An outdoor robotic tool (10) comprising a first part (20) and a second part (30), wherein the first part (20) supports the second part (30) through a suspension arrangement. The suspension arrangement comprises a first component (40), which comprises at least one magnetic member; and a second component (50), which comprises at least one magnetic member. The first component (40) is attached to the first part (20), wherein the second component (50) is attached to the second part (30), wherein at least one of the magnetic members of suspension arrangement is a permanent magnet (42, 52); and wherein a magnetic member of the first component (40) is positioned so as to magnetically interact with a magnetic member of the second component (50) when in use. A magnetic field sensing unit (60) may be present that comprises a control unit (61) and a magnetic field sensor. A method for detecting the alignment of the first part (20) relative to the second part (30), wherein the method comprises detecting the magnetic field using the magnetic field sensing unit (60), is also disclosed.

An elastic support device according to an embodiment includes: a first member including a first magnet; and a second member including a second magnet, disposed so as to face the first member, and movable relative to the first member in response to receipt of an external force. A magnetic force acting between the first magnet and the second magnet holds the second member in an original position when the second member does not receive an external force, and the magnetic force returns the second member to the original position when the second member is moved due to receipt of an external force.

A shimmy damper for centering a landing gear includes a cap and a housing. The shimmy damper further includes a damper shaft extending from the cap to the housing. The shimmy damper further includes a plurality of magnets configured to exert an opposing force on the cap and the housing via the damper shaft, providing a centering mechanism of the damper shaft within the housing. This centering action in turn provides for the centering of the landing gear during flight.

A magnetic shock absorbing buffer system having a buffer element with a buffer element cavity having internal buffer threads and a buffer cavity shoulder; a plunger element having a plunger head that is slidable within the buffer element cavity, wherein a plunger body extends through the buffer cavity second open end, and wherein a plunger shoulder contacts the buffer cavity shoulder to maintain the plunger head within the buffer element cavity; an adjustment screw, wherein external adjustment screw threads interact with the internal buffer threads to allow the adjustment screw to be adjustably positioned within the buffer cavity; and at least one dynamic magnet and at least one static magnet positioned within the buffer cavity, wherein like poles face one another such that the magnets act to repel one another within the buffer cavity, and wherein the adjustment screw maintains the magnets within the buffer cavity.

This disclosure presents a new type of variable stiffness magnetic spring, which can have a highly linear translational force characteristic. The variable stiffness is achieved through the rotation of a central magnet. Both positive and negative spring constants can be created. Using an analytic-based field analysis modelling technique, the operating principle and linearity characteristics of the adjustable magnetic spring are studied. The use of a magnetic spring with an adjustable negative spring constant could enable an ocean generator to continuously operate in a resonant state, thereby greatly increasing its power generation capability. The described variable stiffness spring could also be useful in other energy harvesting applications, robotic actuator applications, and/or other applications.

A backpack that uses magnetic forces to alter the load distribution on a user in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a backpack for changing load distribution on a user comprising: an outer portion comprising; a compartment to hold an inner portion; an opening; the inner portion comprising; a compartment configured for a load; an opening; a first plurality of magnets on the outer portion, wherein the first plurality of magnets is: oriented such that a consistent magnetic pole of each magnet points towards the compartment; a second plurality of magnets on the inner portion, wherein the second plurality of magnets is; oriented such that a consistent magnetic pole of each magnet points towards the compartment; wherein the first plurality of magnets is oriented such that a magnetic field of the first plurality of magnets exerts a repulsive force on the second plurality of magnets.

A magnetically-coupled torque assist apparatus includes a movable (rotor) magnet configured to rotate about a rotor magnet axis extending through the rotor magnet, and a stationary (stator) magnet. The rotor magnet and the stator magnet have a gap therebetween. There is an equilibrium state position (ESP) of the rotor magnet where forces acting on the rotor magnet are balanced such that the rotor magnet is stationary about the rotor magnet axis. And when the rotor magnet is rotated from the equilibrium state position (ESP) to an elastically stressed state position (SSP), magnetic fields of the rotor magnet and the stator magnet generate a resultant magnetic force on the movable magnet that biases the movable magnet towards the equilibrium state position. In some embodiments, the stator and rotor magnets are configured to create a Halbach-effect magnetic field bloom, which contributes to the magnetic forces.

The application relates to a magnetic biasing assembly. The magnetic biasing assembly comprises an outer part, having a first permanent magnet and an outer ferromagnetic annulus disposed radially outwardly of the first permanent magnet; and an inner part, having a second permanent magnet and an inner ferromagnetic annulus disposed radially inwardly of the second permanent magnet. The outer and inner parts are rotatable relative to each other about an axis to move the inner and outer parts into and out of an equilibrium position with each other. When the inner and outer parts are moved out of the equilibrium position, the first and second permanent magnets are arranged to generate a magnetic restoring moment between the inner and outer parts in a direction towards the equilibrium position.

An eddy current damper includes a screw shaft, first permanent magnets, second permanent magnets, a cylindrical magnet holding member, a cylindrical conductive member, and a ball nut meshing with a screw shaft. The screw shaft is movable in the axial direction. The first permanent magnets are arrayed along the circumferential direction around the screw shaft. The second permanent magnet is arranged between the first permanent magnets, wherein the arrangement of magnet poles is inverted between the second permanent magnet and the first permanent magnet. The magnet holding member holds the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet. The conductive member is opposed to the first permanent magnets and the second permanent magnets with a gap therebetween. The ball nut is disposed inside the magnet holding member and the conductive member, and is fixed to the magnet holding member or the conductive member.

There have been many types of sports shoes varying in design and material. The market-leading sports shoes are Nike and Asics. Nike is famous for its patented Air Max technology and Asics for its unique liquid cushioning element technology. These are excellent shoes in its own category. Yet, sports players are also looking for a shoe that can switch between the hi-rebound high performance sports mode and soft-cushioned regular mode conveniently. Our new design of the shoe sole tackles this task with a unique approach. We design the shoe sole into three zones according to its dynamic feature and fill the corresponding zones with different foaming material and an interchangeable compact MagLev module. This new design meets the challenge and opens up a new way for shoe manufacturing.