Abstract: An improved system and method for moving an object includes a first correlated magnetic structure associated with a first object and a second correlated magnetic structure associated with a second object. The first and second correlated magnetic structures are complementary coded to achieve a peak attractive tensile force and a peak shear force when their code modulos are aligned thereby enabling magnetic attachment of the two objects whereby movement of one object causes movement of the other object as if the two objects were one object. Applying an amount of torque to one correlated magnetic structures greater than a torque threshold causes misalignment and decorrelation of the code modulos enabling detachment of the two objects. The number, location, and coding of the correlated magnetic structures can be selected to achieve specific torque characteristics, tensile force characteristics, and shear force characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method for tailoring a polarity transition of a magnetic structure is provided that involves printing one or more reinforcing maxels alongside one side or both sides of a polarity transition boundary between a first polarity region of the magnetic structure having a first polarity and a second polarity region of the magnetic structure having a second polarity, where printing reinforcing maxels alongside the polarity transition boundary improves the magnetic field characteristics of the polarity transition.

Abstract: A magnetic shear force transfer device for transferring shear forces across a non-magnetic gap includes a first magnetic structure comprising concentric circular tracks of magnetic sources magnetically printed into a first magnetizable material a second magnetic structure comprising concentric circular tracks of magnetic sources magnetically printed into a second magnetizable material. Each concentric circular track has an even number of magnetic sources where adjoining magnetic sources alternate in polarity. One or more tracks of the first magnetic structure are rotated relative to one or more tracks of the second magnetic structure such that a maximum torque condition coincides to one angular orientation between the first and second magnetic structures.

Abstract: A system and method for tailoring a polarity transition of a magnetic structure is provided that involves printing one or more reinforcing maxels alongside one side or both sides of a polarity transition boundary between a first polarity region of the magnetic structure having a first polarity and a second polarity region of the magnetic structure having a second polarity, where printing reinforcing maxels alongside the polarity transition boundary improves the magnetic field characteristics of the polarity transition.

Abstract: A system and method for tailoring a polarity transition of a magnetic structure is provided that involves printing one or more reinforcing maxels alongside one side or both sides of a polarity transition boundary between a first polarity region of the magnetic structure having a first polarity and a second polarity region of the magnetic structure having a second polarity, where printing reinforcing maxels alongside the polarity transition boundary improves the magnetic field characteristics of the polarity transition.

Abstract: A magnetic shear force transfer device for transferring shear forces across a non-magnetic gap includes a first magnetic structure comprising concentric circular tracks of magnetic sources magnetically printed into a first magnetizable material a second magnetic structure comprising concentric circular tracks of magnetic sources magnetically printed into a second magnetizable material. Each concentric circular track has an even number of magnetic sources where adjoining magnetic sources alternate in polarity. One or more tracks of the first magnetic structure are rotated relative to one or more tracks of the second magnetic structure such that a maximum torque condition coincides to one angular orientation between the first and second magnetic structures.

Abstract: A method for inspecting the surface of a workpiece for the presence of flaws using a ferrofluid as a penetrant which is applied to the surface of the workpiece and then scanning the surface of the workpiece with electrical detection means placed adjacent to the surface for providing responses indicative of the presence of flaws in the surface of the workpiece. If desired, a magnetic field can be used to induce the flow of the ferrofluid into any flaws prior to inspection, and for post-inspection cleanup as well. By the use of a ferrofluid, the sensitivity of the electrical detection means, advantageously of the eddy current type, is enhanced in typical applications, and also allows the use of an eddy current probe to inspect workpieces made of nonconductive and/or nonferromagnetic materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating a leak which produces a continuous acoustic emission having background noise and spikes, comprises continuously monitoring the acoustic emissions using spaced apart detectors which produce signals having background noise and spikes corresponding to those of the continuous acoustic emissions. The spikes of one signal are offset in time with respect to the spikes of the other signal, which corresponds to the difference in travel time of the acoustic signals to each of the detectors. By measuring the offset between the spikes, the relative position of the acoustic emission, and thus the relative position of the leak, can be determined with respect to the position of the detectors. To facilitate separating the spikes from the background noise, a floating detection threshold value is applied to the signals for eliminating the background noise.