Residual magnetic devices and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A controller for a brake or clutch having a core housing defining a first surface, a coil, and an armature defining a second surface, at least one of the core housing and armature rotatable with respect to the other of the core housing and armature about an axis to transfer torque therebetween in a braking or clutching action, the controller comprising:
- a processor connected to the coil;
the processor causing a magnetization current to be provided to the coil to create a substantially closed magnetic path with flux lines extending between the second surface of the armature and the first surface of the core housing separated by an air gap of 0.005 inches or less in order to create an irreversible residual magnetic force with a residual magnetic air gap energy of at least 6700 (line-amp-turn)/cm3, the irreversible residual magnetic force sufficient to transfer the torque exerted between the core housing and armature in a plane parallel to the first surface when the magnetization current is no longer provided to the coil, wherein the axis extends through the plane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Residual magnetic locks, brakes, rotation inhibitors, clutches, actuators, and latches. The residual magnetic devices can include a core housing and an armature. The residual magnetic devices can include a coil that receives a magnetization current to create an irreversible residual magnetic force between the core housing and the armature.
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Citations
71 Claims
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1. A controller for a brake or clutch having a core housing defining a first surface, a coil, and an armature defining a second surface, at least one of the core housing and armature rotatable with respect to the other of the core housing and armature about an axis to transfer torque therebetween in a braking or clutching action, the controller comprising:
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a processor connected to the coil; the processor causing a magnetization current to be provided to the coil to create a substantially closed magnetic path with flux lines extending between the second surface of the armature and the first surface of the core housing separated by an air gap of 0.005 inches or less in order to create an irreversible residual magnetic force with a residual magnetic air gap energy of at least 6700 (line-amp-turn)/cm3, the irreversible residual magnetic force sufficient to transfer the torque exerted between the core housing and armature in a plane parallel to the first surface when the magnetization current is no longer provided to the coil, wherein the axis extends through the plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method of controlling a brake or clutch having a core housing defining a first surface, a coil, and an armature defining a second surface, at least one of the core housing and armature rotatable with respect to the other of the core housing and armature about an axis to transfer torque therebetween in a braking or clutching action, the method comprising:
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providing a magnetization current to the coil to create a substantially closed magnetic path with flux lines extending between the first surface of the core housing and the second surface of the armature separated by an air gap of 0.005 inches or less in order to create an irreversible residual magnetic force with a residual of at least 6700 (line-amp-turn)/cm3; stopping supply of the magnetization current to the coil; transferring the torque exerted between the core housing and armature in a plane parallel to the first surface due to the irreversible residual magnetic force when the magnetization current is no longer provided to the coil, wherein the axis extends through the plane; and providing a demagnetization current to the coil to substantially null the irreversible residual magnetic force between the core housing and the armature. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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65. A controller for an electromagnetic brake or clutch having a core housing defining a first surface, a coil, and an armature defining a second surface, at least one of the core housing and armature rotatable with respect to the other of the core housing and armature about an axis to transfer torque therebetween in a braking or clutching action, the controller comprising:
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power supply means for providing a magnetization current; and processor means for causing the power supply means to provide the magnetization current to the electromagnetic brake or clutch to create a substantially closed magnetic path with flux lines extending between the second surface of the armature and the first surface of the core housing separated by an air gap of 0.005 inches or less and to create an irreversible residual magnetic force with a residual magnetic air energy of at least 6700 ( line- amp- turn )cm3 and sufficient to transfer the torque exerted between the core housing and armature in a plane parallel to the first surface when the magnetization current is no longer srovided to the coil, wherein the axis extends through the plane.
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66. A method of controlling a brake or clutch having a core housing defining a first surface, an armature defining a second surface, and a coil, at least one of the core housing and armature rotatable with respect to the other of the core housing and armature about an axis to transfer torque therebetween in a braking or clutching action, the method comprising:
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measuring a supply voltage; setting a demagnetization value based on the supply voltage; measuring a sensor input from at least one of the core housing and the armature; determining an irreversible residual magnetic force state in which flux lines extend between the second surface of the armature and the first surface of the core housing separated by an air gap of 0.005 inches or less based on the sensor input; establishing a hardware interlock circuitry state; and initiating one of a magnetization current and a demagnetization current based on the irreversible residual magnetic force state and the hardware interlock circuitry state, the magnetization current creating an irreversible residual magnetic force with a residual magnetic air gap energy of at least 6700 (line-amp-turn)/cm3, and sufficient to transfer the torque exerted between the core housing and armature in a plane parallel to the first surface when the magnetization current is no longer provided to the coil, wherein the axis extends through the plane, the demagnetization current nulling the irreversible residual magnetic force such that at least one of the core housing and armature moves independently of the other of the core housing and armature. - View Dependent Claims (67, 68, 69, 70, 71)
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Specification