Rotatable Permanent Magnet Array for 3D Field Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic field generators face challenges in generating high flux density fields with arbitrarily controlled direction in a three-dimensional workspace while maintaining accessibility, as they often suffer from issues like Joule heating, mechanical vibrations, and limited scalability.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic field generator comprising at least three groups of rotatable permanent magnets, where each group has linearly independent orientations, allowing for arbitrary control of the magnetic field's orientation and flux density within the workspace without mechanical translation, using neodymium magnets with a coercive field strength of 600 kA/m and controlled by electrical motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electromagnetic coils are used to generate magnetic field, then field strength and direction can be easily controlled, but Joule heating causes temperature rise requiring cumbersome cooling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic coils with permanent magnets that are mechanically rotatable. The magnetic field is generated by the permanent magnets' magnetic moments, and control is achieved by rotating the magnets to different orientations rather than by varying electrical current. This eliminates Joule heating entirely while maintaining field controllability through mechanical repositioning.
2Ease of operation
If permanent magnets are mechanically rotated to change field orientation, then field direction can be varied, but mechanical movement limits access to the workspace
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the magnetic field generation system into multiple independent permanent magnets, each capable of individual rotation about its own axis. This segmentation allows each magnet to be controlled independently to produce the desired composite magnetic field vector, while the magnets themselves are positioned at the periphery of the workspace, leaving the central workspace area accessible and unobstructed.
3Strength
If superconducting magnetic coil is used, then very high field strength can be generated, but direction and magnitude are not easily variable and cryogenic cooling is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs permanent magnets with fixed magnetic moment magnitudes but dynamically reconfigurable orientations. By rotating the permanent magnets to different angular positions, the system dynamically changes the direction and composite magnitude of the magnetic field without requiring changes to the magnets themselves or cryogenic cooling systems. This provides both high field strength and easy variability.
4Ease of operation
If mechanical rotation of magnets is used to change field orientation, then field direction can be controlled, but vibrations are caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces continuous mechanical rotation with discrete angular positioning of permanent magnets. Each magnet can be positioned at specific angular orientations to achieve the desired magnetic field direction. This discrete positioning approach eliminates continuous mechanical movement and associated vibrations, providing stable field control through precise angular placement rather than ongoing rotation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables the creation of a magnetic field with arbitrary orientation and flux density, providing high flux density and accessibility to the workspace, suitable for medical and biological applications, with the ability to actuate tethered or untethered devices within the workspace.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic field generator comprises at least three groups of magnets, the magnetic moment of each magnet being rotatable about a rotation axis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A magnetic field generator that comprises at least three groups of magnets, the magnetic moment of each magnet being rotatable about a rotation axis, wherein each group comprises at least two magnets, and each group has an orientation in the sense that the rotation axes of the magnetic moments of the magnets of the same group extend in the group's orientation. The orientations of the different groups are linearly independent.