Patents Assigned to Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20240006100
    Abstract: A continuous method of manufacturing permanent magnets and the permanent magnets created thereby. A fine powder is created from a combination of magnetic metals. The powder (a metal alloy) is placed in a non-magnetic container of any desired shape which could be, for example, a tube. The metal alloy and tube are swaged while a magnetic field is applied. Once swaging is complete, the metal alloy and tube are sintered and then cooled. Instead of sintering, a bonding agent can mixed into the powder. Following cooling, the metal alloy is magnetized by placing it between poles of powerful electromagnets with the desired field direction. The process of the invention enables mass-produced, cost-effective PM products, which are more robust, easily assembled into products, enables new “wire like” shapes with arbitrary magnetization direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer Meinke
  • Patent number: 11842832
    Abstract: A continuous method of manufacturing permanent magnets and the permanent magnets created thereby. A fine powder is created from a combination of magnetic metals. The powder (a metal alloy) is placed in a non-magnetic container of any desired shape which could be, for example, a tube. The metal alloy and tube are swaged while a magnetic field is applied. Once swaging is complete, the metal alloy and tube are sintered and then cooled. Instead of sintering, a bonding agent can mixed into the powder. Following cooling, the metal alloy is magnetized by placing it between poles of powerful electromagnets with the desired field direction. The process of the invention enables mass-produced, cost-effective PM products, which are more robust, easily assembled into products, enables new “wire like” shapes with arbitrary magnetization direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer Meinke
  • Publication number: 20230361635
    Abstract: A configuration of a plurality of elongate, axially-magnetized curvilinear permanent magnets having high length to cross-section ratio, produced, for example, by the PM-Wire manufacturing process, that produce an electric machine permanent magnet rotor structure with a very low intrinsic demagnetizing field, allowing for operation at high temperature, at high RPM, or enabling use of permanent magnets comprising low coercivity magnetic materials. Exemplary embodiments of two-pole, four-pole, six-pole and eight-pole rotor permanent magnet configurations for single and dual rotor applications. The novel configuration of axially-magnetized curvilinear permanent magnets reduces demagnetization at high temperature, increases electric machine power density, reduces weight by eliminating the need for back iron, increases motor reliability, reduces manufacturing costs, and enables higher electric motor torque and electric generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Senti, Philippe Masson
  • Publication number: 20230188018
    Abstract: A dual-rotor machine comprising a dual rotor support structure rotatably connected to a frame. A stationary stator is disposed between the rotors and is fixed to the frame. An inner rotor and outer rotor, each comprising a permanent magnet Halbach array, are coaxially disposed with the stator and are rotable about the stator. In this configuration, the inner rotor channels its magnetic flux to its outside, while the outer rotor channels its magnetic flux to its inside. The magnetic flux density at the stator for the dual-rotor machine can be as high as 2 Tesla or higher for high-grade neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnet material, and the stored magnetic energy for conversion to mechanical or electrical energy available to the stator may be at least 0.5 kJ/m. The rotor Halbach arrays may comprise monolithic permanent magnets with continuously variable magnetic field direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Meinke, Shashikant Manikonda
  • Publication number: 20230062147
    Abstract: A method for continuous manufacture of permanent magnets. A material sheet is formed into an open tube, having a lengthwise opening. Magnetic powder may be poured into the lengthwise opening on a continuous basis. The tube opening is then formed closed and sealed. The magnetic powder is magnetically pre-aligned by subjecting it to a first magnetic field. The tube containing the powder may be compressed into a desired shape, forming an elongated permanent magnet. After compression, the elongated magnet is magnetized by a second magnetic field in two-step process, wherein the elongated permanent magnet is subjected to a magnetic field from first magnetizing coil that is pulsed with a first electric current in a first direction, followed by a second magnetizing coil being pulsed with a second magnetizing electric current in a second direction. The elongated magnet may be formed into any arbitrary shape, such as a ring or coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Masson, Mark Senti
  • Patent number: 11575301
    Abstract: A dual-rotor machine comprising a dual rotor support structure rotatably connected to a frame. A stationary stator is disposed between the rotors and is fixed to the frame. An inner rotor and outer rotor, each comprising a permanent magnet Halbach array, are coaxially disposed with the stator and are rotable about the stator. In this configuration, the inner rotor channels its magnetic flux to its outside, while the outer rotor channels its magnetic flux to its inside. The magnetic flux density at the stator for the dual-rotor machine can be as high as 2 Tesla or higher for high-grade neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnet material, and the stored magnetic energy for conversion to mechanical or electrical energy available to the stator may be at least 0.5 kJ/m. The rotor Halbach arrays may comprise monolithic permanent magnets with continuously variable magnetic field direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Meinke, Shashikant Manikonda
  • Publication number: 20210273540
    Abstract: A dual-rotor machine comprising a dual rotor support structure rotatably connected to a frame. A stationary stator is disposed between the rotors and is fixed to the frame. An inner rotor and outer rotor, each comprising a permanent magnet Halbach array, are coaxially disposed with the stator and are rotable about the stator. In this configuration, the inner rotor channels its magnetic flux to its outside, while the outer rotor channels its magnetic flux to its inside. The magnetic flux density at the stator for the dual-rotor machine can be as high as 2 Tesla or higher for high-grade neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnet material, and the stored magnetic energy for conversion to mechanical or electrical energy available to the stator may be at least 0.5 kJ/m. The rotor Halbach arrays may comprise monolithic permanent magnets with continuously variable magnetic field direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Meinke, Shashikant Manikonda
  • Patent number: 10892672
    Abstract: A dual-rotor machine comprising a dual rotor support structure rotatably connected to a frame. A stationary stator is disposed between the rotors and is fixed to the frame. An inner rotor and outer rotor, each comprising a permanent magnet Halbach array, are coaxially disposed with the stator and are rotable about the stator. In this configuration, the inner rotor channels its magnetic flux to its outside, while the outer rotor channels its magnetic flux to its inside. The magnetic flux density at the stator for the dual-rotor machine can be as high as 2 Tesla or higher for high-grade neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnet material, and the stored magnetic energy for conversion to mechanical or electrical energy available to the stator may be at least 0.5 kJ/m. The rotor Halbach arrays may comprise monolithic permanent magnets with continuously variable magnetic field direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Meinke, Shashikant Manikonda
  • Patent number: 10453597
    Abstract: A conductor assembly and method for making an assembly of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, induces a voltage. In one series of embodiments the assembly comprises a spiral configuration, positioned along paths in a series of concentric cylindrical planes, with a continuous series of connected turns, each turn including a first arc, a second arc and first and second straight segments connected to one another by the first arc. Each of the first and second straight segments in a turn is spaced apart from an adjacent straight segment in an adjoining turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Meinke, Gregory J Shoultz, Gerald M Stelzer
  • Publication number: 20190122818
    Abstract: A continuous method of manufacturing permanent magnets and the permanent magnets created thereby. A fine powder is created from a combination of magnetic metals. The powder (a metal alloy) is placed in a non-magnetic container of any desired shape which could be, for example, a tube. The metal alloy and tube are swaged while a magnetic field is applied. Once swaging is complete, the metal alloy and tube are sintered and then cooled. Instead of sintering, a bonding agent can mixed into the powder. Following cooling, the metal alloy is magnetized by placing it between poles of powerful electromagnets with the desired field direction. The process of the invention enables mass-produced, cost-effective PM products, which are more robust, easily assembled into products, and enables new “wire-like” shapes with arbitrary magnetization direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer Meinke
  • Publication number: 20190109526
    Abstract: A dual-rotor machine comprising a dual rotor support structure rotatably connected to a frame. A stationary stator is disposed between the rotors and is fixed to the frame. An inner rotor and outer rotor, each comprising a permanent magnet Halbach array, are coaxially disposed with the stator and are rotable about the stator. In this configuration, the inner rotor channels its magnetic flux to its outside, while the outer rotor channels its magnetic flux to its inside. The magnetic flux density at the stator for the dual-rotor machine can be as high as 2 Tesla or higher for high-grade neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnet material, and the stored magnetic energy for conversion to mechanical or electrical energy available to the stator may be at least 0.5 kJ/m. The rotor Halbach arrays may comprise monolithic permanent magnets with continuously variable magnetic field direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Meinke, Shashikant Manikonda
  • Publication number: 20180226190
    Abstract: A flux directed magnet and a method of manufacturing a flux-directed magnet in a reduced number of process steps is described and claimed. The present invention is, in an embodiment, a single-step manufacturing of flux directed magnet assemblies such as, but not limited to, Halbach arrays of arbitrary multipole order. Even tube-shaped flux directed magnet assemblies such as Halbach arrays with large aspect ratio, i.e. length to diameter, can be produced in single steps using the method of the invention. Alternatively, the present invention may be one step of a plurality of steps in a process for manufacturing of flux directed magnet assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Meinke, Sasha Ishmael
  • Publication number: 20180158586
    Abstract: A conductor assembly and method for making an assembly of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, induces a voltage. In one series of embodiments the assembly comprises a spiral configuration, positioned along paths in a series of concentric cylindrical planes, with a continuous series of connected turns, each turn including a first arc, a second arc and first and second straight segments connected to one another by the first arc. Each of the first and second straight segments in a turn is spaced apart from an adjacent straight segment in an adjoining turn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Meinke, Gregory J. Shoultz, Gerald M. Stelzer
  • Publication number: 20180104471
    Abstract: A system and method for motivating a particle, for example a drug molecule, to a predetermined location in three dimensional space by applying magnetic fields, which may be static or time-varying, to the particle. The magnetic fields may be applied by one or a plurality of magnets, and may be multipole of any order such as octopole or decapole. The electric current driving the magnet coils may be pulsed for inducing a voltage in the molecules to aid in motivation. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention in which the substance is a drug, for example a drug molecule or plurality of drug molecules, the magnets may be positioned outside the body of the person to be treated, and the magnetic field(s), which may be time-varying, are used to motivate the drug molecule(s) to a predetermined location in an animal's body. The animal may be a human.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Meinke, Gerald Stelzer
  • Publication number: 20180078269
    Abstract: Systems and methods for removing plaque from blood vessels by applying constant or time varying magnetic or electrical fields. In one embodiment a system includes winding configurations positioned about a central axis along which a body region may be placed. Each winding configuration generates a magnetic field in a direction which passes through the body region. A first winding configuration generates a first magnetic field component perpendicular to a second magnetic field component generated by a second winding configuration. In a related method for removing a deposit of plaque from a position along a wall of a blood vessel a magnetic field is applied which has a net direction predominantly orthogonal to the direction of the flow of blood through the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Meinke, Sasha Ishmael
  • Patent number: 9911525
    Abstract: A conductor assembly and method for constructing an assembly of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, induces a voltage. In one embodiment the method provides a first insulative layer tubular in shape and including a surface along which a conductor segment may be positioned. A channel formed in the surface of the insulative layer defines a first conductor path and includes a surface of first contour in cross section along a first plane transverse to the conductor path. A segment of conductor having a surface of second contour in cross section is positioned at least partly in the channel and extends along the conductor path. Along the first plane, contact between the conductor surface of second contour and the channel surface of first contour includes at least two separate regions of contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Stelzer, Rainer Meinke, Mark Senti
  • Publication number: 20180033532
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing magnets, including magnets comprising coil windings which may be multiple meters in length. In an embodiment, the support structure comprises a cylinder in which machined grooves are formed to define the magnet conductor path. The segments may consist of a composite material or a metal in the shape of a cylinder, but which need not be manufactured from a single piece of material. Rather, the support structure may be formed in multiple connectable segments which, when connected together, form a completed wiring support structure. Each segment may be of sufficient length to support multiple individual coil turns in a helical configuration. When the segments are connected the helical configuration continues without interruption from connectable segment to connectable segment. The segmented wiring support structure of the invention may be applied to linear or curved magnet geometries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: ADVANCED MAGNET LAB, INC.
    Inventors: RAINER MEINKE, GERALD M. STELZER
  • Patent number: 9826996
    Abstract: Systems and methods for removing plaque from blood vessels by applying constant or time varying magnetic or electrical fields. In one embodiment a system includes winding configurations positioned about a central axis along which a body region may be placed. Each winding configuration generates a magnetic field in a direction which passes through the body region. A first winding configuration generates a first magnetic field component perpendicular to a second magnetic field component generated by a second winding configuration. In a related method for removing a deposit of plaque from a position along a wall of a blood vessel a magnetic field is applied which has a net direction predominantly orthogonal to the direction of the flow of blood through the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc
    Inventors: Rainer Meinke, Sasha Ishmael
  • Patent number: 9786421
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing magnets, including magnets comprising coil windings which may be multiple meters in length. In an embodiment, the support structure comprises a cylinder in which machined grooves are formed to define the magnet conductor path. The segments may consist of a composite material or a metal in the shape of a cylinder, but which need not be manufactured from a single piece of material. Rather, the support structure may be formed in multiple connectable segments which, when connected together, form a completed wiring support structure. Each segment may be of sufficient length to support multiple individual coil turns in a helical configuration. When the segments are connected the helical configuration continues without interruption from connectable segment to connectable segment. The segmented wiring support structure of the invention may be applied to linear or curved magnet geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Meinke, Gerald M Stelzer
  • Publication number: 20170207592
    Abstract: Microemitter arrays comprising a plurality of microemitters having current transfer features such as microtips or blades to form contactless current transfer structures, and homopolar machines comprising same, are described and claimed. The invention further defines homopolar motors or generators comprising electrical connections formed of electrodes that transfer current without mechanical contact. Micron-size electron field emitters offer contact-free current transfer with high longevity, high reliability and are insensitive to temperature and if needed ionizing radiation. The microemitters may comprise diamond material and may be placed in a vacuum or noble gas environment. The gap between microemitters and electrodes for efficient, reliable current transfer could be in the range of 0.5 to 2 mm. The current transfer can be accomplished without mechanical contact, enabling higher RPM motors than previously achievable with brush or liquid metal electrical connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer Meinke