A magnetic apparatus includes a first structure including a first non-magnetic material, a second structure including a second non-magnetic material on a first portion of the first structure, a third structure including the second non-magnetic material on a second portion of the first structure. The magnetic apparatus further includes a first magnetic structure adjacent to a first sidewall of the second structure, a second magnetic structure adjacent to a first sidewall of the third structure, a third magnetic structure adjacent to a second sidewall of the second structure, adjacent to a second sidewall of the third structure and extends onto a third portion of the first structure. A magnet is coupled with the first, second and third magnetic structures.

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 control system for controlling a magnetic suspension system includes controllers each being configured to control one or more of magnetic actuators magnetically levitating an object. One of the controllers is configured to operate as a master controller and other one or ones of the controllers are configured to operate as one or more slave controllers. The master controller is communicatively connected with one or more digital data transfer links to the one or more slave controllers and configured to control operation of the one or more slave controllers. The control system makes it possible to implement a centralized control with separate controllers, and thereby without a need for a controller having a high number of controller current sources.

An apparatus and method for attaching a crawler vehicle to the surface of an object. The crawler vehicle may comprise a frame, a number of moveable surface-engaging components attached to the frame, a number of actuators, and an electro-permanent magnet. The number of actuators is operable to move the frame with respect to the object when the number of moveable surface-engaging components is in contact with the surface of the object. The electro-permanent magnet is operable to hold the number of moveable surface-engaging components in contact with the surface of the object by a magnetic force between the electro-permanent magnet and the object when the electro-permanent magnet is activated and to remove the magnetic force when the electro-permanent magnet is deactivated to release the number of moveable surface-engaging components from the surface of the object.

One embodiment includes an electromagnetic device for generating a magnetic field in a workspace. The electromagnetic device includes an elongated sleeve defining a hollow space and having an external surface, a magnetic core, and an electric coil wounded onto the external surface of the elongated sleeve and configured to generate the magnetic field when energized. The magnetic core has a first end, a second end, and a middle portion that is disposed between the first end and the second end and received in the hollow space. The first end is provided with a core tip that is shaped substantially as a cone and has a cone radius greater than zero.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a conveyance device that can increase inductance variation while suppressing the lowering of thrust. A conveyance device 1 conveys an article 110 to be conveyed. The article 110 to be conveyed can be conveyed by a magnetic force. The conveyance device 1 comprises a plurality of electromagnets 25a and 25b. Each electromagnet 25a, 25b comprises: teeth 22, 22a, 22b, 22c and 22e including a magnetic body; and windings 21, 21a and 21b wound around the teeth 22, 22a, 22b, 22c and 22e. The conveyance device 1 comprises a yoke 26 for magnetically coupling the electromagnets 25a and 25b, and driving circuits 50a and 50b for supplying current to the windings 21, 21a and 21b. The teeth 22, 22a, 22b, 22c and 22e have a cavity 27 extending in the axial direction.

A ballast dispenser system and method for flight vehicles, such as high altitude lighter than air vehicles. The system passively retains ballast without power and deploys ballast in response to applying power. An electro-permanent magnet passively retains ballast within the dispenser. Application of power to a coil produces an opposing magnetic field that reduces the overall strength of a net magnetic field acting on the ballast. Lateral positional control of the electro-permanent magnet provides calibration and control of the retaining magnetic field strength. A collapsible silo may hold ballast prior to dispensing ballast and collapse upon landing for minimizing damage.

Disclosed is a substrate transfer device including: a robot unit; and a moving unit configured to move the robot unit in a magnetic levitation manner along a first direction (X axis), in which the moving unit includes: a moving body including an electromagnet module that provides power for magnetic levitation; and a rail structure with a guide rail installed along the first direction to define a movement path of the moving body, and the electromagnet module includes: a body; electromagnets provided on an upper surface, a lower surface, and one side surface of the body the electromagnets being configured to levitate and guide the moving body; and an epoxy molding part formed by molding the body and the electromagnets with an epoxy resin.

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 linear actuator-controlled magnet carrier slides along guide rails to carry the magnet up and down a hollow cylinder attached to a vacuum chamber. Within the hollow cylinder is a rod connected to an internal shutter, thus moving the magnet along the hollow cylinder will open and close the shutter as desired. This movement can be highly tuned to be smooth, fast, and reliable, depending largely on the performance of the linear actuator chosen for implementation.