With Flux Leakage-reducing Means Patents (Class 335/304)
  • Patent number: 11904326
    Abstract: Systems and methods for harvesting algae is de-scribed herein. The system can include an algae pool containing at least one algae organism; a magnetic particle storage unit adapted or configured to introduce at least one magnetic particle into the algae pool, wherein the at least one magnetic particle binds to the at least one algae organism to form at least one algae conjugate; and an algae harvester, including: at least one magnetic disc adapted or configured to attach, via a surface of the at least one magnetic disc, to the at least one algae conjugate when the at least one algae conjugate comes in contact with the at least one magnetic disc; and at least one scraper adapted or configured to: remove the at least one algae conjugate from the surface of the at least one magnetic disc; and transport the at least one algae conjugate from the algae harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: MANTA BIOFUEL
    Inventors: Ryan Joseph Powell, John William Sturgis, IV, Maximilian Davis Marshall, Scott Joseph Witte
  • Patent number: 11869711
    Abstract: Provided is a magnetic clamp device that reduces a magnetic flux leaking from a magnetic circuit passing through a permanent magnet and a magnetic pole member. The magnetic clamp device includes: a permanent magnet 20 surrounding a magnetic pole member 10 and disposed on a surface of a plate PL made of a magnetic body that magnetically clamps a mold in a magnetized state; and a reversible magnet 16 capable of reversing polarity and disposed at the rear of the permanent magnet 20. The magnetic pole member 10 is constituted by a plurality of magnetic pole pieces 101, 102, 103, and 104. Each of the magnetic pole pieces has a first lateral surface R with a shape corresponding to the opposite permanent magnet 20, and a second lateral surface T at which adjacent magnetic pole pieces oppose each other. The magnetic pole member 10 moves as the first lateral surfaces R are suction-adsorbed by the permanent magnet 20 without the second lateral surfaces T interfering with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventor: Ryota Kojima
  • Patent number: 11830671
    Abstract: A switchable magnetic apparatus has a front layer, a rear layer, and a manipulating mechanism for changing the relative arrangement of the magnets to change the apparatus between ON and OFF states. The front layer has one or more front-layer magnets and a plurality of interleaved ferromagnetic components. The rear layer has one or more rear-layer magnets. When the magnetic apparatus is OFF, some or all of the rear-layer magnets overlap some or all of the ferromagnetic components, wherein the ferromagnetic components experience opposite poles between the adjacent front-layer magnets compared to the adjacent rear-layer magnet. When the magnetic apparatus is ON, some or all the rear-layer magnets overlap some or all the ferromagnetic components, wherein the ferromagnetic components experience the same magnetic pole from the adjacent front-layer magnets and the adjacent rear-layer magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Lantha Tech Ltd.
    Inventors: Evan Trevors, Nicholas Simin, Josh Javor, Christian Ruiz
  • Patent number: 11430589
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a hybrid magnet structure which includes two dipole magnets assemblies arranged oppositely, and each dipole magnet assembly includes a permanent magnet, two iron cores, and a moveable magnetic field shunt element. The hybrid magnet structure is adapted to focus particle beams of different positions by applying an adjustable gradient magnetic field in the horizontal or vertical direction of the particle beam. By passing the charged particle beams through the gradient magnetic field established between the two dipole magnets, the aspect of focusing the charged particle beam is achieved. In addition, the intensity of the gradient magnetic field can be altered by adjusting the gap between the movable magnetic field shunt element and the permanent magnet, thereby controlling the particle beam size on a specific axis for different energies or masses of the charge particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: ADVANCED ION BEAM TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ching-Shiang Hwang, Jyh-Chyuan Jan, Hui-Huang Chen, Yun-Liang Chu
  • Patent number: 11353934
    Abstract: Example computing devices are disclosed that include a first housing member rotatably coupled to a second housing member at a hinge. In addition, the computing devices include a display including first and second ends disposed on first and second sides of the hinge, respectively. Further, the computing devices include a first magnet disposed within the first housing member, and a controller disposed within the housing. The controller is coupled to the first magnet and is to actuate the first magnet to generate a magnetic field based on a position of the first housing member relative to the second housing member about the hinge. Additionally, the magnetic field is to attract or repel the first end of the display to translate the first end of the display relative to the hinge within the first housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Dimitre D. Mehandjiysky, Syed S. Azam, Busarin Chumnong
  • Patent number: 10714988
    Abstract: A hybrid permanent magnet includes a first magnet (M1) having a first magnetic material and a second magnet (M2) having a second magnetic material different from the first magnetic material. The M2 magnet is deposited or assembled on a north pole surface and/or a south pole surface of the M1 magnet and the volume of the M2 magnet is less than or equal to the volume of the M1 magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Kaizhong Gao, Yuepeng Zhang
  • Patent number: 9952294
    Abstract: There are disclosed magnet arrays and methods for generating magnetic fields. In embodiments magnet arrays comprise a plurality of polyhedral magnets arranged in a lattice configuration and at least partly enclosing a testing volume, the magnet array having an associated magnetic field with a designated field direction {circumflex over (v)}, wherein the magnetization direction {circumflex over (m)} of an individual polyhedral magnet located at a displacement vector {right arrow over (r)} from an origin point in the testing volume is determined by the formula: {circumflex over (m)}=(2({circumflex over (v)}·{right arrow over (r)}){right arrow over (r)}?({right arrow over (r)}·{right arrow over (r)}){circumflex over (v)})/{right arrow over (r)}·{right arrow over (r)}. In embodiments the arrays are comprised in magnetic resonance machines. In embodiments the polyhedral magnets are truncated cubes or are rhombic dodecahedra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: NANALYSIS CORP.
    Inventor: Garett M. Leskowitz
  • Patent number: 9033309
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve actuator (2), comprising a magnetic core (6) with an interspace (8) and at least one bifurcating branch (7), at least one variable magnetic field generating device (16), at least one permanent magnetic field generating device (13) and at least one movable magnetic component (12), wherein the bifurcating branch (7) defines a first region (4) and a second region (5) of said magnetic core (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignees: Sauer Danfoss Aps, Artemis Intelligent Power Ltd.
    Inventors: William Hugh Salvin Rampen, Niall James Caldwell, Uwe Bernhard Pascal Stein
  • Publication number: 20150109080
    Abstract: An improved system for concentrating and controlling magnetic flux of a multi-pole magnetic structure at the surface of a ferromagnetic target uses first pole pieces having a magnet-to-pole piece interface with a first area and a pole piece-to-target interface with a second area substantially smaller than the first area for concentrating flux of the multi-pole magnetic structure at each pole piece-to-target interface, where the target can be a ferromagnetic material or complementary pole pieces. A magnetic circuit having second pole pieces located between the first pole pieces and the ferromagnetic target controls the flux directed from the first pole pieces to the ferromagnetic target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Larry W. Fullerton, Mark D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8975991
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew D. Lauder, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8928437
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8907752
    Abstract: Accurate and reliable techniques for wirelessly powering a tablet device are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventors: Justin Richard Wodrich, Stephen Robert McClure
  • Patent number: 8884730
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8878637
    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: November 4, 2014
    Inventors: Jared A. Sartee, Samuel G. Smith, Santhana K. Balaji, Florence W. Ow
  • Patent number: 8844121
    Abstract: An improved field emission system and method is provided that involves field emission structures having electric or magnetic field sources. The magnitudes, polarities, and positions of the magnetic or electric field sources are configured to have desirable correlation properties, which may be in accordance with a code. The correlation properties correspond to a desired spatial force function where spatial forces between field emission structures correspond to relative alignment, separation distance, and the spatial force function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Correlated Magnetics Research LLC
    Inventors: Larry W. Fullerton, Mark D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8819921
    Abstract: There are provided a process of forming a recess groove having a depth shallower than and a width larger than the notch groove for fracturing at a portion of fracturing and splitting in the permanent magnet; a process of forming the notch groove for fracturing the permanent magnet in a groove bottom of the recess groove formed in the recess-groove forming process; and a process of fracturing and splitting the permanent magnet along the notch groove so as to obtain magnet pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuuji Adachi
  • Patent number: 8665045
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8665044
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8648679
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8624695
    Abstract: Accurate and reliable techniques for determining a current status of an accessory device in relation to an electronic device are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Cretella, Jr., Venu Madhav Duggineni, Michael Man-Cheung Eng, Ronald Keryuan Huang, Christopher Moore, Christopher T. Mullens
  • Patent number: 8576031
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8514042
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Publication number: 20130207657
    Abstract: There are disclosed pole piece designs. In embodiments a pole piece comprises a rear face, the rear face comprising at least one channel. In embodiments the pole piece comprises at least one hole for accepting a cooperating shimming rod. There are also disclosed magnet arrays and magnetic resonance apparatuses comprising the pole pieces as well as uses of the pole pieces with magnet arrays according to embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: NANALYSIS CORPORATION
    Inventor: NANALYSIS CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8451080
    Abstract: The magnetic force between the electromagnet and plunger of a magnetic actuator, the electromagnet including a coil generating magnetic flux when the coil is energized, can be increased by locating a near field plate on the electromagnet. The near field plate has a spatially modulated surface reactance configured to focus the magnetic flux within a region of the plunger, such as the central portion of an end portion of the plunger proximate the electromagnet, so as to increase the magnetic force between the electromagnet and plunger. Examples also include permanent magnet based actuators and the use of other magnetic field focusing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaewook Lee, Debasish Banerjee, Hideo Iizuka, Ercan Mehmet Dede
  • Patent number: 8395465
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8390411
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8390413
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Al, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8390412
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8373528
    Abstract: There is provided a magnetic field control method and a magnetic field generator which are capable of moving a local maximum point of magnetic field intensity on a predetermined plane easily to any given point within a predetermined area on the predetermined plane. A magnetic field generator 10 includes a pair of permanent magnets 16a, 16b provided axially of a predetermined axis A, with a gap G in between. The permanent magnet 16a is formed on a drive unit 14a in such a way that a center region 30a of a first main surface 26a is off the predetermined axis A. The permanent magnet 16b is formed on a drive unit 14b in such a way that a center region 30b of a first main surface 26b is off the predetermined axis A. The permanent magnet 16a revolves on a path R1 as a rotating member 24a rotates. The permanent magnet 16b revolves on a path R2 as a rotating member 24b rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Takayama, Mitsutoshi Natsumeda, Kentaro Horisaka
  • Patent number: 8344836
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasable attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8310325
    Abstract: A magnet arrangement for creating a magnetic field. The magnet arrangement includes a first magnet having a first surface defining a first pole and a second surface defining a second pole opposite the first pole, and a second magnet having a third surface defining a third pole and a fourth surface defining a fourth pole opposite the third pole. The second surface has a higher magnetic flux density than the first surface. The third surface has a higher magnetic flux density than the fourth surface. The second magnet is spaced from the first magnet to define a first gap between the second surface and the third surface. Magnetic field lines of the magnetic field run from the first surface to the second surface, from the second surface to the third surface through the first gap, and from the third surface to the fourth surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventors: Ming Zhang, Sesha Madireddi
  • Patent number: 8289114
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8289115
    Abstract: Accurate and reliable techniques for determining a current status of an accessory device in relation to an electronic device are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Cretella, Jr., Venu Madhav Duggineni, Michael Man-Cheung Eng, Ronald Keryuan Huang, Christopher Moore, Christopher T. Mullens
  • Patent number: 8264310
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8253518
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8245394
    Abstract: A method for producing a rigid magnetic circuit component for an electromagnetically operable valve includes: a) providing a base element made of a magnetic or a magnetizable material, b) complete first heat treatment of the base element, c) a local second heat treatment of the base element so as to form a subregion having a microstructure of martensite and residual austenite in the otherwise martensitic base element, and d) installing the finished processed base element as the magnetic circuit component in a magnetic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Max Seitter, Stefan Oetinger
  • Patent number: 8242868
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8143983
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8143982
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8138874
    Abstract: A nanomagnetic flip-flop, or register. The nanomagnetic register receives a signal from an input signal nanomagnet on a first clock cycle, and provides the input to an output signal nanomagnet on a second clock cycle. The input signal nanomagnet and the output signal nanomagnet are arranged on a substrate. Each of the signal nanomagnets has an easy axis and a hard axis that are substantially in a signal plane. A register nanomagnet is arranged on the substrate between the input signal nanomagnet and the output signal nanomagnet. The register nanomagnet has an easy axis and a hard axis that are substantially in a register plane. The register plane is not coplanar with the signal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: David Carlton, Nathan C. Emley, Jeffrey Bokor
  • Patent number: 8138869
    Abstract: A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lauder, Matthew D. Rohrbach, Daniel J. Coster, Christopher J. Stringer, Florence W. Ow, Jiang Ai, Jonathan P. Ive, Elvis M. Kibiti, John P. Ternus, Sean D. Lubner
  • Patent number: 8134441
    Abstract: A method and system for propagating signals along a line of nanomagnets. Nanomagnets having an easy axis and a hard axis are provided a biaxial anisotropy term, which increases metastability along the hard axis. The nanomagnets are forced into hard-axis alignment. A magnetization direction of a first nanomagnet is caused to cant upward. Dipole coupling interactions between the first nanomagnet and an adjacent nanomagnet cause a magnetization direction of the adjacent nanomagnet to cant downward in an anti-parallel alignment. This cascade continues reliably along the line of nanomagnets. The biaxial anisotropy term provides additional stability along the hard axis to ensure the nanomagnets do not prematurely align along the easy axis. Various logic gates using nanomagnets, stabilizer nanomagnets, destabilizer nanomagnets, and magnetic diodes are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bokor, Nathan C. Emley, David Carlton
  • Patent number: 7900343
    Abstract: A group of magnetic strands are configured into a minimal number of solid magnetized toroidal rings with a conical magnetization direction and then aligned, stacked and assembled into a magic sphere magnetic structure. Each magnetized toroidal ring has predetermined dimensions to form the inner and outer surfaces of a spherical shell. The present invention also encompasses a magic sphere magnetic device with unsegmented solid magnetized toroidal rings and methods for assembling a magic sphere by stacking magnetized toroidal rings with a conical magnetic direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Herbert A. Leupold
  • Patent number: 7859140
    Abstract: The permanent magnet member 10 for a voice coil motor (VCM) in accordance with the present invention comprises a magnet body 1 including a shorter periphery 11, a longer periphery 12 located at a position separated from the shorter periphery 11 by a predetermined distance, and a pair of side peripheries 13, 14 connecting the shorter periphery 11 and longer periphery 12 to each other, the magnet body having a fan-shaped planar form; and a corrosion-resistant film (Ni plating film 2) applied to a surface of the magnet body. The permanent magnet member 10 has a thickness whose maximum and minimum values yield a difference of 10 to 150 ?m therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Sakamoto, Tomomi Yamamoto, Tatsuhiro Iwai, Yasuyuki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7679362
    Abstract: A switch includes housing and a magnet that is mounted inside the housing. The magnet generates a magnetic field having magnetic flux. The switch further includes a flux concentration device that is located inside the housing and that selectively moves between first and second positions. An actuator assembly is located inside the housing and selects the first and second positions based on the input. A hall-effect device is located between the magnet and the flux concentration device and conducts a current having a first value when the magnetic flux is less than a predetermined magnetic flux threshold. The hall-effect device conducts current having a second current value when the magnetic flux exceeds the predetermined magnetic flux threshold. The first position communicates a first magnetic flux to the hall-effect device and the second position communicates a second magnetic flux that is different from the first magnetic flux to the hall-effect device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack P. Koski
  • Patent number: 7667562
    Abstract: A new class of fundamental devices and methods for their manufacture and use. The bulk magnetic field replicators of the present invention require no precision machining or alignment to accurately reproduce magnetic fields of any complexity, nor extreme positional stability to maintain superconductivity. Such bulk devices may be formed of either low or high critical temperature superconductive materials, but are particularly adapted to formation from high critical temperature materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventor: Roy Weinstein
  • Patent number: 7639013
    Abstract: With a view toward implementing a thermal controlling method for making reversible a temperature characteristic of a magnetic field generator using permanent magnets small in Hcj, a magnetic field generator whose temperature characteristic is reversible, using permanent magnets small in Hcj, and an MRI apparatus provided with such a magnetic field generator, there is provided a method for controlling the temperature of a magnetic field generator having a pair of disc-shaped permanent magnets whose magnetic poles opposite in polarity to each other are opposed to each other with spacing defined therebetween, and a yoke that forms return passes for magnetic fluxes of the permanent magnets, comprising the steps of raising the temperature from room temperature to a temperature higher than the room temperature, maintaining the temperature higher than the room temperature, and lowering the temperature from the temperature higher than the room temperature to the room temperature, whereby the temperature characteristi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Fengshun Tan, Weijun Shen, Yihe Hua, Liang Liu
  • Patent number: 7619329
    Abstract: A magnet body 1 including a shorter periphery 11, a longer periphery 12 located at a position separated from the shorter periphery 11 by a predetermined distance, and a pair of side peripheries 13, 14 connecting the shorter periphery 11 and longer periphery 12 to each other, the magnet body having a fan-shaped planar form; and a corrosion-resistant film (Ni plating film 2) applied to a surface of the magnet body. The permanent magnet member 10 has a thickness whose maximum and minimum values yield a difference of 10 to 150 ?m therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Sakamoto, Tomomi Yamamoto, Tatsuhiro Iwai, Yasuyuki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7507136
    Abstract: A set of magnetic blocks by which connection is made between blocks through a force attracting multiple ferrous protrusions on one face to multiple recessed magnets on another face. The multiple points of magnetic connection provide alignment and rigidity to the assembled structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Inventor: Claire Jean Patton
  • Patent number: 7504921
    Abstract: An actuator for moving a load has a frame forming a race between two surfaces thereof, at least two elements joined together by at least one flexible member, the elements and the at least one flexible member being disposed between the two surfaces of the frame that forms a race, one of the elements further joined to the load by a portion of the at least one flexible member, wherein when an element comes into contact with a surface of the frame it will stick thereto absent a repelling force, and moving means disposed to selectively attract or repel a corresponding element towards or away from one or the other of the two surfaces of the frame that forms the race. The actuator effects movement of the load in a direction towards or away from the elements, by changing a position of at least one of the elements on a surface of the frame that forms the race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Adminstration
    Inventor: John M. Vranish