Transverse mechanical translator with ferrofluid support

• US 20050023906A1
• Filed: 08/31/2004
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Scientific Licensing LLC
• Inventors: Cheung, Jeffrey T.
• Granted Patent: US 6,917,131 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/15
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 171/06 Particles of special shape or size
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2201/062 Oxides; Hydroxides; Carbonates or bicarbonates
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2203/1006 used as base material
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2207/12 having carboxyl groups bound to acyclic or cycloaliphatic carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2010/14 Group 7
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2010/16 Groups 8, 9, or 10
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2020/01 Physico-chemical properties
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2020/06 Particles of special shape or size
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2030/06 Oiliness; Film-strength; Anti-wear; Resistance to extreme pressure
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/02 Bearings
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2050/015 Dispersions of solid lubricants
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 29/02 Sliding-contact bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 32/0637 by a magnetic field, e.g. ferrofluid bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/1035 by a magnetic field acting on a magnetic liquid
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 1/44 of magnetic liquids, e.g. ferrofluids particles in a bonding agent H01F1/28, H01F1/36, H01F1/37
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 2201/18 Machines moving with multiple degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 49/10 of the permanent-magnet type
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/09 with magnetic bearings

Abstract

A mechanical translator includes at least one magnet that is disposed on a substrate to carry a load and has a magnetic axis generally transverse to the substrate, establishing a magnetic field with maximum external density adjacent the substrate. An ultra low friction interface is obtained with ferrofluid bearings, such as a light mineral oil medium mixed with isoparaffinic acid, which establish a critical angle of displacement from a horizontal static position of less than 1 degree, and preferably less than 10 minutes. A controller of magnetic material can be placed on the opposite side of the substrate to control the movement of the magnets.

Claims

1. A mechanical translator, comprising:

a generally flat substrate,

at least one magnet disposed for movement on said substrate, each said magnet arranged to carry a load and having a magnetic axis generally transverse to said substrate, with a surface of each said magnet facing said substrate, and

a ferrofluid concentrated between each said magnet and said substrate, said ferrofluid extending across and in direct contact with each said magnet surface to provide a low friction area support for each said magnet to translate across said substrate.

9. The mechanical translator of claim 1, further comprising a controller of magnetic material on the opposite side of said substrate from each said magnet, said controller controlling the movement of each said magnet.

10. The mechanical translator of claim 9, said substrate comprising a portion of an enclosure, with each said magnet inside and said controller outside said enclosure:

56. The mechanical translator of claim 1, wherein said substrate is substantially horizontal.

57. The mechanical translator of claim 56, wherein each said magnet is arranged to support a load generally perpendicular to said substrate.

2-8. -8. (canceled)

11. A mechanical translator, comprising:

a generally flat substrate,

at least one magnet disposed for movement with respect to said substrate with a surface of each said magnet facing said substrate, each said magnet arranged to carry a load and establishing a magnetic field which has its maximum external density adjacent said substrate, and

a ferrofluid concentrated between each said magnet and said substrate, said ferrofluid extending across and in direct contact with each said magnet surface to provide a low friction area support for each said magnet to translate across said substrate.

19. The mechanical translator of claim 11, further comprising a controller of magnetic material on the opposite side of said substrate from each said magnet, said controller controlling the movement of each said magnet.

20. The mechanical translator of claim 19, said substrate comprising a portion of an enclosure, with each said magnet inside and said controller outside said enclosure.

58. The mechanical translator of claim 11, wherein said substrate is substantially horizontal.

59. The mechanical translator of claim 58, wherein each said magnet is arranged to support a load generally perpendicular to said substrate.

12-18. -18. (canceled)

21-55. -55. (canceled)

60. A mechanical translator, comprising:

a substantially horizontal substrate,

at least one magnet disposed for movement on said substrate, each said magnet arranged to carry a load and having a magnetic axis generally transverse to said substrate, with a surface of each said magnet facing said substrate, and

a ferrofluid concentrated between each said magnet and said substrate, said ferrofluid extending across and in direct contact with each said magnet surface to provide a low friction area support for each said magnet to translate across said substrate.

61. The mechanical translator of claim 60, further comprising a controller of magnetic material on the opposite side of said substrate from each said magnet, said controller controlling the movement of each said magnet.

62. The mechanical translator of claim 61, said substrate comprising a portion of an enclosure, with each said magnet inside and said controller outside said enclosure.

63. The mechanical translator of claim 60, wherein each said magnet is arranged to support a load generally perpendicular to said substrate.

64. A mechanical translator, comprising:

a substantially horizontal substrate,

at least one magnet disposed for movement with respect to said substrate with a surface of each said magnet facing said substrate, each said magnet arranged to carry a load and establishing a magnetic field which has its maximum external density adjacent said substrate, and

a ferrofluid concentrated between each said magnet and said substrate, said ferrofluid extending across and in direct contact with each said magnet surface to provide a low friction area support for each said magnet to translate across said substrate.

65. The mechanical translator of claim 64, further comprising a controller of magnetic material on the opposite side of said substrate from each said magnet, said controller controlling the movement of each said magnet.

66. The mechanical translator of claim 65, said substrate comprising a portion of an enclosure, with each said magnet inside and said controller outside said enclosure.

67. The mechanical translator of claim 64, wherein each said magnet is arranged to support a load generally perpendicular to said substrate.

68. A mechanical translator, comprising:

a substrate,

at least one magnet disposed for movement on said substrate, each said magnet arrayed to carry a load generally perpendicular to said substrate and having a magnetic axis generally transverse to said substrate, with a surface of each said magnet facing said substrate, and

a ferrofluid concentrated between each said magnet and said substrate, said ferrofluid extending across and in direct contact with each said magnet surface to provide a low friction area support for each said magnet to translate across said substrate.

69. The mechanical translator of claim 68, further comprising a controller of magnetic material on the opposite side of said substrate from each said magnet, said controller controlling the movement of each said magnet.

70. The mechanical translator of claim 69, said substrate comprising a portion of an enclosure, with each said magnet inside and said controller outside said enclosure.

71. A mechanical translator comprising:

a substrate,

at least one magnet disposed for movement with respect to said substrate with a surface of each said magnet facing said substrate, each said substrate arrayed to carry a load generally perpendicular to said substrate and establishing a magnetic field which has its maximum external density adjacent said substrate, and

a ferrofluid concentrated between each said magnet and said substrate, said ferrofluid extending across and in direct contact with each said magnet surface to provide a low friction area support for each said magnet to translate across said substrate.

72. The mechanical translator of claim 71, further comprising a controller of magnetic material on the opposite side of said substrate from each said magnet, said controller controlling the movement of each said magnet.

73. The mechanical translator of claim 72, said substrate comprising a portion of an enclosure, with each said magnet inside and said controller outside said enclosure.