US 12,459,294 B2
System and method using a magnetic cancellation loop 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 11, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/662,925.
Prior Publication US 2023/0364941 A1, Nov. 16, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B60B 19/00 (2006.01); B60B 3/00 (2006.01); H01F 7/02 (2006.01)
CPC B60B 19/006 (2013.01) [B60B 3/00 (2013.01); H01F 7/0273 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A wheel having an axle and configured to adhere magnetically to a ferromagnetic surface, comprising:
an inner annular disc composed of a non-magnetic material and having:
a first outer circumferential periphery;
a first central axial bore configured to retain the axle;
a first plurality of apertures disposed adjacent to the first central axial bore and configured to retain a plurality of ferromagnetic structures; and
a second plurality of apertures disposed adjacent to the outer circumferential periphery and 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 having:
a second outer circumferential periphery;
a second central axial bore configured to retain the axle;
an inner circumferential periphery disposed adjacent to the second central axial bore; and
an isolator ring composed of a non-magnetic material and defining a plurality of curves extending in a serpentine manner circumferentially around the inner circumferential periphery intermediate of the second outer circumferential periphery and the second central axial bore, with the serpentine curves of the isolator ring disposed between the inner circumferential periphery and the second outer circumferential periphery,
wherein in a first configuration, the serpentine curves of the isolator ring are disposed in a first position relative to the plurality of magnets to isolate the plurality of ferromagnetic structures from the plurality of 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 is rotated about the axle relative to the inner annular disc to dispose the serpentine curves of the isolator ring in a second position relative to the plurality of magnets to allow magnetic interaction between the plurality of ferromagnetic structures and the plurality of 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.