Magnetic spring device

• US 9,396,858 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2013
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Azbil Corporation (Azbil BioVigilant Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Azbil Corporation (Azbil BioVigilant Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kamiunten, Shoji
• Primary Examiner(s): Ismail, Shawki S
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOMZA, LISA NHUNG
• Application Number:
  US14/380,855
• Publication Number:
  US 20150028975A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,247 Days
• Field of Search: 335/295
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/035 by use of eddy or induced-current damping dynamo-electric brakes of the eddy-current type H02K49/04
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 6/00 Magnetic springs magnetic spring arrangements for the suppression of vibration in systems F16F15/03; Fluid magnetic springs , i.e. magnetic spring combined with a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 6/005 using permanent magnets only
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0252 PM holding devices H01F7/021, H01F7/0215, H01F7/0226 take precedence

Abstract

A magnetic spring device includes a permanent magnet, a first yoke and a second yoke, disposed to oppose each other with the permanent magnet interposed therebetween, a movable element, made from a magnetizable body, provided to enable linear movement in an axial direction thereof, in a state wherein a location of an axis is constrained, between the first and second yokes, away from the permanent magnet, where a magnetic path of a magnetic flux that exits from an N-pole of the permanent magnet and returns to a S-pole is formed together with the first and second yokes, and a magnetic flux distribution controlling portion that changes a distribution of an amount of magnetic flux that is provided from the permanent magnet through the first and second yokes to the movable element, and an amount of magnetic flux from the permanent magnet that is not provided to the movable element.

Claims

1. A magnetic spring device comprising:

a first yoke having an interior surface and a second yoke having an interior surface, where the first yoke and second yoke are disposed so that their interior surfaces face each other;

a permanent magnet rotatable about a first axis and disposed between the first yoke and the second yoke, where the permanent magnet has an N-pole and an S-pole disposed along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis;

a moveable element, comprising a ferromagnetic material, and disposed between the first yoke and second yoke and constrained to move linearly along a third axis;

where the permanent magnet has at least a first rotational position and a second rotational position, where, in the first rotational position, the N-pole and the S-pole are each disposed at a closest position to one of the interior faces of the first yoke and second yoke so that magnetic flux flowing from the N-pole to the S-pole through the first yoke, moveable element, and second yoke is maximized; and

where, in the second rotational position, the N-pole and the S-pole are each disposed equidistant from the interior faces of the first yoke and second yoke so that magnetic flux flowing from the N-pole to the S-pole through the first yoke, moveable element, and second yoke is minimized.

2. The magnetic spring device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an ultrasonic motor or a stepping motor, connected to the permanent magnet, for changing the rotational position of the permanent magnet.

3. The magnetic spring device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the permanent magnet is a bar magnet, provided so that the second axis is disposed along the bar.

4. The magnetic spring device as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a manual dial to rotate the permanent magnet;

wherein the manual dial comprises a latch which stops and holds the position of an adjusting mechanism for changing the rotational position of a magnetic pole of the permanent magnet at specific locations.