A magnetic apparatus (1) comprising a magnetizable surface (2) configured to anchor a one or more ferromagnetic elements in a removable manner and a plurality of magnetic poles (3), each provided with a free surface (4) thereof, the magnetizable surface (2) being at least partially defined by the free surfaces (4) of said plurality of magnetic poles (3) placed side by side; one part of said magnetic poles (3) has at least two measuring areas (5) on the free surface thereof, each measuring area (5) being associated with at least one sensor (6) adapted to detect a magnetic flux exiting from said area.

The present disclosure provides a charging receptacle and a charging plug, which cooperate with each other and comprise a receptacle ejection device and a plug ejection device respectively for automatically separating the charging receptacle from the charging plug after charging of the apparatus to be charged is completed. The present disclosure further provides a charging system comprising the charging receptacle and the charging plug as described above.

Devices configured to direct heat flow are disclosed, as well as methods of forming thereof. A device may include a self-assembling heat flow object. The self-assembling heat flow object may include a material having one or more self-assembling properties that cause the material to react to an environmental stimulus and one or more thermal pathways. An application of the environmental stimulus causes the self-assembling heat flow object to deploy and arrange the one or more thermal pathways for directing thermal energy to one or more locations.

A magnetic field control system according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a structure forming part for forming a three-dimensional structure having an inner space; a magnetic field generating part for generating a magnetic field, the magnetic field generating part being formed to extend from a predetermined position of the structure forming part and being disposed to face a target region defined in the inner space; and a power source part for supplying electric power to the magnetic field generating part.

There is provided a power transmission device to switch a coupled state and an uncoupled state between a first member and a second member which are arranged in a transmission path of a driving force to thereby control transmission of the driving force. The device includes a movable body having ferromagnetic property, a first magnetic path and a second magnetic path, and a permanent magnet. The device also includes a driving portion to excite the electromagnet in the forward direction and then increases an attraction force on a side on which a magnetic flux is increased or decreased.

An injection controller has a voltage applicator that applies a voltage to a driving coil of an injection valve. After a voltage is applied to the driving coil with a peak current for opening the injection valve, the voltage applicator applies a power supply voltage to the driving coil in an ON-OFF manner, to supply the driving coil with a less-than-peak current. A comparator detects whether a terminal voltage at a terminal of the coil is less than a predetermined threshold voltage. Upon detecting that the terminal voltage is less than the threshold voltage, a discharge switch applies a boosted voltage to the driving coil.

A system and method for manipulating or heating conductive material. The system comprises: a first electromagnet; a second electromagnet; the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet each comprising: a body; a first pole, the first pole proximal to a working surface; a second pole, the second pole distal to a working surface; a coil at least partially disposed around the body; a modulating controller configured to selectively apply a current to the first or the second electromagnet; the current configured to produce a time-varying flux density at the first pole; and a working volume in communication with the first pole. Manipulation of the material may be contactless and may include, but is not limited to, rotating, levitating, moving, and/or shaping the conductive material.

A power converter for a linear drive system having improved control of the switching devices to reduce the effects of localized heating within the power converter is disclosed. The linear drive system controls multiple movers along a track. Multiple coils are positioned adjacent to each other along the length of the track. Each coil is connected to a switching device within the power converter to energize and de-energize the coils. Pairs of adjacent switching devices are connected to coils that have at least additional coil located between the adjacent switching devices. Thus, adjacent switching modules do not conduct the same level of current and those switching modules that are required to conduct elevated levels of current are spaced apart from each other within the power converter. Consequently, the heat generated as a result of the elevated current and increased switching is similarly spread out within the power converter.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a pick & place system that uses a magnetic core for both magnetic coupling with an assembly component and heating of the assembly component. The magnetic core has a component engagement surface configured to magnetically and thermally engage the component. A controller is configured to provide both AC current and DC current to an inductive coil wound about the magnetic core. DC current provided to the inductive coil induces a magnetic field within the magnetic core, thereby magnetically attracting the component when engaged with the component engagement surface. AC current provided to the magnetic core inductively heats the magnetic core, thereby heating the component when engaged with the component engagement surface.

A sheet separating apparatus of the present invention includes a main body portion including a placement face on which a plurality of layered sheets are placed, a convex portion that is protruded from the placement face and on which ends of the sheets are placed, and a magnetic circuit arranged at the main body portion. The magnetic circuit includes a plurality of permanent magnets aligned arranged in line in X direction along the placement face with the same poles of adjacent permanent magnets being faced to each other, first yokes each arranged between the permanent magnets, nonmagnetic members each arranged between the permanent magnets and the sheets, and second yokes each arranged between the nonmagnetic members.