US 11,901,141 B2
Variable field magnetic couplers and methods for engaging a ferromagnetic workpiece
David H. Morton, Boulder, CO (US); Cengiz Kizilkan, Ingolstadt (DE); and Paul J. Karp, Boulder, CO (US)
Assigned to Magswitch Technology, Inc., Superior, CO (US)
Filed by Magswitch Technology Worldwide Pty Ltd., Lafayette, CO (US)
Filed on Dec. 22, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/130,868.
Application 17/130,868 is a continuation of application No. 15/965,582, filed on Apr. 27, 2018, granted, now 10,903,030.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/634,783, filed on Feb. 23, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/490,705, filed on Apr. 27, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2021/0210296 A1, Jul. 8, 2021
Int. Cl. H01H 36/00 (2006.01); H01F 7/02 (2006.01); H01F 7/04 (2006.01); B65H 3/16 (2006.01); B66C 1/04 (2006.01)
CPC H01H 36/002 (2013.01) [B65H 3/16 (2013.01); B66C 1/04 (2013.01); H01F 7/021 (2013.01); H01F 7/0226 (2013.01); H01F 7/0242 (2013.01); H01F 7/0257 (2013.01); H01F 7/04 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of moving a ferromagnetic workpiece positioned on a support with a magnetic coupling device, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) contacting the ferromagnetic workpiece with a plurality workpiece contact interfaces of the magnetic coupling device, the magnetic coupling device having at least one permanent magnet which contributes to a level of magnetic flux available to the ferromagnetic workpiece at the workpiece contact interfaces;
(b) transitioning the magnetic coupling device from a first state having a first level of magnetic flux available to the ferromagnetic workpiece at the workpiece contact interfaces to a second state having a second level of magnetic flux available to the ferromagnetic workpiece at the workpiece contact interfaces, the second level being greater than the first level;
(c) moving the ferromagnetic workpiece relative to the support with the magnetic coupling device from a first position to a second position while the magnetic coupling device is in the second state;
(d) transitioning the magnetic coupling device from the second state to a third state having a third level of magnetic flux available to the ferromagnetic workpiece at the workpiece contact interfaces, the third level being greater than the second level;
(e) moving the ferromagnetic workpiece with the magnetic coupling device from the second position to a third position while the magnetic coupling device is in the third state; and
(f) decoupling the ferromagnetic workpiece from the magnetic coupling device, wherein the ferromagnetic workpiece remains the same throughout steps (a) through (e).