Plural Magnets Patents (Class 335/207)
  • Patent number: 11836057
    Abstract: A method detects and localizes a failure of a measurement acquisition channel in an acquisition system including two redundant acquisition channels for the measurement of a physical quantity in an environment. The method uses a processor with a memory storing a model including modeled values of the physical quantity based on measurements of other physical quantities in the environment. The method includes detecting a symptomatic error of a defective acquisition channel when a deviation between the measured values of the two channels reaches a detection threshold, waiting to let the acquisition system evolve for a certain period, and localizing the defective channel among the two channels, when the deviation of the values measured between the channels reaches a localization threshold different from the detection threshold. The localization is made from the comparison of the measured value of each of the channels with a modeled value of the physical quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Sébastien Jean Fernand Deneuve, Charles Ying
  • Patent number: 11817285
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to ingress-tolerant input devices comprising sliders. Aspects of the disclosure relate to an ingress-tolerant switch assembly for operating an electronic device in an ingress-protected manner. The switch assembly is at least partially disposed on an outer surface of an enclosure of the electronic device and generally includes a spring, a magnet coupled to the spring, and a slider coupled to the magnet. A spring force of the spring is overcome by a user moving the slider relative to the enclosure such that the slider moves the magnet into proximity of the magnetic sensor to cause the magnetic sensor to generate a sensor signal for performing a function of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Chase A. Thompson, Adam S. Trock
  • Patent number: 11799477
    Abstract: A rocker switch includes a rocker switch housing and a first magnet sensor. The rocker switch further includes a button rotatably mounted to the rocker switch housing about a first axis. The rocker switch also includes a magnet holder in contact with the button and rotatably mounted to the rocker switch housing about a second axis different from the first axis. The magnet holder holds a first magnet having a first polarity and a second magnet having a second polarity different from the first polarity. When the button is in a first button position, the button biases the magnet holder to a first magnet holder position, in which the first magnet is proximate to the magnet sensor. When the button is in a second button position, the button biases the magnet holder to a second magnet holder position, in which the second magnet is proximate to the magnet sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Davin R. Lee
  • Patent number: 11769643
    Abstract: An underwater device may include a waterproof housing defining a dry cavity and having a nonferrous switch interface wall. The underwater device may include a rotary switch within the dry cavity and including a switch body, and a switch shaft extending outwardly from the switch body. The underwater device may include a first magnetic body within the dry cavity and coupled between the switch shaft and the nonferrous switch interface wall, and a second magnetic body external from the waterproof housing and adjacent the nonferrous switch interface wall in alignment with the first magnetic body so that rotation of the second magnetic body rotates the switch shaft. Each of the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body may include a permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: EAGLE TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Abhi Gandhi, Brian Charles Strom
  • Patent number: 11675389
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a host; a first screen, comprising a first connecting edge, the first screen is slidably connected to the host by the first connecting edge, and the first screen slides between a first slide position and a second slide position relative to the host; a magnet module, disposed on the first screen or on the host, the magnet module comprises a plurality of magnet components, and the magnet components are arranged at intervals; and a magnetic induction module, disposed on the host or on the first screen relative to the magnet module, wherein when the first screen is flipped towards the host at any position between the first slide position and the second slide position, the magnetic induction module detects a magnetic field of the magnet module to causes the host to switch to a system state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Yung-Tsung Chang, Chih-Chiun Lin
  • Patent number: 11631558
    Abstract: A switch includes magnet for biasing a contact arm into a close position, the contact arm forced into an open position when an actuating force is applied to an extending portion of the arm. The switch can be operatively coupled to a zipper system of a container such that a zipper slider, when moved to a closed position of the zipper system, contact the extending portion of the arm to provide the actuating force. A circuit is formed by electrically connecting the switch to a battery and light source. The light source illuminates the interior of the container when the zipper slider is moved from a closed zipper system position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Giuseppe Petix
  • Patent number: 11418192
    Abstract: A push button switch assembly for a vehicle includes a housing having a plurality of walls that collectively define an inner space, and an elastic button that is moveable between a first unactuated position and a second unactuated position. A plate is positioned in the housing and an actuator is pivotable between a first position and a second position. The actuator includes a magnetic element. When the elastic button is in the first unactuated position, the magnetic element biases the actuator into the first position, and when the elastic button is moved to the section actuated position, a force applied to the elastic button is transmitted to the actuator to pivot the actuator to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: ARENS CONTROLS COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Roy F. Vollkommer, Andrew A. Vogel
  • Patent number: 11322323
    Abstract: A magnetic switch assembly comprising a toggle bar and a switch actuator each rotatable between a first position and a second position, at least one set of magnets including a first magnet mounted on the proximal end portion of the toggle bar and a second magnet mounted on the proximal end portion of the switch actuator and a corresponding pair of electrical contacts including a first electrical contact coupled to a first electrical conductor and a second electrical contact coupled to a second electrical conductor wherein the toggle bar is normally bias in the first position when the switch actuator is in the first position with the first magnet disposed in spaced relationship relative to the second magnet when each is in the first position and having a gap therebetween such that the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact engage each other to complete an electrical circuit between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor and when the switch actuator is moved from
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventor: Christopher Cantolino
  • Patent number: 11274382
    Abstract: Three-dimensional weaving, knitting, or braiding tools may be used to create three-dimensional fabric (24) with internal pockets (56). The pockets (56) may be shaped to receive electrical components such as switch electrodes (46A, 46B) for a switch (18). The fabric (24) may have adjacent first and second layers that are interposed between the switch electrodes (46A, 46B). The switch electrodes (46A, 46B) may be biased apart using magnets (46A-1, 46B-1) or other biasing structure. In a region of the fabric (24) that overlaps the first and second switch electrodes (46A, 46B), the first and second layers of fabric may be disconnected from each other. This allows the first and second layers to pull away from each other so that the electrodes (46A, 46B) are separated by the biasing force from the biasing structure. The switch (18) can be closed by pressing the electrodes (46A, 46B) together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Podhajny, James G. Griffin, II
  • Patent number: 11241719
    Abstract: A lens and/or a view screen of an electronic device having at least one case can be cleaned by wiping the view screen with a cleaning component wherein the cleaning component is configured to selectively couple to the at least one case or some other substrate using a magnetic attractive force. The cleaning devices may have secondary applications such as securing fly fishing lures, activating or deactivating a device having a magnetic switch, or preventing sunglasses from sinking. They may also be manufactured without a cleaning component for use with the secondary applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: GUI GLOBAL PRODUCTS, LTD.
    Inventors: Walter G. Mayfield, Daniel Martin Valdez
  • Patent number: 10893937
    Abstract: An implantable prosthesis, including an implantable component including an implantable magnet assembly, wherein the magnet assembly includes a magnet plated with a metallic substance, the magnet assembly includes a housing made at least in part of a polymer, wherein at least a portion of the housing made out of the polymer is in direct contact with the metallic substance, and the implantable component is configured to be implanted in a human such that the housing is exposed to body fluids thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Charles Roger Aaron Leigh
  • Patent number: 10837984
    Abstract: A transducer for high-voltage measuring technology, including a housing having a parallelepipedal basic contour, input connections arranged on the housing and carrying input measurement signals in the high-voltage range, output connections arranged on the housing and carrying output signals in the low-voltage range, a transducer circuit arranged in the housing and implemented on a printed circuit board and being contact-connected to the input and output connections. The parallelepipedal basic contour of the housing is designed as an upright construction. The printed circuit board is arranged upright between opposite side walls of a dome formed in the housing. The input connections are arranged facing away from one another on the outer sides of the side walls within the basic contour of the housing, and in a manner engaging through the respective side wall of the dome are in contact with contact elements of the transducer circuit on the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: KNICK ELEKTRONISCHE MESSGERÄTE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Jens-Hendrik Schiffer
  • Patent number: 10674287
    Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as a cochlear implant, a bone conduction device or a middle ear implant, including a magnet, and an electromagnetic communication wire forming, with respect to two dimensions, an enclosed boundary, wherein the magnet is located outside of the enclosed boundary. In an exemplary embodiment, the magnet is located in a container, and can revolve within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Charles Roger Aaron Leigh, Grahame Michael David Walling
  • Patent number: 10577834
    Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include a magnetic insertable lock component with a magnet-sensing lock housing. By using a magnet within a pin and a magnetic field sensor within the lock housing, the apparatus may accurately detect the state of the lock. In some embodiments, the apparatus may determine the pin is inserted fully into the lock, the pin is inserted partially into the lock, the pin is not inserted in the lock, and/or that a foreign object that is not the pin is inserted into the lock. By using a magnet within the pin to track the state of the lock, the apparatus may improve both the user experience and the security of the lock. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: LYFT, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Rex Luedtke, Andrew Paul Rosenkranz, Richard Stephen Chelminski, James Jeng-Yeu Peng
  • Patent number: 10504672
    Abstract: A knob switch device includes a knob portion and a control circuit portion. The control circuit portion is electrically connected to an encoder and at least one switching component. The knob portion includes a knob configured to control the encoder, and further includes a trigger mechanism configured to trigger the switching component. The knob drives the trigger mechanism to trigger the switching component by an axial movement. The knob transforms a change in a mechanical rotation angle into an electrical signal, and the functional mode of the intelligent closestool is switched by pressing or pulling the knob in the axial direction. In this way, the multiple functions of the intelligent closestool are flexibly controlled by using a single knob, and the knob switch device has a compact and small structure, thereby shortening the distance between a person and the intelligent closestool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: XIAMEN AXENT CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventor: Jianru Hu
  • Patent number: 10495254
    Abstract: A latch with magnetically-assisted operation is described. In some embodiments, a latch may include: a first magnetic device fixedly coupled to a first portion of an Information Handling System (IHS); a second magnetic device coupled to a second movable portion of the IHS; and a carrier, comprising: a compression bracket fixedly coupled to the first portion of the IHS, the compression bracket having a slot configured to accommodate the second magnetic device, at least one guidepost configured to receive a return spring, and at least one stopping pin; and a actuator bracket movably coupled to compression bracket, the actuator bracket having a button configured to translate the second magnetic device with respect to the first magnetic device, at least one orifice configured to engage with the at least one guidepost, and at least one detent configured to engage with the at least one stopping pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Torres, Timothy M. Radloff, Jason Scott Morrison, Weijong Sheu
  • Patent number: 10383560
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide magnetic lancet devices and methods for driving a lancet. For example, a magnetic lancet device may include a driving mechanism having a plurality of magnets and a lancet coupled to the driving mechanism. A magnetic interaction between the plurality of magnets is configured to drive the lancet from an engaged position to a penetrating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Dynamic Magnetics, LLC
    Inventor: Richard C. Paschal
  • Patent number: 10240391
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a switching apparatus for a powered adjustment system of a window shading, wherein said switching apparatus includes: a magnetically actuated switch positioned externally to the powered adjustment system and having an on position and an off position, wherein said magnetically actuated switch actuates a drive mechanism of the powered adjustment system in the on position, the drive mechanism being configured to adjust a position of the window shading; and an alignment feature positioned on a housing for the window shading proximal to said magnetically actuated switch, said alignment feature being configured to position a magnet of a switching tool outside the housing to control the powered adjustment system by actuating said magnetically actuated switch between the on position and the off position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Comfortex Window Fashions
    Inventors: Richard Watkins, Thomas Marusak
  • Patent number: 10121620
    Abstract: An electronic control unit (1) or an electric actuator (2), respectively, have a switch-off device (4) which includes at least one reed switch (6, 18, 26) and at least one permanent magnet arranged outside the housing (3) and removable from the housing (3). If the permanent magnet (7) is removed from its position of usage at the housing (3), for example in order to perform maintenance of the electronic control unit (1) or of the actuator (2), respectively, the at least one reed switch (6, 18, 26) is opened, as result of which the supply link (8, 10) between the activating terminal (5) and the supply terminals (9, 11) of the control unit are interrupted in order to switch voltage-carrying functional elements of the control unit (1) and/or of the electric actuator (2) to be currentless and thus to effectively prevent an unwanted spark discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: AUMA Riester GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wilfried Platzer, Benjamin Hofmann
  • Patent number: 9926728
    Abstract: A system for opening a door, in particular for the door of a household appliance, including a prong, integral with the door, and a device for locking and unlocking the door, having a mechanical module to hold or release the prong, respectively when the door is opened or is closed, the system having an unlocking mechanism arranged on the prong, the unlocking mechanism interacting with the mechanical module after their activation, to release the prong and open the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: BITRON S.p.A.
    Inventors: Fabrizio Promutico, Felice Paglia
  • Patent number: 9861390
    Abstract: A growing rod for mounting between attachment mechanisms that are secured to anatomical structures of a patient having scoliosis. The growing rod includes an outer housing and an inner housing disposed within the outer housing. The inner housing includes a magnet assembly including a magnet having a first pole and a second pole and a gear reduction mechanism coupled to the magnet. A first rod is secured to the inner housing and a second rod is secured to the outer housing. The gear reduction mechanism reduces an output rotation of the magnet to rotate a driver that operates to move the inner housing along a longitudinal axis with respect to the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Markus Hunziker
  • Patent number: 9818564
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic proximity switch, comprising a casing, and a balance plate is transversely provided in the middle within the casing; a dynamic magnet and a static magnet are disposed in parallel on the left and right sides above the balance plate; the left end of the balance plate is hinged within the casing; the lower surface of the right end of the balance plate is provided with a dynamic contact; the balance plate is connected to the dynamic magnet via an elastic component A; a wiring terminal A and a wiring terminal B are fixed in parallel on the left and right sides at the bottom in the casing; the top of the wiring terminal A is connected to the balance plate via an elastic component B; the upper portion of the wiring terminal B is transversely bent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: CHUANDONG MAGNETIC ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tianan Zhao, Kewen Long, Tianbao Yan
  • Patent number: 9576853
    Abstract: A magnetic trap is configured to arrange at least one diamagnetic rod. The magnetic trap includes first and second magnets on a substrate that forms the magnetic trap defining a template configured to self-assemble diamagnetic material. Each of the first and second magnets extends along a longitudinal direction to define a magnet length, and contact each other to define a contact line. The first magnet and the second magnet have a diametric magnetization in a direction perpendicular to the contact line and the longitudinal direction so as to generate a longitudinal energy potential that traps the diamagnetic rod along the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Qing Cao, Oki Gunawan
  • Patent number: 9569943
    Abstract: A magnet and magnetometer may be integrated into a smart home environment and allow it to be placed into an away mode of operation despite an entry point being semi-open. The disclosed implementations can detect a magnetic field strength and determine, based on the detected field strength, an approximate distance that a moveable partition is open. In some configurations, the presence of a second magnetic source can be detected. A notice may be generated based on one or more signals received from the magnetometer. The notice may be sent to a controller, a remote system, a remote device, and/or a client device as disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Charles Peterson, Sophie Le Guen, Maxime Veron, Yash Modi, Lawrence Au, Mark Rajan Malhotra, Julia DeIuliis
  • Patent number: 9497697
    Abstract: A handheld communication device includes first and second screens, a hinge to rotate the first and second screens between open and closed positions, and a permanent magnet to maintain the first and second screens in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Z124
    Inventors: Charles Becze, Michael J. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 9460875
    Abstract: Magnetic switches are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a mount and a switch actuator assembly coupled to the mount. The switch actuator assembly includes a body, a trigger, and a first magnet oriented to be attracted to a second magnet. Movement of the body from a first position to a second position is to cause relative movement between the first magnet and the second magnet and relative movement between the trigger and a switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL EQUIPMENT AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Robert Penning, Robert Lynn LaFountain, Michael John Simmons
  • Patent number: 9452455
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for cleaning contaminants on a contact portion of an electromagnetic contactor, and more particularly, a device for cleaning contaminants on a contact portion of an electromagnetic contactor in which a magnetic force the acting direction of which is changed in time is generated to the outside of the electromagnetic contactor for cleaning contaminants generated at a contact portion thereof with an arc extinguishing method, thereby effectively and broadly performing the cleaning of contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Sik An, Hyun Woo Joo
  • Patent number: 9362072
    Abstract: A float switch with a float housing having a magnetically-activated, hermetically-sealed reed switch secured within an interior cavity in a first orientation and a permanent magnet positioned in a second orientation. The permanent magnet is movable within a chamber in the interior cavity between a first activation position and a second non-activation position. For connection to a pump, electrical conductors extend from the float housing at one end and are electrically coupled to the reed switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Pentair Flow Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason James Davis, Douglas Richard Rogers, Shane R. Vallen
  • Patent number: 9355800
    Abstract: A control device for an enclosure is disclosed, where the control device includes a first portion positioned proximate to a back side of an enclosure surface of the enclosure, and a second portion positioned proximate to a front side of the enclosure surface. The first portion can include a plunger having a proximal end and a distal end, where the proximal end is adjacent to the enclosure surface. The first portion can also include a first magnet having a first polarity and disposed at the proximal end of the plunger. The first portion can further include at least one contact in communication with the distal end of the plunger, where the at least one contact has a first state and a second state. The second portion can include a second magnet having a second polarity, where the second magnet has an engaged position and a disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Lewis T. Henderson
  • Patent number: 9324526
    Abstract: A permanent magnet is pivotally mounted in a top spacer layer of a switching device and rests on a flex arm created in an underlying flex circuit layer. The underside of the flex arm rests on a thin bar formed in a lower spacer layer beneath which lies a base layer including an electromagnet. Activation of the electromagnet causes rotation of the flex arm to thereby close and open electrical contacts formed respectively on the underside of the flex arm and on the top surface of the base layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: TELEPATH NETWORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Wilson, Robert Tarzwell, Patrick McGuire
  • Patent number: 9281109
    Abstract: A magnetic assembly for use in a housing of an electronic device can include a first and a second magnet and a magnetic shield. The magnetic shield can reduce magnetic flux density from the first and the second magnets that can appear on the outside of the housing. A magnetic hinge assembly can include magnets configured to correlate with the first and second magnets. The magnetic hinge can magnetically attach to the housing by cooperating with the first and second magnets with magnets that can be included in the magnetic hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Florence W. Ow, Jeremy C. Franklin
  • Patent number: 9257245
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a support member coupled to the housing, a trigger member coupled to the support member, a sliding member, a first magnet member coupled to the sliding member, and a second magnet member coupled to the support member. The first magnet member includes two first magnets and a second magnet coupled to the corresponding first magnet. The magnetic pole of the first magnets is opposite to the magnetic pole of the second magnet. The second magnet member includes a third magnet and two fourth magnets. The magnetic pole of the third magnet is same as the magnetic pole of the second magnet. The magnetic pole of the fourth magnets is same as the magnetic pole of the first magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhi-Guo Sun, Jun-Lin Peng, Yu-Lun Li
  • Patent number: 9194685
    Abstract: A retractable assembly for immersion-, flow- and annex-measuring systems in analytical process technology for measuring at least one measured variable of a medium in a process containment, comprising an essentially cylindrical housing having a housing interior; an immersion tube, which is axially movable between a retracted service position in the housing and a process position extended from the housing. In the service position, the immersion tube is positioned in the housing interior; a closure element on an end region of the immersion tube facing the medium for sealing off the housing interior from the process containment when the immersion tube is located in the service position, and a proximity detector in or on the end region of the housing facing the medium for detecting the closure element in the service position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft für Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Schlereth, Stefan Robl, Alejandro Vaca Torres, Martin Lohmann
  • Patent number: 9157618
    Abstract: A luminaire may be carried by a lighting fixture and may have a generally concave elongate-shaped housing defining an optical chamber and an aperture. The luminaire may include a plurality of lighting devices each having a heat sink, a light source, and a magnetic attachment member. The magnetic attachment member may magnetically bind a lighting device to pads proximate to ferromagnetic material in the housing. Light emitted by the light source may enter the optical chamber and pass through the aperture in a generally orthogonal direction in relation to the orientation of the device. Electrical power may be delivered by one or more power supply unit of either an external or an on-board type, and by using either inductive or conductive coupling. Network interfaces may enable communication of control instructions among a multiple controllers located either within a single luminaire or distributed among multiple luminaires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: LIGHTING SCIENCE GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric Holland, Mark Penley Boomgaarden, Eric Thosteson
  • Patent number: 9093237
    Abstract: A control device is provided that includes a plate and a control unit. The control unit has a rotary unit designed as a transmitter unit and a receiver unit. The transmitter unit has a top surface and a bottom side, wherein a base is formed on the bottom side in a center region and a first magnetizable element or a first magnet for positioning the transmitter unit at a predefined position over the receiver unit is arranged in the center region. In a rest position the transmitter unit rests with the base on the plate and the axis of rotation extends essentially parallel to the normal of the plate, or the transmitter unit is tilted into an operating position such that the base rests only partially on the plate and the axis of rotation is tilted relative to the normal of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Micronas GmbH
    Inventor: Yan Bondar
  • Patent number: 9053880
    Abstract: Proximity switches include a hermetically sealed unit that can be used in harsh environments and under significant pressures, such as underwater and in nuclear power facilities, without having any parts that would require replacement or periodic maintenance. The proximity switches are preferably switches actuated by physical movement of a contact in response to changing magnetic forces. The switches are preferably disposed in a body tube optionally including a hermetic seal assembly to seal an open end of the body tube and/or a ferrule that prevents electrical wires attached to the switch inside the body tube from being pulled away from the switch. Further, the switches preferably maintain a contact pressure between electrical contacts sufficient to withstand acceleration seismic testing of 10 g with no contact discontinuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lynn LaFountain, Gregory Curtis Merrifield
  • Patent number: 9035731
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spring (1), in particular for a push button, for fixing to a carrier (2) and for registering a vertical force (F). The spring (3) is designed in such a way that when actuated it converts a vertical movement into a horizontal movement that can be detected by sensor means (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Manfred Brandl, Jean Marc Lucchini
  • Patent number: 9019052
    Abstract: A magnetic switch device and an electronic device having the same are disclosed. The electronic device includes an upper case which includes a first element and a lower case. The magnetic switch device includes a switch part and a driving part, wherein the switch part is mounted on the lower case and includes a second element that can be attached to the first element through magnetic force. The driving part is mounted on the lower case, such that when the driving part is moved, the switch part is enabled by the driving part to make the second element correspond to the first element, allowing the upper case to attach to the lower case; or the switch part is disabled by the driving part to not make the second element correspond to the first element, allowing the upper case not to attach to the lower case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Kuang-Hung Chen, Tsung-Ying Tsai
  • Patent number: 8991040
    Abstract: A reusable electronic circuit assembling system facilitates assembly and testing of electronic circuits. The system has at least one baseboard and one or more assembling blocks magnetically or mechanically attached to the baseboard. Each assembling block has at least two electrically connected conductive clips located separately in the opening holes of the assembly block. Discrete electronic components are connected by selectively inserting the electrodes of the to-be-connected electronic components into the clips of the assembling blocks. A complete circuit is constructed by attaching the above block-component assemblies on the baseboard and connecting them in accordance with the desired circuit diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: 5eTek, LLC
    Inventor: Erli Chen
  • Publication number: 20150077203
    Abstract: A control device for an enclosure is disclosed, where the control device includes a first portion positioned proximate to a back side of an enclosure surface of the enclosure, and a second portion positioned proximate to a front side of the enclosure surface. The first portion can include a plunger having a proximal end and a distal end, where the proximal end is adjacent to the enclosure surface. The first portion can also include a first magnet having a first polarity and disposed at the proximal end of the plunger. The first portion can further include at least one contact in communication with the distal end of the plunger, where the at least one contact has a first state and a second state. The second portion can include a second magnet having a second polarity, where the second magnet has an engaged position and a disengaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Lewis T. Henderson
  • Patent number: 8970332
    Abstract: An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force from an electromagnet to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug includes electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts on the receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic element on one of the plug or receptacle can be a magnet or ferromagnetic material. The magnetic element on the other of the plug or receptacle is an electromagnet. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the electromagnet magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: John DiFonzo, Bartley K. Andre, Kanye Lim, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Mark Edward Doutt, Jean-Marc Gery
  • Publication number: 20150054608
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a support member coupled to the housing, a trigger member coupled to the support member, a sliding member, a first magnet member coupled to the sliding member, and a second magnet member coupled to the support member. The first magnet member includes two first magnets and a second magnet coupled to the corresponding first magnet. The magnetic pole of the first magnets is opposite to the magnetic pole of the second magnet. The second magnet member includes a third magnet and two fourth magnets. The magnetic pole of the third magnet is same as the magnetic pole of the second magnet. The magnetic pole of the fourth magnets is same as the magnetic pole of the first magnets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: ZHI-GUO SUN, JUN-LIN PENG, YU-LUN LI
  • Patent number: 8963666
    Abstract: Connectors and methods of coupling electronic devices and cables are provided. In one embodiment, a connector has a first coded magnet on a first surface of a first device. The first coded magnet has at least two different polarity regions on the first surface. A second coded magnet on a second surface of a second device is also provided. The second coded magnet is configured to provide identifying information regarding the device on which it is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Bilbrey, Aleksandar Pance, Peter Arnold, David I. Simon, Jean Lee, Michael D. Hillman, Gregory L. Tice, Vijay Iyer, Bradley Spare
  • Publication number: 20150048911
    Abstract: A permanent magnet assembly for an arc driver assembly of an electric switching device, having a permanent magnet and a cover made of electrically insulating material, wherein the cover is connected directly to the permanent magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: EATON ELECTRICAL IP GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Dauer, Anke Juelich
  • Publication number: 20150048910
    Abstract: Proximity switches include a hermetically sealed unit that can be used in harsh environments and under significant pressures, such as underwater and in nuclear power facilities, without having any parts that would require replacement or periodic maintenance. The proximity switches are preferably switches actuated by physical movement of a contact in response to changing magnetic forces. The switches are preferably disposed in a body tube optionally including a hermetic seal assembly to seal an open end of the body tube and/or a ferrule that prevents electrical wires attached to the switch inside the body tube from being pulled away from the switch. Further, the switches preferably maintain a contact pressure between electrical contacts sufficient to withstand acceleration seismic testing of 10 g with no contact discontinuity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Lynn LaFountain, Gregory Curtis Merrifield
  • Patent number: 8953310
    Abstract: A cover is described that is magnetically attached to a tablet device. The cover includes at least as flap. In the described embodiment, the flap includes a plurality of segments where the first segment includes a first plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a first edge of the flap and where a second segment includes a second plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a second edge of the flap opposite the first edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventors: Samuel G. Smith, Jared A. Sartee, Florence W. Ow, Andrew D. Lauder, Jeremy C. Franklin
  • Publication number: 20150008997
    Abstract: Apparatus for floor cleaning, having a cavity that opens on the dashboard, a plurality of mechanically similar interchangeable keys, and suitable to be inserted completely into and operate with said cavity, two or more Hall-effect sensors arranged outside said cavity, at least one first key containing at least one magnet, and at least one second key including at least one respective second magnet, which are in functional correspondence with respective predefined sensors. Said magnets do not interfere with sensors to which they are not geometrically connected, and for this purpose they are aligned on a same straight line, and the insertion of said keys causes a movement of said magnets toward the respective sensors with a motion orthogonal to said straight line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: NILFISK-ADVANCE A/S
    Inventors: Paolo VALCARENGHI, Filippo MARCHETTI
  • Patent number: 8854163
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operating element (10) for a regulating and/or switching functionality having at least two switching or regulating stages, comprising: an actuating part (4) which can be actuated manually and thereby moved out of a rest position; at least three permanent magnets (1, 2, 3), comprising: a first movable permanent magnet (1), which is driven synchronously in its range of movement by the actuating part (4); a second movable permanent magnet (2), which, in a first partial range of the range of movement of the first permanent magnet (1), is synchronously entrained by it through magnetic force, and whose further movement is inhibited in at least one second partial range of the range of movement of the first permanent magnet (1) by at least one stop (5a); a third permanent magnet (3), which is stationary relative to the actuating part (4), for generating a magnetic return force on the at least first permanent magnet (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Preh GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Gessner, Thilo Schultheis, Arthur Klossek
  • Patent number: 8847715
    Abstract: A permanent magnet is pivotally mounted in a top spacer layer of a switching device and rests on a flex arm created in an underlying flex circuit layer. The underside of the flex arm rests on a thin bar formed in a lower spacer layer beneath which lies a base layer including an electromagnet. Activation of the electromagnet causes rotation of the flex arm to thereby close and open electrical contacts formed respectively on the underside of the flex arm and on the top surface of the base layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Telepath Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Wilson, Robert Tarzwell, Patrick McGuire
  • Patent number: RE49760
    Abstract: A latch with magnetically-assisted operation is described. In some embodiments, a latch may include: a first magnetic device fixedly coupled to a first portion of an Information Handling System (IHS); a second magnetic device coupled to a second movable portion of the IHS; and a carrier, comprising: a compression bracket fixedly coupled to the first portion of the IHS, the compression bracket having a slot configured to accommodate the second magnetic device, at least one guidepost configured to receive a return spring, and at least one stopping pin; and a actuator bracket movably coupled to compression bracket, the actuator bracket having a button configured to translate the second magnetic device with respect to the first magnetic device, at least one orifice configured to engage with the at least one guidepost, and at least one detent configured to engage with the at least one stopping pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Torres, Timothy M. Radloff, Jason Scott Morrison, Weijong Sheu