Magnetic omni-wheel and method for traversing surface therewith
First Claim
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1. A multidirectional wheel for traversing a surface, comprising:
- at least two magnetically inducible bodies mounted for rotation about a first axial direction along a first axis;
one or more magnets disposed about the first axis, the magnets having poles and being oriented such that their poles are oriented along the first axial direction and face in the same direction, the one or more magnets being mounted between the at least two magnetically inducible bodies; and
a plurality of rollers disposed around an outer periphery of each of the magnetically inducible bodies, the rollers being mounted for rotation in a second axial direction that is at an angle to the first axial direction,wherein the magnetically inducible bodies are sized, shaped, and positioned to concentrate a flux of the one or more magnets toward the surface being traversed and thereby increase the attractive force between the wheel and the surface.
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Abstract
A multidirectional wheel for traversing a surface that includes a hub having a first axial direction of rotation. A plurality of rollers are disposed around an outer periphery of the hub. The rollers are mounted for rotation in a second axial direction that is at an angle to the first axial direction. The wheel includes at least one magnet that is mounted to the hub. The hub is made of a magnetically inducible material that concentrates the flux of the at least one magnet toward the surface being traversed. A method for traversing a magnetically inducible surface using the multidirectional wheel is further provided.
42 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A multidirectional wheel for traversing a surface, comprising:
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at least two magnetically inducible bodies mounted for rotation about a first axial direction along a first axis; one or more magnets disposed about the first axis, the magnets having poles and being oriented such that their poles are oriented along the first axial direction and face in the same direction, the one or more magnets being mounted between the at least two magnetically inducible bodies; and a plurality of rollers disposed around an outer periphery of each of the magnetically inducible bodies, the rollers being mounted for rotation in a second axial direction that is at an angle to the first axial direction, wherein the magnetically inducible bodies are sized, shaped, and positioned to concentrate a flux of the one or more magnets toward the surface being traversed and thereby increase the attractive force between the wheel and the surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A multidirectional wheel for traversing a surface, comprising:
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a hub having a first axial direction of rotation; a plurality of rollers disposed around an outer periphery of the hub, the rollers being mounted for rotation in a second axial direction that is at an angle to the first axial direction; and at least one magnet mounted to the hub, wherein the hub is made of a magnetically inducible material which is sized, shaped, and positioned to concentrate a flux of the at least one magnet toward the surface being traversed and thereby increase the attractive force between the wheel and the surface. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification