Dual coaxial magnetic couplers for vacuum chamber robot assembly
First Claim
1. A dual magnetic coupler mechanism, comprising:
- a first coupler, having a primary ring of magnets and a secondary ring of magnets, said secondary ring concentric with and generally coplanar with the primary ring, each ring being mounted for rotation about a common axis, and each ring containing a plurality of radially oriented magnets, wherein magnets in the primary ring are magnetically coupled, in a radial sense, with corresponding magnets in the secondary ring;
a second coupler similar to the first coupler, also having a primary ring of magnets and a secondary ring of magnets, said secondary ring concentric with and generally coplanar with the primary ring, each ring of the second coupler being mounted for rotation about the same common axis as the first coupler, and each ring containing a plurality of radially oriented magnets, wherein the second coupler is closely spaced, axially, with respect to the first coupler;
means for minimizing unwanted circumferential coupling between adjacent magnets in any of the rings; and
means for minimizing cross-coupling between adjacent magnets in different primary or secondary rings;
wherein strong magnetic coupling is provided for the first and second coaxial couplers, with minimal unwanted circumferential coupling or cross-coupling.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A compact assembly of two magnetic couplers for coupling two coaxial angular shaft movements through a vacuum barrier. Each coupler includes two concentric rings of radially oriented magnets, arranged to provide magnetic coupling in a radial direction between corresponding magnets in the rings. A relatively large number of magnets in each ring ensures stiff coupling between rings, but unwanted circumferential coupling between adjacent magnets in each ring is minimized by the presence of a flux ring associated with each ring of magnets. The flux rings provide a return path for radial magnetic flux lines between the rings. Cross-coupling between the couplers is minimized by the presence of a magnetic shield on each ring of magnets. The shields permit the couplers to be located in close proximity on their common axis of rotation. For corrosion resistance, each ring of magnets on the vacuum side of the barrier is housed in a stainless steel enclosure.
85 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A dual magnetic coupler mechanism, comprising:
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a first coupler, having a primary ring of magnets and a secondary ring of magnets, said secondary ring concentric with and generally coplanar with the primary ring, each ring being mounted for rotation about a common axis, and each ring containing a plurality of radially oriented magnets, wherein magnets in the primary ring are magnetically coupled, in a radial sense, with corresponding magnets in the secondary ring; a second coupler similar to the first coupler, also having a primary ring of magnets and a secondary ring of magnets, said secondary ring concentric with and generally coplanar with the primary ring, each ring of the second coupler being mounted for rotation about the same common axis as the first coupler, and each ring containing a plurality of radially oriented magnets, wherein the second coupler is closely spaced, axially, with respect to the first coupler; means for minimizing unwanted circumferential coupling between adjacent magnets in any of the rings; and means for minimizing cross-coupling between adjacent magnets in different primary or secondary rings; wherein strong magnetic coupling is provided for the first and second coaxial couplers, with minimal unwanted circumferential coupling or cross-coupling. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification