US 12,447,771 B2
System and method using rotating air gaps to control magnetic wheel adhesion
Fadl Abdellatif, Thuwal (SA); and Ahmed Al Brahim, Thuwal (SA)
Assigned to Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Dhahran (SA)
Filed on May 9, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/662,549.
Prior Publication US 2023/0356544 A1, Nov. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. B60B 19/00 (2006.01); H01F 7/02 (2006.01); H01F 7/20 (2006.01)
CPC B60B 19/006 (2013.01) [H01F 7/02 (2013.01); H01F 7/20 (2013.01); B60B 2900/931 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A wheel configured to adhere magnetically to a ferromagnetic surface, comprising:
an inner annular disc composed of a non-magnetic material and having:
a first plurality of apertures configured to retain a plurality of magnets; and
a pair of outer annular discs composed of a ferromagnetic material and disposed on either side of the inner annular disc, with each outer annular disc of the pair of outer annular discs having:
a second plurality of apertures;
wherein in a first configuration, the second plurality of apertures are not aligned with the magnets, thereby generating a first magnetic flux between the plurality of magnets and the ferromagnetic surface to increase the adhesion of the wheel to the ferromagnetic surface, and
wherein in a second configuration, at least one outer annular disc of the pair of outer annular discs is rotated relative to the inner annular disc to align the second plurality of apertures with the magnets, thereby generating a second magnetic flux between the plurality of magnets and the ferromagnetic surface to decrease the adhesion of the wheel to the ferromagnetic surface,
wherein the second magnetic flux is less than the first magnetic flux.