SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING MAGNETIC FLUX OF A MULTI-POLE MAGNETIC STRUCTURE
A system for controlling flux of a multi-pole magnetic structure includes a movable magnetic circuit where the position of the moveable magnetic circuit relative to the multi-pole magnetic structure determines the flux emitted by the magnetic structure. The moveable magnetic circuit may be configured to have a tipping movement, a translational movement, and/or a rotational movement relative to the multi-pole magnetic structure.
1 . A magnetic system, comprising:
a magnetic structure comprising a plurality of magnetic sources having a polarity pattern comprising first and second polarities;
a magnetic circuit; and
a mechanism configured to move at least one of said magnetic structure or said magnetic circuit to a plurality of alignment positions, a first alignment position of said plurality of alignment positions resulting in a first amount of flux being directed to a ferromagnetic surface, said first amount of flux corresponding to a maximum attachment force, a second alignment position of said plurality of alignment positions resulting in a second amount of flux being directed to said ferromagnetic surface, said second amount of flux corresponding to a minimum attachment force.
2 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said mechanism is configured to tilt at least one of said magnetic circuit or said magnetic structure.
3 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said mechanism causes translational movement of at least one of said magnetic circuit or said magnetic structure.
4 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said mechanism causes rotational movement of at least one of said magnetic circuit or said magnetic structure.
5 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said magnetic structure comprises discreet magnets.
6 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said magnetic structure comprises magnetic sources magnetically printed into a piece of magnetizable material.
7 . The magnetic system of claim 6 , wherein said magnetic sources were magnetically printed into a first side of said magnetizable material and into a second side of said magnetizable material that is opposite said first side.
8 . The magnetic system of claim 6 , wherein said magnetic structure comprises alternating polarity maxel stripes.
9 . The magnetic system of claim 6 , wherein said magnetic structure comprises a checkerboard pattern.
10 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said polarity pattern is a one-dimensional pattern.
11 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said polarity pattern is a two-dimensional pattern.
12 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said magnetic circuit comprises a ferromagnetic material arranged in shapes complementary to said polarity pattern of said plurality of magnetic sources.
13 . The magnetic system of claim 12 , wherein said ferromagnetic material is separated by non-magnetic material.
14 . The magnetic system of claim 12 , wherein said ferromagnetic material has one or more holes.
15 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said magnetic circuit comprises one of iron, steel, stainless steel, iron filings in an epoxy.
16 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a shunt plate, said shunt plate being located on a first side of said magnetic structure that is opposite a second side of said magnetic structure that interfaces with said magnetic circuit.
17 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said magnetic structure comprises a plurality of pole pieces in a non-magnetic frame.
18 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said magnetic structure is configured to funnel flux from a flat surface to a round surface.
19 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said magnetic structure is configured to focus flux from a first area to a second area that is smaller than said first area.
20 . The magnetic system of claim 1 , wherein said ferromagnetic surface is a second magnetic structure having a second plurality of magnetic sources.