Linearly operating magnetic coupling device

Abstract

A magnetic coupling device is provided for magnetically coupling a ferromagnetic workpiece, configured to operate and deactivate linearly. [Solution] The magnetic coupling device 100 comprises a housing 110 having a vertical axis extending between a first end 124 and a second end 126, and a magnetic platter 112 including a plate 106 positioned at least a first distance from the second end and a plurality of permanent magnet portions inserted between a plurality of ferromagnetic pole piece portions, wherein the magnetic platter is linearly translatable within the housing to an ON state and an OFF state, respectively, and the magnetic platter is positioned apart from the plate so as to establish a first magnetic circuit through the plate when ON and provide a first magnetic field to the workpiece contact interface 104, and provide a second magnetic field to the workpiece contact interface when in a second state. The second magnetic field is a non-zero magnetic field strength.

Claims

1. A magnetic coupling device for magnetically coupling a ferromagnetic workpiece, A housing having an axis extending between a first end of the housing and a second end of the housing, An iron piece positioned at least a first distance from the second end of the housing, A magnetic platter supported by the housing, wherein the magnetic platter includes a plurality of permanent magnet portions inserted between a plurality of ferromagnetic pole portion portions, A magnetic coupling device in which the magnetic platter is linearly translatable within the housing along the axis to at least each of a first and a second state, the magnetic platter is positioned adjacent to the iron piece such that when the magnetic platter is in the first state, the magnetic coupling device establishes a first magnetic circuit through the iron piece and provides a first magnetic field to the workpiece contact interface of the magnetic coupling device, and the magnetic platter is positioned spaced apart from the iron piece such that when the magnetic platter is in the second state, the magnetic coupling device provides a second magnetic field to the workpiece contact interface, the second magnetic field having a non-zero magnetic field strength.

2. The magnetic coupling device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one non-ferromagnetic piece disposed at least a second distance from the second end of the housing.

3. The magnetic coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic platter translates over a distance of 8 mm or less.

4. The magnetic coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic coupling device provides a holding force of 0.25 grams or more per cubic mm of the magnetic coupling device.

5. The magnetic coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic coupling device provides a holding force of 0.35 grams or more per cubic mm of the magnetic platter.

6. The magnetic coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic coupling device provides a holding force of 0.15 grams or more per square millimeter of the workpiece contact interface.

7. The magnetic coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic coupling device is linearly translatable to a third state, and the magnetic platter is positioned between the first state and the second state when the magnetic platter is in the third state.

8. The magnetic coupling device according to claim 7, wherein the housing comprises a brake configured to hold the magnetic platter in a releaseable state to the third state.

9. The magnetic coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece contact interface comprises a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions.

10. The magnetic coupling device according to claim 9, wherein the workpiece contact interface is releasably supported by the housing.

11. The magnetic coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic platter is removably supported by the housing.

12. The workpiece contact interface has a quadrilateral footprint, claim The magnetic coupling device described in 1.

13. The magnetic coupling device according to claim 12, wherein the quadrilateral footprint is a rectangular footprint or a square footprint.

14. The magnetic coupling device according to claim 1, further comprising a sensing system supported by the housing, wherein the sensing system includes at least one sensor that monitors the level of magnetic flux available to the ferromagnetic workpiece at the workpiece contact interface.

15. The magnetic coupling device according to claim 1, further comprising an actuator configured to linearly translate the magnetic platter between the first state and the second state.

16. The magnetic device according to claim 15, wherein the actuator is at least one of a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, and an electric actuator.

17. The magnetic coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the iron piece spans multiple pole piece portions and / or multiple permanent magnet portions.

18. A method for coupling and uncoupling a magnetic coupler to a ferromagnetic workpiece, wherein the method is The steps include bringing the ferromagnetic workpiece into contact with the workpiece engagement interface of the magnetic coupler, The steps include moving the magnetic platter of the magnetic coupling device from a first separation from the workpiece engagement surface to a second separation from the workpiece engagement surface that is smaller than the first separation, The steps include moving the workpiece from a first position to a second position using the magnetic coupler, A method comprising the steps of moving the magnetic platter from the workpiece engagement surface to a third separation, thereby detaching the magnetic coupler from the workpiece and forming a magnetic circuit through an iron piece in the housing, wherein the third separation is greater than the second separation.

19. A magnetic coupling device for magnetically coupling a ferromagnetic workpiece, A housing having a passage that defines the passage axis, A magnetic platter supported by the housing, wherein the magnetic platter is movable between a first position and a second position along the passage axis, and the magnetic platter includes a plurality of permanent magnet portions inserted between a plurality of ferromagnetic pole portion portions, A workpiece contact interface, supported by the housing and adapted to contact the ferromagnetic workpiece, A magnetic coupling device comprising: a magnetic shunt supported by the housing and magnetically accessible from the passage, wherein a first magnetic circuit is formed by the magnetic platter and the magnetic shunt when the magnetic platter is in the first position, and a second magnetic circuit is formed by the magnetic platter and the ferromagnetic workpiece passing through the workpiece interface when the magnetic platter is in the second position.

Images