interleaved so that they would align (i.e., effectively
lock) but they would still pivot about an axes extending though
their innermost circles. FIG. 36c depicts an exemplary magnetic
field emission structure 3604 having sources resembling spokes of a
wheel. FIG. 36d depicts an exemplary magnetic field emission
structure 3606 resembling a rotary encoder where instead of on and
off encoding, the sources are encoded such that their polarities
vary. The use of a magnetic field emission structure in accordance
with the present invention instead of on and off encoding should
eliminate alignment problems of conventional rotary encoders.
[0165] FIG. 36e depicts an exemplary magnetic field emission
structure having sources arranged as curved spokes. FIG. 36f
depicts an exemplary magnetic field emission structure made up of
hexagon-shaped sources. FIG. 36g depicts an exemplary magnetic
field emission structure made up of triangular sources. FIG. 36h
depicts an exemplary magnetic field emission structure made up of
partially overlapped diamond-shaped sources. Generally, the sources
making up a magnetic field emission structure can have any shape
and multiple shapes can be used within a given magnetic field
emission structure. Under one arrangement, one or more magnetic
field emission structures correspond to a Fractal code.
[0166] Exemplary applications of the invention: [0167] Position
based function control. [0168] Gyroscope, Linear motor, Fan motor.
[0169] Precision measurement, precision timing. [0170] Computer
numerical control machines. [0171] Linear actuators, linear stages,
rotation stages, goniometers, mirror mounts. [0172] Cylinders,
turbines, engines (no heat allows lightweight materials). [0173]
Seals for food storage. [0174] Scaffolding. [0175] Structural
beams, trusses, cross-bracing. [0176] Bridge construction materials
(trusses). [0177] Wall structures (studs, panels, etc.), floors,
ceilings, roofs. [0178] Magnetic shingles for roofs. [0179]
Furniture (assembly and positioning). [0180] Picture frames,
picture hangers. [0181] Child safety seats. [0182] Seat belts,
harnesses, trapping. [0183] Wheelchairs, hospital beds. [0184]
Toys--self assembling toys, puzzles, construction sets (e.g.,
Legos, magnetic logs). [0185] Hand tools--cutting, nail driving,
drilling, sawing, etc. [0186] Precision machine tools--drill press,
lathes, mills, machine press. [0187] Robotic movement control.
[0188] Assembly lines--object movement control, automated parts
assembly. [0189] Packaging machinery. [0190] Wall hangers--for
tools, brooms, ladders, etc. [0191] Pressure control systems,
Precision hydraulics. [0192] Traction devices (e.g., window cleaner
that climbs building). [0193] Gas/Liquid flow rate control systems,
ductwork, ventilation control systems. [0194] Door/window seal,
boat/ship/submarine/space craft hatch seal. [0195] Hurricane/storm
shutters, quick assembly home tornado shelters. [0196] Gate
Latch--outdoor gate (dog proof), Child safety gate latch (child
proof). [0197] Clothing buttons, Shoe/boot clasps. [0198]
Drawer/cabinet door fasteners. [0199] Child safety devices--lock
mechanisms for appliances, toilets, etc. [0200] Safes, safe
prescription drug storage. [0201] Quick capture/release commercial
fishing nets, crab cages. [0202] Energy conversion--wind, falling
water, wave movement. [0203] Energy scavenging--from wheels, etc.
[0204] Microphone, speaker. [0205] Applications in space (e.g.,
seals, gripping places for astronauts to hold/stand). [0206]
Analog-to-digital (and vice versa) conversion via magnetic field
control. [0207] Use of correlation codes to affect circuit
characteristics in silicon chips. [0208] Use of correlation codes
to effect attributes of nanomachines (force, torque, rotation, and
translations). [0209] Ball joints for prosthetic knees, shoulders,
hips, ankles, wrists, etc. [0210] Ball joints for robotic arms.
[0211] Robots that move along correlated magnetic field tracks.
[0212] Correlated gloves, shoes. [0213] Correlated robotic "hands"
(all sorts of mechanisms used to move, place, lift, direct, etc.
objects could use invention). [0214] Communications/symbology.
[0215] Skis, skateboards. [0216] Keys, locking mechanisms. [0217]
Cargo containers (how they are made and how they are moved). [0218]
Credit, debit, and ATM cards. [0219] Magnetic data storage, floppy
disks, hard drives, CDs, DVDs. [0220] Scanners, printers, plotters.
[0221] Televisions and computer monitors. [0222] Electric motors,
generators, transformers. [0223] Chucks, fastening devices, clamps.
[0224] Secure Identification Tags. [0225] Door hinges. [0226]
Jewelry, watches. [0227] Vehicle braking systems. [0228] Maglev
trains and other vehicles. [0229] Magnetic Resonance Imaging and
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. [0230] Bearings (wheels),
axles. [0231] Particle accelerators.
[0232] While particular embodiments of the invention have been
described, it will be understood, however, that the invention is
not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those
skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing
teachings.
* * * * *