Magnetic coupling device with at least one of a sensor arrangement and a degauss capability

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 group of permanent magnets fixed relative to the plurality of pole portions and a second group of permanent magnets, 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 platter positioned above the first group of permanent magnets and carrying the second group of permanent magnets, the platter and the second group of permanent magnets being rotatable as a unit relative to the first group of permanent magnets about an axis, wherein the magnetic flux source is in the first state when the platter and the second group of permanent magnets are in a first position relative to the first group of permanent magnets and the magnetic flux source is in the second state when the platter and the second group of permanent magnets are in a second position relative to the first group of permanent magnets, the first group of permanent magnets and the second group of permanent magnets being positioned in a non-overlapping relationship with the axis;

at least one sensor monitoring at least one characteristic; and

a logic control circuit operatively coupled to the at least one sensor, the logic control circuit based on the at least one characteristic of the at least sensor determining a proximity of the plurality of workpiece contact interfaces of the plurality of spaced apart pole portions to the ferromagnetic workpiece.

2. The magnetic coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the platter includes a plurality of apertures which receive the second group of permanent magnets.

3. The magnetic coupling device of claim 1 , further comprising a brake which holds a position of the second group of permanent magnets relative to the first group of permanent magnets.

4. The magnetic coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the first group of permanent magnets includes a first number of permanent magnets and the second group of permanent magnets includes a second number of permanent magnets, the first number of permanent magnets is equal to the second number of permanent magnets and the first number of permanent magnets is an even number.

5. The magnetic coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart pole portions extend below and above the first group of permanent magnets.

6. The magnetic coupling device of claim 1 , wherein a first pole portion of the plurality of spaced apart pole portions being positioned between a first permanent magnet of the first group of permanent magnets and a second permanent magnet of the first group of permanent magnets; a second pole portion of the plurality of spaced apart pole portions being positioned between a third permanent magnet of the first group of permanent magnets and a fourth permanent magnet of the first group of permanent magnets; and a third pole portion of the plurality of spaced apart pole portions being positioned between a fifth permanent magnet of the first group of permanent magnets and a sixth permanent magnet of the first group of permanent magnets.

7. The magnetic coupling device of claim 6 , wherein each of the first pole portion and the second pole portion are north pole portions of the magnetic coupling device.

8. The magnetic coupling device of claim 6 , wherein the at least one sensor is positioned between the first pole portion and the second pole portion.

9. The magnetic coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is magnetic field sensor.

10. The magnetic coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic is a magnetic characteristic.

11. The magnetic coupling device of claim 1 , wherein in the first state the ferromagnetic workpiece is capable of being held by the plurality of workpiece contact interfaces with a first magnetic strength, in the second state the ferromagnetic workpiece is capable of being held by the plurality of workpiece contact interfaces with a second magnetic strength, the second magnetic strength being less than the first magnetic strength, and in a third state of the plurality of permanent magnets the ferromagnetic workpiece is incapable of being held by the plurality of workpiece contact interfaces.

12. The magnetic coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic coupling device is carried by an end of a robotic arm.

13. The magnetic coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the platter includes a plurality of apertures which receive the second group of permanent magnets and wherein the first group of permanent magnets includes a first number of permanent magnets and the second group of permanent magnets includes a second number of permanent magnets, the first number of permanent magnets is equal to the second number of permanent magnets and the first number of permanent magnets is an even number.

14. The magnetic coupling device of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart pole portions extend below and above the first group of permanent magnets.

15. The magnetic coupling device of claim 14 , a first pole portion of the plurality of spaced apart pole portions being positioned between a first permanent magnet of the first group of permanent magnets and a second permanent magnet of the first group of permanent magnets; a second pole portion of the plurality of spaced apart pole portions being positioned between a third permanent magnet of the first group of permanent magnets and a fourth permanent magnet of the first group of permanent magnets; and a third pole portion of the plurality of spaced apart pole portions being positioned between a fifth permanent magnet of the first group of permanent magnets and a sixth permanent magnet of the first group of permanent magnets, wherein each of the first pole portion and the second pole portion are north pole portions of the magnetic coupling device.

16. The magnetic coupling device of claim 15 , wherein the at least one sensor is positioned between the first pole portion and the second pole portion.

17. The magnetic coupling device of claim 16 , wherein the at least one sensor is magnetic field sensor.

18. The magnetic coupling device of claim 16 , wherein the at least one characteristic is a magnetic characteristic.

19. The magnetic coupling device of claim 16 , wherein in the first state the ferromagnetic workpiece is capable of being held by the plurality of workpiece contact interfaces with a first magnetic strength, in the second state the ferromagnetic workpiece is capable of being held by the plurality of workpiece contact interfaces with a second magnetic strength, the second magnetic strength being less than the first magnetic strength, and in a third state of the plurality of permanent magnets the ferromagnetic workpiece is incapable of being held by the plurality of workpiece contact interfaces.

20. The magnetic coupling device of claim 19 , further comprising a brake which holds a position of the second group of permanent magnets relative to the first group of permanent magnets.

21. The magnetic coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of permanent magnets are rare earth magnets.