Complex machine including a classical simple machine and a magnetic system

• US 8,570,129 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2012
• Issued: 10/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Correlated Magnetics Research, LLC
• Original Assignee: Correlated Magnetics Research, LLC
• Inventors: Fullerton, Larry W.
• Primary Examiner(s): BARRERA, RAMON M
• Application Number:
  US13/530,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20120262262A1
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 335/306, 335/285, 243/03
• US Class Current: 335/285
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/006 for covers or panels for manholes E02D29/1427; for holes enabling access to installations in buildings E04F19/08; for pressure vessels F16J13/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 19/16 Devices holding the wing by magnetic or electromagnetic attraction E05C17/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1677 for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/021 Construction of PM H01F7/0278 takes precedence; PM compositions H01F1/032
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0242 Magnetic drives, magnetic coupling devices

Abstract

A multilevel magnetic system and method for using the same are described herein. A wide-range of devices including a momentary snap switch, a cushioning device, and an exploding toy are also described herein that may incorporate one or more of the multilevel magnetic systems.

Claims

1. A complex machine, comprising:

a classical simple machine; and

a magnetic system that applies a force to said classical simple machine, said magnetic system comprising;

a first magnetic structure; and

a second magnetic structure that interacts with said first magnetic structure to produce said force, said first magnetic structure comprising a plurality of magnetic sources having a polarity pattern that includes a first polarity and a second polarity, said second polarity being opposite said first polarity, said second magnetic structure comprising one or more magnetic sources, wherein said magnetic system comprises a multi-level magnetic system having a force curve that transitions from producing an attract force to producing a repel force depending on a separation distance between the first magnetic structure and the second magnetic structure, said multi-level magnetic system having a transition distance where said multi-level magnetic system produces zero force, wherein said multi-level magnetic system produces an attract force when said separation distance is less than said transition distance and an repel force when said separation distance is greater than said transition distance, wherein said magnetic system further comprises a spacer that is between said first magnetic structure and said second magnetic structure, wherein said spacer prevents said multi-level magnetic system from applying an attract force to said classical simple machine.

2. A complex machine, comprising:

a classical simple machine; and

a magnetic system that applies a force to said classical simple machine, said magnetic system comprising;

a first magnetic structure; and

a second magnetic structure that interacts with said first magnetic structure to produce said force, said first magnetic structure comprising a plurality of magnetic sources having a polarity pattern that includes a first polarity and a second polarity, said second polarity being opposite said first polarity, said second magnetic structure comprising one or more magnetic sources, wherein said magnetic system comprises a multi-level magnetic system having a force curve that transitions from producing an attract force to producing a repel force depending on a separation distance between the first magnetic structure and the second magnetic structure, said multi-level magnetic system having a transition distance where said multi-level magnetic system produces zero force, wherein said multi-level magnetic system produces an attract force when said separation distance is less than said transition distance and an repel force when said separation distance is greater than said transition distance, wherein said magnetic system further comprises a spacer that is between said first magnetic structure and said second magnetic structure, wherein said spacer limits the amount of attract force that can be applied to said classical simple machine by said multi-level magnetic system.

4. The complex machine of claim 2, wherein a separation distance between said first magnetic structure and said second magnetic structure can be varied.

5. The complex machine of claim 2, wherein said first magnetic structure can be moved rotationally relative to said second magnetic structure.

6. The complex machine of claim 2, wherein said first magnetic structure can be moved sideways relative to said second magnetic structure.

7. The complex machine of claim 2, wherein said at least one classical simple machine comprises a lever.

8. The complex machine of claim 2, wherein said magnetic system further comprises a movement constraining structure.

9. The complex machine of claim 8, wherein said movement constraining structure constrains motion of said first magnetic structure relative to said second magnetic structure such that they are always parallel to each other.

10. The complex machine of claim 8, wherein said movement constraining structure prevents rotation of at least one of said first magnetic structure or said second magnetic structure.

11. The complex machine of claim 8, wherein said movement constraining structure prevents sideways motion of at least one of said first magnetic structure or said second magnetic structure.

12. The complex machine of claim 8, wherein said movement constraining structure may have variable states whereby movement of at least one of said first magnetic structure or said second magnetic structure is constrained in some manner while said movement constraining structure is in a first state but not constrained or constrained differently when said movement constraining structure is in a second state.

3. A complex machine, comprising:

a classical simple machine; and

a magnetic system that applies a force to said classical simple machine, said magnetic system comprising;

a first magnetic structure; and

a second magnetic structure that interacts with said first magnetic structure to produce said force, said first magnetic structure comprising a plurality of magnetic sources having a polarity pattern that includes a first polarity and a second polarity, said second polarity being opposite said first polarity, said second magnetic structure comprising one or more magnetic sources, wherein said magnetic system comprises a multi-level magnetic system having a force curve that transitions from producing an attract force to producing a repel force depending on a separation distance between the first magnetic structure and the second magnetic structure, wherein said force curve exhibits a sinusoidal function with extension.