US 12,233,513 B2
Magnetic coupling device with at least one of a sensor arrangement and a degauss capability
David H. Morton, Boulder, CO (US); Paul J. Karp, Thornton, CO (US); Thomas R. Whitt, Redmond, WA (US); and Michael C. Blanchard, Thornton, CO (US)
Assigned to Magswitch Automation Company, Superior, CO (US)
Filed by Magswitch Technology, Inc., Superior, CO (US)
Filed on Nov. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/515,911.
Application 18/515,911 is a continuation of application No. 17/994,290, filed on Nov. 26, 2022, granted, now 11,850,708.
Application 17/994,290 is a continuation of application No. 17/074,237, filed on Oct. 19, 2020, granted, now 11,511,396, issued on Nov. 29, 2022.
Application 17/074,237 is a continuation of application No. 15/964,884, filed on Apr. 27, 2018, granted, now 11,097,401, issued on Aug. 24, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/490,706, filed on Apr. 27, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/490,705, filed on Apr. 27, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2024/0269803 A1, Aug. 15, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H01H 47/00 (2006.01); B25B 11/00 (2006.01); G01R 33/02 (2006.01)
CPC B25B 11/002 (2013.01) [G01R 33/02 (2013.01)] 47 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A magnetic coupling device for magnetically coupling to a ferromagnetic workpiece, comprising:
a plurality of spaced apart pole portions, each of the plurality of spaced apart pole portions having a workpiece contact interface to contact the ferromagnetic workpiece;
a magnetic flux source including a plurality of permanent magnets, the plurality of permanent magnets including a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet, the magnetic flux source having a first state wherein a first level of magnetic flux is available at the plurality of workpiece contact interfaces of the plurality of spaced apart pole portions and a second state wherein a second level of magnetic flux is available at the plurality of workpiece contact interfaces of the plurality of spaced apart pole portions, the second level being less than the first level;
a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors including at least one magnetic field sensor; and
a controller, based on the plurality of sensors, operable to determine a proximity of the workpiece contact interfaces of the plurality of spaced apart pole portions to the ferromagnetic workpiece and a relative orientation of the workpiece contact interfaces of the plurality of spaced apart pole portions to the ferromagnetic workpiece.