Electromagnetically actuated bistable magnetic latching pin lock
First Claim
1. An electromagnetically actuated, bistable magnetic latching pin lock, said lock comprising:
- a pin lock moveably mounted for linear movement along a longitudinal axis between a pin extended position and a pin retracted position;
a magnet having two pole ends, said magnet mounted for limited rotation about between said pin extended and pin retracted positions;
an electromagnet having first and second ends and electromagnetically actuated in one of said pin extended and pin retracted positions to provide one orientation of magnetic field and in the other of said pin extended and said pin retracted positions to provide a second orientation of magnetic field, said second orientation of magnetic field substantially the reverse of the first orientation of magnetic field, wherein actuation of said electromagnet biases said permanent magnet towards a field alignment rotation;
a ferromagnetic latch located within the magnetic field of said mounted magnet to latch the magnet into at least one of said pin extended and pin retracted positions in the absence of actuation of said electromagnet; and
a mechanical interconnection between said pin lock and said magnet for moving said pin lock from said pin extended position when said magnet is in said pin extended position to said pin retracted position when said magnet is in said pin retracted position, said magnet is located in the magnetic field of said electromagnet and moveable between said magnet pin extended and pin retracted positions in dependence on the orientation of said electromagnet magnetic field.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pin lock is movably mounted for linear movement along a longitudinal axis. A magnet, preferably a permanent magnet, is mounted for limited rotation between the pin extended and pin retracted positions. An electromagnet provides a controllable electromagnetic field which encompasses at least a portion of the permanent magnet. A ferromagnetic latch is located within the magnetic field of the mounted magnet in each of the pin extended and pin retracted positions. A mechanical interconnection between the pin lock and the permanent magnet for moving the pin lock when the permanent magnet is rotated wherein the movement extends or retracts the pin lock between its pin extended and pin retracted positions. Reversing the electromagnetic field of the electromagnet serves to rotate the magnet so that the pin lock moves from one to the other of the two positions.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electromagnetically actuated, bistable magnetic latching pin lock, said lock comprising:
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a pin lock moveably mounted for linear movement along a longitudinal axis between a pin extended position and a pin retracted position; a magnet having two pole ends, said magnet mounted for limited rotation about between said pin extended and pin retracted positions; an electromagnet having first and second ends and electromagnetically actuated in one of said pin extended and pin retracted positions to provide one orientation of magnetic field and in the other of said pin extended and said pin retracted positions to provide a second orientation of magnetic field, said second orientation of magnetic field substantially the reverse of the first orientation of magnetic field, wherein actuation of said electromagnet biases said permanent magnet towards a field alignment rotation; a ferromagnetic latch located within the magnetic field of said mounted magnet to latch the magnet into at least one of said pin extended and pin retracted positions in the absence of actuation of said electromagnet; and a mechanical interconnection between said pin lock and said magnet for moving said pin lock from said pin extended position when said magnet is in said pin extended position to said pin retracted position when said magnet is in said pin retracted position, said magnet is located in the magnetic field of said electromagnet and moveable between said magnet pin extended and pin retracted positions in dependence on the orientation of said electromagnet magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electromagnetically actuated, bistable magnetic latching pin lock, said lock comprising:
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a pin lock moveably mounted for linear movement along a longitudinal axis between a pin extended position and a pin retracted position; a permanent magnet having north and south pole ends, said magnet pivotally mounted for limited rotation about an axis which is substantially transverse to said pin lock longitudinal axis, said rotation is between said pin extended and pin retracted positions; an electromagnet having first and second ends and electromagnetically actuated in one of said pin extended and pin retracted positions to provide a first orientation of magnetic field and in the other of said pin extended and pin retracted positions to provide a second orientation of magnetic field, said electromagnet magnetic field at least partially encompassing said magnet, wherein actuation of said electromagnet biases said permanent magnet towards a field alignment rotation; a ferromagnetic latch located within the magnetic field of said pivotally mounted magnet to latch the magnet into at least one of said pin extended and pin retracted positions in the absence of actuation of said electromagnet; a cam rotatable by said permanent magnet between pin extended and pin retracted positions; and a cam follower engaging said cam and associated with said pin lock, said cam follower for moving said pin lock from one of said pin extended and pin retracted positions to the other of said pin extended and pin retracted positions, wherein said permanent magnet is located in the magnetic field of said electromagnet and is moveable between said magnet pin extended and pin retracted positions in dependence on the orientation of said electromagnet magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. An electromagnetically actuated, bistable magnetic latching pin lock, said lock comprising:
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a pin lock moveably mounted for linear movement along a longitudinal axis between a pin extended position and a pin retracted position; a permanent magnet having pole ends, said magnet pivotally mounted for limited rotation about an axis substantially parallel with said longitudinal axis, said rotation is between said pin extended and pin retracted positions; an electromagnet having first and second ends and electromagnetically actuated in one of said pin extended and said pin retracted positions to provide a first orientation of magnetic field and the other of said pin extended and pin retracted positions to provide a second orientation of magnetic field, said second orientation of magnetic field substantially the reverse of the first orientation of magnetic field, wherein actuation of said electromagnet biases said permanent magnet towards a field alignment rotation; a ferromagnetic latch located within the magnetic field of said pivotally mounted magnet to latch the magnet into at least one of said pin extended and pin retracted positions in the absence of actuation of said electromagnet; and a sleeve connected to said magnet, said sleeve having a helical slot; a mount for the pin lock, said mount permitting pin lock movement along its longitudinal axis and preventing rotation around said longitudinal axis; and said pin lock including a follower located in said helical slot, wherein rotation of said magnet causes rotation of said sleeve, said slot in turn causing said follower to move in the pin lock longitudinal direction between extended and retracted positions, wherein said permanent magnet is located in the magnetic field of said electromagnet and is moveable between said magnet pin extended and pin retracted positions in dependence on the orientation of said electromagnet magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification