Transverse mechanical translator with ferrofluid support
First Claim
Patent Images
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.
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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.
27 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A mechanical translator, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A mechanical translator, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A mechanical translator, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A mechanical translator, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A mechanical translator, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A mechanical translator comprising:
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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 magnet 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. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification