Systems For Magnetizing, Demagnetizing, Or Controlling The Magnetic Field Patents (Class 361/143)
  • Patent number: 11901141
    Abstract: Magnetic coupling devices are disclosed which may be configured in at least three states. The various states may be provided through one or more of altering a position of a permanent magnet relative to another permanent magnet and altering a current level in a coil surrounding a permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Magswitch Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Morton, Cengiz Kizilkan, Paul J. Karp
  • Patent number: 11874295
    Abstract: Apparatus and techniques are described for monitoring slosh of a liquid within a propellant tank. The approaches described herein can use an electromagnetic transmitter positioned at a first location on or within the tank, the electromagnetic transmitter coupled to a source of electromagnetic energy and arranged to establish a specified electromagnetic field configuration within the tank using a signal from the source, and an electromagnetic receiver positioned at a different second location on or within the tank, the electromagnetic receiver arranged to sense an electromagnetic field established within the tank by the electromagnetic transmitter. A control circuit can be coupled to the electromagnetic receiver, the control circuit configured to determine a characteristic of a spatial configuration of the liquid using the sensed electromagnetic field. The characteristic can include one or more of a position, a quantity, or a spatial distribution of the liquid, as an illustration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Inc.
    Inventors: Eduardo Antonio Rojas, Bogdan Udrea, Daniel Sommer, Nicholas Moline
  • Patent number: 11705263
    Abstract: The present invention belongs to the technical field of magnetically controlled soft-bodied robots, and more specifically, relates to a controllable and reconfigurable magnetization system and method for a magnetic soft-bodied robot. The system comprises a pulse power supply module, magnetizing coil units axisymmetrically arranged up and down, and a magnetic soft-bodied robot placed between the upper and lower magnetizing units. By means of changing the relative current flow direction of the upper and lower magnetizing coil modules, radial and vertical magnetic fields can be generated between the magnetizing coils arranged oppositely without any mechanical movement, so that the internal magnetization direction of the magnetic soft-bodied robot can be configured simply and flexibly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Liang Li, Quanliang Cao, Xiaotao Han, Yuwei Ju
  • Patent number: 11666775
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are provided. The method includes providing a set of coils that generate multidirectional pulsed electromagnetic fields in the prostate. The apparatus comprises a power source, an intelligent controller and an applicator positioned in proximity to the prostate and generating multidirectional pulsed fields according to instructions from the controller. The electric component of the electromagnetic fields generated by a PEMF interacts with cells, increases the number of Ata receptors on their membranes and thus enhances the anti-inflammatory actions of the adenosine A2aAR pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Minnesota Medical Physics LLC
    Inventors: Victor I. Chornenky, Ali Jaafar
  • Patent number: 11662406
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a MRI apparatus determines a first time during which a subsidiary power supply is capable of supplying power to a cooling device based on a capacity of the subsidiary power supply when power outage of a main power supply occurs, and determines a second time needed to demagnetize a superconducting magnet based on an excitation current of the superconducting magnet and a temperature of the superconducting magnet. The MRI apparatus determines starts ramp-down of the superconducting magnet after a third time based on the first time and the second time has elapsed from initiation of power outage of the main power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuto Nakabayashi, Takehiro Shibuya
  • Patent number: 11657942
    Abstract: Provided are a support apparatus and a flexible device. The support apparatus comprises a support substrate, an electromagnetic support cavity array which is located on the support substrate and includes a plurality of electromagnetic support cavities, a plurality of magnetic field generation circuits, and a control module, where the magnetic field generation circuits are electrically connected to the control module, and the control module is configured to control the plurality of magnetic field generation circuits to generate magnetic fields to make the electromagnetic support cavities deform along a direction perpendicular to a plane in which the support substrate is located. Through the scheme, the electromagnetic support cavity array is provided on the support substrate, and the magnetic field generation circuits are controlled by the control module to generate magnetic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Wuhan Tianma Micro-Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qifeng Zhu, Qian Xu
  • Patent number: 11619069
    Abstract: The invention provides a magnetic actuator (100, 1001, 1002) including at least two magnets. One magnet is a semi hard magnet (310) and the other magnet is a hard magnet (320). The hard magnet (320) is configured to open or close the magnetic actuator (100, 1001, 1002). The semi hard magnet (310) and the hard magnet (320) are placed adjacent to each other. A change in magnetization polarization of the semi hard magnet (310) is configured to push or pull the hard magnet (320) to open or close a digital lock realised with the magnetic actuator 100, 1001, 1002. The magnetic actuator of the invention can also be used to realise a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: ILOQ OY
    Inventor: Mika Pukari
  • Patent number: 11550009
    Abstract: A method of operating a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus includes exciting a body coil of the MRI apparatus to emit a radio-frequency signal, determining a center frequency of a resonance curve of the body coil, and calculating a magnet target frequency based on the determined center frequency. A magnet is ramped to the magnet target frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Biber, Adrian Bampton, Markus Vester, Andre de Oliveira, Volker Model, Jürgen Nistler, Andreas Potthast, Adam Paul Johnstone
  • Patent number: 11387029
    Abstract: A magnetic apparatus includes a first structure including a first non-magnetic material, a second structure including a second non-magnetic material on a first portion of the first structure, a third structure including the second non-magnetic material on a second portion of the first structure. The magnetic apparatus further includes a first magnetic structure adjacent to a first sidewall of the second structure, a second magnetic structure adjacent to a first sidewall of the third structure, a third magnetic structure adjacent to a second sidewall of the second structure, adjacent to a second sidewall of the third structure and extends onto a third portion of the first structure. A magnet is coupled with the first, second and third magnetic structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: LuxNour Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Makarem A. Hussein, Mohamed G. Zanaty
  • Patent number: 11320502
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rapidly ramping the magnetic field of a superconducting magnet, such as a superconducting magnet adapted for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system, are provided. The magnetic field can be rapidly ramped up or down by changing the current density in the superconducting magnet while monitoring and controlling the superconducting magnet's temperature to remain below a transition temperature. A superconducting switch is used to connect the superconducting magnet and a power supply in a connected circuit. The current generated by the power supply is then adjusted to increase or decrease the current density in the superconducting magnet to respectively ramp up or ramp down the magnetic field strength in a controlled manner. The ramp rate at which the magnetic field strength is changed is determined and optimized based on the operating parameters of the superconducting magnet and the current being generated by the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: SYNAPTIVE MEDICAL INC.
    Inventors: Jeff A. Stainsby, Chad T. Harris, Alexander G. Panther, Cameron A. Piron
  • Patent number: 11171559
    Abstract: An electronic circuit comprises a power switch and a fault detection circuit. The power switch circuit includes a power switch transistor. The fault detection circuit includes a comparator circuit configured to monitor a voltage across the power switch transistor and compare the voltage to a varying threshold voltage that decreases with time, and produce an indication of a circuit fault when the voltage of the power switch transistor is greater than the time varying threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Steven John Tanghe, Brian K. Jadus
  • Patent number: 11121140
    Abstract: A ferroelectric tunnel junction memory device includes a bit line, a word line and a memory cell located between the bit line and the word line. The memory cell includes a ferroelectric tunneling dielectric portion and an ovonic threshold switch material portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Seung-Yeul Yang, Raghuveer S. Makala, Fei Zhou, Adarsh Rajashekhar, Rahul Sharangpani
  • Patent number: 11056302
    Abstract: A coil control device of an electronic magnetic contactor, comprises: an input power processing unit configured to convert and output an input power into a direct current power; an input voltage detecting unit configured to detect a voltage level of the direct current power outputted from the input power processing unit; a control unit configured to output a control signal for controlling current flowing in a coil using the voltage level detected by the input voltage detecting unit; and a switching unit configured to connect or cutoff the current flowing in the coil by switching according to the control signal from the control unit, wherein the control unit includes a gate driver electrically connected with the switching unit and configured to block noise from the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyungeun Cho
  • Patent number: 11009892
    Abstract: An active human-machine interface feedback system includes a user interface, a pitch angle sensor, a roll angle sensor, a spherical motor, and a control circuit. The user interface adapted to receive user input and is configured, upon receipt of the user input, to move, about one or both of a pitch axis and a roll axis, to a user interface position. The pitch angle sensor is configured to sense the pitch angle component of the user interface position. The roll angle sensor is configured to sense the roll angle component of the user interface position. The spherical motor is coupled to the user interface and is symmetrically disposed about the origin. The control circuit determines a polar angle (?) of the user interface relative to the origin, determine an azimuthal angle (?) of the user interface relative to the origin, and supply current to the first, second, and third coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Shouvik Das, Pablo Bandera, Deena Dayalan Kothandaraman
  • Patent number: 10904957
    Abstract: A coil assembly and an induction heating device including a coil assembly are provided. The coil assembly may include a coil frame having a shape corresponding to a shape of a heating region defined in a plate. A working coil may extend alternately in between opposite first and second directions, rather than being circularly arranged as in related art coil assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Heejun Lee
  • Patent number: 10759246
    Abstract: A stability control system that detects a change in a vehicle operating characteristic and sends a stabilizing command to an actuator system based on identifying the change is described. The actuator system applies a first magnetic field having a predetermined strength to an electropermanent magnet for a predetermined duration based on receiving the stabilizing command. The first magnetic field transitions the electropermanent magnet from a first state to a second state. The electropermanent magnet generates a second magnetic field in the second state. The second magnetic field modifies at least one of a spring constant or a mechanical resistance of a suspension component within a suspension system of the vehicle, and the electropermanent magnet retains the second state after the predetermined duration in absence of the first magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Erdozain, Jr., Jeffrey A. Sewell, Johnny L. Wall, Colin Szechy
  • Patent number: 10675635
    Abstract: An apparatus for disposal of electronic devices includes a transport mechanism for transferring the storage devices through the apparatus. A scanner scans or reads the devices as the devices move through the apparatus, a sanitizer for degaussing or erasing the storage devices, and a destruction mechanism for physically deforming the devices. The apparatus is further configured to receive scanned information from the scanner, determine identification information for the devices based on the scanned information, and update status information of the devices during movement of the devices between the scanner, sanitizer, and destruction mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane Drexler, John William Eichelberg, Michael P. Czamara
  • Patent number: 10576297
    Abstract: Magnetic flux irradiation devices having an adjustable or a replaceable magnetic core are provided. Magnetic cores are also provided. Methods and systems for using such devices are also provided. The devices and magnetic cores are configured to permit easily changing an irradiation pattern of the magnetic flux, depending on a positional relation between the magnetic flux irradiation device and the irradiation object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignees: DAI-ICHI High Frequency Co., Ltd., Nanotherapy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kotaro Hirayama, Shuichiro Miyata
  • Patent number: 10505402
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a coil assembly for a wireless power transmitter, comprising: a single coil, which comprises a wire, and which has a circular hole formed therein; and a plurality of shielding members (ferrites) coupled to the single coil, wherein the outer diameter of the single coil may be approximately equal to or larger than about 185 mm and equal to or less than 195 mm, and the inner diameter of the single coil may be approximately equal to or larger than 75 mm and equal to or less than 85 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Seonghun Lee
  • Patent number: 10438614
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a magnet housing dimensioned to receive a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) medium or a hard disk drive comprising at least one HAMR medium. A degausser is disposed in the magnet housing and is configured to generate at least one field sufficient to erase the HAMR medium, where the HAMR medium has a coercivity of between about 20 and 100 kOe at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Kangkang Wang, Ganping Ju, Edward Charles Gage
  • Patent number: 10424681
    Abstract: A solar cell is discussed, which includes a tunneling layer on one surface of a semiconductor substrate; a first conductive type region on the tunneling layer; a second conductive type region on the tunneling layer; a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode connected to the first conductive type region and the second electrode connected to the second conductive type region. The tunneling layer includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed to correspond to at least a part of the first and second conductive type regions and has a first thickness. At least a part of the second portion is disposed to correspond to a boundary portion between the first conductive type region and the second conductive type region. The second portion has a second thickness greater than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Giwon Lee, Kisu Kim, Ilhyoung Jung, Jinah Kim
  • Patent number: 10199195
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes at least one coil for measuring electric current of an electrical conductor of an electrical circuit, connected to a control unit which compares the measured current or its equivalent with a first current limit value. Upon the first current limit value being exceeded, the control unit initiates an interruption of the electrical circuit. The two terminals of the coil are connected via a series circuit which has a first switch opened in its basic state, a voltage source and a voltage indicator. The control unit is designed such that, when a second current limit value is undercut and a first period of time is exceeded, the first switch is closed for a second period of time, the voltage indicator compares the voltage present with a first voltage value and, when the latter is exceeded, delivers information on the absence of faults of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Andre Borgwardt
  • Patent number: 10171132
    Abstract: A transceiver for use in induction-based communication protocols, such as radio-frequency identification (RFID) and near field communication (NFC), is described. The transceiver may be arranged such that the transmitter and the receiver share a common input/output (I/O) terminal. The transceiver may be configured to interrogate a transponder to which it is inductively coupled, and to wait for the transponder's response. Data transmitted back by the transponder may be detected by sensing an impedance modulation at the I/O terminal or at a node whose impedance varies with the I/O terminal. The impedance modulation may be sensed by allowing a current to be modulated by the impedance variation and by converting the current into a voltage. The corresponding voltage modulation may be sensed by a receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: MEDIATEK Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Liming Jin, Eng-Chuan Low, Chee Hong Yong
  • Patent number: 10120095
    Abstract: The present invention provides a proximity switch, which can detect whether a detected object containing multiple metals exists in a specific range. The induction type proximity switch includes: an oscillation switch of which the amplitude is attenuated due to the proximity of the detected object containing metal, so as to detect the excessive proximity of the detected object; a detection circuit for detecting the amplitude of a high frequency generated by the oscillation of the oscillation circuit; an operation and comparison part for comparing the detected amplitude of the high frequency with the threshold set for the amplitude, i.e., a boundary as the excessive proximity, and outputting a detection signal of the excessive proximity when the detected amplitude is under the threshold; and a threshold setting part, for selecting a threshold corresponding to a designated metal type according to the designation on the metal type from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakayama, Hiroyuki Tsuchida, Ryota Hasegawa, Takuya Okamoto
  • Patent number: 10082590
    Abstract: The present invention provides a proximity switch, which can detect whether a detected object containing multiple metals exists in a specific range. The induction type proximity switch includes: an oscillation switch of which the amplitude is attenuated due to the proximity of the detected object containing metal, so as to detect the excessive proximity of the detected object; a detection circuit for detecting the amplitude of a high frequency generated by the oscillation of the oscillation circuit; an operation and comparison part for comparing the detected amplitude of the high frequency with the threshold set for the amplitude, i.e., a boundary as the excessive proximity, and outputting a detection signal of the excessive proximity when the detected amplitude is under the threshold; and a threshold setting part, for selecting a threshold corresponding to a designated metal type according to the designation on the metal type from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakayama, Hiroyuki Tsuchida, Ryota Hasegawa, Takuya Okamoto
  • Patent number: 10042071
    Abstract: The present invention provides a proximity switch, which can detect whether a detected object containing multiple metals exists in a specific range. The induction type proximity switch includes: an oscillation switch of which the amplitude is attenuated due to the proximity of the detected object containing metal, so as to detect the excessive proximity of the detected object; a detection circuit for detecting the amplitude of a high frequency generated by the oscillation of the oscillation circuit; an operation and comparison part for comparing the detected amplitude of the high frequency with the threshold set for the amplitude, i.e., a boundary as the excessive proximity, and outputting a detection signal of the excessive proximity when the detected amplitude is under the threshold; and a threshold setting part, for selecting a threshold corresponding to a designated metal type according to the designation on the metal type from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakayama, Hiroyuki Tsuchida, Ryota Hasegawa, Takuya Okamoto
  • Patent number: 10023280
    Abstract: A device for winding and unwinding a cable including a winch comprises a chassis, an electric motor for driving a drum in rotation in relation to the chassis, locking/unlocking means comprising a first induction coil and configured such as to immobilize the drum in relation to the chassis when the first coil is not being powered electrically, the device including a second induction coil that is powered electrically, dimensioned and arranged such that the magnetic field generated by the assembly formed by the first and second coils, when the first coil is powered electrically, is less than the magnetic field generated by the first coil at a point located at a distance from the winch that is greater than a predetermined threshold, the electrical energizing and de-energizing of the second coil being synchronized with the electrical energizing and respectively de-energizing of the first coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Paul Penven, Jean-Jacques Lossec, David Hervouet
  • Patent number: 10014810
    Abstract: A reduced-impedance active measurement device, for example, includes a current transformer for generating a sense current for monitoring a drive signal. An amplifier is arranged to generate an offsetting current in response to the sense current, wherein the offsetting current is opposite in polarity to the sense current. A sense resistor is arranged to develop a sensed voltage signal across the sense resistor in response to the received sense current and the offsetting current. Optionally, the drive signal can be used to drive and control a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald Andrew Michallick, David Anthony White, Michael Nolan Jervis
  • Patent number: 9791478
    Abstract: The invention is about a current transducer of the Rogowski type, with a primary conductor winding having a first number of loops (N1) for carrying the rated current (IR) to be measured, with a secondary conductor winding having a pair of second terminals and a helical shape and a second number of loops (N2), said secondary conductor winding encircling the primary conductor in a toroidal manner, whereby a rated current voltage signal VS is induced between the pair of second terminals of the secondary winding, said rated current voltage signal being characteristic for the derivative of the rated current (dIR/dt), with a transducer electronics (IED) configured to receive the rated current voltage signal (VS), characterized in that the current transducer comprises a third conductor winding having a pair of third terminals with a third number of loops (N3), whereby the transducer electronics (IED) is configured to feed a calibration current signal (ICal) into the third conductor winding, whereby in response to th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Joris Pascal, Yannick Maret, Jean-Baptiste Kammerer, Rolf Disselnkotter
  • Patent number: 9557350
    Abstract: An arrangement for measuring a current with a Rogowski type current transducer and transducer electronics. The current transducer has a primary conductor winding for carrying the rated current to be measured, and a secondary conductor winding. The secondary conductor winding adapted to induce a voltage signal VS? between a pair of second terminals. The current transducer having a third conductor winding adapted to receive a calibration current signal. The voltage signal VS? contains a coil sensitivity S and is a superposition of a rated current voltage signal and an additional calibration signal. The transducer electronics being adapted to amplify both the current voltage signal and the calibration signal in the same amplifier and divide the amplified current voltage signal by that part of the amplified calibration signal that contains the coil sensitivity and the gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Joris Pascal, Franz Zurfluh
  • Patent number: 9552915
    Abstract: A polymorphic surface may be provided by applying at least one magnetic field across a plurality of movable surface contour elements and selectively passing a current through the magnetic field(s) adjacent selected surface contour elements, with the current being perpendicular to the magnetic field. The current interacts with the magnetic field to generate a Lorentz force driving guided substantially linear motion of the respective surface contour element(s). The surface contour elements may be individually moveable and individually selectable for application of current to generate movement. The surface contour elements may be supported in position after removing the current. The current applied across each selected surface contour element may be varied to control the amount of guided substantially linear motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Maieutic Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: Asif Khan, Nemanja Kliska, Nicholas George Vardy, Alexander Steven Ross
  • Patent number: 9146294
    Abstract: A current sense system includes a current transformer having a primary coil and a secondary coil, wherein the secondary coil has a first and second terminal; a burden resistor connected between the first terminal of the secondary coil and ground; a monitor circuit that measures current in the primary coil by monitoring voltage across the burden resistor; and a built-in test (BIT) circuit connected to the second terminal of the secondary coil. The BIT circuit provides a virtual ground during normal operation, and either a positive voltage or a negative voltage during test operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Klapatch, William E. Villano
  • Publication number: 20150080710
    Abstract: A method of obtaining information about the position and/or orientation of a magnetic component relatively to a magnetometric detector, the magnetic component and the magnetometric detector being moveable independently from each other relatively to a static secondary magnetic field, the method comprising the steps of: measuring in the presence of the combination of both the magnetic field of the magnetic component and the static secondary magnetic field essentially simultaneously the strength and/or orientation of a magnetic field at at least a first position and a second position spatially associated with the magnetometric detector, the second position being distanced from the first position; and combining the results of the measurements to computationally eliminate the effect of the secondary magnetic field and derive the information about the position and/or orientation of the magnetic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Rolf Henkel, Eliseo Ventura Sobrino Patino, Robert Von Offenberg Sweeney, Allan Dunbar
  • Patent number: 8976501
    Abstract: In one implementation, the present disclosure provides a method for imparting motion to a magnetically movable object. The method includes disposing the magnetically movable object over a display of an electronic device. The method further includes imparting motion to the magnetically movable object by adjusting a magnetic field that is produced by a magnetic field source, the magnetic field being applied to the magnetically movable object through the display of the electronic device. The adjusting the magnetic field can be based on a location of the magnetically movable object over the display. Furthermore, the display can be a touch sensitive display and the adjusting the magnetic field can be based on touch input of the touch sensitive display. The imparting motion can include moving the magnetically movable object around the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Lanny Starkes Smoot, Jarvis Schultz
  • Patent number: 8944999
    Abstract: A coil system for the contactless magnetic navigation of a magnetic body in a work space, has a plurality of coils and a current controller for controlling the respective currents in the plurality of coils. In order to navigate the magnetic body to a variably predeterminable position in the work space, the current controller is designed such that the currents in the plurality of coils are such that the magnetic forces generated by the currents and acting upon the magnetic body at multiple positions at the edge of a convex environment around the predetermined position are directed into the environment. The coil system has the advantage that a movement of the magnetic body toward a spatial position is achieved without any mechanical movement of the coil system and without a positioning system for determining the position of the magnetic body. The coil system is utilized particularly in a medical device, wherein a magnetic body in the form of a probe is moved in the body of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Aleksandar Juloski, Johannes Reinschke
  • Patent number: 8941966
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic sample-processing device, particularly a sensor device (100), that comprises two electromagnets (110, 120) for generating a magnetic field (B) in a first and a second sample chamber (SC1, SC2) located adjacent to each other in an x-direction. The poles of the electromagnets are disposed below the first and the second sample chamber (SC1, SC2), respectively, next to each other in a perpendicular y-direction. Moreover, the electromagnets are individually controlled by a control unit (130). In a preferred embodiment, the distance between the electromagnets (110, 120) in x-direction is so large that magnetic cross talk can be neglected. In another embodiment, said distance is close, and the electromagnets are operated in a synchronized way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Mikhail Ovsyanko
  • Publication number: 20150002979
    Abstract: A switch structure includes a power element, a keypad, a first magnetic component, and a second magnetic component. The second magnetic component is positioned adjacent to the first magnetic component. When the keypad is deactivated, a magnetic attractive force is generated between the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component. When the keypad is activated, the power element controls the first magnetic component to generate a magnetic repulsive force with the second magnetic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: JUN-FANG LIU
  • Patent number: 8922969
    Abstract: An apparatus for exciting a rotating field pattern in a cavity containing an object, the apparatus comprising a radiating element configured to excite an electromagnetic (EM) field pattern in the cavity, wherein the EM field pattern is excited with EM energy at a frequency in the radio-frequency (RF) range, a field rotating element configured to rotate the EM field pattern, wherein the field rotating element has an anisotropy, the anisotropy selected from magnetic anisotropy, electric anisotropy, and a combination of magnetic and electric anisotropies, and a controller configured to determine the EM field pattern according to value indicative of energy absorbable by the object and to control the anisotropy of the field rotating element in order to rotate the EM field pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Goji Limited
    Inventors: Michael Sigalov, Alexander Bilchinsky, Eran Ben Shmuel
  • Publication number: 20140376145
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electronic apparatus is described where the electronic apparatus includes a first body, a second body on which a touch display unit is provided, and a rotary shaft used to connect the first body and the second body and through which the second body can rotate relative to the first body. The method includes determining whether the electronic apparatus is under a predetermined condition, so as to obtain a determination result; and when the determination result indicates that the electronic apparatus is under the predetermined condition, increasing a rotation resistance that the rotary shaft experiences during rotation of the rotary shaft, so as to cause the second body to reside in a non-rotational state relative to the first body when a user is touching the touch display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicants: Lenovo (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing Lenovo Software Ltd.
    Inventor: Qiang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140347778
    Abstract: A switching device includes at least a first input and a second input, as well as at least a first output and a second output. The first input is connected with the first output through a first controller and a first switch contact pair. The second input is connected with the second output through a second controller and a second switch contact pair. The switching device further includes a transformer with a core. The first controller forms at least a first coil of the transformer and the second controller forms at least a second coil of the transformer. A switch arrangement is configured to maintain an unsaturated state of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: EATON INDUSTRIES (AUSTRIA) GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Koch
  • Patent number: 8830648
    Abstract: A magnetic manipulation and navigation system for moving a magnetic element through a body comprising at least six electromagnets fixed in relation to said body and a control unit supplying the current for the electromagnets. The electromagnets have soft magnetic cores and the current supplied by the control unit to each of the electromagnets is adapted to operate the electromagnetic coils of each of the electromagnets in their core's linear regions being delimited by the value of the flux density of each electromagnet being in an interval between the negative and positive saturation value of each electromagnet, the lower representation showing the deviation due to the use of soft magnetic cores in all electromagnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: ETH Zurich
    Inventors: Jake J. Abbott, Bradley Kratochvil, Michael P. Kummer, Bradley Nelson
  • Patent number: 8817409
    Abstract: The magnetic data eraser includes: a mounting and immobilizing tray on which a magnetic recording medium is mounted, the mounting tray being inclined at an angle of 60±10 degrees to the horizontal; a magnetizer that is encircled by a magnetizing coil, the magnetizer having a hollow portion into which the mounting and immobilizing tray is inserted; and a controller that causes an electric current to flow as an excitation current through the magnetizing coil, the excitation current generating a magnetic field that erases data stored in the magnetic recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Tadashi Honda
    Inventor: Tadashi Honda
  • Patent number: 8797023
    Abstract: Provided is a coercive-force specifying apparatus capable of creating a demagnetization curve for each divisional area of a coercive-force distributed magnet without breaking the coercive-force distributed magnet and of specifying an average coercive force for each divisional area precisely. A coercive force specifying apparatus of the present invention includes: a yoke including an insertion space into which a coercive-force distributed magnet is to be inserted; a magnetizing coil; a search coil that detects a magnetization change when the magnetic field is applied to the coercive-force distributed magnet; and a tracer that creates a demagnetization curve on a basis of a voltage value generated due to the magnetization change. The end face is provided with two or more loop-shaped thread grooves bored therein, the search coil being provided in each thread groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masafumi Suzuki, Tomonari Kogure, Mayumi Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 8797702
    Abstract: An example apparatus for obtaining a desired magnetic field distribution from an incident magnetic field, such as a kHz magnetic field, comprises a structure receiving the incident magnetic field and generating the desired magnetic field distribution at a predetermined distance from the transmitting side of the apparatus. The desired magnetic field distribution results from a spatial distribution of induced electrical current over the structure. Examples of the invention also include design methods and methods of using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Debasish Banerjee, Hideo Iizuka, Jaewook Lee, Ercan Mehmet Dede
  • Patent number: 8760836
    Abstract: An electrical component having a primary winding, a first field-effect transistor, configured as a switch of the primary winding, for switching the primary winding, a quench winding for quenching the inductive load of the primary winding when switching off the primary winding, and a second field-effect transistor, configured as a switch of the quench winding, for switching the quench winding. In the process, the first field-effect transistor is operated in linear operation and the second field-effect transistor is operated in linear operation or in a clock-pulsed operation between the linear operation and a switched-off state during a switching-off process of the quench winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Hartmann, Harald Schueler, Stefan Tumback
  • Patent number: 8736128
    Abstract: Electromagnetic devices and near field plates for three-dimensional magnetic field manipulation are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electromagnetic device includes a rotor, a stator, and a magnetic field focusing device. The rotor may include a rotor body and a plurality of radially extending rotor poles. The stator may include a plurality of stator poles radially extending inwardly from a stator body toward the rotor body. Each stator pole may have a magnetic flux generating device and a stator pole tip, wherein an air gap may be located between each stator pole tip and each corresponding rotor pole. The magnetic field focusing device is coupled to at least one stator pole tip and produces a magnetic field profile having at least one concentrated magnetic flux region proximate the stator pole tip. The magnetic field focusing device twists the magnetic field profile by an angle ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ercan Mehmet Dede, Jaewook Lee, Debasish Banerjee
  • Patent number: 8737035
    Abstract: In one implementation, the present disclosure provides a method for imparting motion to a magnetically movable object. The method includes disposing the magnetically movable object over a display of an electronic device. The method further includes imparting motion to the magnetically movable object by adjusting a magnetic field that is produced by a magnetic field source, the magnetic field being applied to the magnetically movable object through the display of the electronic device. The adjusting the magnetic field can be based on a location of the magnetically movable object over the display. Furthermore, the display can be a touch sensitive display and the adjusting the magnetic field can be based on touch input of the touch sensitive display. The imparting motion can include moving the magnetically movable object around the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Lanny Smoot, Jarvis Schultz
  • Patent number: 8693147
    Abstract: An electrical component having a core and a first and second coil positioned around the core is controlled in such a manner, that in response to the second coil being switched off, the first coil is short-circuited via a quenching circuit to quench the inductive load of the second coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Schueler, Sven Hartmann, Stefan Tumback
  • Publication number: 20140063676
    Abstract: An apparatus for exciting a rotating field pattern in a cavity containing an object, the apparatus comprising a radiating element configured to excite an electromagnetic (EM) field pattern in the cavity, wherein the EM field pattern is excited with EM energy at a frequency in the radio-frequency (RF) range, a field rotating element configured to rotate the EM field pattern, wherein the field rotating element has an anisotropy, the anisotropy selected from magnetic anisotropy, electric anisotropy, and a combination of magnetic and electric anisotropies, and a controller configured to determine the EM field pattern according to value indicative of energy absorbable by the object and to control the anisotropy of the field rotating element in order to rotate the EM field pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Sigalov
  • Publication number: 20140064995
    Abstract: A scroll compression device that enhances the efficiency of workability of magnetization of windings is provided. A scroll compression mechanism 11 for compressing refrigerant and a driving shaft 13 that is connected to the scroll compression mechanism 11 through a driving shaft 15 and drives the scroll compression mechanism 11 are accommodated in a casing 3, the scroll compression mechanism 11 is supported in the casing 3 by a main frame 21, a rotor 39 of the driving motor 13 is connected to the driving shaft 15, the driving shaft 15 is supported in the casing 3 by a bearing plate 8, a pickup 45 is connected to an oil supply path 41 extending in an up-and-down direction in the driving shaft 15, and a holder 58 extending in a radial direction is provided in the oil supply path 41 at the back side of the pickup 45.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Iitsuka, Tsutomu Kon, Akihiro Hayashi, Katsuki Akuzawa, Kenji Aida, Yoshiaki Nagasawa, Kazuyoshi Sugimoto, Yasunori Kiyokawa, Yoshihiko Nagase